When I first developed an interest in calligraphy, I perused a lot of calligraphy photos online. Those photos featured a recurring theme: a strange-looking pen with a “thingy” sticking out of its side. After some intensive Googling, I found out that the “thingy” is called a “flange”, and the pen is called an “oblique calligraphy pen”.
Oblique calligraphy pens with a flange on the left were developed for right-handed writers. Pens with a flange on the right are for lefties!
I want to make today’s post the blog post that answers questions about oblique pens in a straightforward way. What is an oblique calligraphy pen, how do you write with it, which pen should you use … these are all questions that I wish someone could have answered for me in 2012! I hope that this post can clear up any confusion you have about the oblique calligraphy pen, and help you to discover an invaluable tool to add to your collection.
1. What Is an Oblique Calligraphy Pen?
In order to successfully create calligraphy, you need to fulfill two requirements. First, your nib must be parallel to the writing slant that you wish to achieve. Second, you have to exert even pressure on both tines of the nib. Right-handed people may experience a difficult time meeting these requirements with a straight pen, thus the development of the oblique calligraphy pen!
It’s usually easiest for right-handed people to create calligraphy with a slant (like Janet Style, shown here) if they use an oblique calligraphy pen.
Most calligraphy has a right-leaning (55 degree or so) slant, and righties can have a hard time achieving that slant with a straight calligraphy pen. Don’t get me wrong: it can be done. As a right-handed person, you can rotate your paper and experiment with your posture and grip to achieve a nice slant. However, righties will probably find it much easier to use an oblique pen versus a straight pen.
2. How Do You Write with an Oblique Calligraphy Pen?
If you’re interested in writing with an oblique calligraphy pen, I show you exactly how to use it in the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course videos. However, I’ll also summarize in this article! Purists will say that there’s only one grip to use with the oblique calligraphy pen: you put your index finger on the top of the pen, and the tip of your thumb rests just above the flange.
It’s a little bit difficult to see in this photo, but the traditional grip involves putting your index finger on top of the pen. The tip of your thumb rests just above the edge of the flange.
Here’s a side view of the traditional grip.
I am not a purist when it comes to a lot of elements of calligraphy, and the oblique pen is no exception. For that reason, I use a grip that suits me. The traditional grip doesn’t work for me because I generally keep my fingernails long. A long thumbnail makes it uncomfortable to put the tip of your thumb above the flange, so you can rest the left side of your thumb on the flange. You then use your index finger and your thumb to “pinch” the barrel of the pen, and your other three fingers stay under the pen.
Contrary to what this photo shows, I like to keep my nails fairly long. For that reason, the traditional grip doesn’t work for me, and I like to rest my thumb on the flange as pictured!
If both of the grips described above don’t work for you, you should feel free to experiment with your own grip. Try holding the pen further up on the barrel, for example. Whatever technique gets you comfortable with writing calligraphy is perfect!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your grip until you figure out what feels right for you!
3. Which Oblique Pen Should You Use?
You should use a brass-flanged oblique pen that’s fitted for the nib that you wish to write with. Try not to use a plastic-flanged oblique pen, no matter how tempting the price! You can find out why in the 5 Reasons to Ditch Your Plastic Oblique Pen article.
This oblique calligraphy pen is fitted for a Nikko G nib. It can also fit nibs that are of a similar size to the Nikko G. However, it won’t fit other shapes of nibs like the tiny Brause EF66.
You may be wondering: how do you know which nib you want to use (and therefore, which oblique pen to purchase)? Well, I’d try out a variety of nibs in a straight pen first, and designate a favorite from there. Buy an oblique pen based on whichever nib — or nibs — that you like. I, personally, use my Brause EF66 oblique pen 99% of the time. Really: you’ll find that you only need one oblique pen, maybe two, maximum. For a more detailed article on specific oblique calligraphy pens, check out A Guide to Oblique Calligraphy Pens.
4. Information for Lefties
Most left-handed people actually have an advantage when it comes to calligraphy. You see, as a lefty, you’re coming from the left and moving to the right. If you can keep your hand under your calligraphy, it’s much easier for you to make a right-leaning slant than it is for a typical right-handed person.
If you’re left-handed, check out the article 5 Tips for Creating Left-Handed Calligraphy (From a Lefty!).
