How do you use a "dip" pen? I don't think it has a reserve but I'm not sure...?

Question

I know a lot of these pens have a tube or something that holds extra ink but I don't think mine does. I mean it does have a hole that leads up to the quill but I think that it just holds the nib. Anyone know how to dip it into the ink properly and how to hold it?

Answer 1

Dip pens are great for line art and cartooning! Two of the advantages of dip pens;  they can be used with waterproof ink such as India ink changing ink colors is a snap - just wipe of the nib and dip it in a different color.

As the name indicates, they are designed to be dipped in a jar of ink or ink well. A hundred years ago, everyone knew how to use a dip pen. Now, it's a special skill. Here are the things you need to know:

1) If you dip your pen in ink and try to write like a ballpoint pen, the ink will run out too fast and blob all over the place. Dip pens should be held at a flatter angle than regular ballpoint pens. That means that rather than hold the pen with your finger tips, it should really be held with the thumb and middle finger along the sides and the index finger on top. This gives the pen a lower angle of 45 degrees or less.

2) Use a light touch. Unless the pen nib is clogged, ink will begin flowing as soon as you touch the paper. Pressing down like you would with a ballpoint pen can damage the nib of a dip pen.

3) Strokes that pull rather than push work best and are easier on the nib. And keep it moving. A dip pen works by capillary action. If you leave it in one spot on the paper, all of the ink will deposit itself there.

4) Clean your dip pen nib after every use. Some inks clean up with just a wash in some water, others need a little soap action.

Beyond that, practice makes perfect. Work on practice sheets before you do anything important. Just draw and draw, and let yourself have some fun with it.

There are many many styles of nibs for dip pens, and many ink colors, too. If you just give yourself time to get used to your new pen, you will have a lot of fun and adventures.

Answer 2

If you're using a dip pen, you can just dip the nib into the ink and use it like that. The problem is, you have no reservoir and the ink may blot. You also cant 'hold' a lot of ink. The best thing to do is to buy a reservoir. This is a small metal plate which fits underneath the nib and holds small amounts of ink. Using this will give a regular flow of ink (although you need to refill this after every 2 or 3 words) and the ink will not blot or smudge on the paper. Reservoirs can be bought for about $2

If you need more help, please contact me.

Answer 3

u get like a feather then u dip it in ink