I don’t know anybody that likes ruling up. As previously mentioned the X-Height Calculator and consequently the business, started from not enjoying ruling the paper. (see starting scribblers post for more background on the business).However, from observations in the classroom, many students have made ruling up hard work. These tips may help:Accuracy is most important. Time taken to accurately rule up will save a great deal of frustration later on. Ruling up needs to be accurate and consistent. I have seen people produce roughs and then rule up the final piece inaccurately. This caused their writing to be slightly smaller, creating a line of text not as long as their rough, which meant the text was no longer centrered.How many people try and rule-up a small x-height using a blunt pencil? Blunt pencils cause two problems. Firstly, the marks you make on the paper will be thick – first opportunity for an inaccuracy to occur. Secondly, the lines themselves are thick. With a large x-height you can get away with it but not with a small x-height.Choice of pencils. I like to use a softer pencil (B or 2B). Many calligraphers prefer a harder pencil (4H or harder). I’m not sure if the grade of the pencil lead is important? What does matter is how hard you press the pencil on the paper to produce the guidelines. With a softer pencil you can get away with more pressure than you can using a hard pencil. Too much pressure with a hard pencil will permanently mark the paper even after erasing the pencil lines.Sharp pencil. Use a sharp pencil for finer lines. Or alternatively you could use an Automatic Pencil, with a lead thickness of 0.5mm or even 0.3mm.

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The Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association was first formed in 1996 as an informal meeting of people interested in the Birmingham pen trade. It was registered as a charity in 1997. Membership was drawn from former employees of the trade, collectors and people interested in history.The Pen Room Museum of Writing and Pen Trademuseum was opened in April 2001, and the learning centre was established in an adjoining unit in June 2002.The unique blend of ingenuity and industrial expertise found in Birmingham thrust the city to the forefront of steel pen design and manufacture. It placed the city at the centre of the world pen trade during the 19th Century and kept it there until the decline of pen making after the 2nd World War.Birmingham was the centre of the world pen trade for more than a century, employing thousands of people, and pioneering craftsmanship, manufacturing processes and employment opportunities for women. The availability of cheap pens enabled the development of education and literacy throughout the world.The Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association is working to ensure that this important part of Birmingham’s history receives the recognition it deserves. Their mission is to promote and further the interest in handwriting, writing equipment and writing accessories with particular reference to the Birmingham trades.

• Find out why Birmingham became the centre of the world pen trade?
• Explore the history of the pen making trade.
• Learn about the differing manufacturing processes and the pen companies of Birmingham city.
• Try your hand at writing with traditionally made reed pens and feather quills.
• Sit at the workshop benches and imagine the poor conditions that women endured, pressing hundreds of steel nibs each day.
• Try making your own writing nib using the original hand presses.
• See displays of historic writing equipment.
• See the unique Charles Thomas Collection of writing implements.

For more information, visit their website www.penroom.co.ukor email: pentalk@penroom.freeserve.co.uk

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I have found another very useful video from Yang Haiying. Actually, Yang has lots of good videos on YouTube.In this clip, Yang talks about preparing and using a Chinese brush for the first time. Also, what do you do with those plastic caps that are usually found covering a new brush?Yang’s website www.yanghaiying.com

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The other day I was relaxing and spent some time looking at videos on YouTube (like you do!). I came across several calligraphy videos which I will share with you at some point in the future.The follow clip was fascinating. The video is made by the user Yang Haiying. You are shown how to paint an orchid using traditional Chinese painting techniques.Yang also has a website www.yanghaiying.comIt was funny when I went to see if I could find out more about this lady, on her YouTube profile it said:“It’s an accident that you bump into my video. Don’t watch too long. Spend your time with family and friends. Thank you.”So, I closed my browser and did as I was told!

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