Mia (@theshitpostcalligrapher) agreed to rebagel this for me because I’d love as many answers as possible. If you like calligraphy and have done it before, whether skillful or clumsily amateurish, feel free to answer if you have spoons for it!
I want to get into calligraphy, but I don’t know where to start. I’m always overwhelmed by the idea of trying to start something new, when I’ve got no idea what the fuck I’m doing. The most reassuring thing I’ve found is hearing from someone else. Google is great, but it just gives you a list of maybe-good-maybe-bad resources. A live human being can talk about how they got started with the benefit of hindsight, and what they think is helpful for a newbie. Links are welcome, but so are just basic tips like “this is the first font I learned, here’s what it’s called” or “this is the type of writing implement I used when I began learning and why it was good or bad.” I’m actually very worried about what to use to practice calligraphy, because I have heard the nibs of the pen or quill can be fragile; I have a bit of a dysgraphia thing going on, where I’ve always gripped writing tools very hard even when trying not to and bearing down very hard on it and I have broken a lot of normal-ass pens, let alone a delicate calligraphy pen. I have severe arthritis-like joint pain and muscle cramps in my hands that I’ll be consulting a doctor about, but I also hope just practicing a hands-on hobby can let me teach my hands to relax more. Almost like when you take up an instrument or singing to become good at breathing techniques, if that analogy makes sense.
rebgaling for calligraphy support because i am of absolutely 0 help the way i did it was absolutely stupid (started at fonts and copied them over and over til i got it)
I also did it the silly way of "Oooo I like this font" so can't be much help there.
First caligraphy pen I ever used was the ones I got in a (honestly not that great) calligraphy set- which, yes they weren't the best for writing and the nibs had a habit of grabbing the paper, but it also meant I had no real stress when they started cracking/leaking after a bit and was free to move on to a better nib with a bit of experience under my belt. Not sure if I would exactly recommend that (honestly it was a kit I got back in....oh gods, middle school? so probably doesn't exist anymore)- but something similar maybe? Starting off with a cheaper pen and not worrying if you end up spreading the tip too much just call it all learning.