Modern Calligraphy Supplies for Beginners
What are the best, basic, affordable tools that a beginner can buy for learning modern calligraphy? I’ve been asked this question hundreds of times over the years. There are so many techniques for doing modern calligraphy that I would be remiss if I pretended I could craft the be-all end-all kit for every beginner. However, having taught in-person calligraphy workshops to 700+ students over the years, I do have some opinions about the affordable tools that work for the majority of beginner students.
Level 1: Black Ink on White Paper
These are the basic supplies I give all my students and are all you need to get started putting pen to paper for the first time. If you get these items you'll have a bare bones kit and will likely want to branch out quickly, so I've offered add-on ideas below.
Level 2: Expanded Tool Kit
These tools are great additions to the basic tool kit. In fact, you can skip the two plastic pen holders above if you want slightly nicer pens from the start.
Level 3: White Ink on Dark Paper
I consider using white ink an early intermediate technique because it has its own set of technical hurdles, such as mixing the ink or paint to the right consistency. Nonetheless, most beginners want to give white-on-black calligraphy a try pretty early on, and I can’t blame them—the results are just so gorgeous. These are the essential tools for a white ink toolkit:
For even more supply kit ideas, head over to Calligrafile.com where I’ve compiled hundreds of tools, books, and online resources for calligraphers.
