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The art of writing with a quill pen interests people from many walks of life—artists, students, teachers, etc. Though not as popular as other modern writing utensils, the feather quill is still made and broadly used today. The same is true of more recently invented metal-nibbed (tipped) pens and fountain pens. [1] X Research source While using a quill pen requires more steps than using a ball-point pen, it’s easy to master with a little bit of time and patience.
Steps
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Use a cushion. Place a flat felt cushion under the paper. This will keep the quill nib sharper longer. [2] X Research source A quill pen can only be sharpened so many times before it becomes unusable. Pens that don’t have to be sharpened as often will last longer.
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Hold the quill like a regular pen. Let the quill rest between your thumb and forefinger. Grip the area above the nib with you thumb and forefinger. If the quill is made from a natural feather, don’t squeeze too hard. Otherwise, you could crack it and make it unusable.Advertisement
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Dip the quill in the ink. Submerge the nib in the inkwell. Slowly draw it up. Scrape the excess ink off the nib and back into the well. Too much ink will bleed through the paper, possibly wasting an entire sheet. If you don’t get enough ink on the quill, you can at least redip it into the ink. You’ll have to dip your quill regularly as you write. Each dip will give you about three to six words. [3] X Research source -
Position the nib at an angle. Advice ranges from a downward angle of 45 degrees to perpendicular (90 degrees). The nib should face left for right-handed people and right for left-handed people. This will ensure thin, manageable lines. If your nib faces straight up or down, it will produce lines that are too thick to form legible words.
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Write until you need to dip your quill again. Apply very light pressure to the paper. [4] X Research source Too much pressure could break your pen, tear the paper, or dull the nib too quickly. As you write, try to do so until you need to redip your pen. Stopping too often will cause unsightly ink blobs on your paper.
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Finish with sand. When you have finished writing, sprinkle sand on top of the inked paper. This will soak up any excess ink without destroying your writing. Let the sand sit for a few minutes. Then, either shake or blow the sand off the paper. [5] X Research source You should do this either outside or over a trash can to avoid making a mess.
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Rinse the nib. Whether the nib is the shaft of a feather or a metal nib, you should rinse it thoroughly with water after writing. This will prolong your quill’s lifespan and ensure the quality of the instrument is maintained.
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Dry the nib. If you use a natural feather pen, let the cleaned shaft air dry. It will reconstitute and harden on its own. [6] X Research source A metal nib, on the other hand, should be dried gently with a cloth towel or paper towel. Like any form of metal, it can rust if water is left on the surface too long.
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Go to a specialty store. Quill pens are not available everywhere. The easiest place to find quill pens is an online store such as Etsy or Amazon or your local art supply store. If you live near a historic site, you could check the gift shop for inexpensive quill pens.
- Traditional quill pens are large feathers whose shafts have been hollowed out as ink reservoirs. These pens tend to have softer tips that are less likely to puncture paper. [7] X Research source
- Quill pens with metal nibs have been widely available since the early nineteenth century. [8] X Research source
- If you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own pen .
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Sharpen natural quills. If you have a traditional quill made entirely from a feather, you will have to sharpen the nib periodically. [9] X Research source One telltale sign of a dull nib is an increased amount of ink flooding onto the paper. Using a penknife, extend the slit in the center of the shaft. Trim a small amount from each side the nib in diagonal strokes. After that, flatten the inside of the nib and snip off any excess shaft hanging from the tip.
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Monitor the ink buildup on metal nibs. Blot the nib frequently during the writing process. You can do this with a scrap sheet of paper, a paper towel, or old rag. If any ink has dried on the metal, gently scrape it off with a pen knife. Dried ink will corrode a metal nib if it is allowed to stay on the surface.
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Choose ink made for quill pens. Ink consistency is key. Choose ink that’s opaque but also thin enough to produce legible writing. Avoid India ink because its consistency is both thick and sticky and won't flow as freely.
- Calligraphy ink is a popular choice.
