IF YOU ARE LEFT HANDED
DO NOT DESPAIR

Some of the best calligraphers and letterers are left handed. Recent psychological research suggests that you may have some compensating talents based on the differing activities of the left and right halves of the brain. The calligraphy above of the name of the Society was done by Gaynor Goffe who is a left hander and an eminent UK calligraphic artist and teacher.

The problem arises most acutely with pen calligraphy. Pen calligraphy using an edged pen requires that the angle of the nib must be absolutely right relative to the baseline. For right hander, just holding the pen to the surface delivers the required angle. For left handers the hand approaches from the opposite direction which means the angle is difficult to achieve comfortably.

Often left handers develop very strange ways of gripping the pen to compensate for the problem of angle. A more normal and proper relaxed grip is to be encouraged rather than these unusual grips which tend to add tension to the writing action and to restrict the freedom of movement which is absolutely necessary for the production of beautiful curves and flowing letters.

If you do want to get to grips with pen made calligraphy, special nibs for left handers are made to help with the problem and the more reputable pen and nib makers provide some part of their ranges to help left handers cope. Ordinary nibs are cut straight across but the ones specially made for left hand use are cropped at an angle to become what is called "left oblique". The best advice is to seek out a competent teacher who is familiar with the problems of left handers and understands the need for special attention, guidance and encouragement which lefties need.

There are other, very satisfying forms of calligraphy and lettering where left-handedness is not a problem at all, such as a wealth of letterforms which can be created with a pencil and pointed or chisel edged brushes.

There are some books which deal with this specific problem, in particular those by Gaynor Goffe and Timothy Noad and which can be found listed in the CLAS recommended booklist.