Practise decorative lettering with a fountain pen that does not need dipping into an ink bottle for every few strokes. The William Mitchell Artisan set contains one pen with five interchangeable nib sections from 0.9 to 2.1 mm. Start with the black cartridges, then use the converter with suitable bottled fountain pen ink. The storage tin keeps the parts together.
What is included?
- 1 pen barrel with cap and 5 nib sections: 0.9, 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.1 mm.
- 5 black standard international ink cartridges.
- 1 ink converter for suitable bottled fountain pen ink.
- 1 storage tin; practice paper and bottled ink are not included.
Which nib should you choose?
A narrower nib suits smaller letters and finer details. A wider nib makes thick and thin strokes more distinct and needs more space on the page. Try 1.2 or 1.4 mm for a first alphabet, then compare the same letter using 2.1 mm. The broad writing edge varies the line through stroke direction and pen angle, rather than heavy pressure. The set suits styles such as Italic, Uncial and Round Hand.
Using cartridges or the converter
Fit a cartridge or use the converter as an alternative, not both together. Fill the converter only with ink suitable for fountain pens. Acrylic ink and other dip-pen-only inks can clog the feed. For refills choose compatible standard international cartridges or suitable fountain pen ink, checking the intended use of your chosen ink.
Paper and a first lettering exercise
Choose smooth paper suitable for ink and test first for feathering. Draw light guidelines and practise a row of straight strokes and ovals at a consistent pen angle. Then join a few letters, adapting letter height to nib width. Let the ink dry before touching the paper. Compare additional writing materials in our calligraphy collection.
Cleaning and storage
When changing ink or before longer storage, rinse the nib section with clean, lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Do not use boiling water or force the nib. Let the parts dry before placing them in the tin. Cap the pen during pauses to help prevent the nib drying out.