- Iron gall ink, originally used by medieval monks, is still available at craft stores like Etsy. Today, you could choose traditional black ink or a variety of other colors. [10] X Research source
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Begin with thicker paper. When you first use your feather quill pen, you should begin with thicker paper. Stationery, construction paper, or textured printing paper is a good option. Continue to use thicker paper until you become comfortable with pressure and style best suited for writing with a feather quill.
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Progress to conventional paper. After you practice on thicker paper, you’ll be able to write with your feather quill on any paper surface. You can choose from conventional lined notebook paper or computer paper. However, if you prefer a traditional look, you can opt for parchment paper.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I make my feather quill writing more elegant?Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies. She received a BS in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University and a MS in Computer Science from University of Illinois, Chicago.First, start by finding a style that you like. Look on Pinterest or find worksheets that showcase styles you want to embody. Practice regularly and incorporate the elements from different styles to create your own unique approach. Remember to be patient with the process, as your initial attempts might not meet your expectations. Lastly, embrace your writing imperfections and persist through consistent practice, as dedication and repetition will help you improve your feather-quill writing skills over time.
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QuestionWhat happens if I blot my paper on accident?Community AnswerIf you are just learning and you only have thin paper on hand, lay a sheet under the one you are writing on. It will soak up excess ink.
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QuestionHow do I replace the nibs?Community AnswerMetal nibs should come out of the shaft by simply pulling at them with a little force. Make sure you don't bend the nib in the process, though.
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Tips
- If you're on a tight budget, liquid grape juice concentrate is a viable alternative for ink. [11] X Research sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If you use water-resistant inks, which are used with watercolor washes, they won't wash off with water. Instead, rinse your nibs with ethyl alcohol (or alcohol wipes) and let them air dry.
- Nostalgic Impressions has a wide variety of quills and other writing supplies.
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Things You'll Need
- Quill pen
- Small knife
- Calligraphy ink
- White printer paper
- Textured paper (optional)
- Sand
References
- ↑ http://www.historyofpencils.com/writing-instruments-history/history-of-quill-pens/
- ↑ http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol30no1/hurford.html
- ↑ https://www.quora.com/How-often-did-a-quill-pen-need-to-be-dipped-in-ink-for-writing
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDbtJOjFv7s
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=8IgNQMa2Jv8C&pg=PA23
- ↑ http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol30no1/hurford.html
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=LTsIAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA140
- ↑ http://www.actforlibraries.org/the-history-of-pens-and-writing-instruments/
- ↑ http://www1.gnb.ca/0007/culture/heritage/vmc/try-this-quill-pen.asp
About This Article
Article Summary
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Writing with a feather quill can be a fun way to write neat letters and notes. To keep the nib sharp for longer, place a flat felt cushion or tea towel under your paper. Grip your quill like a pen, just above the nib. When you’re ready to write, dip the nib in your ink and scrape off the excess on the inside of the bottle neck. Hold your quill between a 45- and 90-degree angle so your lines won’t come out too thin or thick. Write until your nib starts to dry up, then dip it in your ink again. After your writing session, rinse the nib in clean water to avoid staining it. For more tips, including how to sharpen a natural quill, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "After 40 years using a regular fountain pen, I just recently bought my first feather quill pen. I'm familiar with how to hold the pen and write with a liquid ink pen, but wasn't sure what ink to use. I especially appreciate info on how to sharpen the nib." ..." more
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"After 40 years using a regular fountain pen, I just recently bought my first feather quill pen. I'm familiar with how to hold the pen and write with a liquid ink pen, but wasn't sure what ink to use. I especially appreciate info on how to sharpen the nib."
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"I haven't tried the wiki method yet, but expecting much of it. The first few times I tried were a disaster, expecting wiki to make a huge difference! Tips like the grape juice and sand are more reasons why I love this site and find it helpful."
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"The video on how to ink the nib was the most useful. I knew then that I was doing it right. I was not sure, but now after watching I am assured that I can keep on writing. Thanks."
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"I needed an ink blotter, but I found out you could put sand over it and the sand would soak it up."
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