I still remember where I got my very first materials from when I just started with modern calligraphy. Five years ago I had nothing, no ink, no pen, no good paper, just information from Pinterest where I read about materials that I could NOT find ANYWHERE in the Netherlands.
After a long search...
Yes, that was quite frustrating .. My enthusiasm went through the roof when I came across materials that I recognized in the Dille & Kamille. Don't get me wrong, there have always been traditional calligraphy materials available, but I was looking for something other than the wide nib and that ancient straight pen holder. I wanted to work with pointed nibs that were flexible and that one black pen with that crazy corner in it that I saw everywhere online; the oblique pen holder.
Patience is a virtue.
Eventually I found the coveted nibs at the Dille & Kamille, but it took a long time to get my first oblique pen. I believe I ended up ordering it through Amazon - waaaay too expensive of course, but then I finally got it. I didn't know how to work with it at the time, so I returned to Pinterest to get information. After a while I got the hang of it and I understood how to get the best result.
Magical calligraphy powers?
Well I have to be honest; I really wanted that pen mainly because I saw it everywhere and couldn't find it anywhere. Maybe I had the hope that that pen would give me magical calligraphy powers, but nothing could be further from the truth - you can also write calligraphy with a straight pen.
Does it work for you?
Despite that, there are a few features of the oblique pen holder that I find to be a big advantage over the straight pen holder and I am going to share these with you today, so that you can decide if that oblique is the calligraphy pen for you.
Difference # 1: Convenience
An oblique pen may seem more difficult due to its appearance, but it is ultimately easier to write with. Why? The tip of your nib should ALWAYS point to the top of your paper during calligraphy and yes, with a straight pen holder that requires a completely different writing position than you're used to. An oblique pen holder ensures (through the corner that protrudes) with the correct writing position that the nib is standard towards the top of your paper. And that is exactly what you as a beginner want to master as quickly as possible.
Difference #2: Comfort
Your writing posture is considerably better with an oblique pen holder. It gives you the opportunity to stay more in your natural writing position, so you don't have to turn your whole body to get that nib right on paper. Do you not yet see it completely or would you like to see how this works exactly? Then check the free video that I have prepared for you in which I show you in 5 minutes how to learn good writing posture. Read more on how to watch this video.
Difference #3 Result
My experience over the years is that everyone who works with an oblique pen, presses less hard on their pen and thus gets better results with the thin lines. This has to do with the place where you apply pressure; namely the holder itself and indirectly on the nib, while with the straight pen holder you exert pressure directly on the nib.
And if you're left-handed?
For left-handed people, a straight pen holder can be more pleasant because of the mirrored writing position. It is not a prerequisite - you can use an oblique pen perfectly as a left-handed person, especially this basic black oblique (also available in our modern calligraphy starter kit) is suitable, because it can be used universally for left and right-handed people.
Well, if you already getting started with the video and your writing attitude, then next week we will talk about the biggest obstacles you encounter in calligraphy. Does your pen scratch your paper, don't you get a nice difference in thick and thin lines or do you not get ink from your pen? All covered. I'll see you next week!
XO, Joyce.
