Pen Holder
In your kit you have a wooden pen holder, it is universal so it can accommodate any nib, even very tiny ones. Avoid leaving it soaking in water, this will cause the paint to peel off and the wood to split. To clean it when it gets inky, wipe it with a damp cloth.
Pointed Nibs
Within your kit are three different pointed nibs. Modern calligraphy uses this style of nib and the contrast of the stroke thickness is created by the pressure you apply. Different scribes prefer different nibs, but this is a brilliant selection, to begin with.
All nibs need the protective glaze to be removed the first time they are used as it not only protects new nibs from rusting but also repels ink! You can do this by holding the nib over a flame, or rubbing it with toothpaste.
Calligraphy Ink
The black ink inside the kit is Chinese Ink. Beautifully dense, it won't feather when you work. When you open the pot, place it in the metal tin just in case of spills. Dip your nib up to the vent and remove any excess drops with a gentle tap on the edge of the bottle.
Once you feel more confident, you can experiment with coloured inks, and even paint to make your calligraphy vibrant. If your ink drys onto the nib, wipe it away with a damp cloth. To work with paint, mix the paint and load it onto the nib with a paint brush.
Calligraphy Guides
The great news is that even if your handwriting is illegible, you can still do beautiful calligraphy. Start by getting used to the change of pressure you apply depending on whether you are moving the pen up or downwards. Work slowly, and as you practice this will become more natural until you're doing it without thinking.
Work over the alphabet templates that you can print off here and work steadily. Focus on the motion and enjoy the process. Soon you won't need the templates and will be able to work freehand. Little and often is the best way to improve, 10 minutes a day. Really think about your technique and what you are doing, so that you eliminate bad habits and make small adjustments so that your style and flow improve.
