Hey all,
I recently decided to experiment with calligraphy/dip pens and I'm having trouble. The ink will flow from the nibs just fine, but only if I use very slow strokes. Whenever I try faster more decisive strokes, the ink stops flowing. Is this something to do with the oil that new nibs are coated in? I've read that before using new nibs it's a good idea to remove the oil coating. Some people suggest washing the nib with a light detergent. Others say burn the oil off with a light flame (though I've not tried this, I heard it risks damaging the nib). Others say drop the nib in boiling water.
Any advice on how to get those fast strokes of the pen to work would be great:)
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 07:39:13 AM
Others say drop the nib in boiling water.
I've always done this and never damaged a nib. I don't recall having the problem you describe, either, so it's probably worth a go...!
Cheers
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 26 March, 2014, 08:18:01 AM
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 07:39:13 AM
Others say drop the nib in boiling water.
I've always done this and never damaged a nib. I don't recall having the problem you describe, either, so it's probably worth a go...!
Cheers
Jim
Thanks Jim. For how long should I leave the nib in boiling water?
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 08:22:22 AM
Thanks Jim. For how long should I leave the nib in boiling water?
Not long — I haven't bought new nibs in a couple of years, but I used to put some just-boiled water from a kettle into a shallow bowl, drop the nibs in, leave for 5-10 minutes, fish them out and dry on a paper kitchen towel.
Cheers
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 26 March, 2014, 08:43:54 AM
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 08:22:22 AM
Thanks Jim. For how long should I leave the nib in boiling water?
Not long — I haven't bought new nibs in a couple of years, but I used to put some just-boiled water from a kettle into a shallow bowl, drop the nibs in, leave for 5-10 minutes, fish them out and dry on a paper kitchen towel.
Cheers
Jim
Thanks again Jim, I'll give that method a shot. By the way, what method would you recommend for the cleaning of nibs after use?
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 09:26:22 AM
Thanks again Jim, I'll give that method a shot. By the way, what method would you recommend for the cleaning of nibs after use?
I just wiped any remaining ink off on a paper towel and repeated the immerse-in-boiling-water procedure if they started to look a bit crusty!
Cheers
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 26 March, 2014, 09:35:46 AM
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 09:26:22 AM
Thanks again Jim, I'll give that method a shot. By the way, what method would you recommend for the cleaning of nibs after use?
I just wiped any remaining ink off on a paper towel and repeated the immerse-in-boiling-water procedure if they started to look a bit crusty!
Cheers
Jim
Cool, thanks again:)
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 07:39:13 AM
Hey all,
I recently decided to experiment with calligraphy/dip pens and I'm having trouble. The ink will flow from the nibs just fine, but only if I use very slow strokes. Whenever I try faster more decisive strokes, the ink stops flowing. Is this something to do with the oil that new nibs are coated in? I've read that before using new nibs it's a good idea to remove the oil coating. Some people suggest washing the nib with a light detergent. Others say burn the oil off with a light flame (though I've not tried this, I heard it risks damaging the nib). Others say drop the nib in boiling water.
Any advice on how to get those fast strokes of the pen to work would be great:)
Always give the nib a wash first - I use hot water, soap and a tooth brush - taking care not to damage the nib point.
Your 'fast line' problem is almost certainly more to do with your choice of ink than the nibs. Assuming that the nib you are using is not damaged. Daler Rowney Acrylic or Manuscript Acrylic is pretty good for pen work- a little water to dilute helps if you want to go really fast - don't dilute too much or the ink stops flowing - it's a tricky balance! Some calligraphy inks are great but the downside is often that they take longer to dry. I use different ink for brush and pen work as I want fast flowing stuff for pen and good covering thicker stuff for brush.
Quote from: SMUDGE10 on 04 April, 2014, 02:27:56 PM
Quote from: Fat Bobby on 26 March, 2014, 07:39:13 AM
Hey all,
I recently decided to experiment with calligraphy/dip pens and I'm having trouble. The ink will flow from the nibs just fine, but only if I use very slow strokes. Whenever I try faster more decisive strokes, the ink stops flowing. Is this something to do with the oil that new nibs are coated in? I've read that before using new nibs it's a good idea to remove the oil coating. Some people suggest washing the nib with a light detergent. Others say burn the oil off with a light flame (though I've not tried this, I heard it risks damaging the nib). Others say drop the nib in boiling water.
Any advice on how to get those fast strokes of the pen to work would be great:)
Always give the nib a wash first - I use hot water, soap and a tooth brush - taking care not to damage the nib point.
Your 'fast line' problem is almost certainly more to do with your choice of ink than the nibs. Assuming that the nib you are using is not damaged. Daler Rowney Acrylic or Manuscript Acrylic is pretty good for pen work- a little water to dilute helps if you want to go really fast - don't dilute too much or the ink stops flowing - it's a tricky balance! Some calligraphy inks are great but the downside is often that they take longer to dry. I use different ink for brush and pen work as I want fast flowing stuff for pen and good covering thicker stuff for brush.
I was beginning to suspect as much after a friend made the same suggestion and then I conducted a few experiments with different inks. Initially I was using Stephens black drawing ink. Stephens seems to be of a good quality, thick, rich, doesn't fade or bleed, but I couldn't get fast lines with it. Then I tried some Parker quink, I was able to immediately get fast lines, no problem. However, Parker quink fades and bleeds pretty badly.
The two inks you recommended, were you referring to these?:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manuscript-Purpose-Artists-Acrylic-Bottle/dp/B00836AIXC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396780885&sr=8-2&keywords=manuscript+acrylic+black+ink
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daler-Rowney-Graduate-Acrylic-500ml-Bottle/dp/B008ZBQPWI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396782222&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=daley+rowney+acrylic+black+ink
Thanks for your help Smudge, I appreciate it:)
Yes, thats the Manuscript stuff. Though they seem to have changed the formula recently- not as good as it was but 'ok' if thats all you can find. Some Higgins stuff is fine with a nib too.
This is better-
http://www.daler-rowney.com/en/content/fw-artists-inks
The Black ( India) is the one you want. Note- NOT the Pearlescent!
A dash of water with it (not too much) and it's good to go - best to use a dropper and 'mix' what you want to use as you use it in a separate bottle - not a good idea to dilute/work from your main bottle as it dries when working from it and by diluting you are messing with your source if you get my drift.
If by any chance you have tons of time and can afford to let stuff dry slowly (literally overnight) the Daler Calli (black indian ink)is a joy to ink with. Sadly, I just can't use it as time is always an issue....
As i say- these inks are for nib and not brush - a thicker ink required there.
Hope that helps.
Thanks again Smudge. I'll be sure to experiment with both brands. I never realized that different inks work better for different implements.