Definition: The design and execution of lettering in a decorative style. Calligraphy is considered a visual art.

• TOOLS:
  Practice grid
  Paper – smooth texture is best to start out with
  Pen and nib (or if less maintenance is desired, use a calligraphy marker - no dipping/cleaning
  Ink
  Small container with H2O
  Damp paper towel…better yet, a non-fibrous towel (fibers from paper will tend to clog nib)
  
  
• TECHNIQUE MUSTS:
  Hold pen at an angle vs. straight/vertical (45 degrees)
  Dip nib in ink up to the nib hole/just past it
  • Too much ink will blob on your surface
  Try out on test paper/shake excess ink off into water container
  Experiment on test paper
  
  
• YOU MAY FIND:
  Nib scratches and gets caught on the paper
  • Change angle of the pen…probably a tighter angle
  Ink bleeds
  • Use higher quality paper, i.e., 32lb laserjet paper (on the economical end)
  Left-handed?
  • There are left-handed nibs
  • Don’t quit! Practice and watch videos of left-handed calligraphers with out the smudging, etc.
  Just want to write with additional flair?
  • Use your own handwriting and write with a calligraphy marker or pen…again, it takes a bit of practice to get the feel for it

As in any type of art, practice and perseverance and the enjoyment of laying down ink or paint strokes is what it takes!

There begins the relationship between you, the tools – the pen and the paper. By handwriting a letter or note you are creating a unique stamp of yourself – your penmanship style, the choice of writing surface, the choice of writing instrument and your personal expressions. It is very much like choosing a brush, paint and surface to apply your marks to express sadness, empathy, sympathy, joy, independence, insecurity, anger…

The marks made in a letter do not have to be “fancy”, neat or straight. In other words, your handwriting is an extension of yourself in a one-of-a-kind way. We use 21

21st century tech to jot down ideas and communicate with others in a ubiquitous style, whether it be in Times Roman or Helvetica. Your handwriting is your brand.

Imagine the feel of the pen in hand, the glide or scratch of the nib on the paper. The choices you make in tools will affect your experience. Do you like fountain pens, or dip pens, rollerballs, ballpoints? Do you like to write on smooth surfaces or something with a bit of tooth? The list goes on. The point being – let’s not lose the art of handwriting!

THE NAMIKI FALCON – re-branded as Pilot Falcon $190.00

Unique in its hooded nib profile and flexibility, the Namiki Falcon fountain pen is our pen of choice for the pen connoisseur or creative searching for a fine writing instrument that offers line variation.

It is iconic in the pen world for its ability to alter your writing with a change of hand pressure. Namiki engineers worked in collaboration with pen dealers to achieve its distinctive soft feel and flexibility.

Today, the Falcon is available in the traditional gold trim and the newer rhodium trim. Overall, the Falcon has an understated classic look in its resin barrel and cap. The rhodium fountain pen is available in an extra-fine nib. All nibs for this fountain pen are 14k gold that feature a uniquely designed feed.

Available in our Denver store only, call us: 303-698-3838 or come in