CALLIGRAPHY SUPPLIES & RESOURCE GUIDE

A calligrapher’s essential tools of the trade are actually quite simple: pen, ink and paper. At the beginning of your calligraphy journey, start with a basic, functional kit, investing in quality tools. As you continue your studies, you can build your supplies over time, adding coloured inks, eye-catching metallic pigments, handmade paper and even a light pad. But for now, keep it simple!

If you are starting out with Copperplate calligraphy, here are the essential supplies:

• a penholder (an oblique holder with a metal flange - or a straight holder if you are a leftie)

• a small assortment of nibs (pointed for Copperplate, broad edge for Italic and Gothic)

• sumi ink or walnut ink (avoid waterproof inks that will clog your nib)

• an inkwell and pipette (so you don’t dip directly into your ink bottle)

• a pad of practice paper (make sure to put guidelines under blank sheets of smooth paper)

SPECIALITY CALLIGRAPHY STORES

JOHN NEAL BOOKSELLER and PAPER & INK ARTS are the two stores where you will find everything you need (and more). They are both based in the United States and offer top-notch customer service and international shipping.

HANDMADE PEN HOLDERS

After time, you may wish to invest in a handmade penholder. There are wonderful options available, handcrafted by talented artisans. I absolutely love my holders from these three penmakers:

Yoke Pen Company (Indiana, United States)

Ink Slinger Pens (Tennessee, United States)

Huy Hoang Dao (Hanoi, Vietnam)

SHOP LOCAL: MONTRÉAL

AVENUE DES ARTS

This cozy Westmount shop is a great art store that has a quality selection of calligraphy supplies. / Cette agréable boutique située à Westmount est un magasin de beaux arts qui possède une sélection de matériel de calligraphie de haute qualité.

PAPETERIE NOTA BENE

Located on Parc near Sherbrooke, Nota Bene has a wonderful selection of notebooks, fountain pens, ink, cardstock, blank envelopes, Rhodia pads and more. / Située sur l’avenue du Parc près de la rue Sherbrooke, Papeterie Nota Bene offre une superbe sélection de cahiers, plumes, encre, papier, enveloppes, blocs Rhodia et plus.

KAMA PIGMENT

This is a local art supply store that specializes in pigments. Get your walnut ink crystals and PearlEx pigments here! / Ce magasin local se spécialise en pigments. Vous trouverez du broux de noix et des pigments PearlEx ici !

DESERRES

I shop at DeSerres for basic supplies like gouache, bristol board, Arches hot press paper, Rhodia pads, brush pens, pencils and erasers. / Je magasine chez Deserres pour la gouache, le carton bristol, le papier Arches press chaud, les blocs Rhodia, les brush pens, les crayons et les gommes à effacer.

HACHEM

I shop at Hachem for supplies like bristol board, canvas, pencils, and erasers. / Je magasine chez Hachem pour le carton bristol, les toiles, les crayons et les gommes à effacer.

PAPETERIE ST. ARMAND

St. Armand is a hidden gem, tucked away in an industrial strip along the Lachine canal. They make a huge array of cotton and linen papers as well as their own brand Canal (made using vintage machinery). You can purchase paper and notebooks at the mill – just don’t expect a traditional retail space! / La papeterie St. Armand est un trésor caché situé dans un coin industriel au bord du canal Lachine. Elle offre une grande variété de papier de coton et de papier en lin, ainsi que leur marque Canal (fait avec des machines à l’epoque). Vous pouvez acheter du papier et des cahiers directement à l’usine - mais ne vous attendez pas un espace de vente traditionnel !

AU PAPIER JAPONAIS

Au Papier Japonais is located in the Mile End, just down the street from Fairmount Bagel. They sell gorgeous Japanese papers, as well as a selection from Papeterie St. Armand and Moon Palace sumi ink. They also offer workshops throughout the year on a variety of topics from bookbinding and washi collage to Japanese calligraphy and printmaking. / Au Papier Japonais est situé dans le Mile-End, quelques pas du Fairmount Bagel. On y trouve de merveilleux papiers japonais, une sélection provenant de la papeterie St. Armand ainsi que de l’encre sumi “Moon Palace”. Des ateliers sur une variété de sujets tels que la reliure, les collages washi, la calligraphie japonaise et l’estampage y sont donnés pendant au cours de l’année.

ATELIER RETAILLES

Another gem in the Mile-End, Atelier Retailles is a creative, experimental paper-making studio, where you can buy handmade paper and take classes. / Un autre trésor du Mile-End, Atelier Retailles est “un atelier de papier créatif et inclusif favorisant l’expérimentation.” Vous pouvez acheter du papier fait à la main et prendre des cours.

BOUCLE ET PAPIER

This beautiful stationery store is located in the Mile-End and carries a fantastic array of greeting cards, artist prints, gifts, Rhodia products and more. / Cette jolie boutique est située dans le Mile-End et vend une selection superbe de cartes de souhaits, affiches d’artistes, cadeaux, produits Rhodia et plus encore.