A lot of TPK blog posts have touched on how to hold a calligraphy pen … but, really, it’s a topic that deserves its own post. You see, there are so many calligraphy frustrations that stem from a problematic grip! With a few minor adjustments, you can solve everything from ink flow issues to the nib digging into the paper to arm and back pain. Whether you write with your right or left hand, the tips in this post will help you to write better and more comfortably!
How to Hold a Calligraphy Pen: Basic Grip
Most people maintain a curled grip around regular pens as they write. You let your fingers “run the show”: they control the pen. When you try to use a dip pen, then, your instinct is to use that same technique … which won’t give you good results.
When you hold a dip pen, you don’t want to hold it like you would any ordinary pen. First of all, you want your grip to be relatively relaxed. Your index finger should have only a slight bend to it, and the pen should be supported by — rather than controlled by — your thumb, index, and middle fingers. This goes for both right- and left-handed people.
How to Write with a Basic Grip
Having a good grip on the pen won’t help you much if you can’t harness its full power. As you’re writing, try to concentrate on keeping your index finger only slightly bent. Your index finger should never look like this:
Instead, this is the most it should bend:
As you’re writing, your finger movement should be minimal. They’ll move a little bit, but nothing like how they move when you’re using a regular pen! Instead, most of your movement will come from the arm, with the fingers mainly acting to exert pressure on the nib. If you’re confused, don’t worry! This video should clear the concept up:
Posture
As you write, your instinct will be to hunch over. I still catch myself hunching to this day: when you’re really absorbed in a project, you feel the urge to lean into it! While hunching can give you a good view, it also can cause back and breathing problems. As you write, try to be conscientious about sitting up straight and breathing regularly (don’t hold your breath!). Doing these two things will help you to write smoother, write for longer periods of time, and will save you from back pain!
Issues to Avoid
Holding the Pen Vertically
Even if you know how to hold a calligraphy pen, you can run into issues that hamper your success. The number one thing I want to emphasize is pen position! We all have a tendency to want to hold the pen vertically, but doing so increases the probability of the nib digging into the paper. A vertical position also generally results in ink flow issues; instead of gliding smoothly onto the paper, ink has a tendency to act in concert with gravity and rush onto the paper as a big blob! Here’s a photo of how not to hold the pen:
Holding the Pen Too Far Up
Some people have a tendency to hold the pen far up on the shaft, which allows you to write with a more delicate hand. Holding it too far up, however, eliminates your ability to fully control the pressure you exert on the nib. Instead, hold the pen about 1/2″ from the end — that will give you the best control over pressure and nib direction!
Not Keeping Both Tines of the Nib Evenly on the Paper
With a regular pen, it doesn’t matter which part of the nib touches the paper. Regardless, it will write well! This is not the case with a dip pen. If you’re using a dip pen, you have to make sure that both tines of the nib remain evenly on the paper no matter what type of stroke you are writing!
If one tine of the nib is taking on most of the pressure, the pen will more than likely dig into the paper. You’ll also lose the ability to create stroke contrast! So, make sure that as you’re writing, both tines are always evenly touching the paper. You’ll notice that in the photo below, the nib stays in the same position despite writing different types of strokes.
How to Hold an Oblique Calligraphy Pen
Oblique calligraphy pens were designed to give right- and some left-handed people a better angle while writing. Using an oblique pen can really help you to achieve a right-leaning slant! That said, in every workshop that I teach, I notice that participants are initially terrified at using this pen. The pen looks strange, and the grip is anything but self-explanatory!
If you’re right-handed, your grip should nearly be identical to the grip you have on the straight pen. Your thumb and index finger will be on the top of the pen while your middle finger rests under the pen. Your thumb, however, will also be resting on the flange. Keeping your thumb on the flange will afford you complete control of the pressure that you exert on the nib!
If you’re left-handed, it’s the same concept, but mirrored. Your grip will look like this:
If you’re confused, this video will help! In it, you’ll see me using a right oblique pen:
Getting Used to Using a Calligraphy Pen
If you’re new to using a calligraphy pen, it can take a few sessions of practice to get the hang of it! I would recommend practicing letterforms with a calligraphy worksheet. It will also be helpful to print out a few copies of this free calligraphy drills sheet to gain additional experience with pen control and pressure exertion.
I hope that this post has cleared up any questions you may have about how to hold a calligraphy pen! If you’re still a bit confused, please feel free to ask in the comments — I’m glad to answer! I guarantee that someone else has the same question, and they’ll be glad that you asked.
Thanks very, very much for reading TPK, and have a great weekend!
Warmly,
You are my “go to” for “how tos” : ) So many “Ah ha!” and “so that’s how it’s done” moments. Plus your creative yet doable illustrations, for the beginners like me, are so helpful and inspiring. Keep it up please! And an added dividend bonus is seeing your sweet son grow up before our eyes. Bless you and your sweet family and now your growing staff too!
I’m currently doing (and enjoying) your online calligraphy course. In checking out some books in my local library, I notice that some of them show the pen being held in such a way that the nib is placed at a 45 degree angle to the horizontal line. The nib, I notice, has a wider tip then the ones used in your class. Is this 45 degree angle more for traditional styles of calligraphy or is it because the nib tip is wider (or broad)?
Hi Maureen! It sounds like they are using a broad-tipped nib, and that’s definitely why they are holding it at a different angle than what you see in this post. 🙂
Does my Brause extra fine 66 nib need a special oblique holder? The regular holder’s flange does not seem to have the correct curve to hold the nib.
Absolutely! You can find one on the John Neal Booksellers website. 🙂
Thank you, Lindsey, for such a great website. Every time I read it I feel nspured and learn something new.
Hi Lindsey,
Your website has so many great resources, so first of all, thank you! When I am working on a pointed pen project for a while, the tip of my index finger gets very sore from the pressure I’m using on my downstrokes, as well as my knuckle on my index finger where it joins my hand. Is my index finger bent too much? Do I need to relax my hand? When I try to loosen the pressure, I also seem to lose some control over my strokes.
Thank you!
Hi there! Are you right-handed? If so, are you using an oblique pen? That could really help to alleviate the pressure!
Hi Lindsey,
Just now trying the change from brush calligraphy to dip pen. The brush pens are flexible in all directions so when I write, the pen pretty much stays in the same position. With the dip
pen the nib only spreads when pressing downward, not so much going to the side, right? So when practicing the side swirls on your drill sheets, should I move the paper so the nib is always dragging down towards my body? I hope I’m making sense. Thank you!
Hi Carol!
Right — with the dip pen, you can’t apply pressure to the sides to get a nice, thick stroke. You have to exert even pressure on the dip pen at all times! And yes, if I’m understanding your question, the nib should always drag down toward your body. For a detailed explanation and demonstrations, definitely consider taking the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course!
Dear Lindsey,
Thank you for all the informative posts! I get excited everytime I see “The Postmans Knock” in my inbox.
I have been practicing using the Nikko G nib and I feel comfortable and confident using it. I can see the improvement in the line-thickness as I keep practicing. However, my dilemma is the tip on nib keeps getting caught on the paper thus disrupting my writing flow. Am I not holding the pen at a big enough angle? or is the quality of printing paper that I am using? If this is so, what kind of printing paper would you recommend?
Always Grateful,
Amelia M.
Hi Amelia!
It could be either of those two issues. First, I’d make sure you’re using 32# laserjet paper — if you are, and you’re still experiencing issues, then try holding the pen at a less severe angle. If you’re right-handed, it could actually really help to get an oblique pen, which (comfortably) forces you to approach the paper at a more friendly angle. 🙂
The #32 paper is heaven sent. I love it!! It is a completely different experience all together.
I have been practicing on a daily basis, and I can honestly say that I am starting to see improvements in the strokes and thickness. One thing I realize is that I have to slow down writing calligraphy. I cannot write as fast as I normally write.
Next challenge : Acquaint myself to the oblique pen. It definitely looks weird.
Thanks Lindsey.
Hi Lindsey
Firstly, I love your blogs and tutorials- thank you.
With regard to positioning the paper as you write, should that be on an angle, straight in line with your arm, or vertical in front of you, or, as it feels right for you please.
Thanks again Lindsey x
Hi Allison! However it feels right to you. 🙂 As long as you feel comfortable writing and your hand isn’t dragging the ink, then you should be good to go!
Hi Lindsey,
Thank you for the wonderful pose! I went to a calligraphy workshop previously (2 years ago) and I vaguely remember my instructor telling me to lock my wrist and write while moving my whole arm. So, the only thing touching the paper is my nib (not even my other 3 fingers). I’m not sure if i’m practicing the movement correctly but I find that it’s very hard to control the pen while keeping my arm off the table. Do you have any tips? Or should I just keep trying? (I guess I don’t mind to keep trying but I find that my arm gets sore rather fast haha.)
Thank you so much!
Hi Syah! My fingers and wrist touch the paper as I write. It sounds uncomfortable to let everything just float like you describe! I would let your fingers/wrist make contact with the paper/table. Really, there’s no exactly right or wrong way to do it … as long as it feels good to you and you are able to make work that you like, then you’re doing well!