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The Dip Pen Technique in Calligraphy

Dip pens were the original pen style. People wrote with quills for many years but eventually moved on to a wooden or metal handle with a metal pen nib. Some people choose to continue writing with a dip style of pen because it produces an effect that is impossible to mimic with a regular cartridge pen style. Dip pens are used often in the field of calligraphy.

Supplies
- To use a dip calligraphy pen, you need supplies. You must have a dip ink pen handle, which is often sold in packages along with several nib sizes. You will also need a nib that matches the paper that you have. Dip pens also require ink bottles and a soft cloth to wipe away excess ink. Many calligraphers keep a variety of nib sizes on hand to change the writing style for different tasks.
Technique
- Using a dip pen is somewhat difficult. You must make sure you get enough ink on the nib to write the letters effectively but not place so much on the nib that the ink blots or runs. The dip pen is held between the thumb and two first fingers at a 45 degree angle to the paper. After dipping the nib into the ink, allow the initial glob of ink to drip off the end before writing. Wipe the nib clean with a soft cloth between dips.
Uses
- Dip pens have a variety of uses. The writing style produced with a dip pen is unique. Pens that are not dip style cannot match the flow of the ink that drip pens have. Most of the uses for dip pens today are for writing special invitations and name cards and in art. Some people use dip pens as a way to make handwritten notes more special. Some artists also use dip pens to outline pencil drawings or for ink drawings.
Types
- Dip pins come in a variety of nib sizes and styles. Each style of nib is specifically crafted for a certain technique of writing or for a specific medium. Manuscript nibs are designed for use on paper. Different nib sizes are available to write letters all of the same thickness or letters of different thicknesses. Copperplate nips are designed for use on copperplate surfaces. Shadow nibs are designed for shorthand writing and copperplate.

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