BLACKLETTER / GOTHIC

CALLIGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS – 2019

A step-by-step tutorial + FREE downloadable practice sheets!
by Edgar Villa
in Articles, Calligraphy Tutorials
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Welcome back lettering lovers!
Today we finally have the honor to present you a tutorial that we have been planning for quite some
time now.
Blackletter calligraphy is one of many scripts created using a flat nib, and our friend Edgar is going
to share the very fundamentals and how to get started step-by-step.
On top of that, Edgar has also prepared FREE practice sheets including both capitals and lower
case letters – you can find them at the end of the article!
Before we jump right into it,  we just wanted to thank Edgar for taking the time to sharing his
knowledge and contributing to the community!
Hello everybody,
my name is Edgar Villa. A few of you may know me by my social media handle ‘Made by Edgar’
and I am a Mexican calligrapher/artist from Jersey City. I composed this article to help any
beginners interested in learning ‘Blackletter’ calligraphy.hy 

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This blackletter tutorial will teach you these 6 things;

• Origins of Blackletter
• The tools needed to begin
• How to use your tools to get the best results
• How to use guidelines for perfect letters everytime
• Understanding basic letterforms
• Basic flourishing

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Origins of Blackletter
 
Blackletter also known as ‘Gothic’ was created during the 12th-century at a time when more and
more people began to read and write. The demand for books where increasing and they had to be
written fast to meet that demand.
 
Blackletter’s condensed written style made it so more words fit in a single page and thus less
vellum was used which lowered production costs.
 
In short Blackletter made producing a large amount of books easier and more affordable.

Blackletter has many variations Fraktur, Rotunda and Schwabacher to name a few. Since Blackletter
has a wide family of scripts I will narrow it down and help you grasp the basics of a script known as
‘Textura Quadrata’.

Tools needed
 
1.Broad edge nib
• Pilot parallel pens are my favorite because they are ready to use out of the box
• Any broad edge nib
 
2.Straight holder
• Speedball has an inexpensive straight holder that I use ‘till this day
 
3.Paper that doesn’t bleed
• I found that paper 70lb and over work fine
• My favorite is ‘Strathmore Mixed Media 90lb Paper’
 
4.Calligraphy Ink
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s India Inks
• Moon Palace Sumi Ink
• Winsor & Newton Gouache
• Or any ink meant for calligraphy purposes
 
5.Water and paper towel to clean nibs
• You can also use a cloth/rag, preferably a non-fibrous cloth
 
6.Ruler
• I use a ‘rolling ruler’ because it helps me make even horizontal and vertical lines with ease
• A regular ruler will work just as fine
 
7.Pencils
• 4H-HB pencils are recommended because any heavier graphite will make it hard to erase
 
8.Eraser
• A kneaded eraser is perfect but any eraser will do
The paper you choose for your calligraphy matters!
 The paper you choose for your calligraphy matters!
From day one I used Rhodia paper, here are two big reasons why you should too;
• Ink doesn’t bleed
• You have the option of getting the paper lined or dotted which makes it easier to create
straight lines that are required for Blackletter
For any piece that I will hang on my wall I will use the best paper I can get my hands on
But for practice any low quality paper works.

How to use your calligraphy tools

Like any tool be it in woodworking or sculpting each tool has a purpose and there are ways to
maximize the effectiveness of each tool.

Broad Edge Nib

If you are using a broad edge nib there is a good chance you may need to ‘prepare the nib’ before
you even use it.
When you purchase a new nib it comes with a protective coating that keeps it from rusting while
held in storage. That protective coating, tho important, works against you when you dip the nib in
ink.
If you do not prepare your nib for writing the ink will not stick to the nib properly. You will also
have ink blob up when you write or you will need to re-dip the nib every few strokes.

Here are 4 ways to ‘Prepare A Nib’:

 
• Clean the nib with a toothbrush and toothpaste under warm water
• Stick the nib CAREFULLY into a potato for a few minutes
• Use a bit your saliva on the nib and clean with some paper towels
• Put the nib over a light flame
• Using fire is very dangerous and I am not responsible for any harm brought to you or others.
Use caution and be very careful. This method may also ruin your nib if left for too long over
the flame. I don’t recommend this for any beginner. Try at your own risk.
There are two ways to load ink into a broad edge nib, you either dip the pen in ink or fill the
reservoir using a brush.
*Some broad edge nibs do not come with reservoirs and need to be dipped for best results
 
If you dip the nib make sure you let any excess ink on the nib pour back into the ink bottle. If you
have too much ink on the nib it will blob when making strokes.
 
