Tips for using an architect nib for writing Arabic script?

August 20, 2021 2:11 AM

I am studying the Persian language on my own. A while ago I posted an ask about good pens to use for writing the Arabic script that is used for Persian. Some answers turned me on to using left oblique stub nibbed fountain pens for this. I found these very intuitive to use when imitating the naskh style. Other responders recommended using a pen with an architect nib. I have now acquired what looks to be a very nice architect nibbed pen but it is not at all intuitive how to use it for Arabic script. Google has been no help. Does anybody have any tips or know where tips might be found?

The dots are particularly hard to make with the architect nib, although nothing is coming out looking right automatically. Might there be another style rather than naskh that should be my model when using this pen? There is widespread consensus on the net that architect nibs are good for Arabic script, so I am sure there is a way to do it correctly. But I need some instruction!

posted by bertran to Writing & Language (3 answers total)

To get good results from an architect nib you need to maintain a very consistent angle (top-to-bottom) and tilt (side-to-side) of the pen, adjusting the orientation of the paper if necessary to accommodate it. You can see it in this video, where there's hardly any variation in how the nib makes contact with the page. It's a whole arm workout with movement in the fingers and the elbow and shoulder, not the wrist.

Looking at your previous ask: I think the answers pointing you to the left-obliques are still on the money if you want something more calligraphic because of how they handle left-diagonals. (That will sort out your dots.) Though if you're want to see examples of everyday Persian, this Quora thread might be useful.
posted by holgate at 10:44 AM on August 20, 2021

My unscientific opinion (from a Persian speaker who remembers 1970s schoolboy fountain pens) would be for you to at least try nastiliq lettering, or for something a little easier you could compromise and check out shekasta. Both styles have more rounded strokes that I think might suit the medium a little more?
posted by seasparrow at 9:00 AM on August 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

Something that just occurred to me (two months later) was that you wrote about having problems making dots with a fountain pen. Many people in this situation don't make actual dots, they make diamonds-- three or four tiny strokes with the nib, which not only works better, but gives your writing a pleasant calligraphic flourish. I hope that helps!
posted by seasparrow at 7:09 PM on October 15, 2021