Author Topic: probably silly newbie question!  (Read 4012 times)

Offline Fayep81

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probably silly newbie question!
« on: July 28, 2016, 12:12:01 PM »
Hi  :)

I have recently picked this up again after a mini workshop. The supplies I bought last year were all that were on offer in the shop and I wish I had researched better now. I am using a Leonard iii ef nib, which seemed nice for a while, but I've found the tip bent out of shape really quickly, to the point where the ink pools and then too much comes out. This is probably a lot to do with my pressure - maybe the downstroke lines are supposed to be thinner? I've just started the copperplate lessons.

I'm also using sheaffer skrip ink and I wonder if it's a bit too bleedy - again this is probably me ;-)

I've ordered some nikko g nibs so I'm hoping that they will make a difference.

Thanks!

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2016, 02:49:20 PM »
Yes, nibs wear out fairly quickly. Once they are worn, they are of no use. You will find the Nikko G's easier to use and sturdier.

I'm not familiar with the ink you are using. I prefer walnut ink for its smoothness and also iron gall.

Hope you have good luck with the Nikkos.  :)
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Offline Fayep81

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2016, 04:02:36 PM »
Thanks Erica!

I really enjoyed the tutorials today, very mindful :)

Offline Ergative

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2016, 08:33:05 PM »
The ink concern is definitely not just you. Sheaffer skrip ink is designed for fountain pens, which require a much thinner, runnier ink than dip nibs simply because of their internal mechanics. That by itself will cause your hairlines to suffer, and you'll lose the distinction between thick and thin. I'd recommend starting out with a walnut ink, as Erica recommends, or something like Higgins eternal.

There's a huge difference between fountain pen inks and dip pen inks. Although it's never dangerous to use fountain pen inks with dip pens, and some fountain pen inks I've heard actually behave well, you might not like the results with others ( as you've found with the Skrip, which is too runny or bleedy). By contrast, if you try to use dip pen inks in fountain pens, you can seriously damage the internal mechanisms. I don't know if you have fountain pens already, or if you simply went out and bought some Skrip. If the former, be sure you only use fountain pen ink with it. If the latter, go out again and buy a dip pen ink. You'll like the results a  lot better right away.
Clara

Offline AndyT

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2016, 07:18:00 AM »
Hello Faye,

You didn't mention paper, which can make a huge difference to how an ink will appear.  Pointed pen people tend to prefer something smooth with a hard, well-sized surface which will resist bleeding up to a point.  Sheaffer Scrip is regarded as very middle of the road in terms of flow, so it will probably be acceptable (not brilliant) on good paper but not on the cheap stuff.  In any case, a purpose made calligraphy ink will certainly be an upgrade.  Have you had a look at the various stickied threads in the Tools and Supplies section?

ash0kgiri

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2016, 08:13:05 AM »
I've ordered some nikko g nibs so I'm hoping that they will make a difference.

Hi @Fayep81

As Andy an Erica mentioned about paper and nib. Nikko G is a good one to start with.
I used to use Fountain pen ink but the problems which members mentioned were there like they would bleed up and the hairlines would suffer.
Then i moved to sumi ink which had a good flow but the nibs life reduced as they used to rust and become brittle. So one of our members send me walnut ink crystals and they are amazing to use. Gentle on the nibs and  superb while writing and shows your flaws. I would recommend this for beginners.

Keep writing and don't forget to post them in ' Kind critique' section. Would love to see your work.

Ashok

Offline Fayep81

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2016, 09:38:00 AM »
Thank you everyone for your replies!

I'm hoping my new nibs and paper will turn up today or tomorrow. The paper I was using was marker paper, as it was the only thing I found locally that didn't bleed, but I recently did a workshop with Megan Riera who recommended the nikko G's and Rhodia paper, which is what we used that day (and what I've ordered). I think on her list Higgins and Sumi were also mentioned.  I did go out and buy the ink especially but thanks for the warning about fountain pens! That also makes sense as the pot is so deep the ink goes all over the pen and I make a mess.  ::)

I made some good progress yesterday and was pleased with my efforts, but I think I'll be happier when I'm not using such a bendy nib. (Also I have rebent it about 20 times, which I'm sure is a bad thing to admit to on here!) I am very much enjoying creating the shapes though and actually went to sleep last night practicing the motions in my head, very soothing!  :)

Once I've got my kit sorted and I've had a play I'll post something, I look forward to some kind critique!

Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2016, 10:04:48 AM »
Once they are worn, they are of no use.
Best not wear them then.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2016, 11:02:35 AM by AnasaziWrites »

Offline Fayep81

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2016, 04:37:21 PM »
I love that!

New nibs turned up today, tomorrow I'm going to play with watercolour :)

Offline Joyce Cook

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2016, 07:13:50 PM »
How did the new supplies work?  Hope you had better success.

Offline Calligriophile

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2016, 09:11:50 PM »
Speaking of worn nibs, I had the bright idea to try to clean mine by soaking them for about 10 minutes in warm water and dish soap. MEMO: Do not do that. I ruined around 5 Gillot303's and 5 Leon add Principal EF nibs. The EF nibs lost their gold color and turned silver, and the Gillots turned a nasty light blue that broke repeatedly.

Offline Christina Bouvia

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Re: probably silly newbie question!
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2017, 06:25:51 PM »
Calligriophile,

Thanks for that tip about soaking the nibs.  I was going to soak one of mine because I dipped the entire pen holder into the inkwell (my homemade inkwell aka ex-artichoke heart jar- love these for holding ink, especially for carrot pen holders)...like, the entire inch deep, so the ink crusted onto the nib.