Self Made Craft

Calligraphy is a centuries old skill which is still as strong today as ever. As most people know, it is the art of writing beautifully styled letters which often feature on such things as wedding invitations, certificates and menus. Japanese and Chinese calligraphy is about painting strokes which represent the various letters of the alphabet, using calligraphy brushes instead of pens. Whichever style of calligraphy you are interested in learning, one of the most important choices you will have to make is which type of ink to use

Calligraphy ink is very much a personal choice and what works well for one person may well be a disaster for another. Luckily there are many different types and colours to choose from, but on the downside this can make it confusing to know which one to buy.

Basically there are three main types of ink which are suitable for calligraphy:

fountain pen ink (which is only suitable for calligraphy fountain pens)

Drawing/calligraphy ink which is suitable for dip pens

Chinese or Japanese stick ink which is suitable for dip pens and brushes

Many calligraphers who focus on Chinese or Japanese calligraphy use the traditional art of making their own ink using an ink stick. It is not as convenient as buying a ready made ink, but is of a far superior quality. The ink stick is ground using an ink stone and mixed with water. The two main types are black ink, known as Yuen-boku (this is made from lamp soot) and blue ink, known as Shoen-boku (this is made from pine soot). When making you ink you need to bear in mind how much you're going to need as this will determine how much ink to grind and how much water to use. When you grind the stick, try and keep a circular pattern as this will help the stick to last longer. Also use the complete width of the ink stone as this ensures even wear and tear. Once your ink is made always rinse the stone so as it doesn't get stained.

When choosing ink for western style calligraphy you need to consider a couple of factors such as whether you are buying for a fountain pen or a dip pen; whether it needs to be permanent (ie fade proof); does it need to be waterproof; and finally what colour do you want. You don't need to buy lots of different inks, just work with one or two until deciding which suits you the best. Generally the bottled hobby style inks offer a better choice than fountain pen inks.

If choosing ink for a calligraphy fountain pen, it is wise to choose a make that is recommended by your pen manufacturer and also choose an ink that states it is specifically for fountain pens. Quite often calligraphy fountain pens use cartridges which are available in a choice of colours, so making your choice is relatively easy.

Dip pens work with other mediums such as acrylics which allows you more creative licence in your work and lots of interesting colours.

If you know of any calligraphy groups in your area, this is an excellent way of seeing what inks they use and looking at the differences between them. Some times you can also swap inks with other people.

Celia Harper has been writing calligraphy for over thirty years and maintains that anyone, male or female, young or old, can easily learn to calligraphy and enjoy the relaxation and satisfaction that comes from learning this great skill. She has created a totally FREE e-book which is packed full of helpful hints and tips to encourage a beginner to take up calligraphy. Grab your free e-book now.