Writing instruments and associated nib assemblies

A writing instrument, comprising:

• an elongated body comprising an ink reservoir;
• a ferrule disposed at an end of the elongated body;
• and
• a nib comprising a self-supporting fibrous nib body comprising an upper writing portion and a lower portion in communication with the upper writing portion, the upper writing portion of the fibrous nib body being configured to deliver ink to a writing surface and defining a void in a two-dimensional plane bounded by at least one elongated beam, wherein the void allows observation of the writing surface therethrough,
• wherein a first notch is disposed on a posterior side of the fibrous nib body and a second notch is disposed on an anterior side of the fibrous nib body,
• wherein the first notch and the second notch define a boundary between the lower portion of the fibrous nib body and the upper writing portion of the fibrous nib body,
• wherein the lower portion of the fibrous nib body is disposed inside the end of the elongated body and is configured to deliver ink from the ink reservoir to the upper writing portion of the fibrous nib body,
• wherein the upper writing portion of the fibrous nib body protrudes outside the end of the elongated body, and
• wherein the ferrule comprises at least one elongated support rib for supporting the at least one elongated beam of the nib.