Oxford Drawing Pad — 120 gsm
Front and back views of the same 24 × 32 cm, 120 gsm Oxford drawing pad, labelled for pencil, ink and felt pen. I use it as one practice option and test each nib-and-ink combination before a full session.
My Calligraphy Tools & Materials
Papers & Brands
Exacompta Bristol Cards — A4
White, plain A4 Bristol sheets. The heavier stock can be useful for repeated tests, but surface smoothness and ink behaviour matter more than weight alone.
Rhodia Lined Pad & Slant Guide
Cover, lined writing surface and two views with a slant guide. Rhodia’s smooth surface can support clean hairlines, while the ruled lines and guide help with spacing, rhythm and Copperplate slant; test first for glide, feathering and show-through.
Clairefontaine Aquapad A5 — 300 gsm
Front, back and paper-texture views of the same Clairefontaine Aquapad A5, 300 gsm pad. Its heavy, visibly textured watercolour paper can be useful for tests or finished pieces, but very sharp nibs may catch on the grain.
Paper in Use
Writing Samples on Practice Paper
Writing samples used to compare hairlines, shaded strokes and letter groups on practice paper. I check for feathering, bleed-through and whether the nib catches before choosing a paper for longer work.
Ink & Writing Tests
Parker Quink — Black Ink
A studio reference for Parker Quink black fountain-pen ink, not a universal pointed-pen recommendation. Flow, hairlines, shades, drying time and feathering should be tested with the exact nib and paper.
Coloured Ink and Oval Practice
A writing sample showing oval-and-stem exercises in different colours. Finished marks help compare contrast, flow and how each ink behaves on the same paper.
Pointed Nibs & Stroke Tests
Oblique Holders & Pointed Nibs
A mixed view of pointed nibs and oblique holders. Different nibs respond differently to pressure; the exact models are not confirmed, so this remains a visual reference rather than a brand list.
Pressure and Stroke Tests
Two close views of hairlines, full-pressure strokes and transitions. These marks reveal how a nib, ink and paper work together; uneven results can come from pressure, nib alignment, ink thickness or the paper surface.
Pen Holders
Speedball 9455 Holder with Brause Rose No. 76 Nib
A full product view and two practice views of the same black Speedball 9455 oblique holder with a Brause Rose No. 76 pointed nib. Together they show the tool, its working angle and the Copperplate strokes it produces; the best setup keeps the grip relaxed and lets both tines meet the paper evenly.
Holder Prototypes & Flanges
Early Experimental Nib Mount
Angled and front views of the same experimental nib-mounting setup. These images document alignment and tine position during development and do not present it as a finished product.
Brass Oblique Flange — Part & Fitting Tests
One loose brass flange and three views of an early fitted flange test. Together they show the folded part, nib position and side angle; exact size, holder compatibility and the temporary white material still need confirmation.