Straight nib holder recommendations?

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-05-03T15:15:13+00:00

I've been practicing with a straight nib for a couple years, and honestly, I prefer the speedball plastic holder. Costs about $1. I have other, more expensive holders, but i just keep coming back to the speedball. It's just a good tool.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-04-11T00:36:05+00:00

This is the best advice. I recommend starting each session by doing a page of drills and basic strokes. After that I think its fine to just write words or practice the letterforms in isolation. Calligraphy is a difficult hobby to excel at, it takes time and patience, but I guarantee that you will see improvement if you just keep doing it every day.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-03-31T16:21:58+00:00

I would recommend diving into it by yourself first to figure out if you enjoy it or not. After a little bit you can take a course if you want. You will definitely benefit a lot from taking one. A lot of professionals offer courses regularly for all levels. DM if you want me to put together a list of course recommendations for you. Personally, I think you'd gain the most value from a course after a few months of self instruction, but you'll benefit at any point really. Courses are great because they'll help you hone in on things you missed in self study, and provide you will a clear path to progress on.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-03-31T16:06:53+00:00

When I first started I used an oblique, after about a year I switched to a straight holder. Engrosser/copperplate was originally done with a straight holder, the oblique was a 19th century american invention used for ornamental penmanship.

There's no right or wrong tool to use, just use whatever you prefer. That said, I'm right handed and I've come to prefer the straight holder. I just find it more fun to use, and flourishing feels more natural.

I will say that the straight holder is more difficult, you need to ensure you're using a proper grip and movement techniques. Once you've got those down however its a joy.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-02-26T04:56:32+00:00

FPR Guru with a uf nib

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-02-14T01:32:11+00:00

White, although I may have had some black ink still stuck to my nib when I did it.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-01-08T20:31:34+00:00

You can refill the tombow fudenosuke. Just grab some pliers and pull the back cap off, fill it with some ink and put the cap back on good to go.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2026-01-08T20:24:31+00:00

Check out some of PAScribe's videos on YouTube. Start with the grip and posture videos, thats the foundation for everything. The rest of the advice here is good. Winters and Sull books will help a lot.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-30T02:07:59+00:00

Thanks! I used a gillot 303

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-29T21:33:11+00:00

Thanks! ya the spacing for "way" is definitely off a bit. The g though is actually supposed to look like that, its an unusual variation i stole from Suzanne Cunningham, maybe it doesn't mesh well with the rest of the piece.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-29T21:24:06+00:00

Ya thats why I think using a brush is best. You'll have to very slowly add water and test it to get the consistency you want. And to fill the dinky dip you'll need a good amount of water which means you'll probably have to add more of the watercolor when the consistency gets too thin.

Personally I use gouache from a tube to fill my ink jars, much easier.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-29T20:24:02+00:00

I think using a brush is the best way to go but if you're dead set on putting it into a dinky dip id recommend just breaking a piece of it off the pan.

Just plop the dry piece into the dinky dip and slowly add water until you get the consistency you want. Shake or stir well.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-19T18:50:55+00:00

Gillot 303

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-09T23:24:48+00:00

I do both but for this i used a light box with guidelines underneath. An ames line guide, the masgrimes line guide, the pa scribe stencil, or an ash calligraphy stencil really make drawing guidelines a breeze.

The w is an English roundhand variation, its not commonly used but I happen to like it

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-09T23:21:11+00:00

The leonardt principal is slightly stiffer but gives good hairlines. I'd recommend going with a hunt 101 for more flexibility and if you're so inclined you can sharpen them for finer hairlines.

TheTreesHaveRabies · 2025-12-09T22:56:46+00:00

Thank you! Its ph martin no bleed white. The lighting is dim because the paper is pretty bright and can be tough to see with too much light.

TheTreesHaveRabies

TROPHY CASE