The majority of instruction in calligraphy is aimed at the right-handed calligrapher while largely ignoring the left-handed calligraphers who make up a solid proportion of those looking to take up the craft. There are definitely differences and obstacles to be acknowledged and overcome for the left-handed person looking to learn calligraphy. The following article attempts to highlight some of these differences as well as suggest ways that a left-hander may approach their use of the calligraphy pen.

Calligraphy is an art that can be learned by anyone willing to devote a few hours per week to the study and practice of letters. For the left-hander the challenge has been coping with a chisel-edged nib as they try to find the best angle for the required writing line. After this alignment has been achieved the sequence of strokes have to be made in a reverse manner to the right-handed mode. It would seem to the left-handed calligrapher that everything must be done the opposite way around.

When writing in the accepted left to right direction the right-handed writer makes the majority of their strokes by directing the pen away from the body. The left-handed writer makes the majority of strokes by pushing the pen in a movement towards the body. When the right-hander writes the writing hand is well in advance of the damp ink that has just been scribed onto the page. The left-hander pushes the pen in the same direction but must hold the pen in such a way that their hand does not smear the damp ink. This can be accomplished by either holding the pen below or above the line of writing in an unnatural way.

There are three known writing positions that may be chosen by a left-handed writer: the hook position, the under-arm position and the vertical position. The hook position is where the writer writes from above the line of writing with the paper positioned straight down. The under-arm position is where the hand is placed under the line of writing and the paper is positioned on an angle. The vertical position is achieved with the paper turned at 90 degrees and the pen then works from bottom to top rather than from left to right. This position will be most effective for those who want to use a right-handers pen nib.

A mechanical solution to the problems facing left-handed writers was the oblique nib which is cut on the opposite angle to a right-handed nib. Many calligraphers use the left-handed oblique calligraphy nib combined with turning the page on an angle.

A further tip to help the left-hander relates to the way you have the lighting set up. The right-hander should have the light on the left side while the left-hander should have the light coming from the right side. The reason for this is to ensure the shadow of your hand does not fall where you are writing.

Another compensation that may be necessary could well be in the way the left-handed writer must sit at their calligraphy desk. To help get the required pen angle, it may be necessary to sit further to the right of the page than would otherwise be advised. This, of course, will come down to a matter of personal preference and working out what feels most comfortable to you.

Being left-handed should not discourage you from picking up a calligraphy pen and trying this beautiful art. The techniques might be a little different and, at times, challenging bu remember, there are many successful left-handed calligraphers.