Learning calligraphy is exciting—but it’s easy to start off on the wrong foot. Skip the all-in-one kits from big box stores, and take the time to build a kit with reliable, high-quality supplies. You’ll thank yourself later!
In 2012, I picked up a bargain calligraphy kit from a big box store, eager to try something new. But instead of sparking a new hobby, it left me confused and discouraged—with messy ink, fussy nibs, and unclear instructions. I figured calligraphy just wasn’t for me. Thankfully, I gave it another shot a few months later with better tools, and that made all the difference. I’m sharing this article so you can skip that rocky start and enjoy calligraphy from the beginning.
If you’re just starting out, you can absolutely invest in a beautiful pre-made kit. (TPK has a gorgeous starter kit)! But if you’re looking to save some money, you can absolutely DIY a kit. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
It’s important to understand why you’re choosing the materials listed above so you can personalize your starter kit. The rest of this article will discuss exactly why each item earned a spot on the supply list.
I find the Nikko G to be the best beginner calligraphy nib, and I use it in all my beginner calligraphy workshops. Originally developed for manga artists, it’s a medium-flex Japanese nib that can stand up to calligraphy growing pains. It’s tolerant of a new user putting too much or uneven pressure on it, which is good: you need that kind of leeway when you’re figuring out your pen pressure exertion!
To be clear: the Brause EF66 nib is not a great beginner nib! That’s because it’s delicate and flexible. However, I’ve included it in my list in the hopes that you’ll try it after you master using the Nikko G. Writing with the Brause EF66 will show you that nibs can differ from each other dramatically, and you’ll develop a preference for one or the other.
You can start out with virtually any straight pen as long as it can accommodate a variety of nibs. Ideally, the end of your pen should look like the pen on the left in the photo below. If your pen looks like the one on the right, it won’t accommodate your tiny Brause EF66 nib.
If you’re right-handed, chances are high that you’ll benefit from using a right oblique pen. These pens exist to help make our lives easier when it comes to making a consistent right-leaning slant! Oblique pens might look intimidating, but I suspect that, eventually, you’ll find the oblique pen easier to use than the straight pen.
Sumi ink is velvety, pitch black, and boasts a smooth viscosity that is very beginner-friendly. It’s a fantastic ink to begin learning calligraphy with! With most sumi inks, you’ll also need to purchase a dip pen-friendly container to store the ink in. As long as the container is small and includes a screw-on top, it’s perfect! This jar is a good choice.
In 2015, a calligraphy-savvy friend introduced me to writing on 32# laserjet paper, and I’ve never looked back! There are a lot of specialty papers you can purchase to write on, but 32# laserjet rivals their quality and is by far the most cost-effective. It’s a great paper for pointed pen calligraphy because it’s super smooth and doesn’t cause ink to bleed or spiderweb out. Don’t skip buying this paper (or another high-quality dip pen paper). More than almost anything, nice paper is vital to enjoyable calligraphy creation.
These are two supplies that you probably already have! First, you need a cup to hold water. You’ll use that water—which I call “art water”—throughout your calligraphy practice to clean off your nib. Next, you’ll want a non-fibrous cloth that’s made from an absorbent material like cotton. You’ll use this cloth to wipe water off of your nib after every cleaning. While you can use a paper towel, it’s not ideal because the fibers of the paper towel get stuck in the nib.
Next time you’re at the grocery store, grab a potato. You’ll need it to prepare your new nibs for use! You can find a detailed explanation plus instructions in this article.
It’s easiest to begin learning modern calligraphy if you have plenty of information and guided practice. (Some quizzes and homework also help.) For that reason, I recommend starting your calligraphy journey with the TPK Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course. You can learn more about what the course includes in the video below.
The course is $40, but you can get it for $15/month with a TPK Premium Plus membership.
I hope that this explanation of the ideal DIY modern calligraphy starter kit addresses any questions you may have about the supplies you need! If you prefer to receive a treat in the mail and bypass compiling your own supplies, you can consider a TPK Modern Calligraphy Starter Kit. The pre-assembled starter kit also makes a great gift!
My advice? Do what works best for you and your bank account! If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. Thanks very much for reading TPK, and happy writing!
Warmly,
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon
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