5. Pointed Pen Calligraphy 101: Beginner's Drills

Tutorial No. 5 covers:
Body and arm position
Push-pull drills and the death grip
Tools to use for drills
Tripod grip
Drill speed
Oval drills

[@creativewatercolor]

This whole series is so well put together and I salute you for making these videos. I love your work and very much enjoy watching you write.

[@OpenInkStand]

Daniel Novotny Art Thank you!

[@salamkwt8772]

Amez

[@EmilyMartin0]

Schin, I've been practicing calligraphy for a year and your demonstration of the correct hand position BLEW MY MIND. I naturally hold my pen just like you do, and I never knew it was incorrect! I'm also working on transitioning from finger movement to whole-arm movement, so I'm going to try to correct my hand position while I'm at it. It makes me feel like I'm starting from scratch! Thank you for this very useful tool, much appreciated!

[@OpenInkStand]

Emily Martin I'm glad it helped! Yes it is difficult to change, but it will be better in the long run. Thanks and good luck!

[@ColeandOllie]

Thank you! Helpful especially the way you showed how you placed your hand.

[@sorceressofoz]

I love your channel! you have such a calming voice and explain so well! I really love that you leave out all the poshy glimmer glammer so many other youtubers use. with you I always have the feeling it is all about the raw skill of calligraphy and not about the new trend of lettering. THANK YOU!

[@scottroberts5511]

As a left handed person I was taught to position the right edge of the page along with the bottom edge of the writing desk so my hand doesn't cramp from having to hook it; along with not dragging my arm across the ink. They also make left handed nibs.

[@GenWivern2]

Five episodes now, and this is shaping up to be the most useful teaching material I've come across, short of actually meeting up with people. I don't think I've seen a proper discussion of drills before, let alone a proper demonstration. My ovals are distinctly empathetic. ;-)

[@OpenInkStand]

GenWivern2 Haha I still can't believe I talked about drills for 20mins.

[@maricorbagunu1429]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy I didnt notice the time tho, you are such an amazing teacher

[@AndreaCimino]

I am so glad you are making these beginner videos! I took calligraphy in college about 12 years ago but we never dove into copperplate, I can't wait to get all my supplies this week so I can start!

[@OpenInkStand]

Have fun! It's a slippery slope to obsession :)

[@lauraandrews1343]

Thank you so much for your tutorials, they are a big help to learning how to write with the dip pen for me. I've had trouble writing up until now.

[@OpenInkStand]

+Laura Andrews Thank you!

[@NolanHolladay]

LOL @ the coin - I love your honesty and humour ;)

[@OpenInkStand]

Haha! :D

[@margessw]

So do I !

[@riaarquiza-donato8852]

I just came across your tutorial and I'm always gonna go back to it whenever I do drills. Thanks this has been such a great help for me.

[@OpenInkStand]

Ria Arquiza-Donato Glad it helps!

[@Creative.Dream.Studios]

Another great video! Love how well you explain everything 😊

[@OpenInkStand]

Thank you!

[@rahul_negi]

This Video is The Most Helpful one i've found on youtube out all on the topic of Calligraphy , Great video ,very helpful... Keep Up The Good work, Thank you!! Your way of explaining the slightest of things is Amazing!!!

[@gordonhall9943]

It makes me smile when you admit your grip is "wrong". I am trying to change my grip too, but even with my Connie Chen ero holder, I still find myself rolling my grip to "modern" grip.

[@kennygo8423]

Wow! Thank you Ms. Schin for sharing this.

[@mikkoberg6725]

These videos are absolutely great, thank you so much! :)

[@OpenInkStand]

Mikko Berg Thanks!

[@mandyt6006]

Very helpful videos, thank you for taking the time to put these together.

[@OpenInkStand]

You're welcome!

[@hermione5330]

Thank you for the videos! This was helpful and I had such difficulty looking for information on oval drills :)

[@OpenInkStand]

Thank you!

[@BHFWaterloo]

Your so easy to listen to. You are a thorough teacher.

[@SaltydogNC]

Outstanding, Schin!

[@OpenInkStand]

SaltydogNC Thank you!!

[@Phrophesy]

Your voice is so softly that I fall asleep.

