Topics

1

Tools & Supplies / Higgins Calligraphy Waterproof Black Ink

« on: March 29, 2017, 06:54:25 AM »

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with the Higgins Calligraphy Waterproof Black Ink? I am only able to get a rather grey (almost a pencil - 2H, 4H kind) for the hairline strokes on it, whereas the downstrokes with more ink seem to be black.

2

Tools & Supplies / Question about fine nibs

« on: April 24, 2016, 11:02:30 AM »

Hello,

I've been going through my fine nibs (and ruining them fast) at a very rapid pace,
- In the beginning, it was largely because I had a heavy hand and the angles at which I would use the nibs wasn't very good (wrt tines moving across the paper).
- Nowadays, I've been trying to copy lithography style images using a dip pen and nib on different kinds of paper.
- I'm unable to make the Zebra G and Nikko G to work for me, I've seen a few manga artists use them, but they seem to have the following problems for me, a) they catch the paper very quickly and start splattering ink, and b) they aren't that fine!

I'd like to know if any of you know cheap, easily available, (fairly) resilient fine nibs that have limited or no flex that can be used on different kinds of paper that tends to have some fiber coming of it. Some exemplars can be found on my Instagram (the pictures are mostly of those finished in fountain pens as the earlier versions/studies were with a dip pen).

I understand this isn't strictly a calligraphy question, so please do feel free to move/delete the thread.

3

Tools & Supplies / Stores in Budapest and Amsterdam

« on: December 03, 2015, 01:46:51 AM »

Hello,

First up, apologies for posting here, but I wasn't sure where to post this!

I will be in Budapest and Amsterdam starting this Saturday. Are there B&M stores that any of you would recommend I visit to ogle/buy some calligraphy supplies? I wouldn't mind old bookstores to chance upon some great books too.

Calligraphy supplies are painful to source here in India and I'd love to go to a B&M store while I can.

Thanks

4

Exchanges - General Info & Questions (Start here.) / How do you keep the letters from being crumpled/creased?

« on: August 20, 2015, 04:31:14 AM »

Hello,

As part of one quick exchange me and a fellow TFFer decided to exchange a quick letter to practice our shaky new hands. I forgot to take a picture before I posted the letter to her and she was kind enough to put it up for me. You can see it here: https://instagram.com/p/6lT7PeKVrV/

As you can see, I've missed a word and forgotten a few elementary rules about Copperplate. I've used this paper as I used a guidesheet underneath to help me (I don't have access to a lightdesk). I did try first with a white sheet of paper, but I wasn't able to get the pencil marks out without smudging the lettering.

How do you guys avoid creases that go over the letters?
- Fold the paper first and then do a quick layout before doing the actual lettering?
- Use appropriate sizes for paper and envelopes? Are there preferred sizes that you tend to use?

Given the nature of the exchange (via post), is there a preferred ink and paper combination that works best for you?
- I am not yet proficient with my slant angles and spacing, so I prefer using a guide sheet and thicker, non-transparent paper does not work as I am unable to see the marks.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thank you!

PS: Sorry if this is not the correct area for this post!

5

Tools & Supplies / Am I using them right?

« on: July 26, 2015, 09:34:23 AM »

Hello,

A friend recently picked up a few goodies while visiting one of the many used book stores in Paris. A couple of what look to be oblique holders and two bars of inks (I assume).

About the holders
-----------------------
I've attached the pictures of the plastic holders and as you can see they have sliding nib holders (I am guessing again). The sliding unit has a '1' imprinted on it. My questions are,
- Are these for use with dip nibs?
- I have only been able to use Gillot 404, Esterbrook 354 and 355, William Mitchell 2 in the curved slot in the removable plastic holder.
- Nikko G, Tachikawa G and the Brause 361 fit in perfectly but are big. They tend to overshoot the vertical of the holder.

About the ink bars
-----------------------
As you can see from the image, the red and black bars have some writing in golden (and an image on the flipside in golden and white). They are not brittle and both of them don't have any distinct odour.
- Are these ink bars?
- Can I use them with pointed/stub pen calligraphy? Or are they solely to be usef for brush calligraphy?
- If I can use them for pen calligraphy, what is the best procedure to use them? I assume powder/grind them and mix with water? Or is it similar to making sandalwood paste (for those of you are familiar with using a sandalwood stick and making the paste) and then diluting it for consistency?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

6

Introductions / Hello!

« on: July 06, 2015, 04:28:33 PM »

Greetings all the way from India. I've been lurking on this forum for a while after being told about the lovely people and the resources available by a fellow member. I have only started recently and would love to learn more from all of you here.

I've attached a couple of pictures to show where I stand currently, the inventory list is from a few months ago and the review of the pen is a few weeks ago.