In today’s impersonal emails and texts, humans are increasingly looking to regain the nostalgic practices of bygone days. Among these sentimental traditions is the art of calligraphy. A personal hand-written touch goes a long way and nothing says it better than the right calligraphy pen.
We have combed websites, conducted interviews, and searched high and low to find the best. We want to help you achieve your goals in writing and life. Furthermore, all recommended products are researched thoroughly to give you the best value for your needs.
Start with our top pick the Pilot Pen. Read on to find out why.
Best Calligraphy Pens For Beginners:
1. Pilot Parallel Pen
For your first basic calligraphy pen, this pen is perfect. Like most modern pens, the ink cartridge is inserted inside the pen. It utilizes its namesake “Parallel Plate” Nib Technology which consists of 2 nib plates working together. This results in crisper sharper writing and is a breeze to practice with.
You have some awesome writing options with this pen. If you want to write a fine line, simply use the corner of the nib plates.
Even more, you can write with two ink colors flowing from the nib at once for an exquisite graduated effect. The ink flows easily, creating a thick velvety line that makes it a delight for novices and experts alike.
Along with this very lightweight pen, you also get one black cartridge, one red cartridge, a cleaning pipette, nib cleaner for the tip of your pen, and a small instruction manual.
The ink is refillable and you can buy additional colors separately.
When just starting with writing, this basic pen is the ideal choice. Its easy smooth writing and weightless grip make practice sessions a whiz. The writing options do not disappoint, especially when producing a beautiful multi-colored line.
There are some things to consider with this pen. The ink provided with the pen tends to feather so you may want to purchase additional refills or use a different ink brand. Because the ink flows so easily through the nib, you will run out of ink quickly.
Even though there are some minor ink issues with this pen, a beginner will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to learn with this basic pen. Whether you have been writing for five days or five years, you can’t go wrong with this particular pen.
Features
- Ink cartridges are easy to insert
- The instruction book is very helpful with great font examples
- The ability to blend colors makes this pen superior to more traditional pens
- You can write style or fine line style with just a turn of the nib point
- Smooth, marker-like writing
2. Sheaffer
This pen sports a classic look with a sleek red barrel and stainless steel nib with a very fine writing point of just 0.8 mm. This is a great pen if you are looking to write in a fine font style and for an affordable price, it looks pretty nice in your hand.
An added feature of this pen is the ink window located in the barrel to easily monitor ink levels. It includes two Sheaffer Skrip Classic ink cartridges.
The Sheaffer Pen is a favorite among more experienced calligraphers due to its refined look. Because it is a very forgiving pen, beginners have also found it easy to use.
The ink window built into the barrel can cause some discomfort while holding the pen during writing. There have also been some issues with ink leakage if the pen is not stored upright.
With its sophisticated design and more traditional look, this pen is a little more popular among the experienced crowd although it is very easy to use for the less experienced as well. If you want a more stylish flair when writing, this is the pen for you.
Features
- The pen is very elegant looking for an affordable price.
- Even old-school calligraphers love this pen since it resembles the old Skrip fountain pens of the past.
- Being able to view ink levels in the pen is very convenient.
- Great for newbies and seasoned writers.
3. Tombow 56190 Beginner Lettering Set
You get quite a bang for your buck with these best since they not only cater to calligraphy but also include tools for brush lettering. For individuals seeking not just a lone pen but assorted options, this is a pen set for beginners.
This set includes all of the necessary tools to begin. You get two dual brush pens, a Fudenosuke Calligraphy Pen, MONO Twin Permanent Marker, MONO Drawing Pencil, and MONO Eraser. An instructional brochure is also included.
This is a great pen set for beginners with the bonus option to learn hand lettering. You get all of the basic tools needed to learn both writing styles. It’s a dynamic little set packed with punch.
Once you purchase and/or receive your set, make sure to test each item in the set. There have been some reports of brush pens arriving dried out or frayed.
If you want to experiment a little more with different writing styles but don’t want to invest too much money just yet, this is your best bet. All elementary tools are included for you to get started quickly.
Features
- Great for brush lettering which is extremely popular now.
- Fascinating instruction brochure
- Brush pens are flexible while still holding their strong tip
4. Tombow Fudenosuke Fude Brush Pen / Soft & Hard & Twin Tips / Value set
These are bona fide Japanese pens and it is a known fact that the Chinese and Japanese have been calligraphy experts for thousands of years. If you are looking to learn not just hand lettering, these are among as well as the best brush pens for calligraphy beginners.
This is a fairly simple 3-pack but offers some top quality pens – Fude Brush Pen, Soft Brush Tip, and Soft Type Pen. These pens are some of the best in the market for authentic writing.
The Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set is hands-down among the best quality pens for writing you can get today and they are very reasonably priced. They are a top hit among professionals, but still extremely easy to use for beginners as well.
Some people had trouble getting used to the hard brush and there was some confusion as to the expected brush softness. You also want to be careful when carrying these pens in a purse or luggage as in some rare cases, they can explode and create a giant inky mess.
Whether you want to emulate calligraphers of times passed or create your modern writing style, these pens are a must-have and are dependable go-tos for all of your writing needs.
Features
- A perfect mix of softness and hardness
- Reliable quality
- Thick black ink
- Also popular in use among pro calligraphers
5. Calligraphy Pens Set by Monte Marte for Beginners and Kids
With 33 pieces total, this is the mother of all calligraphy and brush sets. It is a 2-pack offering and includes the following:
- Four refillable pens and ink cartridges included
- Five nib sizes in extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, and extra broad
- 20 ink cartridges in 7 different colors (yes, you read that right!)
- Introduction Manual
- Practice Exercise Manual
The different ink colors alone would get any artist or calligrapher salivating. You name it, this set has it – including some very good pens.
With the array of pieces and different colors, this kit looks just like Christmas! There is no limit to what you can create. It would be very easy to fritter away hours of your time just playing with it.
While the pens are decent, some of the nibs tend to break easily. Overall, it is a great set for kids but will take some time to learn how to use it.
This is a magnificent set with everything you can imagine to start your writing journey. While not ideal for more experienced writers, it is a good start for kids and people just starting.
Features
- Sturdy tin box for storage
- Great for birthday gifts, especially for children
- Great selection and lots of fun pieces
6. Refillable Brush Marker Pens for Hand-Lettering
Like the Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set, these are designed primarily for Chinese and Japanese styles but can also be used for many other styles. For fun, high-quality brush markers these are the best calligraphy markers for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.
This 4-pack includes extra-fine, fine, medium, and wide brush marker pens. They are refillable and the ink is non-toxic and water-based. In addition, this manufacturer offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a one-year replacement.
These brush pens are another great beginner tool, especially for those learning brush calligraphy, and are just all-around cool pens. You have a great selection of brush sizes to choose from and can create a nice variety of brush designs.
Make sure you hang onto that one-year replacement warranty, though. The brushes sometimes retract into the pen when touching the paper. At times, the ink tends to gush out and bleed resulting in ink wastage.
Despite the negatives, countless people are very satisfied with these pens and their versatility for creating beautiful writing and drawing. They make for some striking brushwriting and illustrative art.
Features
- The hard brush tips are very good quality
- Very smooth writing
- Perfect for art and illustration
- Nice, dark ink
Conclusion
You should now have a wealth of knowledge about the vast selection of pens out there and which brands work best for different styles.
The next step is to determine your needs and what you are looking for in a pen. Make sure to research all options so that you make an informed decision once you finally purchase your best.
Happy writing!
