Best Calligraphy Pens For Beginners – Must Have Tools to Start

In the midst of 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 web sites, conducted interviews, and searched high and low to find the best calligraphy pens for beginners. We want to help you achieve your goals in writing and in life. Furthermore, all recommended products are researched thoroughly to give you the best value for your needs.

As such, we have reviewed six (6) of the best calligraphy pens for beginners with our top pick being the Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen. Read on to find out why.

Top 6 Best Calligraphy Pens For Beginners Reviews

Pilot Parallel 2-Color Calligraphy Pen

 

For your first basic calligraphy pen, this pen is perfect. Like most modern calligraphy 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 a number of 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 which 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 small instruction manual.

The ink is refillable and you can buy additional colors separately.

What Customers Are Saying

Pros and Cons

When just starting out with calligraphy writing, this basic calligraphy 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 calligraphy with this basic calligraphy pen. Whether you have been writing calligraphy for five days or five years, you can’t go wrong with this particular pen.

Sheaffer Viewpoint Calligraphy Pen

 

This calligraphy 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 the affordable price, it looks pretty nice in your hand.

An added feature to this pen is the ink window located in the barrel to easily monitor ink levels. It includes two Sheaffer Skrip Classic ink cartridges.

What Customers Are Saying

Pros and Cons

The Sheaffer Viewpoint Calligraphy 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 calligraphy 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.

Tombow 56190 Beginner Lettering Set

 

You get quite a bang for your buck with these best calligraphy pens for beginners since it not only caters to calligraphy, it also includes tools for brush lettering. For individuals seeking not just a lone pen but assorted options, this is the best calligraphy pen set for beginners.

This set includes all of the necessary tools to begin calligraphy and lettering. 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.

What Customers Are Saying

Pros and Cons

This is a great calligraphy pen set for beginners with the added 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.

Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set, Soft, 3-pack

 

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 calligraphy but also hand lettering, these are among the best calligraphy pens for beginners 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 calligraphy writing.

What Customers Are Saying

Pros and Cons

The Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set is hands-down among the best quality pens you can get today and they are very reasonably priced. They are a top hit among the 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 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 own modern writing style, these pens are a must-have and are dependable go-tos for all of your writing needs.

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 calligraphy pens, 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 calligraphy pens.

What Customers Are Saying

Pros and Cons

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 very easy to fritter away hours of your time just playing with it.

While the calligraphy 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.

This is a magnificent set with everything you can possibly imagine to start your calligraphy-writing journey. While not ideal for more experienced writers, it is a good start for kids and people just starting out.

Refillable Brush Marker Pens for Hand-Lettering

 

For brush calligraphy, these are a must-have. Like the Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set, these are designed primarily for Chinese and Japanese-style calligraphy but can be also be used for many other styles. For fun, high-quality brush marker calligraphy 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 one-year replacement.

What Customers Are Saying

Pros and Cons

These brush pens are another great beginner tool, especially for those learning brush calligraphy and are just all-around cool calligraphy 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 brush calligraphy writing and illustrative art.

How to Choose the Best Calligraphy Pen for Beginners

If you are considering learning calligraphy, you first need to determine which writing style or styles you would like to learn. Different pens and different nib widths create different fonts.

For example, if you like the elaborate look of Gothic calligraphy, you would require the italic nib. A flex nib produces a more traditional style.

As for nib size, a wide nib is perfect for styles such as Roman Capitals while a narrow pointed nib works for Copperplate calligraphy.

Since people prefer different calligraphy styles, the best calligraphy pen and nib type will vary from person to person.

It is highly recommended that once you have determined the style you want to use that you continue using this style while practicing for at least one or two months.

Jumping around to various styles will take more time to learn.
It is also important to choose the right planner.

Deciding on the Best Calligraphy Pen for You

You should now have a wealth of knowledge about the vast selection of calligraphy pens out there and which brands work best for different calligraphy 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 calligraphy pens for beginners. Happy writing!