2. Pointed Pen Calligraphy 101: Setting and holding the oblique holder

[@michaelashby2485]

I must have watched a hundred videos trying to learn what you have shown in only a few. Thank you for explaining the fundamentals to a "newbie"! Very well done.

[@OpenInkStand]

Michael Ashby You're welcome!

[@melindac836]

Thank you so much! This video is exactly what I have been needing. I knew I had to be doing something wrong and assumed it was either incorrect nib position or incorrect grip, but after watching this video I realized I have simply been holding my pen way too tightly! A simple fix, but has made a world of difference for me. I have multiple instructional books but there is no way I would have figured out my exact problem without this video.

[@marthaburnum1410]

Love your videos! You're my favorite by far! Please keep them coming.

[@DSMintcheff]

Would love a video on how to best create swells/shades. How best to press down. You do it so naturally that it is hard to see how you change from hairline to shade.

[@creativewatercolor]

Your videos are very inspiring. I've watched most of them and even re-watched a few. Very enjoyable, I'm glad you keep making them.

[@OpenInkStand]

Daniel Novotny Art.com Thank you! I'm glad you like them!

[@annacarlos]

Thank you! Your videos have been very informative and you've definitely taught me so much! I'm so notorious with the dreaded death grip! I always thought I need to control the pen or else i won't get the strokes right! THANK YOU so much for this!

[@OpenInkStand]

Anna Carlos You're welcome, and don't worry, the pen's not gonna run away if it's not gripped hard :)

[@2pixelgroup]

Great Info. Very in depth.

[@OpenInkStand]

Thank you!

[@honeybearfur]

Thank you....I am a beginner of beginner....thanks for answering my questions without making me feel silly.

[@janlamb12]

great video. What ink and nib are you using please. Also what paper

[@DSMintcheff]

Also, does your whole arm rest on the desk?

[@TheSmoochy2]

Where can I buy a Hunts 56? Your video is really great, Bo

[@尹姿驊-l8r]

very useful for the very beginners! Thanks a lot!

[@OpenInkStand]

+Tzu Hua Ying Youre welcome

[@ElliotSterk]

This was super helpful, thank you for making this video!!

[@TheSmoochy2]

LOVE your video. I WAS WONDERING how you set up your computer to film your work. I WOULD like to set My computer up like that. I was curious which nib you are using /. /////? It looks really nice, Bo.

[@the98liner]

Hi, when you dip the nib into the rubbing alcohol, do you dip it right up to the flange or just to the level at which the ink is going to be?

[@588158]

What are you using for and Ink well?

[@Boshek2019]

Is there a link to purchasing that yellow/ black pen please?????

[@leahpoulsen7618]

Thanks for the videos! Do you have any tips for too much ink on the nib? I try scraping the excess off but I still seem to get too much ink and it comes out globby...any suggestions? I noticed you don't have to scrape the excess off yours...

[@OpenInkStand]

Leah Poulsen When you remove the nib off the inkwell, just give it a little tap on the side and that will remove the excess ink. Also it may depend on what ink you're using?

[@leahpoulsen7618]

Huh, that's what I'm doing, but still no luck...I'm using Speedball India Ink. Should that ink be ok or do you recommend something else? Thanks for the help! I appreciate it :)

[@OpenInkStand]

Leah Poulsen Well.. yes you could be using better ink, haha. If you can, try and find sumi ink, thin it with some water and you should see the difference. Make sure that your nib is only coated with ink, not blobby with ink before you write. And remember that you should dip enough to cover the eye hole of the nib.

[@leahpoulsen7618]

Ok thanks for the advice! I'm still a beginner so this information is helpful :) Thank you!

[@04Ammy04]

how do I exactly position the pen in my fingers in terms of rotation? is the nib parallel to the paper or is it slightly rotated to one side? what does it mean when my up strokes are thicker than my down strokes? I know it should be the opposite. thanks !

[@Seiffouri]

Thanks for your great videos. What is the brand of your oblique holder? I see that it has a screw to adjust the angle.

[@OpenInkStand]

Ali Seiffouri That oblique holder is called the Hourglass adjustible oblique. The screw is to fit all manner of nibs, it doesn't adjust the angle.

[@Seiffouri]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy thanks for the reply. Do you know how I can find one? it seems that it is out of stock everywhere!

[@OpenInkStand]

Ali Seiffouri Paperinkarts.com sells them... but alas, it is always out of stock.. it is very popular :(

[@Seiffouri]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy I can see why. Is Paperinkarts.com the only seller?

[@OpenInkStand]

Ali Seiffouri Yes... maybe you can get a cheaper pen till it comes back in stock.

[@chiquitoots1809]

Very nice and very helpfull

[@tazz763]

Very nice tutorial... Thanks

[@udtasm5asm760]

Pls clean pen holder it is so inky..

[@anitaorban-magashazy5806]

Hi, I love your videos. I have just started to learn calligraphy and my question is how to make this lovely thin strokes? I try without pressure, but still I don`t have that big contrast between my strokes. What am I doing wrong?

[@OpenInkStand]

+Anita Orban-Magashazy Maybe your nib is just very stiff. Try using a different kind of nib. A flexible steel nib should be able to flex without much pressure.

