Calligraphy With a Quill Pen
Quill pens offer an elegant and beautiful way to write. While these unique writing instruments may require different steps than ballpoint or felt tip pens, they remain just as simple to use.
Prior to beginning work with a quill pen, it’s essential that a few considerations be kept in mind. Of particular significance is ensuring the quill is strong and reliable enough for use.
What is calligraphy?
Calligraphy is an artistic form of lettering created using a pen that produces various strokes depending on pressure and angle, making it popularly used to write invitations, certificates and personalized artwork. Calligraphy can also be employed by illustrators and technical draftsmen due to its fine lines allowing precise drawings.
People often associate the word calligraphy with beautiful handwriting, which it can certainly be. However, this does not do justice to its discipline as calligraphy encompasses much more than penmanship; rather it’s an art that seeks integrity, harmony, ancestry, rhythm and creativity – these aspects make calligraphy truly eye-catching and distinctive.
How to make a quill
Quill pens are created from primary feather shafts from large birds such as geese or turkeys, then carefully paring and trimming to shape nibs that can be used for drawing or writing.
First, cut along the base of the feather (you can determine its base by holding your pen in your hand; it should arc downward toward the paper), followed by another cut at a shallow angle and shaping of its tip.
Feathers should be heated while being shaped, which may not be necessary for beginners but will ensure your nib remains in top condition. A slit must also be created in the feather to facilitate ink flow from the calamus.
Types of quills
Quill pens require patience and precision when used, yet can also be loads of fun! While some may feel intimidated by them, with the right tools it’s easy to become adept with this traditional writing instrument.
Traditional quill pens are traditionally constructed from large bird feathers such as goose, swan or turkey feathers (although other species such as crow, hawk, owl and eagle can also be used). There are various methods available for treating feathers in order to turn them into quill pens; one involves heating either hot ashes or water and placing the feather inside until hardening occurs.
To transform a feather into a nib, the tip must first be cut to mimic the shape of an ordinary pen nib, including an adjustable slit at its tip for controlling ink flow from its hollow shaft (known as the calamus). Next, its end must be submerged in ink for use.
Nibs
Nibs are the end of pens with tapering slits cut along their center to transfer ink through capillary action, usually as part of an italic, monoline or stub pen design. Nibs come in various degrees of flexibility or sharpness – more flexible ones allow for thick strokes while sharper ones may be harder to control.
Finding the ideal nib is key to any calligraphy journey! A good place to begin would be with a steel stub nib; these were frequently sold to professionals such as judges or Probate personnel that required writing large volumes of text quickly, such as Probate personnel. Their wide opening makes thick downstrokes easy.
Ink
Calligraphy requires selecting an opaque yet thin ink, which allows good flow from the nib. Many inks need to be mixed with water or gum arabic in order to achieve this consistency; but the results make it worth your while!
Monitor the nib for ink buildup, and frequently blot it away during writing with paper or cloth to prevent drying on its metal nib. Otherwise, this can cause corrosion of your pen, rendering it unusable.
This collection of feather quill pens, Murano glass pens and ceramic inkwells will equip you with everything needed to produce stunning calligraphic art worthy of Renaissance scribes. Just remember to adjust pressure accordingly; these delicate instruments only can take so much pressure before becoming damaged.
