Hello,
I'm very new to calligraphy. So new that the paint hasn't dried yet.
I am learning as much as I can about nibs and paper and ink and, and, and, and,.... make it stopppp!
Basically, as much as I can about everything, but I've realised that slowly, slowly catchee monkey is the best way to go, so I have chosen to learn about nibs as a priority, and pick up along the way whatever falls at my feet.
I also participate at a fountain pen forum, and have asked calligraphy questions their, to which I am pleased to say, that the questions have been answered by people calligraphy knowledgable.
The question I have (now that I am a member of a calligraphy orientated forum) is this - I have tried everything that I have read to make my nib good for writing by way of loading it with ink, but unfortunately, I don't seem to get more than three words on the paper before having to dip my nib into the ink to refill.
I have tried the 'potato' method,... the 'saliva' method (apologies if you're eating whilst reading),... the toothpaste method and the 'flash' with a lighter, but nothing. I'm guessing I am doing something wrong. I have tried the 'no spreading the tines', or 'pressing too hard on the paper' but nothing seems to work.
I have bought a couple of dip pens from a company here in the UK, and they offer a device to fit to the nib to allow extra ink to be taken onto the nib, but at the moment they don't have the device for sale (out of stock).
However, a member from the FP site was very helpful and sent me a link to a webstore in the USA when I asked a 'paper' question. When I was looking through the site I came across this
https://www.johnnealbooks.com/product/ink-cage-reservoir-nib please don't think I am spamming/trolling, I'm not I promise.
My question is this - the nibs and the coil on the nib obviously work, but what nib would be recommendable for a total novice, and secondly - would I be required to do anything other than write what I would consider normally, or do I press lighter/get better paper?
Please remove the url if I have overstepped the rules to the forum.
Many thanks,
Carpio