Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Calligraphy is an elegant and timeless art form that allows you to create beautiful, decorative writing. While traditional calligraphy pens and brushes are often used, you can achieve stunning calligraphy results with a fountain pen as well. However, certain fountain pens can complete specific styles of calligraphy and not others. In this article, we’ll explore how to identify and use your fountain pen for calligraphy then take you through the essential steps to get started. Let’s go!!!
A (very) Brief History of Fountain Pens
The history of fountain pens dates back to ancient times, with early prototypes emerging in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. These early writing instruments used reed or bamboo nibs to hold ink and were predecessors to the modern fountain pen. However, it was not until the 17th century that fountain pens began to resemble the pens you see today. In 1636, German inventor Daniel Schwenter created a pen with a two-part ink reservoir and a quill nib. Over the centuries, various inventors and improvements followed, culminating in the 19th century when John Jacob Parker patented the first fountain pen with a replaceable ink cartridge. Fountain pens gained popularity in the early 20th century and continued to evolve with innovations like the introduction of the iridium-tipped nib. Today, fountain pens remain a symbol of elegance and craftsmanship in the world of writing instruments.
What is a Fountain Pen?
Fountain pens are writing tools that uses refillable internal ink reservoirs to feed ink through metal nibs to paper through a combination of gravity and capillary action.
How Does a Fountain Pen Work?
While gravity’s pull is no mystery to us, for those who don’t know, capillary action is the physical process where liquids can travel through tight spaces without any other forces acting upon them. With fountain pens, there are many deliberate design choices that use surface tension, adhesion (ink sticking to the feed) and cohesion (ink molecules sticking together) to create a controlled “leak” (aka flow) from the nib when placed on paper.
What Types of Calligraphy Can I Write with a Fountain Pen?
Over on my Types of Calligraphy blogpost, there are 5 types (with 5 colours) that are out in the world: Blackletter, Pointed Pen, Brush, Handwriting and Hand Lettering and Ruling Pen. There are 3 types of fountain pen nibs that allow the creation of 3 of the 5 kinds of calligraphy.
Broad Edge – 🟥Blackletter Calligraphy🟥
Round Nib – 🟧Handwriting and Hand Lettering🟧
Fountain Pen Nib Types
1. Flex Nib – Pointed Pen Calligraphy (🟦Blue🟦)
These nibs have tines that spread apart when you apply pressure, allowing you to create dramatic thick-to-thin transitions within a single stroke, ideal for Pointed Pen (Blue) scripts. They require more practice to control than the other two pen types below.
Getting Started with Pointed Pen Calligraphy with a Fountain Pen:
- Learn Pointed Pen Calligraphy Styles
- Learn Copperplate Calligraphy
- Recommended Fountain Pen: Fountain Pen Revolution Himalaya V2
2. Italic / Broad Edge Nib – Blackletter (🟥Red🟥)
Italic (or Stub) Nib Pens: This is the essential starter nib for broad edge (aka Blackletter) calligraphy. Its tip is flat and wide, creating broad horizontal lines one direction, and crisp thin vertical lines in another direction. Perfect for styles like Blackletter and Calligraffiti.
Getting Started with Blackletter Calligraphy with a Fountain Pen:
- Learn Blackletter Calligraphy Styles
- Learn Blackletter Calligraphy
- Learn Calligraffiti
- Recommended Fountain Pen: Pilot Parallel
3. Standard Round Nib – Handwriting and Hand Lettering (🟧Orange🟧)
Standard round nib pens have (you guessed it) a rounded tip and write with a consistent line width. They offer a smoother glide and a more enjoyable writing experience than your ball point but don’t offer much in line variation. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot write beautiful calligraphy, handwriting or hand lettering.
Getting Started with Handwriting and Hand Lettering with a Fountain Pen:
- Learn Handwriting and Hand Lettering Styles
- Learn Monoline Calligraphy (Cursive)
- Recommended Fountain Pen: Platinum Preppy
Fountain Pen Ink Refill Types
While the method of refilling your ink does not alter the calligraphy your pen can write, it can definitely make your life easier or harder. There are 3 main ways to refill your fountain pen with ink, each with their own different advantages.
Cartridge Filled Fountain Pens
Recently the most popular, and the least messy, the cartridge is the easiest way to refill your fountain pen. Just replace the empty cartridge with a full one of whatever colour you have! With that convenience, it comes with a cost. It is also the most expensive way, since you must continue buying the ink at a premium. The pilot parallel is unique as you can refill the cartridge with the right ink and a small eyedropper.
Example Cartridge Pen: Pilot Parallel
Manual Refill Fountain Pens
Manual refill requires a bit more equipment, but can be more economical in the long run. You will need an eyedropper, bulk ink, and possibly a o-ring to convert a cartridge to a manual refill (depending on the pen). From there you just eyedrop ink from your bulk ink reservoir into the back of the pen.
Example Manual Refill Pen: Platinum Preppy with O-ring (Sold Separately)
Piston Filled/Converter Filled Fountain Pens
Now this is the classy, without the need of an eyedropper the pen itself (or a converter kit), can draw up ink into the reservoir by twisting a knob! A bit more costly, but convenient and cool.
Example Piston Filler Pen: Dryden Designs (non-flex) with converter
Materials You’ll Need
Now that you have selected your fountain pen, your ink refill type (and likely your style), you need to gather a few more materials before jumping into the world of calligraphy:
1. Fountain Pen Ink
Opt for high-quality fountain pen ink that is compatible with your fountain pen. Some fountain pens come with cartridges or converters for bottled ink. Avoid calligraphy ink as it can gum up your fountain pen. I have a whole post on the Best Inks for Calligraphy, but below are my recommended inks for fountain pens.
2. Quality Paper
Use smooth, high-quality paper specifically designed for fountain pens or calligraphy. This type of paper prevents feathering and bleeding. The greater the “weight” (in lbs) the denser the paper and the less likely your ink will bleed. I also have a whole post selecting the Best Paper for Calligraphy, but below are my recommended papers for fountain pen calligraphy:
3. Structured Calligraphy Practice Sheets (Optional)
For those who are unaware, I sell detailed and structured practice sheets over on my store. You can print them on your quality paper then learn and practice everything from basic strokes, to letter formation, to letter and word spacing. Below I have all three types of calligraphy that can be made with fountain pens, depending on which fountain pen you have:
Getting Started
Now that you have your tools, you can find a comfortable, well-lit workspace free of distractions. Ensure your fountain pen is clean and inked up before you start. Before tackling letters and words, practice basic calligraphy strokes. For each calligraphy type open the blogpost at the link below to get started!
- 🟦Learn Copperplate Calligraphy – Flex Pen Nib
- 🟥Learn Blackletter Calligraphy – Broad Edge Nib
- 🟧Learn Cursive Writing – Standard Round Nib
Conclusion
Using a fountain pen for calligraphy can be a rewarding and artistic endeavor. With the right materials, practice, and dedication, you can create calligraphy pieces that showcase your creativity and skill. Remember that calligraphy is a journey, and each stroke of the pen is an opportunity to refine your craft and produce beautiful, expressive writing. So, pick up your fountain pen and start your calligraphy adventure today!
Is there something I missed? Got a witty anecdote? Please leave a comment.
Keep practicing,
Rich
Looking to read more? Check out these blogposts: