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,
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!
Hi Lindsay,
I just found out that I have a rather funny grip when holding my pen. It’s called a “Quadropod grip”. I know most people rest their pen on their middle finger, mine rest on my ring finger.
I’ve been reading on some forums if I should force myself to change my grip. I’ve been writing with quadropod grip all my life and I am not sure if I should start over with the proper grip. I feel so discouraged and feel like I will never be able to write properly. I usually adjust my pen angle and the nib on my pointed pen to somewhat different angles in order to fit with my quadropod grip, wonder if this is not the right thing to do…
Hi Soy!
As long as the grip is working for you (as in: you’re able to make things that you love), then there is no need to change your grip!
Thank you Lindsay!
My calligraphy instructor taught me to place the nib at a 45 degree angle on the paper but yours appears to be placed straight on the paper. This has always been a problem for me. What is the correct angle for the nib to touch the paper?
Hi Christine,
Allow me to jump in with this.
I personally prefer using a 45-degree angle because (a) it gives me the slant that I need, and (b) it keeps the ink from spattering all over the place. Moreover, the 45-degree angle comes naturally to me when I use the oblique pen. I rotate the paper 90-degress when using the straight, which again helps me with the slant.
Hope this helps!
Hi Christine! For slanted styles, I hold the nib at 45 degrees. For straight up and down styles (e.g. the Amy), I hold it straight. 🙂
Thank you for this. I have never felt comfortable that I have the correct grip and have searched high and low for good instructions. This is very helpful. Thank yoh.
Mahalo Lindsey!
You must of known I be struggling with holding my dip pen. I’m a lefty so have yet to get my angle right. I’d like to someday try out an oblique pen to see if it really makes a difference or not
I’m really enjoying practicing with your latest calligraphy drill sheet and reading your blog posts. You make me want to try and zen-tangle with my dip pen 😀
I grip the pen way too much than is necessary, and as a result, my fingers hurt a bit after practicing calligraphy with a dip pen. And I also have a problem with my posture, because when I write, I usually hunch over so I can see what I’m writing really well. They’re hard habits to break, but I’ll try. 🙂 Also, thank you for all these lessons and tips you give us, it’s really informative. I’ve scoured the internet for good beginner lessons on calligraphy, and yours is the only one that clicked for me. So, thanks a lot! 😀
Minette, you could try a wider penholder – that will very often help you relax your grip. If you don’t want to go to the expense of a new holder before you’re sure, you could always try wrapping something like tape around your current pen to see if it works, and what thickness is best for you.
Hi thank you so much this is exactly what I need and I feel more confident in making a nib purchase after seeing how to hold it. I’m currently struggling through learning how to letter with a brush pen. Should I be holding the pen the same way?
Kayechamp,
Hold the brush pen in a similar way to the calligraphy pen (don’t hold it too far up). Keep in mind that if you’re aiming for a stronger slant in your lettering, you’ll need to hold your pen at a greater angle.
The technique remains the same- lesser pressure on the upstroke, greater pressure on the downstroke.
Lindsey has fantastic brush pen tutorials that you should review here : https://thepostmansknock.com/using-brush-pens-for-calligraphy-a-tombow-giveaway/
Hope this helps!
Thanks so much, Ajab!
Hi there! The grip for the brush pen is a bit different … I’m releasing a brush pen worksheet package in two weeks and am planning on including a video or two over how to hold the pen. I hope the announcement blog post and resources included with the worksheet will help you in using the brush pen!
Thank you for that explanation, Lindsey.
I bought an oblique pen, but was wondering how to hold it and where to apply pressure. Is the “phlange” the part that holds the nib, or the thin, flat join between that part and the pen?
I always look forward to reading your newsletters, they are so informative, and I love the way you make your photographs so pretty.
Hi Liora,
Allow me to reply. The flange is the thin joint that connects the nib holder to the body of the pen.
Hold your pen just the way Lindsey showed above, which is similar to the straight pen with the exception that your thumb will be resting on the flange. Your thumb will help you exert pressure as you rest it on the flange.
Hope this helps!
Hi Liora! The flange is the part that holds the nib. 🙂 And thank you for the photography compliment!
Thank you so much for the clarification, Lindsey! My sincere apologies.
Like they say, the best kind of mistakes are the ones where the costs are low but the learning is high. 🙂
Actually, I answered Iiora’s comment before I saw yours — the back end of the comments system doesn’t let me see comments in a logical order. 🙂 That said, I love that you jumped in and answered questions here; I really appreciate it! Always feel free to do so!
Hi Lindsey,
The ‘traditional’ way of holding an oblique pen is to have your index finger on top of the penholder and your thumb on the side, directly behind the flange. However, it doesn’t really matter – as long as you are comfortable holding the pen for reasonable amounts of time, and are producing work that you are happy with, I wouldn’t worry about it too much!
Great input! I read about that grip in Michael Sull’s book about Spencerian script … but at that point, I already really enjoyed using this grip. I agree that as long as you like what you produce and feel physically good while producing it, then the grip doesn’t matter. 🙂
Yes, if you have found a grip that is comfortable and works well, there is little point in trying to change it. However, I have found myself (and have had customers report) that a change in grip can work wonders when it comes to fine control of the penholder, and therefore also the ability to produce better calligraphy. So, if anyone is struggling with a particular grip, it is worth experimenting a bit and finding out if a different grip would suit you better. I’m constantly amazed at the amount of different grip positions I see on instagram – all from people producing great work – so never be put off if what feels right to you isn’t the same as what everyone else is doing.
Wait! This is probably me just being a total novice, but there are left handed oblique pens?!? I’ve always been told that to do pointed pen calligraphy as a lefty, I have to use a straight pen 🙁
Julie, some lefties use a straight pen, some use a left oblique, and some even use a right oblique! It really is all down to personal preference and what type of ‘lefty’ you are. Why not buy a cheap speedball oblique and try it both ways and see if it works for you?
Hi Julie! You don’t have to, but if you have trouble using a straight pen, then a left oblique pen is worth a try! I find that when I teach workshops, about 25% of lefties prefer an oblique. It just depends on what kind of left-handed writer you are when you write with a regular pen (e.g. whether you hook your hand, what position your arm is in when you write)! It’s hard to tell until you try one whether you’ll love it or not, unfortunately. 🙂
Thank you so much for your advice! I’m definitely going to try it. I absolutely struggle with the straight pen 🙂 It sounds like it’s worth the small investment!