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St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker Posts Historic Stat Line Against New York Yankees

Sam connon | 9 hours ago.

Sep 1, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) slides safely into home plate in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • New York Yankees

The St. Louis Cardinals hadn't had much success in The Bronx over the past few decades, until they finally got the better of the New York Yankees this weekend.

It started with a 6-5 win on Saturday, which was their first-ever victory at the new Yankee Stadium and their first road win against New York since Game 5 of the 1964 World Series. A lot of that is due to a lack of opportunities over the years – they had only played a total of seven games at the Yankees over the last 60 years, after all.

On Sunday, the Cardinals won 14-7 to claim the series and hang around in the NL Wild Card race, thanks to another historic performance.

Right fielder Jordan Walker, who was recalled from Triple-A on Thursday , went 5-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, four runs and a stolen base in the series finale.

According to StatMuse Baseball , Walker is the first player to go 5-for-5 or better with at least one home run, three RBI and four runs against the Yankees since Al Simmons in 1929. Jimmy Dykes is the only other player in MLB history on the list alongside Walker and Simmons, starting the exclusive club on Oct. 2, 1925.

Walker is the only one of the three to also steal a base in the same game.

Jordan Walker vs the Yankees today: 5-5 1 HR 3 RBI 4 R The last player to go 5-5 (or better) with those numbers vs the Yankees? Al Simmons in 1929. pic.twitter.com/kU0lr5Sp1Y — StatMuse Baseball (@statmusemlb) September 1, 2024

Walker, 22, has spent most of this season in the minors after struggling coming out of the gates in April. On the whole this year, he is still batting just .195 with a .566 OPS.

The home run Walker hit and the base he stole Sunday were each his first of 2024.

In 2023, Walker hit .276 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, seven stolen bases, a .787 OPS in 117 games.

Walker won't be able to salvage his 2024 campaign enough to match those numbers, but his historic showing on Sunday was certainly a good start.

The Cardinals are set to open another road series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET.

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Sam Connon

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.

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  • Anastasia Shevchuk
  • Feb 27, 2017

Calligraphy Art: Getting Started And Lessons Learned

  • 18 min read
  • Inspiration , Fonts , Design , Art , Lettering , Calligraphy
  • Share on Twitter ,  LinkedIn

About The Author

Anastasia is web designer during the day and calligrapher at night. Over the last year she got seriously interested in calligraphy and lettering, with an … More about Anastasia ↬

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Typography is a primary element of composition. Being a designer, I pay a lot of attention to its quality. Operating Photoshop is easy for me; however, to level up my skills, I am always learning to work with letters, using my hands, without any computer programs.

The first time I took a calligraphy course was about a year ago, and the decision was quite hard. I was sure that it would be painstaking and that I would need excellent handwriting to learn this art. How mistaken I was!

"Type is saying things to us all the time. Typefaces express a mood, an atmosphere. They give words a certain coloring." – Rick Poynor (“Helvetica”, 2007)

Typefaces are always telling us something. We receive information through typography. Type influences us, adds coloring to words, sets a mood and atmosphere, assists, teaches, scares us, brings us joy and inspires us.

Typography is, foremost, an information medium. At the same time, it fulfils social functions and acts as an indicator of the age it belongs to. The contemporary world has its own rhythm , aesthetic and philosophy; while we are changing, everything is changing around us. In studying historical lettering in calligraphy, we can understand the character and potential of a writing instrument, and, as a result, we can manage its expressive means.

My Introduction To Calligraphy

When I joined the calligraphy course, I heard students talking amongst themselves: “I’ll never manage to do it this way!” “I can’t write in such a beautiful way!”

To tell the truth, I felt the same way. But that was nonsense! And I say that as a master of Photoshop who couldn’t handwrite plain lines only a year ago.

"Type is a visual language, which connects the writer and the reader." – Erik Spiekermann

Our first lesson was to write simple strokes, the basis of all letters, with a flat paintbrush.

Tip: A lot of useful resources and online courses are on the Internet. However, I recommend starting by learning from professionals (in workshops, at calligraphy schools). A professional will help you to develop proper technique, answer your questions and prompt you in the nuances of the craft. Even something as seemingly simple as one’s posture and pen-holding technique will substantially influence the result.

Studying in a course had a positive outcome. Writing with different instruments and trying different techniques, I could figure out which instrument suits me best.

