On Writing and Calligraphy
Stylistically impeccable writing using a thin pen is called calligraphy. The word ‘calligraphy’ is derived from Greek words of каllos, beauty, and grapfien, to write. The big letters of this type of writing are not normally written but are drawn using a thin pen, brush and drawing devices. There is a multitude of types of calligraphic writing. Ordinary calligraphic writing has two weights (with thick main strokes and thin connective strokes).
Calligraphic art was very much appreciated in old ages. The old school paid much attention to calligraphic training as a person with beautiful handwriting was able to work as a record clerk. It is in high antiquity that writing art schools and directions took shape, with their particular requirements to a written text which pertained not only to a master’s technique, talents and professionalism but also to his morals. Hence are the religious and moral requirements made to a calligrapher master, for instance, in the Orient. An extract from the Treatise on Calligraphers and Artists that was written by master kazi-Akhmed in the 16th century may serve as an example:
Oh thee who want to become an expert at writing,
Become a person pleasant to people and a friend,
Arrange the world of writing by your stay,
So that the entire world knew you,
You should forget about quietness and sleep,
And this should be done from your youth,
You should rub your head to the paper, like a calem,
You should have no rest from this work day and night,
You should give up all of your desires,
Forget the passion of moneymaking and greediness,
You should also fight the lusts of the flesh,
Cut the neck to bad passions,
So that you knew what a small holy war is,
What the approach to the great is.
What you think impossible for yourself -
you should not hurt anybody with that.
Beware, I told you, don’t hurt your soul,
Because the verity turns away from the one who hurts the soul.
Make satisfaction and obedience your permanent occupation,
Don’t be impure for an hour,
Always deem it necessary to back off
Lie, lust and slander,
Retire from envy and envious people,
Because a hundred misfortunes for the body occur from envy;
Don’t practice intrigues and roguery,
Don’t select bad features;
Everybody who cleared from imposture, roguery and hypocrisy
Became a master in writing.
English writing was the most common type of calligraphic art in the 18th century. Russian writing created on its basis is considered one of the most beautiful types of calligraphic writing. Great slope of lettering is typical of old samples of calligraphic art; for slope of lettering of the English writing is equal to 54°. However, versions without slope (direct) or with left-side slope are also common.
Together with calligraphic art, linear and ornamental decorations, flourishes, were developed and became common. Typographic calligraphic fonts were created on the basis of manual calligraphic examples.
It takes paper, pencil, ink and a fountain pen to acquire the skills of and to practice calligraphy. According to kazi-Ahmed: “…good equipment is necessary for the kingdom of writing…”. (Goose, eagle, swan etc.) quills have been used for writing since high antiquity. There were special manuals for sharpening quills, and a special machine
