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Left-Handed Calligraphy

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Left-handed calligrapher? What is the difference?

I have been asked many times for information about left-handed calligraphy. While I would like to not make a distinction, it is inevitable that this will be so on the subject of calligraphy.

If you write with your left hand you will need a left-handed calligraphy pen (if you are using a cartridge pen) or left-handed nibs (if you are using a pen holder and dip nibs). The broad edge of a calligraphy pen nib is cut at a slight oblique angle. Left-handed nibs are cut on the opposite angle to right-handed nibs so that they write smoothly on the page when held in the left hand.

If you hold a right-handed nib in the left-hand it digs into the paper unless you turn it sideways to make it write. But then the thick and thin strokes of the nib will be the wrong way round! Not all pen nibs will dig into the paper if you push as you write. Most cartridge pens will not and an italic nib will not either. Italic nibs are usually designed to write the letters in one movement, rather then the separate strokes used to make up other forms of alphabets.

Don’t despair, there is help at hand. Most suppliers of calligraphy equipment will stock left-handed pens and pen nibs. Anything Left-Handed.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk both stock a good range of left-handed calligraphy books and pens.

You might also like to try Left-handed Calligraphy by Vance Studley or The Left-handed Calligrapher by Margaret Shepherd for books with more in-depth information on writing calligraphy with the left hand.

Good Luck and Happy Lettering!

Useful Links:

Left-Handed Calligraphy from AnythingLeftHanded.co.uk

Left-handed Calligraphy by Vance Studley

The Left-handed Calligrapher by Margaret Shepherd

Left-Handed Calligraphy from Amazon.co.uk

Left-Handed Calligraphy from Amazon.com

Calligraphy Pens from Amazon.co.uk

Calligraphy Pens from Amazon.com

Dick Blick Art Materials