Beginner Calligraphy Supplies and Suppliers

I thought it would be useful to share a bit about the Beginner’s Workshop supplies and where’s best to find them. It’s probably the question I get asked the most during workshops.

NIB

All my Beginner Workshops use a Nikko G or Zebra G nib. These are by far the easiest and most accessible nibs for starting out which is why I picked them for the workshops. They’re also pretty durable too, which a bonus! They were originally used for creating Manga graphic novels in Japan. While they are very much still used for that, the calligraphy community now also swear by this nib.

Cleaning and caring for your nib

When you purchase a nib there will be a coating on it which preserves it in storage. In my experience, the easiest method to remove this coating is to stick the nib (pointed end first) into a raw potato. The starch in the potato reacts with the coating and removes it- magic! However, don’t leave your nib in for longer than 30 seconds as this reaction can then start to damage the nib. After you remove the nib give it a wipe with a piece of kitchen roll (I exclusively use kitchen roll when prepping and cleaning my nibs). When you are standing up from your work space ALWAYS clean your nib with a piece of damp kitchen roll, even if you’re only going to make a cup of tea.

INK

The ink we use at workshops also comes from Japan. Sumi ink is a washable ink however it can take quite a while to dry. If I was doing a project with it, I’d usually leave it overnight to dry before erasing out any pencil guidelines/letters. It won’t make a difference when you’re learning but you either have a blue or red based ink. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a difference and I’d be surprised if a retailer even mentions it when selling it but if you’re like me and keen to learn about your supplies, you can look up the process on how it’s made.

PAPER

For workshops I use 80/90gsm graph paper. It can be a little tricky to get outside of the “back to school” season so you can buy regular 80gsm paper and print a graph pattern on it. Alternatively, if you’ve no printer, squared or dotted Rhodia paper is great. It comes in different sizes too which is handy. It’s useful to get a perforated notebook so you can tear out pages while you’re waiting on the ink to dry. If the paper is lighter than 80gsm fibres can catch on your nib, which can be very frustrating and messy.

PENCIL

I’ve gotten in to the habit of using a mechanical pencil. It means if the nib breaks you don’t have to carry a sharpener with you. Most mechanical pencils will also have the ability to store extra lead in the barrel of the pencil- remove the eraser and have a look. You can buy your own spare leads, although most pencils come with a few extra.

BRUSH MARKERS

I’ve used the Pentel Fude Touch markers in workshops since the start because of their quality. They’re like old friends at this stage. They are incredibly durable and can take a rougher paper and a heavier hand. When I say they’re the same markers, I mean the exact same ones- that’s how durable! The nibs are flexible but pointed. This point gives your the thin up stroke while the flexibility allows you to apply pressure for the heavy thick down stroke. You can purchase these markers individually or in multi packs.

BASIC TIPS:

• practice, practice, practice - you won’t be good automatically as you’re using different muscles in your hands - allow yourself time and patience to learn a new skill.

• date your practice to see your progress

• you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started (see suppliers below)

• your nice handwriting won’t help - this is different skill set

• don’t skip the basics - practice your strokes

SUPPLIERS

Let’s talk shopping! I’m a big fan of supporting local small businesses.

Hunter Paper Co. is a business that’s so close to my heart. Emma and Ross have a beautiful shop with specially curated stationery as well as all the cards Emma designs and creates. She has an antique letter press that she uses to make all her cards. One hundred percent worth a visit. If you can’t get there in person, their website is: https://hunterpaperco.com When they decided to offer calligraphy supplies I was able to help them pick out the best items for beginners. It’s a great place to look for quality equipment to start you off without feeling overwhelmed.

Another local supplier that I discovered in the last couple of years is based in Newry. Blot Pens https://www.blotspens.co.uk offer a range of calligraphy products, from more traditional style nibs to excellent quality erasers that have been tried and tested. I would regularly order stunning inks from the Dr. Ph. Martin‘s Iridescent range from Blot Pens.

And lastly, slightly further afield, Penman Direct https://www.penmandirect.co.uk in Norfolk have a great range of equipment. Their customer service is fab too. Kim always signs the receipt - little touches like this mean so much to me! All of these suppliers are small family run businesses.

If you prefer to get all your recommended products at one place. I can put together a Beginner’s Starter kit for£20 not including postage. It will include a straight pen holder, Zebra G nib, sumi ink, A5 Rhodia notebook, laminated guide sheet, and a booklet that covers a lot of what we cover in the Beginner’s Calligraphy Workshop. Get in touch if it‘s something your interested in.

I hope this helps. Remember, keep up the practice!

Kate ✍🏻