Look at this very first attempt at “calligraphy” below.
Somehow the word “immortality” looks like it was strangling itself ’til it passed out.
This was two years ago.
Early this month, I got hooked on (a.k.a. addicted to) calligraphy after I took a class with Pauline of Happy Hands Project.
From blotted, scraggly pages during our workshop:
to this:
By the way, I get good writing days and some REALLY horrible calligraphy days as well. It took me around 15 minutes of practice to make this one look like that 😀 The more exhausted I am, the lousier the writing. Energy means everything to the way I write, it seems 😀
Just in a span of four weeks, I found myself quite active in the blogosphere of lovers of the hand-written word and calligraphers from all over. I’ve also been getting questions from Singapore and Manila regarding classes. So for those who have asked me about supplies and classes, let me finally list them down for you:
CALLIGRAPHY SUPPLIES
Though I haven’t personally tried buying here myself, these are some of the shops recommended to me by my teacher:
1. www.paperinkarts.com for nibs and holders
2. Popular bookstore for Chinese ink, which I use for daily practice. This shop is scattered across many branches across the island.
3. Straits Art Company for Nikko G and Leonard nibs, located at 420 Northbridge Road, SG.
UPDATE: I finally visited the shop and it is officially my favorite art store in Singapore!
This box does not just exist in our dreams.
That pretty detail which I only noticed when I got home. I love this nib!
4. Overjoyed for Brause nibs, holders and Rhodia pads, located in Golden Wall Center on 89 Short Street, SG.
5. Art Friend for a range of colored ink.
TIP: If you don’t want to spend so much buying different colors of ink, I discovered that watercolor works just as well! You can see that the paper I used is very heavy, grainy stock: watercolor paper from Daler Rowney.
Surprisingly, no bleeding and no snags 🙂
PAPER
Friends have asked me what paper I use for everyday practice. Since I’m just starting, I make a mountain of a mess and consume lots of paper per day. Say… 3 sheets per sitting until I get it right? I don’t want to spend for quality paper that I will just be used for errors and blotting
So what do I use for my daily drills? I have several:
1. An inexpensive drawing block that looks like this:
What’s important is the paper is not fibrous and has a very smooth, coated finish to prevent ink from bleeding. I tried using my other sketchbooks but because the paper was grainy, the letters just bled everywhere, regardless of the amount of ink I use.
This drawing book above can be purchased in Popular bookstore.
2. Bond paper
Now not all bond paper are created equal, I’m sure by now you know that. I have a huge supply of paper and went through the different kinds I’ve acquired over time. What I find useful and practical for me, without the guilt from creating a myriad of writing errors are 80-90 gsm premium bond paper, one that says is good for laser printing.
Another pack of paper I use simply goes by the name of “multi-purpose paper” . It indicates that it is good for laser printing so that works really well.
Writing on uncoated pages of ordinary bond paper
If you run your fingers over ordinary bond paper versus premium sheets, you will feel that the ones I use for calligraphy will let the skin of your fingers glide over like butter. The key is to find paper that does not cause your nibs to snag and/or ink to bleed.
3. Moleskine Artist’s Journal (not sure if what I have is the watercolor notebook or the sketchbook variant)
The only reason I own one is because I got it as a present from a very good friend 🙂 Otherwise, I keep holding out on spending for one. So this is where I ink only my final art (when I’m confident to do so without error). I specified artist’s journal because the pages of this particular variant is very thick and can be used for watercolors and other water-based paint. The paper, however, is smooth and stiff (around 160 gsm?). This has worked very well for my daily projects, thankfully.
I’ve seen a good collection in Kinokuniya.
CLASSES
1. Singapore
The one I took was conducted by Pauline Ibarra of Happy Hands Project. This was our class, hosted in our home 🙂
2. Manila
While I’ve never taken a class in the Philippines, my friend Regina was kind enough to list down a number of pretty good leads:
BOOKS
I still do not own a single calligraphy book as I am still waiting for the postman to come by with my order at this very moment. But the book I purchased is “Modern Calligraphy” by Molly Suber Thorpe which is believed to be uber helpful to many calligraphers today.
