The Best Brush Pens For Calligraphy Beginners
Are you curious about learning brush calligraphy but unsure which pen is best for beginners? You’re in the right place! In this guide, I’ll share my top four brush pen recommendations to help you get started with confidence.
Best Brush Pens for Beginners Video Tutorial
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Understanding Brush Pen Sizes
Brush pens come in different sizes, and when we talk about size, we’re usually referring to the tip of the pen. Most calligraphy workbooks or worksheets will mention small brush pen tips and large brush pen tips:
- Small Tip Brush Pens: Easier to control, great for beginners.
- Large Tip Brush Pens: Require more control and practice, but work well for larger lettering.
I always recommend starting with small tip brush pens because they are easier to use when learning calligraphy. Now, let’s dive into my top four beginner-friendly brush pens!
The Best Brush Pens for Beginners
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The Best Brush Pens for Calligraphy Beginners
Top 2 Small Brush Pens for Beginners
If you’re just getting started, these small-tip brush pens will be your best friends:
1. Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip (Best Overall for Beginners)
✅ Small, firm tip for better control
✅ Less flexible, making it easier to learn basic strokes
✅ Great for small lettering projects
💡 Quick Tip: Apply pressure on the downstrokes and use light pressure on the upstrokes for beautiful calligraphy.
2. Zebra Funwari Brush Pen (Runner-Up)
✅ Similar tip size to the Tombow Fudenosuke
✅ Slightly more flexible but still beginner-friendly
✅ Smooth ink flow for easy lettering
💡 Note: This pen is a bit softer than the Tombow Fudenosuke, making it my second choice for beginners.
Top 2 Large Brush Pens for Beginners
If you prefer a bigger, bolder style of calligraphy, these large-tip brush pens are great starting points:
3. Tombow Dual Brush Pen (Best for Color Variety)
✅ Large brush tip for bigger lettering projects
✅ Comes in a wide range of colors
✅ Slightly flexible but still manageable for beginners
💡 Keep in Mind: Larger tips require more control, so practice is key!
4. Karin Brushmarker Pro (High Quality but Pricier)
✅ High-quality brush tip, easier to control than the Tombow Dual Brush Pen
✅ Vibrant, blendable ink
✅ A bit expensive, but worth it if budget isn’t an issue
💡 Pro Tip: If price is not a concern, the Karin Brushmarker Pro is a fantastic choice for beginners!
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brush Pen | Tip Size | Flexibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip | Small | Less flexible | Best overall for beginners |
| Zebra Funwari | Small | Slightly more flexible | Great for smooth strokes |
| Tombow Dual Brush Pen | Large | More flexible | Ideal for colorful calligraphy |
| Karin Brushmarker Pro | Large | Easier to control | High-quality lettering |
What If You Don’t Have a Brush Pen?
No worries! You can still learn calligraphy using Crayola Markers or Crayola SuperTips. These pens have a conical tip that can mimic brush strokes. If you want to learn calligraphy with Crayola markers, check out my step-by-step tutorial
How to Learn Modern Calligraphy?
Now that you know which pens are best for learning calligraphy, what’s next?
It’s time to master the basics. In this blog post, I tell you everything you need to know to start learning calligraphy.
Final Thoughts
The best brush pen for you is the one that feels comfortable and allows you to practice consistently. Start with a small-tip brush pen to build your confidence, and then explore larger-tip pens as you improve.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments! If you find this guide helpful, share it with fellow calligraphy enthusiasts. Stay creative, my friends! ✨
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