Get Started With Dip Pens

Whether you’re a beginner exploring the world of calligraphy or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, dip pens provide a tactile and rewarding experience. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to get started, from choosing the right holder and nib to mastering techniques with ink or watercolor. Let’s dive in and unleash the beauty of your creativity with dip pens!

What is a Dip Pen?

A dip pen is a timeless and elegant tool for artists, calligraphers, and lettering enthusiasts alike. It consists of two essential components: the holder and the nib. The nib, typically made of metal, comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific purpose—from delicate, hair-thin lines to bold, dramatic strokes. Unlike modern pens, dip pens don’t have an ink reservoir built in. Instead, they are dipped directly into ink or even watercolors, giving you full control over how much ink the nib holds and how it flows onto the page. You can also load the nib with a brush, allowing for beautiful custom color blends and unique artistic effects.

With metal nibs, you never have to worry about fraying or wearing them down

What makes dip pens so exciting is their versatility and durability. With metal nibs, you never have to worry about fraying or wearing them down, unlike felt or brush tips. This means your lines stay sharp and precise over time, making dip pens an ideal choice for intricate designs and flourishing calligraphy. Whether you want to explore fine detailing or bold strokes, the ability to adjust the ink flow gives you unmatched creative freedom. Dip pens are not just tools—they’re an invitation to experience a classic, hands-on approach to art, where every stroke carries a personal touch!

Choosing a Pen Holder

Selecting the perfect pen holder for your dip pen is all about balancing comfort, control, and style. The two primary types—straight and oblique—each offer distinct advantages depending on the writing angle and personal preference. Beyond choosing between these shapes, you’ll want to consider the material of the holder, as options like wood, plastic, or metal not only influence the pen’s weight but also its balance in your hand. A well-balanced holder can significantly affect your writing flow, especially during longer sessions. Another key factor is the nib insertion mechanism, which varies across holders; some offer a more secure grip for nibs, making them ideal for use with flexible or delicate nibs.

The right pen holder should feel like an extension of your hand, offering both control and precision as you master the art of calligraphy

Ultimately, the choice of holder is personal; the right one should feel like an extension of your hand, offering both control and precision as you master the art of calligraphy.

Pen Holder Type

Straight Pen Holder

The straight pen holder is simple to use. Hold it upright, with the nib pointing at 12 o’clock and the body of the pen resting towards your hand at 6 o’clock. Many holders have a subtle curve where your fingers should naturally rest, making it easier to maintain a proper grip.

Oblique Pen Holder

An oblique holder angles the nib, making it easier to maintain a consistent slant in your strokes. To use it, hold the nib so it points towards 1 o’clock and the body of the pen rests towards 5 o’clock. This can feel more natural for slanted scripts, but as with any tool, it comes down to personal preference.

My Preference Personally, I prefer using an oblique pen holder for most of my calligraphy work. However, I know many skilled calligraphers who prefer the straight holder. It’s a good idea to test both types and see which one feels most comfortable for your style.

Nib Inserts

Three different nib insert mechanisms

Pen holders come in a variety of designs, each with different mechanisms for inserting and securing nibs. The way a nib is held in place can affect both the stability of the nib and how it responds to pressure while writing. Some holders have a simple metal ring that tightly grips the nib, while others may feature adjustable screws or clamps for added security.

Nibs for Dip Pens

When it comes to dip pens, the nib is where the magic happens. Nibs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flexibilities, each suited to different styles of calligraphy and artistic expression. In this section, we’ll explore the different types of nibs, how they function, and the role of ink reservoirs in extending your writing time. We’ll also cover how to properly prepare a new nib before its first use to ensure it holds ink smoothly and writes effortlessly. Let’s dive into the essentials of choosing and caring for your nibs to elevate your dip pen experience!

Nib Types

Nibs come in many different sizes, shapes, and flexibilities. Choosing the right nib depends on the style of calligraphy or artwork you’re aiming for. Here are three common categories of nibs:

Round Nib

Round nibs are known for producing smooth, consistent lines thanks to their rounded tips.

Round nibs are known for producing smooth, consistent lines thanks to their rounded tips. They closely mimic the feel of a bullet pen, offering predictable, even strokes regardless of the pressure applied. This makes them ideal for creating uniform letters or drawings where consistent line width is essential. Round nibs come in a variety of sizes, allowing for different stroke widths to suit your specific needs—whether you’re working on fine details or bolder, more defined shapes. Their versatility and reliability make round nibs a great choice for a range of projects, from precise lettering to detailed illustrations.

Flat Nib

Flat nibs are designed to create dramatic contrasts between thick and thin strokes

Flat nibs are designed to create dramatic contrasts between thick and thin strokes, depending on the angle at which the nib meets the paper. With their broad, flat edge, they allow for precise control over stroke width, making them ideal for traditional calligraphy scripts like Gothic, Italic, and Uncial. As you change the angle of the nib, you can easily vary the line weight, producing bold, expressive strokes or finer, more delicate lines. Flat nibs are available in different widths, allowing for various levels of detail and flourish, and are perfect for artists and calligraphers who want to add strong visual contrast and elegance to their work.

