A good calligraphy workspace includes the best calligraphy tools and materials for you. As time progresses and you expand your calligraphy skills, you will want newer and better tools and materials for your work and your workspace. Although another calligrapher's favourite tools might not turn out to be your favourite tools, it's always helpful to hear other calligrapher's reviews and advice on what tools they use and recommend. It will save you hart ache trying to suss out what tools are better than others. All calligraphers aim to perfect their letterforms and design and this is also your aim, so were all in the same boat here, to learn from each other and progress our skills. So go out there and take your time in searching and trying out the best tools and materials for you.
Guide to picking the best tools for your calligraphy workspace!
Felt Pads For Chairs
Drawing boards:
Drawing boards are used from fine artists to architects. It is not for a specific art or design type, but its purpose is to help view your work better when drawing or writing, thus the name drawing board. While working on a flat surface, you have to bend your back or eyes to get a perfect levelled vision of your work. But with a drawing board, you can sit comfortable with your work in a perfect, levelled, straight angled position. This is a necessity for most calligraphers' especially Islamic and western calligraphers. The drawing boards allow you to properly see your letterforms and align your work accurately. The larger the board size the better as this avoids limiting your work size. So look out for A2 or A1 size drawing boards.
The chair:
Your chair, your calligraphy throne, the foundation of your calligraphy workspace, without it what would your calligraphy work be like? I think we all know the answer to that... That's why it's important to choose a chair that will comfort you and offers you excellent back support. Sorry, but sitting on a stool is not the best choice to choose from when buying a seat for your workspace, even if it is the cheapest! Remember high quality things aren't always the cheapest. It just isn't worth all the hassle; the back strains and awkward seating heights. Choose a good chair that will last.
Materials:
The essential materials for your workspace are individually chosen by you, only you know what the best for you is. I and other calligraphers can only advise you on what has worked for us, and what has a high chance of working for you. There are always new calligraphy equipment and materials coming out, but at most times the best tools are the oldest ones out there. They are the classics and will never go out of fashion. The produced and keep on producing the best calligraphy letterforms. So look out and search for the most respected calligraphy equipment and materials out there that other professional's recommend, learn from the experienced and remember you don't have to re-invent the wheel. Here is a list of some of the basic calligraphers tools, used in common calligraphy types: western, Islamic/Arabic and East Asian:
nibs, reserves, fountain pen, sharpening stone, paint brush, coit stone, automatic pens, pen holders, carpenters pencil, permanent markers/ felt tip pens, bamboo pen, reed pens, quills, parchment paper, paper weights, desk pads, ink and ink sacks, ink stone.... And the list goes on and on!