Another one I wish I didn’t pull out of my shopping basket is the classic blue-cover “Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy” manual by Eleanor Winters.
UPDATE: Here is the book I was waiting for! I still don’t have the E. Winter’s book because I’m not sure if I want to do copperplate yet 😀
🙂
If you have any other books, classes, supplies, brands you’ve come across that you’re happy with, feel free to share this as I would like to know as well. Thank you!
I’m just starting to love writing and calligraphy and this was very helpful and encouraging 🙂
Hi Wendy! I’m just giving back all the confidence strangers have given and continue to send my way. Keep writing and happy inking! 🙂 Happy I’m able to help!
I love the book, “Modern Calligraphy”!!! It is indeed heaven-sent to us newbies 🙂
Hi Genefel! I totally agree — so helpful to have for people trying to learn the craft 🙂 Thanks for popping in, too!
Thanks to this post! I found Straits Art and good quality nibs!
it’s one of the best finds here in SG 🙂 Such a treasure trove of fine art supplies.
Reblogged this on jackietells and commented:
My next prospect! Calligraphy 😀
Oh wow. Totally missed this link-back earlier. Thanks for reposting this! 🙂
Hi, fellow newbie here! Just wondering, what calligraphy style did you learn? I’ve always thought it’s copperplate but I guess I’m wrong haha! Your work looks really good! 🙂
Hi Jessica! Hmm, you know what? I went straight to modern calligraphy 😀 I first tried working with my own penmanship, to be honest, and then started exploring a more imperfect style. Does that make sense?
Hi i am about to start doing calligraphy! really found your post useful! can i ask, what kind of nibs would you recommend for beginners? and are they expensive? thank you in advance! 😀
Hi heybrave! Really glad this post was of help to you. So I’m not exactly a “calligrapher” thus I don’t own fancy holders, inks and nibs. Sorry, I can’t remember the exact figures but I very vaguely recall spending around $3 per nib? Straight holders can go as cheap as $5 and up to hundreds for more ornate ones. I would personally reco a Nikko G because it’s neither too stiff or too soft. Hope this helps!
Very lovely, thanks.
Thank you for sharing these ! I’ve been struggling with paper types for a while now, especially when it comes to practicing :
x
Another newbie
You’re welcome! I know exactly how you feel 🙂 Hope everything goes “smoothly” now.
Just came across thus site of yours.
Not sure if you might like this, but do check out http://www.iampeth.com.
It isn’t modern calligraphy per se because it follows traditional forms but the Master Penmen and Penwomen can be identified and they have their individual materials. Like Michael Sull, for example.
Enjoy!
A fellow neophyte.
Thanks so much! I have actually been following them when I first started. The calligraphy community has been so supportive but alas! I did not pursue this because I think I draw things better than I illustrate words 🙂
May i know if the holder you use has the universal insert inside? If yes, may i know where you got it from? 🙂
Hmm, I actually only have two holders and both of them look the same. Not sure exactly how this differs from a universal one. I’m a bit lost, so sorry about this! 😀
Ooo then do you know any other holder that fits nikko g and brause steno? 🙂 I’m not too sure what kind of holder to buy :/
I stick to the Nikko G and Leonard nibs and have never used Brause, which I think needs its own holder because it’s small. I could be wrong, though.
May i know if the holder you use has the universal insert inside? If yes, may i know where you got it from 🙂
Btw, your blog post is very informative :))
Hi! I hope you see this because it’s been so long, but I tried looking for the drawing block at Popular and I couldn’t find it. Have you been there recently? I feel so lost trying to find suitable paper!
Hi there. Are you referring to the one with a brown cover? Yes, they’re all there in one giant pile, usually among the school notebooks. Hope this helps!
Loved your post really helpful info very well compiled….thanks:)
Glad you found it helpful!