A couple of weeks ago, I released a free printable dip pen calligraphy drills worksheet. It featured a few traditional drills; but mostly it explored new, fun drills to help regulate pressure and improve technique. I received a lot of positive feedback for its effectiveness, which inspired me to create a brush pen drills sheet as well!
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I sneak brush pen calligraphy into every (dip pen) modern calligraphy workshop that I teach. I do that for a couple of reasons: first of all, brush pens respond beautifully to pressure. If you exert pressure on a downstroke, the brush pen makes a gorgeously thick stroke. Let up on pressure, and the brush pen makes a delicate thin stroke. Learning this principle with a brush pen leads to success with a dip pen, which is also responsive to pressure!
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In this two-part series, we’re going to explore which calligraphy writing utensil is most compatible with you at this point. Based on the information you read here, you may decide to try one of the recommended writing utensils; or, you may find out that there are a couple of different kinds that you’ll love! Today’s post will examine regular pens (e.g. ballpoint, gel) and brush pens. Next week, we’ll talk about straight dip pens and oblique dip pens!
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It’s hard not to love brush pen calligraphy because of its efficiency! For example, the other day, I was putting together a little mail art packet. I knew I wanted to enclose a greeting card in the package, but time wasn’t on my side: the mailman was going to be here any minute, so I didn’t have time for ink to dry. Frantically, I looked around, wondering how I was going to write beautifully but quickly. The answer came to me after a rummaging session through my desk: brush pen calligraphy. I quickly calligraphed “enjoy” on the card, put the card in the envelope, and placed the envelope outside just in time for the mailman to pick it up.
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A few weeks ago, I received an email from Brittany at Tombow. She is a reader of this blog who recently started working at Tombow {and is loving it — so many art supplies!}, and she was kind enough to ask if I would want to try some of the company’s art products. I never say no to art supplies, so she sent me over a sample pack. It was very thoughtfully packaged, and its contents were absolute gold. While I loved everything she sent, I especially loved the brush pens. Once I got the hang of them, I knew I had to write a brush pen tutorial! When I shared this with Brittany, she suggested a Tombow brush pen giveaway, which you can read more details about at the end of this post.
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