Flexible Nib

The flexible nib offers dynamic line variation, responding directly to the pressure you apply

The flexible nib offers dynamic line variation, responding directly to the pressure you apply while writing. With a light touch, it produces thin, delicate lines, while increased pressure results in bold, dramatic strokes. This flexibility allows for a wide range of expression in calligraphy, making it perfect for flourishing scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian. The nib’s responsiveness enables the artist to create flowing, organic shapes with ease, giving letters a sense of movement and elegance. Flexible nibs come in various levels of firmness, allowing you to fine-tune the amount of control and variation in your strokes. They are a favorite among experienced calligraphers and artists who enjoy the challenge of mastering its expressive potential.

Ink Reservoirs

Some nibs come equipped ink reservoirs, small attachments that hold extra ink and allow for longer writing or drawing sessions without frequent dipping. These reservoirs are especially useful for projects that require continuous strokes or detailed work, as they provide a more consistent ink flow.

With reservoirs in place, you can maintain focus on your strokes

Reservoirs can be attached in various ways—on the front, back, or both sides of the nib—each offering slightly different benefits. With reservoirs in place, you can maintain focus on your strokes and patterns without needing to pause for reloading ink as often, making them a valuable tool for both calligraphy and artistic work.

Preparing Your Nib

A brand-new nib usually comes with a thin protective coating designed to prevent rust and damage during shipping and storage. However, this coating can interfere with how well the nib holds ink, causing the ink to bead up or flow inconsistently. To ensure your nib performs smoothly, it’s essential to remove this coating before using the nib for the first time.

Proper preparation enhances the nib’s ink flow.

Proper preparation enhances the nib’s ink flow. There are several ways to do this, but here are two effective and easy methods:

Preparing the Nib with Toothpaste

1. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the nib.
2. Let it sit for a minute, then gently scrub the nib.
3. Rinse it off and dry the nib thoroughly.

Preparing the Nib with a Potato

1. Stick the nib (pointy end down) into a raw potato for a few minutes.
2. Remove the nib, rinse it under water, and dry it.

Yes, it is that easy to prepare your nib!

Using Dip Pens

Dip pens are incredibly versatile tools that can be paired with a variety of mediums, allowing artists and calligraphers to create unique textures, effects, and styles. While traditionally used with liquid inks, dip pens can also be used with other mediums such as watercolor pans, opening up a world of creative possibilities. Each medium has its own benefits and techniques, providing different levels of control, flow, and color intensity. Whether you’re looking for precision and consistency with liquid inks or experimenting with the more organic effects of watercolors, mastering the techniques for each will elevate your dip pen experience.

Dip Pens and Liquid Inks

Dip pens work beautifully with liquid inks, whether you’re using traditional calligraphy ink or even liquid watercolors.

Before dipping your nib, it’s important to ensure that the ink is well-mixed to avoid any lumps or inconsistencies in your lines—this is especially crucial with heavier inks like white or metallic inks, which tend to settle more quickly. Stirring the ink before use, either manually or with an ink stirrer, can help maintain a smooth and even flow.

Once your ink is prepared, simply dip the nib into the liquid, making sure not to submerge too deeply to prevent excess ink from pooling. With a properly prepared nib and well-stirred ink, you’ll achieve beautiful, consistent strokes in your writing or artwork.

Tip: If you notice mold forming on top of your liquid watercolor, don’t worry! You can simply remove the mold with a spoon or a clean cloth, and the watercolor beneath will still be usable. Be sure to store your inks in a cool, dry place to prevent mold from forming in the future.

Dip Pens and Watercolor Pans

While liquid inks are commonly used with dip pens, another exciting medium to explore is watercolor pans. Using watercolor pans with dip pens allows for a more fluid and creative approach, blending colors directly on the nib for unique gradients or using multiple colors in a single stroke.

To get started, you’ll need to activate the watercolor by adding a few drops of water to the pan and letting it sit for a moment. Once the surface is ready, you can use a brush to load the watercolor onto the nib, ensuring even coverage on both sides.

Step-by-Step Loading the Dip Pen

1. Prep Your Watercolor Pan: Add a few drops of water to the pan using a brush or pipette.
2. Mix the Water and Paint: Let the water sit for a minute, then mix it with the paint.
3. Apply to the Nib: Use the brush to apply the watercolor to both sides of your nib. This ensures smoother ink flow and longer writing sessions.

This technique may take a little more time than working with liquid inks, but the range of effects and vibrant colors you can achieve with watercolors makes it well worth the effort.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of dip pens opens up a world of creativity and precision for calligraphers and artists alike. Whether you’re exploring the clean, controlled lines of liquid inks or the expressive, flowing strokes of watercolors, dip pens offer a level of versatility that few other tools can match. With the right nib, holder, and medium, you can create anything from detailed illustrations to beautiful, flourished scripts.

While it takes practice and patience, the tactile nature of dip pens makes each stroke feel personal and rewarding. So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, embrace the learning process and enjoy the art of dip pen lettering.