Furthermore, a low amount of ink will have you dipping your nib into ink every few strokes.
 
If the ink on the nib begins to dry into goo be sure to clean the nib with water and a rag to remove
any dried up ink.

You can also remove the reservoir to give the nib a deeper clean. *remove the reservoir
CAREFULLY because it’s VERY FRAGILE, also to avoid breaking the reservoir you can get in hard
to reach places with a toothbrush*

Pilot Parallel Pen

 
This pen is ready to use and beginner friendly. The main tip for using this pen is to apply even
pressure to get the best results. Too much pressure on the left side will make the right side of the
stroke choppy, and vice-versa.
I highly recommend you use Pilot brand cartridges ONLY.
When changing the ink cartridge make sure you clean the pen so the previous ink color doesn’t mix
with the new one and give you a color you may not want.

Let’s get started! – Guidelines

 
When I start a new project I will use guidelines even in the sketching phase. The guides help me
keep all my letters even and consistent.
Textura Quadrata typically requires 4-5 nib widths for the x-height and 6-7 nib widths for the
ascenders and descenders.
I rule horizontal lines to keep my letter the same height and rule vertical lines to keep my vertical
strokes as straight as possible.
Don’t be afraid to try something new
You don’t have to stick to the 4 and 6 nib width spacing, mix it up and and try different letter
weights.
Remember rules are meant to be broken.
Understanding basic letterforms and spacing
 
If you look at any manuscript written in Textura Quadrata you will notice dense and heavy strokes
giving it a dark overall feel.
Straight vertical lines and tight spacing is what gives Textura Quadrata it’s unique style.
Set aside some time to focus on practicing your vertical lines and diamond serifs.

Practice makes perfect

 
Don’t feel bad if a few of your strokes are not as straight as you would like. Take your time and
remember with practice your strokes will improve.
Begin with easy letters: b,c,e,f,h,i,j,l,o,p,q,r,t,u
Then move on to more difficult letters: a,d,g,k,m,n,s,v,w,x,y,z
The angle in which Textura Quadrata is written various from 40-45 degrees.

Letter spacing is IMPORTANT

 
There should be at least one nib width of space between each letter
and one nib width of space inside of the letters, also known as the ‘counter’.
Word space should have 2 nib widths between.
Give your letters style
 
Once you got the hang of the basics you can slowly start giving your letters some style. You can
add, what I call, ‘spikes’ to the ascenders. This can be done using the edge of the nib.
You can make the spikes full and heavy
Or make hairline spikes, it’s up to you.
You can add some flourishes to your ascenders.

One step at a time

 
After you learn to construct letters you can start manipulating your letters and extending your
flourishes. In time you will create perfect letters and balanced flourishes.

Be VERY careful with that eraser

 
When I am done and the ink is 100% dry I will carefully erase the guidelines. I found that using a
kneaded eraser will erase the guidelines with ease.
Always remember when using an eraser that you be very careful around any ink even if looks
completely dry.
Remember to clean up when your are done. You don’t want to come back to a nib with dried up ink,
so clean it after every use.

Mistakes make you great

 
I can’t tell you how many times I misspelled a word or had too much ink on the nib which left a big
blob had to start from the beginning. It happens to the best of us so don’t let that stop you.
Learning from your mistakes will help you grow and be a great calligrapher.
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Is Blackletter right for you?

 
If your answer is yes you can continue to improve your skills by downloading my FREE study
guide. It will help you with forming basic letterforms for the Blackletter Textura Quadrata script.
 
If your answer is no I would still suggest you download it and give it a try. Maybe it will be a start
to a new interesting hobby.
 
Feel free to message me on Instagram if you have any questions. I always try my best to help out
and respond to everyone. Also if I don’t have an answer to a question I will try and point you in the
right direction.