CALLIGRAPHER PATRICIA LOVETT

‘People are always thrilled to have a hand-written note, and now the trend is to make your writing a work of art that they can keep for ever. You will need a pen with a broad-edge nib to write the characteristic thicks and thins of most calligraphy letters. Right-handers should select a nib that is “straight cut”; left-handers often find that a “left-oblique” nib is more comfortable to use.

Next, find the right ink. Fountain pen ink is usually too watery for calligraphy, and the necessary pencil guidelines show through. Also avoid any ink that has shellac as it clogs the pen. Select an ink that is denser – Chinese liquid ink is good.

Ask for a paper with a smooth, hot press surface. Layout paper, which is quite thin, is useful for practising, as is photocopy paper. For finished pieces, select a paper that is a heavier weight – about 150-250gsm would be ideal. Avoid pretend “parchment” calligraphy paper, as the surface often has a special coating making it very difficult to write on.

It is more comfortable, and the ink and pen are better controlled, if you write at a sloping board. This doesn’t have to be an expensive architect’s board, but can simply be a piece of plywood leaning against a table edge and propped in your lap. Choose a chair that means your feet are flat on the floor and arrange the sloping board. Fix some white paper to the board to give you a comfortable writing surface, then tape a long piece of paper towards the bottom of your board as a guard sheet so that your hand sits on this to protect your good paper from smudges. Slide the paper you’re writing on behind this guard sheet so your hand stays at the same comfortable level for writing.’