[@anitaorban-magashazy5806]

Many thanks for your advice. I will try it.

[@febyfebriana6939]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy

[@velvajeantrapp]

What ink would you suggest? I find some that say they are for calligraphy are thin. I have been using a brush for my gold writing ink. Thank you🎄

[@OpenInkStand]

I like sumi ink for black ink. As for gold I like Dr PH Martin Copperplate gold.

[@Creative.Dream.Studios]

This video was so helpful! Any recommendations where to get an oblique holder? I can't wait to start trying all this! How long have you been practicing?

[@OpenInkStand]

Thank you! You can buy them from paperinkarts.com or johnnealbooks.com

[@kevinmonceaux2101]

I would never have thought of calligraphy as a hobby that might require safety glasses. :-) Nib shrapnel in the eye is definitely something to avoid.

[@Musikministeren]

can you get a Speedball Oblique Pen that takes ink cartridges...???

[@OpenInkStand]

Unfortunately no... it is recommended to keep dipping for ink.

[@Musikministeren]

+OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy okay thx

[@SugarSha10]

Very good video! Can you recommend a good cheap paper to practice on? I'm currently using a Rhodia pad which is nice, but I'm afraid to go crazy practicing because it's so expensive 😀 Others I've tried are too absorbent and bleed. Thanks

[@OpenInkStand]

+Shalynn Moser Hmmm you can use a good quality copy or laser paper, that's what I use too.

[@dtalipsky]

HP Premium Choice Laser paper but you will find that Rhodia is equal in price....if you buy bulk on sale. HP currently runs $20 a ream, but Office Depot has it on sale from time to time. Amazon often has access to great pricing. I also saw in one of these videos (Acorn Art, I think) that recommended Hammermill. I tried cheap inkjet paper and my pen dragged and collected fibers.

[@Longden1983]

ive just got the 5 spencerian exercise books would it be a good idea to practice with a dip pen or just use a normal pen

[@Musikministeren]

is there room in the holder for a regular cartridge fountain pen....???

[@SonnyBurnett2012]

im just curious with a nib´s model lifelong periodic table.

[@ermonnezza74]

Hello, may I ask you how did you fix your camera to do this video? thanks

[@OpenInkStand]

+ermonnezza74 I set the camera on a table tripod.. that's it.

[@spo_okyspic3]

rip headphones

[@robawidiyar5500]

i like your holder, where can i buy it?

[@OpenInkStand]

+robawi diyar You can buy holders at paperinkarts.com or johnnealbooks.com

[@robawidiyar5500]

thx vry much, im super beginer btw, i bought manga papers and some tachikawa g pen and holder, i try few pappers its quite fun, and calming, any recomendations?

[@OpenInkStand]

+robawi diyar The G holders are perfect, good luck

[@ricardoescobar9618]

gracias, buena informacion ,bonitas manos

[@rradhika601]

How to apply pressure while doing downstrokes? I'm doing that by moving my fingers :( Btw, your videos are informative and inspiring!!

[@OpenInkStand]

Yes, you use your fingers.

[@saionjik]

I watch this video every time I come back from a break in practice. 'Where's the video with the oblique pen girl with the accent?'

[@OpenInkStand]

+saionjik Lol! Thanks!

[@veradeslegte3548]

In my art store in the Netherlands you can buy this nib from 90 eurocent to 1.20 euro it’s great

[@3dy97]

I dont think that using flame on a nib to remove oil is wise, since it will mess up the thermal treatment of the material and will also warp it

[@akt67]

Hi, Im struggling to write my first name 'Axel' in copperplate as the xel dont flow together nicely. Yes, Im new to this..Thanks

[@Alex-hd6wk]

Спасибо, прекрасное видео.

[@donmiller2908]

I have a good friend who's daughter just started 1st grade last fall. My friend found out from his daughter that the school she attends has no course of study for penmanship and does not teach cursive writing. What they teach the children is keyboarding, i.e, typing. The school explained to my friend that keyboarding on personal computers and laptops combined with texting on mobile devices is the future and no one will need to know how to actually write on paper anymore. Can you imagine? So calligraphy may be a dying art.

[@OpenInkStand]

+Don Miller Oh I know that! It's a shame. Learning computers is important but personally I feel using our hands to write is very important as well. Children will not be able to read or write cursive very soon.

[@dtalipsky]

Penmanship is out in public schools....at least in Georgia. That's sad because it is important all your life, in every facet to have good penmanship.

[@donmiller2908]

Donna I agree. If you go to someone's home and they aren't there, how do you leave them a note? When I was in the service my mother used to write me regularly. I still have those letters and consider them a cherished possession now that she is gone. What will our children do? Download and print out e-mails?

[@JoseEllen1]

very good explanations! :-) a pity that the sound quality is so bad :(

[@ОлегОстроушко-п1л]

Супер

[@Loufi303]

ASMR-alert :)

[@udtasm5asm760]

Pls clean over used pen holder, it is so inky..

[@ezvkm77]

learn about volume control!

[@koyotemark4664]

AS I TOLD MY GRANDDAUGHTER,"DON'T HOLD IT LIKE YOU'RE TRYING TO STAB A COMMUNIST SWEETIE!"

[@OpenInkStand]

Hahahhaa