Pointed Pen Calligraphy Beginner Problems (and Their Solutions)

Today, we'll talk about some common pointed pen calligraphy problems that almost every beginner experiences. These problems have simple solutions that will help you keep going!
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To read an article that dives deeper into these problems, visit: thepostmansknock.com/8-beginn...
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New to calligraphy? Enroll in TPK's Beginner's Modern Calligraphy Online Course! thepostmansknock.com/catalog/...
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The practice page shown in this video is from this worksheet set: thepostmansknock.com/catalog/...

[@lesawells849]

Thank you for these videos and your blog. Always a source of inspiration or a solution to a challenge I have in my lettering or art! It's almost like having a private teacher on call! Thanks again for your creativiy and for providing instruction in an easy to understand, logical format!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I am so glad to hear they are helpful! You are so welcome!!😊

[@colleenm9188]

Very, very helpful! I am just beginning your beginner course. I took a very brief introductory course years ago, but the class was huge; the supplies were slightly inadequate (plastic pen that mean the nib was way out of alignment); and the teacher did not have enough time to help everyone. I'm so pleased to have your videos. I am hoping to make progress this time! Thank you so much.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I suspect you'll do great, especially if you're watching this kind of video. It's just like exercise -- practice, practice, practice -- but *always* be sure to make it fun!!

[@colleenm9188]

@@LindseyBugbeeTPK Thank you! Yes, I hope I will put effort into practice and have fun too! I thought your reminder/suggestion to take breaks is just great. It's so easy to forget to take breaks! It really helps.

[@pamelavalente3731]

Really great info about water getting up into the pen, and the various problems that could cause. Thank you!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm glad you found that information helpful. Proper nib/pen care can make all the difference. If you have any more questions or need further tips, feel free to ask. Happy writing! 😊

[@hs-po9qr]

Thankyou for these wonderful videos! they are incredibly helpful, please continue making these.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Thank you! Will do!😄

[@afayemorris]

I especially appreciated your tip on watching the pen without thinking of what you are writing. I tied this and even though my letters were pretty awful, I could see where I was going wrong and by the end of the page I was noticeably improved. I haven’t been doing this long enough to have an issue with ink consistency yet but I thought your tip on adding water when this issue doe arrive.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Wonderful! I'm happy this was a helpful tip for you, Faye! You got this, keep practicing and you will continue to see improvement. Thank you for all your support, please let me know if you have any specific questions that I can help with! I'm always happy to help ☺️

[@Fmakuto]

Just starting to dip my toes (or pens) into calligraphy and these tips have been super helpful! Looking forward to checking out more of your stuff :)

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You'll do great! It's such a relaxing and joyful activity ... there's so much you can make with it (thepostmansknock.com/20-real-life-calligraphy-practice-projects/).

[@sue3686]

Thank you for these tips! I learned from each of them, and especially did not know about how far to dip and I'm ashamed to admit my pen has been in the water many times. Thanks again!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Definitely not something to be ashamed about! We've all done it at one time or another. :)

[@ceremonialgrade]

Thank you Lindsey for these excellent tips! Love your blog, courses and tutorials.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so glad you are enjoying the coursework, Jenny! Thanks for watching, let me know if you ever have any questions.

[@mingo-mingo1946]

Wonderful video! Thank you! It’s great to have you back!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Thank you too!😊

[@katherinehawkes]

Wonderful tips!!! Thank you so much! ♥

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@latanyacarr411]

Awesome video! Thanks for the tips & correction. Greatly appreciate it!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@PK-sc1gi]

Wonderful tips, Lindsey, as always. Thank you so much.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad this was useful! Thank you for watching!

[@katrinacastellano6769]

Your videos are so helpful! Thank you!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@xupt07tk]

Thank you so much. This gives me so much confidence knowing about the simple mistakes a beginner can make and how to overcome them.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so happy it's helpful!

[@hannahrose5739]

Thank you, Lindsey. I am sure this has saved some frustrations, which is always a good thing!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I sure hope so!

[@bbosque13]

Thank you for this great video! You addressed most of my problems.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbaracarragher7012]

I was having problems that your last 3 problems beginners have helped me sooo much. Thank you, thank you!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You are so welcome! Glad to help!😊

[@amybollana9818]

Super helpful as usual! Thank you!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Happy to help!!

[@bluemoon2989]

Super video Lindsey! Thanks for the great tips!♥

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Thanks for watching! Glad this was helpful!

[@saiddurra2944]

Thank you , wonderful video

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so glad that you like it!

[@TheSillygirl64]

You are so helpful and easy to listen to. I am excited about learning all the things!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate hearing that. I'm so glad that this has been an exciting experience for you, let me know if you ever have any questions!

[@kristenclark2755]

Sooooo helpful, thank you so much!!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You're so welcome!☺️

[@eleganciadoodles8270]

I just stumbled across your channel today and can I just say there is some amazing stuff here. I found some of it therapeutic and it gently "played" with my soul. This was viewing pleasure💯 Please keep up your great work because you're bringing wonderful joy to others💯👍🏼👌🏼

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Aw, thank you! If you love this channel, you'll *adore* the TPK blog. Soooo many amazing tutorials! thepostmansknock.com/blog/

[@lorieverette5394]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You're welcome! Glad to help!😄

[@mariekubalikova4548]

I absolutely love your blog and now I m going to watch your videos. Thank you for your effort.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying the material, it is my pleasure to share

[@mariechen3400]

I appreciate how you gave very practical tips with clear demonstrations and explanations! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge, LIndsey.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so glad you found this practical, Marie! Thank you for watching, I'm always happy to share and help!

