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Last Friday, I hosted something I’ve never done before: a live Zoom coffee date with TPK Premium members!
I’ll be honest — I was a little nervous. This was my very first Zoom event, and I wasn’t sure how everything would go. My camera setup wasn’t ideal (forgive the awkward desk angle!), but I was genuinely so encouraged by the warmth and enthusiasm of everyone who showed up. The conversation flowed, the questions were thoughtful, and the shared love of creativity made the experience into a cozy gathering. If you missed it, don’t worry — I’ve got the full replay for you below. After that, I want to share a few highlights and takeaways from our conversation.
One of the first questions came from Angie, who asked about writing on handmade papers. We talked about how some handmade papers are easier to write on than others — and that you’ll always be contending with a bit of texture. My favorite calligraphy-friendly handmade paper comes from Indian Cotton Paper Co. It’s important to let go of the idea that your strokes have to be perfect when you’re working on this kind of surface — the texture is part of the charm!
We also discussed what to do when your nib feels scratchy. Sometimes a nib is just a dud, especially with delicate nibs like the Brause Rose or EF66. But in many cases, adjusting your pen angle or lightening your pressure can make a big difference. I shared how I often rotate my pen slightly to reduce scratchiness.
We also had a mini deep-dive into gouache: what it is, how to prepare it for pointed pen use, and why so many calligraphers love it. Gouache is an opaque watercolor paint that you can dilute and mix with gum arabic to create your own custom calligraphy ink. It offers rich, vibrant color and can be made to the consistency you prefer. One benefit of using gouache is how beautifully it sits on the page — especially darker or textured papers — without bleeding or feathering.
Someone asked about bleeding issues when writing on certain papers. I recommended experimenting with different ink formulas and papers — sometimes it’s not you, it’s the materials! A smooth, non-absorbent paper can really help minimize feathering.
Throughout the call, I did a few impromptu demos to show what I meant — including pen pressure tips and writing with wine ink (yes, that red wine calligraphy tutorial came up!). These weren’t planned, but I loved being able to respond to questions in the moment.
This first Zoom event was such a joy, and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Thank you again to everyone who joined me — your presence made it feel so special.
Warmly,
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