That said, there are some lefties who find it uncomfortable to write with a straight pen. In that case, a left oblique pen may really help! Throughout the course of teaching in-person workshops, I found that 10% or so of lefty students connected best with a left oblique pen. Usually, these were lefties who write with a hook when using a regular pen, or lefties who tended to uncomfortably contort their bodies while writing to get a proper angle. You can learn more about writing with a straight pen and an oblique pen as a lefty if you watch this 5 minute video by (lefty) calligrapher John DeCollibus.
5. Conclusion
As a right-handed person, I almost exclusively use an oblique calligraphy pen. There are three exceptions. First, if I’m writing a straight up and down calligraphy style (like the Amy), I don’t need the right-leaning slant advantage that the oblique pen gives me. Second, I like to use straight pens for hand-lettering (for an example, see this article). Finally, I enjoy using straight pens to create pen and ink illustrations like the illustrated lace butterfly.
Amy Style calligraphy has no slant to it, so it’s easiest to create with a straight calligraphy pen.
If you predominantly write with your right hand, you’ll probably love the oblique pen! I encourage you to give it a try. It may be confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can be a game-changer. For detailed instructions over how to use it, you can check out the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course. If you’re a lefty, stick with your straight pen if you’re happy with it. If you’re not, try a left oblique! It just may be the calligraphy tool that you’ve been searching for.
I hope that you enjoyed this article! Hopefully it serves to clear up confusion or guide you to your new favorite calligraphy tool. For further reading, I strongly recommend Dr. Joseph Vitolo’s article Demystifying the Oblique Penholder. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!
Warmly,
I received an oblique pen and am excited to learn about it!
Thank you for all of your amazing blog posts! How long did it take you to adjust from a straight pen to an oblique pen? I’m making the transition now, but am having some difficulties!!
I recently purchased a MOBLIQUE calligraphy pen from Paper & ink arts. It is a convertible oblique pen. It has a brass flange that can be tweaked to fit a specific nib or adjusted to fit your specific needs. The flange can also be removed easily and used as a regular calligraphy dip pen. I also got a Nikko G nib and a Leonardt G nib. What a huge difference! The Leonardt is extremely flexible and needs a feather lite touch or you get puddles of ink instead of letters. The Nikko G is still flexible enough and in an oblique dip pen or a straight dip pen, it writes beautifully. Even my husband has noticed the difference in my writing. The MOBLIQUE was less than $10, the Nikko G was about $1.40 plus Shipping. I highly recommend an oblique and the Nikko G nib. I have been doing calligraphy off and on for several years as a hobby. The oblique pen and Nikko G nib have made it so much easier. Thank you for your insight.
I’ve been hearing a lot about the MOBLIQUE lately — I’ll order one for myself and try it out! 🙂
Have you ever tried Luis Creations’ Moblique? Best thing I ever purchased. Straight holder, oblique holder, and holds nibs inside of it!
Someone else just recommended it! I am buying one for myself today to try it out. 🙂
This is very interesting and helpful. Is it better to learn calligraphy with this type of pen or a straight pen, or it doesn’t matter?
It doesn’t matter! It’s just whatever you connect with best. Most “righties” prefer an oblique, but there are some who don’t.
Thanks so much for posting on oblique nib holders. Your article is clear and very easy to understand. Much obliged!!
I am very new to calligraphy, though I’ve always wanted to be able to do it. Your blogs are so informative, giving the detail that a beginner needs! Thank you!
Wow! For someone who is just starting in the pointed pen calligraphy journey (such as myself), this post has been really helpful!! Thank you!!
Great article 🙂 It actually made a lot of sense for a newbie like me!!!
Thanks for posting about this. I had seen these pens but never understood how or why I would want to use one. I will be trying to get my hands on one soon.
Great article! Thanks for informations about lefties.
Any good places to get these tools to start?
Paper and Ink Arts, for sure!
This is great information for beginners like me… thank you! 🙂
I have always been intrigued by Calligraphy, but only just began to pactice since I received some nice pens and ink last Cristmas. I subscribed to your blog and read everything you send as your helpful tips are of great inspiration!
This post is very helpful for beginners. Great insights.
Thank you for this post. The oblique pen really helped me understand the proper angle and smooth out my upstrokes. I always enjoy your posts.
This was really helpful. I am so new to calligraphy and you explain things so simply even I can understand it.
Do you know of any fountain pens with proper bibs that would be a good starter tool for calligraphy?
