10 Questions & Frustrations About Pointed Pen Nibs That Beginners Have

For calligraphy beginners, writing with a pointed pen nib can seem intimidating and is often the biggest source of frustration and problems.

Ink blobs? Ink not flowing consistently? Nib catching on paper? 

These are very common issues that beginners face. In this blogpost, I’ll go through these issues (and more), and give you some simple solutions and troubleshooting tips. 

But first – what’s a pointed pen nib? 

A pointed pen nib is a flexible nib that has two tines that split apart when you apply pressure. Together with a pen holder and ink, it is used to write pointed pen calligraphy scripts such as Copperplate and Spencerian. 

Now let’s get started with these 10 frequently asked questions that beginners have about pointed pen nibs! 

1. 1. Which pointed pen nib should I use?
   2. How do I prepare a pointed pen nib before writing?
   3. How do I clean a pointed pen nib after writing?
   4. How do I store pointed pen nibs properly? 
   5. When should I replace a pointed pen nib? 
   6. How do I use a pointed pen nib to get thick and thin lines?
   7. How do I insert a pointed pen nib?  
   8. How do I stop a pointed pen nib from catching or scratching the paper?
   9. Why doesn’t ink flow consistently on my pointed pen nib?
   10. How do I prevent ink splatters or blobs when writing with a pointed pen nib?

1. Which Pointed Pen Nib Should I Use?

 

I recommend the G nibs for beginners – Nikko G, Zebra G or Tachikawa G. They differ slightly in flexibility, but the difference is small so all three are beginner-friendly. 

G nibs are ideal for beginners as they write smoothly and rarely catch on paper, making them easier to handle than other nibs. They are also very sturdy, so you don’t have to be too careful with them nor worry about breaking them. Many seasoned calligraphers still use and prefer the G nibs for their reliability and smoothness.

G nibs are stiffer and less flexible than most nibs, so the tines can’t split apart as much. This means your letters may have less contrast between hairlines and shaded downstrokes – something to note if you are comparing your script to other calligraphers’.

2. How Do I Prepare A Pointed Pen Nib Before Writing?

New nibs are coated in a layer of oil to prevent rusting during storage. This oil means that ink can’t coat the nib evenly, so make sure to clean the nib before writing.

There are several ways to clean a nib: washing gently with dish soap and water, running the nib quickly through a flame, or wiping with alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol.

You also need to clean the nib in between each use, as oil from our fingers can get on the nib when removing and inserting it into the pen holder.

 

3. How Do I Clean A Pointed Pen Nib After Writing?

Always clean your pointed pen nib after each writing session to extend its lifespan. I recommend that you remove the nib from the pointed pen holder entirely to clean it. You should avoid getting water into the flange of the holder, as it’s difficult to dry and will rust easily. 

If you are using water-based inks like walnut ink or fountain pen inks, simply rinse the nib in water. If you are using pigment-based inks like sumi ink or acrylic inks, use soap and water to clean the nib thoroughly. For any dried ink that is difficult to clean, you may need to soak the nib in soapy water, or use a toothbrush or soft sponge to scrub it gently. 

After cleaning, always remember to dry the nib thoroughly before storing to prevent rusting.

4. How Do I Store Pointed Pen Nibs Properly?

After cleaning and drying a nib properly, store it in a cool and dry place. Some calligraphers store their nibs in a small container with silica gel packets to absorb extra moisture. 

5. When Should I Replace A Pointed Pen Nib?

 

Nibs are meant to be disposable. Replace the nib if the tines are broken or chipped, if it feels scratchy when you’re writing, or if the nib cannot produce hairlines as fine as it used to. I keep writing samples of each type of nib, so I can refer and remember what each nib’s writing looks like when it’s new. 

How long a nib lasts depends on various factors including how often you write and what ink you use. For example, iron gall inks can corrode the nibs and reduce its lifespan. 

6. How Do I Use A Pointed Pen Nib To Get Thick And Thin Lines?

A pointed pen nib has two tines that split apart, so getting thick and thin lines is all about controlling how much pressure you apply. More pressure = tines split further = thicker line. 

In pointed pen Copperplate, shaded downstrokes are written by applying pressure on the pointed pen nib. Hairline upstrokes are written without applying any pressure, so the nib is simply gliding along the paper. 

It’s important to note that you don’t have to apply maximum pressure to split the tine as wide as possible when writing. This makes writing very tiring for your hands. It’s more important to achieve a consistent width in your shaded strokes, and a smooth transition between hairlines and shaded strokes. You can download my free drills worksheets to practise nib control exercises. 

7. How Do I Insert A Pointed Pen Nib?

If you’re using a straight pen holder, simply insert the nib until it is held firmly in place. If you’re using an oblique pen holder, insert the nib until its tip is aligned with the centre axis of the pen holder. 

It’s also important to learn how to hold and position the pen holder properly when writing. You can check out this blogpost where I explain in greater detail. 

8. How Do I Stop A Pointed Pen Nib From Catching Or Scratching The Paper?

The first thing you should do is to check that the nib is not damaged. I explain how to check the nib in this blogpost. It could also be because you’re using an old nib, so try replacing it with a new nib. 

How you’re holding the pen holder also makes a difference. Make sure that you’re not holding the pen too upright, as that makes it easier for the nib to catch on paper. You should hold the pen holder at approximately 45° from the paper. You can also try lightening your grip. The nib should not dig into the paper, and instead should touch the paper lightly – just enough to leave a mark with ink as it glides across the surface. 

Another factor to consider is the type of paper you’re using. If you’re using paper with a rough surface, it will be easier for the nib to catch on paper. Try lowering the angle that you’re holding the pen holder to see if it helps. If you’re using handmade paper that is especially fibrous, you can try applying hairspray or some type of spray sealant to hold the fibres in place before writing.

9. Why Doesn’t Ink Flow Consistently On My Pointed Pen Nib?

Ink flow issues can be caused by a number of factors. First, make sure that the nib is cleaned properly as any bit of oil on the nib can affect ink flow. Check to make sure that the nib isn’t damaged.

Having too little ink on the nib can also be a reason. Make sure that you’re coating the nib with ink evenly and sufficiently – cover the vent hole when dipping the nib in ink. 

Lastly, viscous inks could be too thick to flow off the nib smoothly. This is common when using inks like sumi ink, acrylic inks, or ink mixed from gouache. Try adding a few drops of water to see if it makes the ink flow better. 

10. How Do I Prevent Ink Splatters Or Blobs When Writing With A Pointed Pen Nib?

Ink splatters can happen if your nib catches on the paper.

Ink blobs can happen if there is too much ink on the nib. The nib should be evenly coated with ink, and not hold too much ink on the underside. If you notice that the nib has too much ink after dipping, you can glide the underside of the nib along the inside rim of the ink bottle. This releases extra ink back into the bottle. Alternatively, you can scribble on a piece of scrap paper to remove excess ink before writing. 

So these are some of the common issues and mistakes that beginners face when starting out with pointed pen calligraphy. If it seems overwhelming to be learning so many new things at once, just remember that there’s always a learning curve to most things. With time and practice, using and taking care of your pointed pen nibs will become second nature to you!