Author Topic: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)  (Read 8753 times)

Offline ewigginton

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I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« on: December 11, 2013, 10:12:43 AM »
Okay, for the past three months I've purchased nearly everything I've read about that will improve my calligraphy. I've tried gouache, several different types of ink, dozens of nibs and a boatload of paper. FINALLY, just today, I've found what I consider the perfect implements! They are:

1) Hiro 41 nib - not only is it beautiful to look at, it writes like a dream! This, in combination with #2 below, have made me one happy letterer!!

http://www.paperinkarts.com/hiro41.html

2) Moon Palace Sumi ink - this stuff has the consistency of none of the other inks I've tried. I **think** this is what ink is supposed to look like, unlike the thin Higgins Eternal I've been fighting with. No bleeding, even on lesser grade paper! Yahoo! 

http://www.paperinkarts.com/moonpa.html

3) the Tachigawa T40 Holder - It has a cushion! I can't seem to get the hang of the oblique pen, but I'll keep trying now that I'm not so frustrated with the nib and ink!!

http://www.paperinkarts.com/tach40.html

4) Premium copy paper for practice. I happened to have a Xerox 24# on hand but there are others. Much less expensive than those practice layout tablets!

I hope this saves somebody else some cash. I've spent a lot of money on trial and error trying to get to this point! I purchased everything above from http://www.paperinkarts.com/ but I'm sure it's available elsewhere.

Ellen

« Last Edit: December 11, 2013, 10:15:16 AM by ewigginton »

Offline Linda Y.

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2013, 08:31:56 PM »
That's awesome, Ellen! When I first took up pointed pen, I felt like Harry Potter - I had to find the "perfect wand." ;D It's so nice when you find the one you're most comfortable with and everything just feels easier. Also an observation - as you get better and better, you may find another nib that suits you more, because we change as we gain experience.

I haven't tried the Hiro 41, I definitely have it on my "To Try" list! And I'm a big fan of Moon Palace Sumi ink. It's a pleasure to write with and makes the darkest blacks. It's also wonderful for reproduction (and recommended by Pat Blair).

Thanks so much for sharing your tips!
« Last Edit: December 12, 2013, 12:48:21 AM by Linda Y. »

Offline Emily

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2013, 10:09:29 PM »
I've gotta try this Hiro 41, keep hearing rave reviews.  :)  I don't think I've found just the right combo for me yet, but I'm working on it...
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Offline ewigginton

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2013, 08:37:09 AM »
I really hope this helps a newbie! I've spent so much cash on this hobby already. Makes me feel guilty when I have so much other crafty stuff that it fills my attic, huge studio and office. I so need to destash. 

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2013, 05:29:15 PM »
Yes, this is GREAT advice! Thank you for sharing!  ;D
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline Sherry Lu

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2013, 01:49:14 AM »
:) YAY! I have the Hiro 41 and I quite enjoy it. It's pretty easy to use. And I love sumi ink. I actually bought a bottle of a random brand at a shop in my local Chinatown. It cost ~$3 and it's pretty amazing.

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2013, 06:15:04 PM »
I love when I find random calligraphy things out and about, too!  :D
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Erica
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Offline tmishler

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2014, 09:13:02 AM »
i put all those items on my list and am going to drive over to paper and ink arts this morning an pick them up!!
thank you for posting them.
Tami
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Offline ewigginton

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2014, 09:28:44 AM »
You're going there? Uh oh. I'd be in sooooo much trouble!

Have fun!

Ellen

Offline tmishler

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2014, 09:42:34 AM »
Ellen,
Yes I have been told I am lucky..... Paper and Ink Arts is less than a half hour away. I zip over there often and peruse the shelves. LOL I really don't know what I am looking at, but it is still fun!! They have SO many items there..... it is like eye candy!!
Tami
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Offline Craftinsus

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2014, 10:06:28 AM »
Tmishler: you are SO lucky!  Would so love to check out these supplies I'm ordering in person!
My only consolation is all this great info and advice on starter supplies!

Ewigginton: Thank you so much for sharing this!  I have all of these in my supply list except the Tachiwaga 40 holder (sold out!).  Confirms for me that I'm heading in the right direction!
I was going to buy only 12 Hiro 41s (doubled Erica's suggestion) but now I may buy 24!  Haha.
And luckily it's not as expensive as some of the other nibs.
 :)

Sus

Offline Lori M

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2014, 03:08:30 PM »
Thanks, Ellen! I will definitely try some of these suggestions.

Sus, John Neal appears to have some of the Tachikawa 40 holders:  http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/80/3.  They do look comfortable. I'd better get mine before they run out too!

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2014, 06:00:25 PM »
Are people using the Tachikawa 40 for pointed pen? I thought it was just a broad edge pen holder. Interesting!  :D
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline ewigginton

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2014, 06:16:55 PM »
Nope. There are two ring sizes in the rubber and it holds the nikko G and Zebra nibs perfectly! Very comfortable! I don't think the smaller Brause nibs fit tightly enough.

Ellen

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: I'm in Love!! (For the newbies)
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2014, 06:42:24 PM »
Thanks Ellen, but it is not oblique. Correct?
Warm Regards,
Erica
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