About Brush & Nib
A patient, beginner-first guide to calligraphy and hand lettering for anyone who has ever wanted to make beautiful letters by hand. We start with the gentlest possible on-ramp — faux calligraphy with a pen you already own — then move into the two paths most beginners take: the pointed dip pen behind classic scripts like Copperplate, and the friendly brush pen behind modern lettering. You'll learn how to hold the tool, how thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes are made, the basic strokes that build every letter, and how to drill an alphabet until it feels like your own hand. We cover choosing your first kit without overspending, the ink-and-paper details that quietly decide whether a session is joyful or frustrating, and the projects — addressed envelopes, cards, quotes, flourishes — that make all the practice worth it. No talent required and no calligraphy family heirloom needed: just clear, encouraging steps from shaky first strokes to lettering you're proud to sign.
Brush & Nib is an independent resource focused on calligraphy and hand lettering for beginners. We publish practical, carefully researched guides for readers who want clear answers without the fluff — whether you are just getting started or looking to sharpen what you already know.
What we do
Every article is written and edited to be genuinely useful: accurate, easy to follow, and grounded in real-world experience. We cover topics across Getting Started, Tools & Supplies, Pointed Pen, Brush Lettering, Letterforms, Projects and update our guides as best practices evolve. We are not affiliated with any of the brands, products, or organizations we may reference; mentions are for the reader's benefit, not an endorsement.
Who writes Brush & Nib
Brush & Nib is written by Vera Solano. Vera fills practice sheets with drills most mornings and writes calligraphy and lettering guides for absolute beginners with shaky first strokes.
How we stay free
Brush & Nib is supported by advertising. We display ads (including ads served by third parties such as Google AdSense) so that our content can remain free to read. Advertising never dictates our editorial recommendations. See our Privacy Policy for details on how ads and analytics work on this site.
Editorial standards & disclaimer
Brush & Nib is an independent calligraphy and hand-lettering resource. Our guides are researched and written in-house; we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Speedball, Nikko, Brause, Tombow, Pentel, Pilot, Rhodia, Higgins, or any other nib, pen, ink, paper, or supply brand we mention. Tool behavior varies with the exact nib, ink, paper, and humidity in front of you, so treat our settings and recommendations as starting points and adjust to what works in your own hand. Information here is general educational guidance for hobbyists, not professional instruction.
Our content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always use your own judgment and consult a qualified professional where appropriate.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or feedback are always welcome. Reach us at runbookify@gmail.com or visit our contact page.