How to Set Up a Calligraphy Workspace

The quality of the supplies and workspace a calligraphy artist chooses to work with are directly reflected in the quality of their written art. There are numerous items necessary to make a neat and comfortable workspace regardless of an artist's skill level. Some supplies and techniques may be improvised by an artist as they develop their own style.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drafting lamp
• Drawing board
• Table
• Chair
• Heavy object
• Tape
• Construction paper
• Laser paper
• Old towel
• Rag
• Pen
• Nibs
• Ink
• Small container of water
• Practice paper
• Cheat sheet
• Guard sheet
• Dump sheet

1. Gather supplies from an art supply store. Set up in a well lit area using a drafting lamp, a propped up drawing board on a table and a chair. Anchor legs of the drawing board closest to the artist with a heavy object to the prevent board from slipping.

2. Prepare the surface of the drawing board. Tape two sheets of construction paper to the board for cushioning. Mount the laser paper on top.

3. Sit in the chair. Cover lap with an old towel to protect clothing from ink splatters. Place a rag on top of the towel to wipe a wet pen and nib after rinsing.

4. Arrange pen, nibs, ink and small container of water on the table to the artist's non-writing hand side of the drawing board.

5. Place several sheets of practice paper and a cheat sheet of the calligraphy alphabet being used on the table to the artist's writing hand side of the drawing board.

6. Rest your writing hand on a clean folded piece of paper known as the guard sheet to protect laser paper from the oils naturally produced by skin.

7. Keep a scrap paper known as a dump sheet handy each time the pen is dipped in ink. Make several strokes with the nib to remove excess ink onto the dump sheet before writing.