How To Write A Calligraphy Script Without The SPECIAL TOOLS
A handy terminology guide for the text in bold can be found at the bottom of this page.
For practicing and starting off your script, it’s difficult to find the tools that will work for you. Here’s a guide on what to start on without using any special nibs or paper. (tldr: the answer is always pencil).
Pointed Pen Alternatives
For a pointed pen script, the key factors are when to open and close the tines on a pointed nib. In general the rules are - downstrokes show a thick line and upstrokes show a fine line, but you can do this without using the nib.
Start with the humble pencil. We all have one lying around somewhere (some of us have more than one if you are like me and a little bit of a stationery addict). As mentioned in an earlier blog every script starts with the basic strokes.
Think about your basic strokes and which direction on the page your stroke is moving, a light tough on the pencil will represent your upstrokes and a little more pressure on the pencil will create your downstrokes. The contrast between your upstrokes and downstrokes is what you are looking for.
Incidentally the same pressure and light strokes is the same on your wrist using a pencil as it would be when you have the nib in your hand so it’s excellent practice.
I always recommend pencil calligraphy when you don’t have the ink and nib nearby, perfect on the go or when you’re doodling in that dull meeting.
When drafting a commission piece or when I’m somewhere without my pen, I will always write in pencil. It’s faster when you’re trying out new flourishing designs too.
Broad Edge Alternatives
For broad edge scripts, you can use two pencil tied together. Remember that the broad edge scripts are based on ratios and nib-widths, use the width of two lines of pencil as your nib width marker. There is no need to vary your upstrokes and downstrokes for this, just practice your basic strokes and keeping that angle consistent.
Terminology
Script - A word used for “Something Written” (note, we do not use “font” when talking about calligraphy as it is exclusively used for typefaces and computer generated ligatures).
Broad Edge - Name for a type of inflexible nib that has a width to it.
Pointed Pen - Name for a nib that’s flexible and has tines that split apart.
Basic Strokes - The fundamentals or building blocks of letters.
Upstrokes - a stroke (as of a pen) made in an upward direction
Downstrokes - a stroke (as of a pen) made in a downward direction