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A little History
of the Automatic Lettering and Calligraphy Pens
The Victorians used quills and metal nib dip pens for their lettering,
until in the late 1800's, when these pens came into being. The pens were called
'automatic' because, compared to the quill and metal nibs, these pens were
'Automatic Lettering Pens'. The pens, with their unique nib, are still
handcrafted in England to this day. The handles are now made of a
comfortable non-slip, non-staining plastic but the smooth writing nib is
still hand-finished. The pen can write and be moved in any direction with
continuous ink flow, it produces both very thin and contrasting thick lines.
They are easy to use whether you are
right or left-handed; a foot or mouth painter; from young children to
adults, if you can grip the handle,
you can use the pen - writing, calligraphy, drawing, posters,
illustrations, decorative borders and designs.
 Size 8 Double Line
(3/16 inch)
It's easy to get
started!
Wash the pen in warm soapy water, rinse and
dry on kitchen towel. This removes the oil film that protects the pen, it
will now accept ink readily.
Each pen nib has a serrated side and a
smooth side, write with the smooth side against the paper. Use either the
full width or for very fine lines use its chisel edge
 Size
4 Single Line (5/16 inch)
What to write with?
The Automatic Pens work the best with the following: water-soluble
inks and dyes (fountain pen or drawing); Gouache thinned with water;
thinned Watercolour paint; Poster paint.
Note: The pens can be used with Waterproof inks and Acrylic paints but
due to the fast drying qualities of these media, they can dry in the
pen and clog it.
Fine pigment Artists quality Oil paint, thinned with Zest-itŪ Brush
Cleaner and Dilutant, also works well - make sure you wash the nib
well in Zest-it, before washing in warm soapy water and drying.
 Side view of the unique style nib = reservoir.
How to Fill your Automatic pen.
Using a soft haired painting brush, load the brush with ink and by
stroking the brush along the open side of the nib, feeding ink into
the reservoir.
Or, if you are using ink in a bottle that has a 'dropper' top, use the
dropper to feed ink into the reservoir.
Or, Just dip the pen into the ink to a depth of ž", loading/dipping
deeper than this can cause the pen to drip ink, because the reservoir
will be over full.
 Size 7 Double Line
(1/8 inch)
Which type to choose?
Single lines are produced by pen numbers ;
1(1/16inch),
2 (1/8inch),
3 (3/16inch),
3A (1/4inch),
4 (5/16inch),
5 (1/2inch),
6 (3/4inch)
and 6A (1inch).
For writing, drawing, calligraphy, decorative edging and poster work.
Double lines are produced by pens;
7 (1/8inch),
8 (3/16 inch),
9 (žinch)
and 10 (1/2inch).
For writing, calligraphy, poster work and decorative edging.
Five line pen (1/2inch) for ruling music lines, decorative writing and
borders. We have them available as Special Order only
 A
single letter using two colours in a double line pen.
This letter 'R' was produced with a No. 8
(3/16 inch) Automatic pen, loaded with Classical Transparent ink, Agate Blue in
one spine and Turquoise Green in the other.
Ink selection
Liquid Gouache ink
Copyright Jacqui Blackman 2005 
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