[@rachelk3054]

Thanks for the tips! I’ve been following you for years but have been so scared to even buy anything but brush pens yet. This actually seems EASIER!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Happy to help! Thank you for all your support over the years, I'm glad this gave you the confidence to branch out of your comfort zone. Let me know if you have any questions, Rachel!

[@emmarieynolds]

This is so helpful thank you!!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You are so welcome! 🤗

[@clairebong3101]

Thanks so much for this Lindsey! I'm a sporadic calligrapher and this was just such a great reminder to watch before I pick up a pen.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@tihtinahabte5995]

I feel like this should be information that all Calligraphy teachers should address so thank you sooo much.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad it was helpful!☺️

[@swarnamathre1]

Very helpful!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad you think so! Please reach out if I can help clear anything up!

[@criskoberart]

Great tips! I have been doing calligraphy for a long time now and it never occurred to me to dilute the ink if it gets too thick! Always learning!! ❤️

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@metoni221]

Very good info 😊

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MaeS68]

Thank you for this wonderful video - such fabulously clear explanations, never tackled on the many other calligraphy videos I have watched. I am a total beginner, and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to this instruction to preempt potential problems... I have heard other calligraphers refer to you as the original and best - and I can certainly see why!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You're very welcome, Mae! I'm so glad that you have found the right home at TPK! I am always more than happy to help. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and for watching. Please let me know if I can ever help clarify any tips!

[@ThePenmanshipPro]

That's Really great.................

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad you like it! 😊

[@MikeDIY]

Amazing! TY

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

It's my pleasure!

[@TheGrandFanelli]

Thanks for the help! It is my challenge to have my calligraphy look half as good as your's is.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm glad to help! I'm sure your work is beautiful! 🤩

[@RichardThompsonCA]

Great tips! I've seen a lot of videos and most of these tips are new to me. I tend to have the opposite problem with ink viscosity, I find most of what I buy to be too thin and just drop off the nib, so I thicken them with gum arabic.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so glad this was new, helpful information for you. Thank you for sharing your tip, Richard!

[@lizvanwessem2055]

thanks, some useful tips - and especially for the reminder that even commercially bought ink occasionally needs thinning out! *eyes up her sumi that has begun to misbehave....*

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leannestreeter9734]

Thanks

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

No problem! Thank you for watching, Leanne!

[@Sztefa001]

Omg the first one explains so much! Which means I need to work with my whole arm... dang it xD

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm *SO* happy this was helpful for you!!

[@dawnreaume2837]

Thank you!❤️ Solutions explained very well! I’ve just begun playing with my pen Mostly trying to draw with it and some of what you said I didn’t even realize could be a problem! So as I start my lettering I will know what to be on the lookout for! I especially Love your blog and the fact that you have so many tips and tricks and information and that you have the short videos along with the written text! For me I always understand better by seeing a video so I wanted to say thank you for taking your time to put all of this together for us! I received my first order from you yesterday! And I’m looking forward to placing another order already but I was wondering if you could tell me when the parallel glider will be restocked? I know it says 4 to 6 weeks but I don’t know when that was written so I thought I could ask and see if it was going to be sooner rather than later! Then I will know if I should wait and place my order when it’s restocked or if I should go ahead and place my order now! Thank you so much Lindsey! Hugs!❤️ Dawn

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I am so happy to hear that TPK has been such a useful resource for you, Dawn! Unfortunately there have been production and shipping delays with the manufacturer of the parallel gliders. They are citing COVID delays, but the facility is also based in Poland so I worry that the war in Ukraine is additionally delaying the availability. I am so sorry for the inconvenience, but I'll be sure to let you know as I receive updates! I hope you are enjoying your first order! Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

[@mingo-mingo1946]

Is an old cotton tshirt ok to use to use as your wiping cloth?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Absolutely!

[@NishaVerma-ELBN]

I am am a beginner facing issues in creating the upstrokes..it digs into the paper... Please suggest a solution for that. Also suggest me a good ink that i can buy online.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Hey there! Ah, the upstroke challenge, a rite of passage for every calligraphy newbie! 😊 First off, ensure you're holding the pen at about a 45-degree angle to the paper. For upstrokes, you'll want to apply very light pressure and let the nib glide over the paper. If your nib is digging in, it might be pressing too hard or the angle might be too steep. Also, ensure you're using smooth, high-quality paper suited for calligraphy as rough or low-quality paper can cause the nib to snag. Keep practicing, and remember, every calligrapher has been in your shoes (or should I say, held your pen?) at some point! ✒️📜🖋️ For helpful newbie instructions -- including what kind of ink to use -- please read: thepostmansknock.com/catalog/beginners-modern-calligraphy-online-course/ Happy writing!

[@NishaVerma-ELBN]

@@LindseyBugbeeTPK thanks dear.. will let you know it there is any improvement... ❣️

[@LeahMcNabb]

When I dip my pen in the ink, I have to dip the pen holder in because the ink is only filling like half of the container and it normally touches the side and gets ink on it. Is there a way to avoid that?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Hey there! Ah, the age-old ink dilemma! 😅 A handy tip is to transfer some of your ink into a smaller, shallow container or an inkwell. This way, you can easily dip just the nib without the risk of inking up the entire holder. Another option is to use an eyedropper or pipette to place the ink directly onto the nib. Keep those pen holders clean and your calligraphy game strong! ✒️🖋️🎨

[@LeahMcNabb]

@@LindseyBugbeeTPK thank you!

[@traceyj322]

My nibs don't split open, any suggestions? Also have you tried glass dip pens?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Hi! What kind of nib are you using? And yes, I love glass dip pens! I used to carry them in the Supplies Shop :) thepostmansknock.com/write-with-glass-introducing-glass-dip-pens/

[@traceyj322]

@LindseyBugbeeTPK I bought the speedball complete calligraphy set, it came with 2 nibs.