Hi Beth! I wish I could speak knowledgeably about fountain pens, but I’m afraid I just don’t know that much about them — I’m sorry!
I only have Tachikawa T-40 holder and I can’t wait to try using an oblique holder!
I have always wondered about the oblique pens, they just look so different. Thanks for the info.
i wish i also have nibs to practice with 😢
Hi
Sorry another question. When I started learning Calligraphy at Christmas I saw that you suggested starting to learn with the Amy style but have since seen that the Flourish is best to start with. The Flourish looks a lot more complicated but if I was to try to use an oblique pen would this be used for Amy style also?
Hi Donna! I would still recommend the Amy Style for beginners as it has no slant. However, it sounds like you’ve been practicing for a few months now, so the Flourish Formal would be fine! I wouldn’t use an oblique pen for the Amy Style, though — the oblique pen comes in handy for slanted (right-leaning) scripts, but since the Amy is straight up and down, a straight pen is best.
Hi, I can you recommend an oblique pen that I could find in the UK please as can only find the wooden one you recommend in America?
Of course! Try this one from Scribblers, which I’m positive is the same one that I recommend here in America. 🙂
I’m a fan of the oblique, especially with the brause rose!
My experience with oblique pen has been grt, it helps me achieve that 55 degree slant with ease every time and ur blogs inspires me to try new projects, so thank you.
Just ordered my oblique pen and really looking forward to using it.
I’ve only used a straight holder, but recently bought an oblique holder and am just waiting for it to come in the mail! This post makes me really excited to try it and apply the tips you’ve given!
I love using an oblique holder
I have bought one and briefly tried to use it, but found it confusing haha! So I think now I’ve looked over this blog post, I think I know where to go now to get some great information to help me out. Thank you!
I bought an oblique holder a few months ago and found it very easy to use although I had trouble keeping a consistent slant
I love my oblique pen from RodgersPenBox. The wood is so beautiful and feels wonderful to hold. It did not take long to figure out how to use, I just kept repositioning my fingers until it felt right for me.
I am loving the oblique pen. It makes it so much easier to see what I’m writing.
I mainly use oblique pen for my calligraphy! Now i am very bad in using straight pen even though i started with straight! I love how oblique helps with the slant more than straight holders
I haven’t tried it but I heard it can make the slant required in calligraphy a little easier so I’d love to try it out at some point!
I have tried the oblique pen holders before, it felt quite thin and small in my hand, I’ve just ordered a ‘carrot’ shapped oblique holder to see if the extra thickness feels more comfortable in my hand. Looking forward to it.
I’ve tried using an oblique pen and I prefer way too much over the straight pen!
Thank you for all of the helpful information on oblique pens. I have one but haven’t tried it yet. I just started learning basic lettering strokes with brush pens and figured it’s better for me to try to be patient and not jump into trying all of the different tools yet….no matter how much I want to. 🙂
Thanks for sharing all about oblique pen holders. It’s always very useful 👍👍
I have always been enamored with calligraphy and wanted to try my hand at copperplate but using an oblique pen was intimidating. After reading your posts and acquiring an oblique pen created by Rodger Mayeda I am finally able to practice, practice, practice. Thanks for the motivation!
I have never used a oblique calligraphy pen before. I’m just getting started with calligraphy. This post was very helpful.
I still play with the oblique lefty holder I got at your workshop, though I usually pick up the straight holder!
I find the brass-flanged oblique pen makes achieving right-slanted calligraphy so much easier. I started out with a plastic-flanged oblique pen and it was ridiculously hard to write with. I’m glad I didn’t give up, thanks to you and all your great advice!
I have used an oblique pen but don’t use it very often because I’m not very comfortable with it yet. I would like to find one that I like to use and start practicing again!
Never had a chance to try an oblique pen.
For an odd reason they retail for way more than the straight ones.. 🙁
Yes I used oblique pen but first I was really bad after I bought postmanknock training set now I am learning. Thanks for everything
I use an oblique pen. Thank you for your fun and creative blog posts!
Thank you for sharing all your calligraphy knowledge so selflessly! I love oblique pens and have been looking for one to move on from my first Speedball one, so this was really helpful!
I have used an oblique pen, but still need a lot of practice to get comfortable!
The first time I tried an oblique pen I found it very difficult to use, now after a little practice I like it very much and use it often ☺️