How a new nib and dip pen helped me reducing perfectionism

In June I got a new nib and dip pen. It may not seem like a big thing but it led to quite big and unexpected changes.

At first I was reluctant because the tools I use work very well – no need for something new. But I’m so glad I said “yes”. Not only did (and still does) the new pen push my writing forward –  it also changed the way I feel while writing in a highly inspirational way.

The nib is much bigger and more flexible than the one I usually use. Also the dip pen is bigger in diameter – just a little bit but noticeable. Still it sits comfortably in the hand. And the script is a beautiful mixture of thicker and elegant fine lines.

Writing has a more earthy and robust feeling now, it makes me feel more like practising a craft than producing art. Which feels more aligned in a way.

This is a new feeling and adds excitement to my practice. Writing is always far from boring but now there is something vibrant to it that hasn’t been there before. 

And there is even more. Practising more with the new nib and pen I felt the strong urge to write bigger. This desire had been lurking around since a while but I somehow had not dared giving in to it. But now was the time! So I went for bigger rulings but nothing I tried worked out. Until I figured that I wanted to let go of the strict rulings which to that point had been so helpful. That is truly groundbreaking! Again, writing more freely was something I had wished for since some time. It is only now that I avow myself how much I was afraid my writing would look uneven and wonky without all these helping lines. Now the desire to try it was much bigger so I reduced the helping lines. Now I only use the lines to help me keep the angle and write straight but not to meet the perfect size of each and every letter. They give me more freedom and the opportunity to vary my writing.  I guess the more strict ruling was needed for me to get to know Kurrent script and how to write it. Now I’m confident enough to go with less guidance.

And what shall I say it feels great! Yes, a bit uneven and wonky but also much more expressional and authentic. With practise the wonkyness will vanish and a true personal handwriting / expression will emerge. I’m so thrilled.

It will also be a lot easier to integrate script into the art pieces as I won’t have to create the appropriate rulings for the desired script size – I can just write. No more overcomplicating things due to perfectionism (at least in that particular area) 🙂

Also I thought that it would bother me if my Kurrent script is now a bit different from the official 2:1:2 ratio (the ratio of ascender, centre and descender to each other). Turns out it doesn’t bother me at all 🙂 

It truely feels like I’ve been riding with training wheels for long enough and am now ready to go my own way without them. 

Like having reached the next level of creative and personal expression and I can’t wait to incorporate that into new pieces! And all of that from simply trying a new dip pen and nib! Who would have thought?

I’m really glad I decided to try out the new writing tools eventhough I was reluctant first. New things, no matter how small, do broaden our horizons. 

Also this again is a perfect example of exploring what’s inside us that wants to be expressed. And that sometimes we need a little help from outside – may it be in the form of a new nib and dip pen or a person encouraging us to try out new things 🙂

What are your thoughts on this topic? Tell me about it in the comments below  or write me an e-mail at hello@annikaruhwedel.com !   

Biggest cheers to you,

Annika