The art of writing with a quill is able to attract the hearts of many people from all walks of life: artists, students, teachers, etc. Despite losing prestige to modern writing instruments, quills are still widely used today. The same is true for metal tipped (tipped) pens and dip pens. Although using a quill is more work-in-progress than a regular pen, you can get the hang of it with a little time and patience.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Holding the Quill
Step 1. Put on a writing pad
Place a flannel base under the paper. This will keep the nib sharp for a longer time. The quill can only be sharpened a few times before it can no longer be used. Pens that don't need to be sharpened usually last longer.
Step 2. Hold the quill like a regular pen
Position the pen between your thumb and forefinger. Hold the area above the tip of the pen with your thumb and forefinger. If the pen is made of real feathers, don't grip it too hard. Otherwise, you could crack it and make it difficult to use.
Step 3. Dip the pen into the ink
Soak the nib in the ink tank. Dip the pen slowly. Wipe off excess ink on the nib and allow the ink to drip back into the holder. Too much ink will seep and can damage the entire surface of the paper. If too little ink is taken up, you can at least dip the pen into the ink tank again. You should dip the ink regularly while writing. Each dip allows you to write about three to four words.
Step 4. Position the nib at a slight angle
Tilt the pen down between a 45-degree angle until it's perpendicular (90 degrees). The tip of the pen should be facing left if you're writing with your right hand or right if you're writing with your left. This will ensure that the resulting line remains thin and well-organized. If the tip of the pen is pointing straight down, the resulting line will be too thick to write words.
Method 2 of 4: Writing with a Feather Pen
Step 1. Keep writing until you need to dip the pen in the ink again
Scratch the pen as smoothly as possible on the paper. Too much pressure can damage the pen, tear the paper, or dull the nib too quickly. Stopping writing too often can leave untidy ink marks on the paper.
Step 2. Finish the writing by sprinkling sand
When you're done writing, sprinkle some sand over the ink that's stuck to the hard. The sand will absorb the excess ink without damaging the writing. Let the sand sit for a few minutes, then shake or blow the sand off the paper. You should do this outdoors or on top of the trash can so you don't make a mess of the room.
Step 3. Rinse the nib
Regardless of whether the pen is made of a quill or metal, you should rinse it with water after writing. This will extend the life of the quill and maintain the quality of the equipment being used.
Step 4. Dry the nib
If you are using a natural quill pen, allow the stem to dry on its own. The pen will recover and harden on its own. Meanwhile, the metal nib should be wiped gently with a rag or kitchen paper. Like other metal objects, these pens can rust if water stays on the surface for too long.
Method 3 of 4: Selecting and Caring for a Feather Pen
Step 1. Go to a specialty store that sells it
Feather pens are not sold anywhere. The easiest locations to find these pens are at online stores, such as Etsy or Amazon, as well as at art supply stores. If you live near a historic area, head to a gift shop for cheap quills.
- Traditional quills are large quills whose stems have been emptied for storage of ink. These pens usually have a softer tip and do not run the risk of tearing the paper.
- Feather pens with metal tips have been on sale since the early 19th century.
- If you find yourself creative enough, try making your own pen.
Step 2. Sharpen a natural feather pen
If you have a traditional quill made of real feathers, you will need to sharpen the tip regularly. One of the signs that a pen tip is dull is an increase in the amount of ink seeping into the paper. With a special pen knife, enlarge the incision in the center of the pen shaft. Slightly cut both sides of the pen tip diagonally. After that, smooth the inside of the nib and cut off the rest of the nib hanging from the tip.
Step 3. Keep an eye on the ink deposits on the metal nib
Dry the ink tip as often as possible during the writing process. You can do this with a piece of paper, kitchen tissue, or an old rag. Scrape the dried ink on the metal surface with a special pen knife. Dried ink will rust the metal on the nib if left alone.
Method 4 of 4: Selecting Ink and Paper
Step 1. Choose an ink made from a quill
Ink consistency is key. Choose an ink that is dense, but thin enough to write on paper. Avoid Indian ink as its thick and sticky consistency will make it difficult for you to write smoothly.
- Calligraphy ink is a popular choice.
- The majakane iron ink that was first used by monks in the Middle Ages is still sold at craft shops like Etsy. Now, you can choose to use traditional black ink or other colors.
- If the budget in the pocket is mediocre, you can use grape juice concentrate as an alternative.
Step 2. Start with thick paper
The first time you use a quill, you should use thick paper. Writing paper, construction paper, or textured printing paper are good options. Continue using the paper until you feel comfortable writing and are able to come up with a writing style that matches a quill.
Step 3. Continue writing with plain paper
After practicing on thick paper, you can use a quill to write on any paper. You can choose conventional lined paper or HVS paper. However, if you prefer a traditional look, use parchment paper.