[@OpenInkStand]

Haha!

[@smallgarage9937]

loves your every tutorial mom.

[@OpenInkStand]

+small garage Thanks

[@Perktube1]

4:45 Ahh the Pilot G-tec-C4. My favorite pen so far, smooth and smudge free, I find it better than Cross and Parker pens imo, because I write smaller than some people.

[@dendygan4511]

Thank you very much for this video. I am very grateful

[@Nacomi7]

Love this! you are so talented! what nib are you using?

[@MeeCha]

Is it also safe to say finger movements will also cause fatigue quicker?

[@parisbreakfast]

This is really good!Thank you

[@susanwham9263]

Love you tutorials. Is there a number 6 on your beginners copperplate calligraphy. Thanks I see 7 just can't find 6

[@carolsze6559]

I've just come across your tutorial. It's very helpful to know about grip and arm movement. You talked about positioning of paper and arm. What are your thoughts of writing on a flat versus tilted surface?

[@OpenInkStand]

For pointed pen, it is traditional to use a flat surface. Slanted surfaces is more for broad pen scripts. Thanks and glad you like this tutorial!

[@mjthomas7980]

Where do you get the containers you put your ink in? I don't like a lot of what I can find online. Love your videos!

[@OpenInkStand]

+Michael Thomas Thank you! You can use dinky dips as inkwells, but personally I use glass votive candle holders. It looks prettier and is more sturdy.

[@flyingbee16]

The Tripod Grip is harder to achieve than I would have ever thought possible. It's like my hand resists the position. Your hand on the pen looks so natural and graceful....... my hand looks like the "Thing" trying to use a pen. Any Ideas?

[@OpenInkStand]

+Jonathan Butler Comfort should come first. After years of habit, it is difficult to force oneself to learn another way of doing things. Try transitioning slowly from your regular grip. If you can achieve good work with your old grip, then by all means use it. Just be sure not to have a death grip!

[@Bbdu75yg]

Amazing thank u so much

[@hmahaux]

Merci beaucoup.

[@vkcalligraphy]

Do we need to touch the forearm to the sheet??

[@OpenInkStand]

It can touch a little but it shouldn't be heavy and planted on the table

[@talknerdytome23]

do you have a video for where you can get pen holders like yours? I can't find good ones, anywhere! and if you dont, do you mind telling me where you got the one you use in this video? which is excellent, btw. beginner, here!

[@OpenInkStand]

Chelsea McCarthy The one I have on this video is called the Hourglass holder, available from paperinkarts.com. It is a pretty good holder!

[@richardebbole1]

how long have you been writing? Thanks. Excellent videos very helpful.

[@OpenInkStand]

richard ebbole I have been practicing for about 2-3 years now

[@brigitte157]

to make a circle is so very hard. i think its the hardest drill. anyways, love love your video, thank you for the Calligraphy 101, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@OpenInkStand]

+Brigitta Ervinna You're welcome! And remember it is ovals not circle! :) Keep practicing

[@margessw]

Is that it for the drills ? Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for more ! Just wandering. ;-)

[@whereimdb]

General "never disobey" writing/drawing rule: The finger muscles are for only holding the tools. Every point of your finger movement will cause inconsistency at that point. Toll pressure has to come from the wrist not the fingers.

[@margessw]

How is your elbow in the last drill ??

[@doctor_foobario]

Thanks, this is a very useful video :)

[@janetsadowski9762]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge....I find your videos helpful with great explanations. What do you do when ink bleeds on paper? How do you know when ink is to old? To thin? To thick? What do you thin with? I have plenty of questions. 😊

[@OpenInkStand]

***** Thanks Janet! If ink bleeds on paper, usually I try another paper, or else I prepare the paper with some gum sandarac or pounce. That should help with the bleeding. Ink is too thick if it sticks to the nib and doesn't flow well. Usually then I will add more water, or dip the nib into the ink and again into water. If ink is too thin then it will blot and railroad too much. Then I would thicken it with some gum arabic, or add more paint. Hope this helps!!

[@janetsadowski9762]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy Thank you for the information and the quick response. I have not been sure when my problem is the ink or when it is the paper - this helps greatly. I will experiment with your suggestions. Look forward to more of your videos. They are very useful!

