Sakura of America has just released this brand new video featuring Zentangle® cofounder Maria Thomas demonstrating their Pigma® Calligrapher™ pen and giving some tips for beginners interested in calligraphy.
Almost everyone interested in Zentangle becomes a bit of a pen-aholic, so I thought you’d be interested in seeing more of Maria’s wonderful artistry in action and checking out this interesting disposable pen from Sakura that performs “like a professional flat metal nib”.
Personally, I’m boggled by how Maria can carry on a conversation and do this at the same time. Maria finds the pens “easy to control”,”so much fun to play with” and the results are “just beautiful”.
Sakura describes the Pigma Calligrapher pens:
This disposable pen has a hard nylon nib that withstands heavy pressure and constant use, and still provides a reliable, smooth ink flow from edge to edge. If you are accustomed to other disposal fiber calligraphy nibs, it may take some practice getting use to our flat, firm, nylon calligraphy nib. Pigma calligrapher’s nib performs more like a professional flat metal nib.
Pigma calligrapher is a great choice for both amateurs and professionals. It eliminates cost barriers and equipment requirements for beginners who are just learning about calligraphy, and provides an easy and quick alternative to traditional calligraphy pens for professionals.
The archival pigma ink is waterproof and fade-resistant on most paper substrates. Perfect for different fonts, flourishes and calligraphy effects. Applicable on envelopes, places cards, tiles and signage.
The Pigma Calligrapher is available individually and in sets consisting of of 1mm, 2mm, 3mm nib pens in black, royal blue, red, sepia, purple and hunter green.
April 25, 2013 | 
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I was academically trained in lettering. For beginners, the correct angle to hold a calligraphy pen is 45 degrees. You should strive NOT to change this angle as you write—this is what gives you the different heavy and light lines.
Now, if you’re not interested in the “technical” classic way of doing calligraphy, then don’t worry about it. Just follow what she is doing here…
These look great, but I wonder how well they would work for someone that is left-handed.
Hi Kim, I asked the friendly folks at Sakura and their VP of product development said that Pigma Calligrapher has a flat nib so there’s no difference for right or left handed users. Hope that helps!
These are awesome! I would love to be able to do letters like this. Do you know of any good beginner books? I am not too interested in “classical” lettering, just being able to write nicely like this. Beautiful.
Hi Eileen, I’ve purchased quite a few calligraphy books over the years and I’d recommend starting with The Speedball Textbook. I’ve got a post about it on the TIPS & TOOLS > RELATED BOOKS tab, here:
https://tanglepatterns.com/tips-tools/related-books/the-speedball-textbook
Joanne Fink is one of the co-editors. I also like any of the books by Margaret Shepherd.
I love seeing this! I am going to try these pens. The viewers should know, although Maria says she was not formerly trained – she is an extremely skilled and experienced calligrapher and lettering artist. She makes it look very easy but she has loads of talent and skill which just flows off the pen! So do not be discouraged if your lettering doesn’t look like this just picking up the pen.
Beautiful work, as always from Maria. The pens look amazing. I wonder when they will be available in the UK.
Shoshi
Hi Shoshi, I think you should be able to buy them from Amazon.com – we’re able to purchase from amazon.uk from here. Give it a go!
I’ve got to have a set of these. Looks awesome and fun.
thanks for the video. i’m ordering some today!
What size pen was Marie using in her demonstration video?