Broad Edge Calligraphy on Canvas

[RD5]

My current project is to put a verse on a piece of stretched canvas. I was planing on using flat brushes, but the smallest brush I have is big enough for my largest letters.  Finding a smaller brush is hard, as the sizes aren't listed in mm. Can someone recommend a brush, or is it possible with a nib?

[D B Holtz]

Blick has a size chart.  For flat brushes:

Size 0     1/32 in    0.8 mm
2            3/32       2.4
4            5/32       4.0
6            6/32       4.8
8            8/32       6.4

They have larger brushes, but I'm assuming you are looking for just the smaller sizes.

Hope this helps,
DB

[jeanwilson]

Nibs sometimes work if the canvas is not too bumpy. Hopefully you have a way of testing nibs.

[AAAndrew]

Have you thought of a Pilot Parallel pen? They seem to be fairly forgiving for surface and come in a few sizes. You can either use the Pilot ink, or get a converter and fill it with whatever you want. I would even feel comfortable using ink that doesn't go into fountain pens as long as you're careful and clean it well after each use. You can dismantle the pen to a certain degree for easier cleaning.

[K-2]

Perhaps an automatic pen?  https://www.paperinkarts.com/automaticpens.html

You can use any type of paint or ink or gouache with them - just load it with a brush from the side.  I've never used one on canvass, but it would probably work just fine.  I use them on rough watercolor paper all the time.

This sign was done with a couple different sizes of automatic pens: https://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6723.0

A witch pen would also work, but they don't come in sizes as large as automatic pens - unless you want to do split-nib work.  They produce wider split lines with a little pressure - they are surprisingly flexible and so. much. fun!  https://www.paperinkarts.com/miwipe.html

--yours, K

[RD5]

Blick has a size chart.  For flat brushes:

Size 0     1/32 in    0.8 mm
2            3/32       2.4
4            5/32       4.0
6            6/32       4.8
8            8/32       6.4

They have larger brushes, but I'm assuming you are looking for just the smaller sizes.

Hope this helps,
DB

Thanks, that helps a lot.

Perhaps an automatic pen?  https://www.paperinkarts.com/automaticpens.html

You can use any type of paint or ink or gouache with them - just load it with a brush from the side.  I've never used one on canvass, but it would probably work just fine.  I use them on rough watercolor paper all the time.

This sign was done with a couple different sizes of automatic pens: https://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6723.0

A witch pen would also work, but they don't come in sizes as large as automatic pens - unless you want to do split-nib work.  They produce wider split lines with a little pressure - they are surprisingly flexible and so. much. fun!  https://www.paperinkarts.com/miwipe.html

--yours, K

I do have one, but I believe they are too wide. Thanks for the suggestion.

[K-2]

Best wishes finding the right tool!  (sorry I misunderstood how wide a nib you were looking for)

Those automatic pens come with nibs as small as 3mm (or 1/16 inch).  They are really great for textured surfaces.  But the witch pens come even smaller, if you need smaller (down to 2mm).  They're also very good for textured surfaces, because the folded nib won't catch on the texture.

Will you share a picture of it when you're done?  I'd love to see how it turns out!

--yours, K