Using Dip Calligraphy Pens in Your Art Journal
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This mail service will share some tips for how to use dip calligraphy pens and ink in your art journal. Today I idea I'd share some tips on using them and getting started and so you too can effort it out if you'd like!
Now, when I was commencement introduced to the idea of using a dip pen…I was very skeptical. Information technology seemed like one more thing to buy and try and I thought I would never use information technology again. Boy was I incorrect!
Now it's one of my get-to pens when I create, and even though my handwriting is not bang-up and it'south a messy experience {um, my cats may have knocked over my bottle of ink more than once!} – I nevertheless honey it for a number of reasons.
{IMPORTANT: Don't feel like yous accept to blitz out to the store to buy a pen and ink prepare – I am a HUGE advocate of using what you have! Ball betoken pens are cool too!}
Here's why I dear it:
Shine writing over acrylic and watercolors:
In my tests for writing on acrylic paint, nothing will write as smoothly every bit a dip pen.
It doesn't matter if you use the world's finest acrylics or the cheap craft paints…with a calligraphy pen it writes on whatever of these surfaces! The simply of import thing is that the paint should be dry out kickoff!
Very economical:
Once you get past the original expense of ownership the pen ready {which is under $10 online, slightly more expensive at arts and crafts stores unless you happen to have a coupon!} – you only need to purchase ink.
The ink averages around $4-$five a bottle and it lasts for months, sometimes even longer depending on how much art you are making.
{Unless your true cat knocks it over – if you lot have curious critters at home utilise intendance around them and you *may* want to keep an extra bottle on hand merely in case!}
When I was using gel pens – I was lucky if they would terminal a few weeks.
With the ink and dip pen – I get almost an entire journal as well equally several canvass projects before needing to buy new ink. A canteen of ink can terminal me months, sometimes longer!
This painting I created in my journal of a fox to a higher place was made possible by a calligraphy pen!
Hither'south The Type of Dip Pens and Ink I Employ in My Fine art Journals:
The outset thing to do of course is become a dip pen set and some ink.
I like the Speedball Calligraphy No-five Artists Project Set up – it has a number of nibs to choose from and experiment with so you lot can meet which one you lot like all-time – it's a thing of personal preference!
The adjacent thing you lot need is ink. I similar Higgins Black Magic Waterproof Ink – but have been experimenting with others as well.
I like this ink in particular because it dries fairly quickly and doesn't smear quite equally much…but it'due south a thing of preference also. One thing about this still is that the bottle is oddly shaped, and then information technology is hard to become a good amount of ink.
An pick to get around this is utilize an inkwell.
If y'all do not have an inkwell, yous can always improvise with something such as a kid's liquid medicine cup or similar sized item would work OK.
The cardinal is yous want to exist able to go your pen in and out of the ink easily! I recently bought an ink that comes in a nice wide-mouth jar – it does make a difference!
Preparing Your Calligraphy Pen for Creating
In that location is a little bit of controversy most preparing your pen nibs – some say you lot need to burn the nib to remove the manufacturers oils, others advise using acetone {nail polish remover}.
I have never done either to my nibs – and in the bundle I didn't read anything virtually doing either to start either. Although I must confess I accept never been one good at following directions or reading all the fine print – this is probably why I love art journaling so much – no rules!
Adjacent you demand paper.
I commonly paint and collage over cardstock or Canson/Strathmore mixed media or watercolor paper, but any kind of paper will piece of work. I really put my pens through a good workout, and and then don't stress out over the type of newspaper too much.
The "fine arts crowd" will likely tell you that sure papers have to be used, but I apply my pen so much that even afterward years it is still holding up well!
For now, utilize some bit paper you have – maybe fifty-fifty an envelope or some junk mail.
Just be sure to have a protective surface over your desk or table in case the ink leaks through {I observe a piece of cardboard from an onetime desktop calendar works nicely – use whatever you have handy!}
Tips for Working With Dip Pens in Your Fine art
1. Direction Matters!
Ink smears. Really easily. And then this volition take some do, but you kind of need to plan what management you desire to go in before the ink even touches the newspaper!
Work from Elevation Left to Bottom Right if Correct-Handed – Pinnacle Right to Lesser Left if left handed!
I always offset at the acme left of my paper and work to the right, and so moving downward the page or canvass…at least that'southward what I endeavour to practice!
This helps you prevent smearing your writing or doodling. If you lot're left handed, just practise the contrary if you tin can. I attempt to work in piffling sections at a fourth dimension, so I don't accidentally put my hand or wrist into the ink.
two. Practice Strokes
The starting time place to starting time is simply by making lines.
Make vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonal lines – this will help you get an idea of how to comfortably hold the pen and assistance you outset controlling it better.
While I'thou sure someone out there has a "right way" to hold a dip pen – I think the more important thing is that you're comfortable and have command – and then concord information technology in a way that feels right to y'all.
There are basically downstrokes and upstrokes – each one takes a little different pen pressure.
3. Practice Circles and Swirls:
Circles and Swirls take a little more practice, and you'll detect that you need to start from the top or bottom of the circle and do one-half at a time.
Going down you might press a fiddling harder, going upwardly yous don't need to apply as much pressure typically.
Apply care when going up/downward – you lot'll find y'all need to plow the pen making upward strokes…that will help prevent the nib accidentally tearing paper.
4. Dip your pen carefully:
Don't become all the way to the bottom of the inkwell, and be sure to allow the ink drip off so it doesn't accidentally get out huge drops of ink on your folio or canvas!
If that should happen though, don't panic! Yous can often quickly blot off with a baby wipe, or wait to dry and then paint over a few times.
5. Practice dissimilar pressure and flow
You'll find you don't need to press very hard to get ink to menstruation from the nib. Pressing too difficult could possibly bend or harm the nib!
6. Keep a cup of warm h2o nearby
I find dipping the pen in warm water periodically while writing helps forestall the bill from clogging.
They make nib cleaner – I accept never tried information technology, I just dip in h2o and then wipe with a soft material rag.
Newspaper towels or baby wipes likewise work, but sometimes they leave strands of fabric on the pen and so you lot have to be careful when using them sometimes.
I have as well heard that rubbing alcohol can be used – again, never tried it, so don't have personal experience to say how it works or if it is good for long term use.
7. Pay Attending to How Often to Re-Dip:
There is no steadfast rule on how often to dip your pen into the ink…simply the more yous use the pen the more than yous'll become an idea for when it'southward time to refuel.
If your pen doesn't seem to be holding ink very well – information technology most likely needs cleaned…warm soapy water for me usually does the flim-flam!
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What are your dip pen experiences? Do y'all have any tips you'd like to share?
If you have any other tips or handy hints for using one delight practice share in the comments below! I am ever learning too! And as e'er, if you have whatsoever questions feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer them!
Source: https://artjournalist.com/dip-pen-art-journal/
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