I learned the history of calligraphy, I learned how to customize my workplace, and I learned how to choose an instrument. I practiced Cyrillic ornamental script, textura quadrata, italic, English roundhand, modern calligraphy, brush pen lettering and chalk lettering. I also learned how to make my own calligraphy instruments.

"Calligraphy is the most intimate, personal, spontaneous form of expression. Like a fingerprint or a voice, it is unique for each person." – Hermann Zapf

Tip: I recommend devoting your initial lessons to writing with a flat paintbrush. Get accustomed to the instrument, and study the “skeleton” of letters (graphemes). Soon after that, practice Cyrillic ornamental script, textura quadrata and italic.

Write the alphabet, then start with words and continue on to sentences. Next, you could proceed to study the pointed nib and the typefaces that rely on it: English roundhand, modern calligraphy script, flourishing, Spencerian and other Copperplate styles.

"With the development of an international exchange of information, there is a need for universal fonts. Today, Texture and other Gothic fonts are only used as a reminder of a bygone era, in particular, in newspaper logos." – Erik Spiekermann

Each lesson was a meditation. Soon after a lesson, I felt relaxed, energetic and inspired. And I got a good result on paper! The craft is a remedy and exercise for the mind and soul.

My Own Project: “Hello From…”

Having fallen in love with calligraphy, I came to prefer a sketchbook to a camera while on vacation. At a conference in St. Petersburg this spring, I got inspired by various graphic designers’ presentations and by the talk by renowned calligrapher Pokras Lampas . I wanted to put everything aside and write something. In such an inspired state, I signed a card to say hello to my friends from that wonderful city. Thus, a simple card began my project “Hello From.” The idea was to show the essence of a place through lettering; I would take a photo of the card with the city in the background.

Other photos from the project can be found below. You can stay up to date on my Instagram account ! There will be many interesting countries and medieval-aged cities soon!

Benefits: What Is The Use Of Calligraphy Lessons?

  • Pleasure You will derive great pleasure from working with your hands.
  • Patience Calligraphy is meditative. Diving into the world of letters and waltzing through the soft lines will make you more calm and serene.
  • Age not a factor Banish the thought that you can’t start learning because of your age. At any age, learning has a positive effect on the brain and expands one’s worldview. It is also good to teach children calligraphy, which will improve their brain activity and develop their fine motor skills.
  • A sketchbook, not a camera, for vacation I guarantee that you will see quick and steady progress and that you will want to take your sketchbook and pens with you wherever you go, to be able to write whenever you get inspired.
  • Attention to surroundings You will become observant. You will find inspiration for new work everywhere, from building faces on the street to old books on the shelf.
  • Unique corporate identity More and more companies are using calligraphy and lettering in their trademark style. It lends uniqueness and instills trust in the customer.
  • Manual dexterity The skill has an influence on one’s thinking, memory, imagination, powers of observation, coordination and agility.
  • Inexpensive Most of the tools can be found at an affordable price. And craft paper can be done with the help of coffee, paint, etc.
  • Monetization Nowadays, calligraphy is especially popular for wedding invitations, holiday cards, logos and many other design elements.

Possible Challenges

  • Damage of tools . Without sufficient knowledge, one might find it difficult to write with a nib. This could lead to tool damage, catching paper with the nib and, as a result, torn paper. A beginner might even give up because of such bad results.
  • Silence helps . Some people (though not everybody) might have a problem working when a lot of people are distracting their attention. I recommend training in silence, relaxed and concentrated.
  • Bad mood = bad result . You will not be able to draw soft, delicate lines in a state of anger. If you are in a bad mood, put the work aside.

As in sports and music, in calligraphy it is important to train every day, to be patient and to feel inspired.

Achieving Good Results

Here are some tips based on my experience:

  • Learn every day. Attend master classes and courses, study online, and participate in competitions.
  • Practice by copying. Choose projects you like and copy them to understand how the composition and contrast work.
  • Warm up. Start with some warmup exercises before getting down to work. Clench and release your fingers, rub and move your hands in circles to warm them up. While writing, do eye exercises from time to time.
  • Collect different styles of handwritings. You can find these in postcards and old letters. Analyze them. These will help you to come up with new and interesting combinations of typefaces.
  • Try new things. Write with different tools and on different kinds of paper. Conventional designs are only one benefit! I write on wallpapers, bookshelf stands and old notebooks. It’s enough to begin writing with ordinary tools everybody has at home (pencils, brushes, markers). If none are at your disposal, then you can get creative and even try writing with a carrot, for example.
  • Take care of your tools. Wash and wipe dry your tools after each exercise. When I was a beginner, I rusted and damaged several nibs irrevocably because of untimely cleaning.
  • Show your work to professionals. An objective review will help you to find and correct mistakes. Don’t be offended by criticism; treat it as a compliment.
  • Don’t worry about other people’s opinion. Don’t give up, even if your progress is not as fast as you would like. Good results will come.
  • Mind your sitting posture. This rule is key to beautiful handwriting. If you follow it, you will be able to work at the table for a long time without discomfort or hand pain.
  • Collect references. A box of ideas is very helpful. When I’m not feeling inspired and need a creative punch, I close my eyes and take out two magazine cuttings; I’ll analyze them and try to combine their styles and play around with them.

