Calligraphy 104

Btw, the white ink is Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White Ink; The black calligraphy pad is the one included in the Scribble Starter Kit from The Craft Central. You can buy it from them too at around Php 180.

Last July, I had my vacation in Legazpi and I received my pasalubongs from a relative from the US. I was requesting for a set of nibs for left-handed calligraphy and/or people and she gave me a bonus, that’s the ink! Yay for me!

Previously, I had started my hugot calligraphy night but I was really hoping I could continue it yet, I eventually had to pause it for school. School sort of takes a lot of my time lately that I feel the creativity in me dies little by little. I have been trying to revive it through calligraphy and somehow, it’s getting successful.

Going back to the black on white calligraphy that I did, I searched the internet for tips on how to use the white ink, what are the right combinations when it comes to nibs, holders and intensity of the stroke. Even though I really looked for it, I was not able to retrieve the right answers. In the end,  I began on experimenting. Mixing water with the ink and using a brush to spread the ink mixture evenly on the nib.

For this calligraphy practice I had, I was using:

• straight holders
• an oblique pen holder
• Speedball left-handed nib: no 3 1/2
• Tachikawa G nib
• Brause Steno nib (aka Blue Pumpkin)
• Ink (Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White Ink and Bombay Black India Ink)

For the white ink mixture I used:

• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White Ink
• Paintbrush
• Dropper (this is not to put too much water or ink for the mixture)
• Palette (for mixing the ink, to avoid the mess)

During my trial and error, with the ink, I tried to do this combinations:

• Mix two drops of water with a drop of ink. (You’ll get a lighter texture of ink)
• Mix two drop of ink and a drop of water. (Somehow thicker than the first one)
• Lastly, having two drops for both water and ink. (Somehow effective)

In the end, I was really relying on my guts in order to have the right mixture. At first, practicing calligraphy is really tricky because you don’t have to rely on the tutorials on the internet and even those found in books. Those will teach you the basics yet, getting better at it still remains at your hands.

After having a good time with the black on white calligraphy, I also did practice using the black ink (Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay Black India Ink). Also, never forget to clean your nibs and holders after practice! You may opt to use a pen cleaner, tissue, paintbrush. Having ink dry on your nibs could have a negative effect on the life of the nib.

Here are the photos:

It’s true that you should not give up on the one you love, also, it’s true that you just don’t give up easily on a new hobby you just started doing just because it’s hard to get the right mixture of ink. You won’t be good at something unless you keep on trying.

To those aspiring calligraphers out there, like me, let’s keep on practicing the art and someday, we’ll be the best!

Never ever stop practicing just because you failed for a few times.