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CALLIGRAPHY

by master calligrapher S. J. Thomas
Devanagari Script showing angle of pen, placement of paper and posture of the hand. This shows a right-handed positioning for the writing of any number of South Asian scripts, including Sanskrit and Devanagari. Especially when writing on rough paper, or very large lettering, it is important to PULL with the pen, rather than pushing against the nib. This is true of all calligraphy, but bears reminding when beginning a new or unfamiliar script or style. Arabic Script showing angle of pen, placement of paper and posture of the hand. This shows a right-handed positioning for the writing of Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic and other Semitic Alphabets. The pen is nearly vertical to the line of writing. It is not possible to write Arabic script correctly and always PULL with the pen, making the traditional reed pens much more effective than metal tipped pens. Latin Script showing angle of pen, placement of paper and posture of the hand. This shows a right-handed positioning for the writing of most Italic, Bookhand, Black letter, and Uncial scripts using Latin alphabets. Classical Roman faces cannot be lettered with a consistent pen angle, due to their development as stone carved letters. Other styles rely on the characteristics of other types of pens than the broad nibbed pen used here.
Detail photos below showing placement of hand and holding of pen. It is possible to hold the pen at a different angle, and the nib rotated to a much different angle, without twisting the hand around into a cramped position. The wrist and arm must remain relaxed so as to achieve a fluid result. If you find it difficult to achieve this position, try changing the placement of the paper rather than cramping the hand.

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