[@OpenInkStand]

***** Glad it helps! :)

[@ishfaqbanuri]

i'love your videos, tutorials they are very helpful. I'm using speedball oblique pen holder with hunt imperial 101 nib, the problem i'm facing is the ink runs out very quickly and i'm dipping it again and again more frequently then you are. what are your recommendations. please help. Regards,

[@OpenInkStand]

+Ishfaq Shah Thank you! Don't press to hard and make sure your nib is very clean before using.

[@tablighibayans]

14:00

[@isaiahsnow7125]

what mechanical pencil is that?

[@OpenInkStand]

+Isaiah Snow It's a LAMY mechanical pencil

[@Perktube1]

I heard certain writers put short pencils in their oblique holders to practice with.

[@richardebbole1]

remarkable

[@michaelbravo1610]

how and where could i get a pen like yours?

[@OpenInkStand]

+Michael Bravo It's an oblique penholder and you can get it from paperinkarts.com or johnnealbooks.com

[@kbao8176]

Can you tell me the distance beetween one space, please?

[@OpenInkStand]

Maybe about half a letter

[@JamesRandall47]

55 degrees from the horizontal - surely? or 35 degrees from the vertical?

[@OpenInkStand]

+James Randall From the vertical! Yikes!

[@filmbyashley]

I'm left hander and i can't seem to get ovals right. :( it looks so unnatural and looks like i'm using a pen. Any advise?

[@OpenInkStand]

Misaki Ashley Be sure to relax and hold your pen lightly. Don't grip it too tight, relax and use a pencil if you have to. It just takes some practice.

[@9214bike]

Big variety of options for lefties. According to the Spencerian book, the lefty should have his forearm perpendicular to the line... for me this ends up rotating the page clockwise at least 45 degrees using a straight nib. Curious to hear what other lefties do.

[@OpenInkStand]

9214bike There are so many ways for a lefty to hold their pen. I'm sorry I don't know much about it.

[@9214bike]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy Yes, I'm also trying to find the balance b/w using finger movements and shoulder/girdle. I just started 2nd book. Finger movements make it look nicer, but I think the shoulder is key for Capitals and flourishes.

[@OpenInkStand]

9214bike You're right! Don't feel restricted to one. Use all if you want to as long as it achieves a beautiful script.

[@mischacoffey1773]

Could you do a video on how you learned Spencerian? Explant series!

[@OpenInkStand]

Yikes, that will be a big one. Maybe in the future.. I am not a spencerian expert..

[@chinesecalligraphyandpens9246]

I don't like sharpie for calligraphy but I like the smell

[@sophia-luciakwon2792]

BINGEING ON YOUR CHANNEL Nom NOm NoM x3

[@Perktube1]

You could tape the coin to your wrist. ;-)

[@joesr31]

Great drills but the sound irks me sooo much

[@bigshortstack2929]

Why can't an oblique pen be made as an opposite configuration for left handers? They could turn the writing pads/papers to the opposite 45 degree angle that the right handers use. Then, they could experiment with the final writing angle for the pen and nib to produce the writing style they're interested in. l The slant angle for the writings could still be the same as the rt hand writers. Since there is no or very little chance of smearing with the RIGHT handed oblique pen there shouldn't be any smearing for the LEFT handers' as is common with straight pens and fountain pens.

[@himasf]

So glad when you said "It doesn't have to be perfect ovals." To be honest seeing perfect ovals on "drills" creeps me out. Like, they probably have somebody tied up in the basement creepy. >_

[@OpenInkStand]

LOL seriously.. I mean good for them for such an achievement but I always wonder such people could also execute perfect methodical murders with not an ounce of empathy or human feeling..

[@richardebbole1]

OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy help us all!

[@anthonyrc70]

I remember doing these drills for penmanship class. I hated them.

[@parshuramjipassi9406]

Thanks mam learn for us🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨

[@shaminia719]

Xxx

[@margessw]

This is a shame that your sound is sooooooo awful because you are sooooooo generous sharing your knowledge with us !!! Love from France.

[@shaminia719]

Xxx