Sources Of Inspiration

"Inspiration. From real life. I open my eyes and I travel and I look. And I read everything." – Erik Spiekermann

It is hard to create something without experience. Therefore, I recommend collecting ideas. However, at the beginning, after looking through hundreds of beautiful pictures, I sometimes lose confidence and think, “I can’t do that!” Calm down. Before you panic, do the following:

  • Open the cabinet. If you have a box of old postcards and magazines, look through them. Cut out worthwhile elements and put them in an ideas box (your personal, offline Pinterest).
  • Wander the city with a camera. You will find a lot of bars and cafes with interesting logo designs, window designs and branding. These visuals will give you ideas for interesting compositions.
  • Hit the market. Buy a couple of cheap vintage books and postcards from your local book market. Analyze the typefaces, text designs and color schemes.
  • Meet new people and share your experience. Together, you can create new projects and get valuable feedback. Showing your work to others will enable you to find and correct mistakes more quickly. Collaborate with photographers and other creative people.
  • Follow trends. Analyze what is in fashion now and what will be in fashion for the next couple of years. Constantly move forward.
  • Check in on Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Here, you will find plenty of beautiful design work. However, be cautious, and don’t be overwhelmed. The less you look at readymade solutions on the Internet, the better. You want to give yourself the chance to create something completely unique.

Interested In Calligraphy Yet?

Then let’s start! Let’s look at the tools you will need for the first lesson.

Sure, you don’t have to buy everything in this photo! Consider your abilities and preferences. Below is a detailed list to give you a general idea of the tools you’ll need for different styles of writing:

  • paper for handwriting,
  • printed handwriting worksheets,
  • examples of alphabets,
  • pair of compasses,
  • pigma micron permanent pens,
  • rubber and kneaded rubber,
  • calligraphy ink,
  • flat paintbrushes,
  • straight pen holder,
  • oblique pen holder,
  • nibs (square cut and pointed),
  • Pilot Parallel pen and cartridges,
  • brush pens,
  • water brush.

Details About Tools

In the beginning, ordinary notebooks, copy books, office paper and even old wallpaper will be enough for practice. Try to get paper with a smooth surface and a higher density than office paper; otherwise, the ink will not flow and the nib will not catch the paper. Rhobia and Fabriano paper are quite good, but try different variants to find the best one for you.

Unused wallpaper and draft work is perfectly suited to writing with brushes and brush pens. At a more advanced level, you could use texture paper and handmade paper, which is great for making postcards and wedding invitations.

Printed Handwriting Worksheets And Alphabets

This is mandatory: It is impossible to write letters at a proper height or write a line of text without positioning and marking the sheet of paper. The most handy solution would be to put a printed handwriting worksheet under the sheet of paper you’re writing on. The worksheet will show through the paper, guiding you on the height and incline of elements. A ruler and pencil might also help, but lining would take time.

You can download handwriting worksheets or make the required adjustments yourself (second link in Russian).

Samples of alphabets will show you how to draw letters correctly. Print them out and put them under your sheet of paper as a guideline. Examples can be found and downloaded on Pinterest .

I recommend writing each letter on a separate sheet of paper, to better remember the motion of letters and to train your hand. This will surely take more time, but after you’ve written a lot of drafts, your hand will move confidently without trembling, and you will remember how letters are drawn by heart. Let’s start!

Calligraphy Ink, Ink And Paint

Stores offer a great selection of calligraphy ink. Choose whatever you want — experiment! For an entry level, ordinary watercolor paint is quite enough.

Chinese ink is perfect for this work. But pay attention to the expiry date. Buy fresh ink, otherwise you risk getting clods, which will impede the flow of ink from the nib.

Dr. Ph. Martin’s ink is one of my favorites. The selection of colors and variants is quite extensive, but it is quite expensive.

Pearl ink looks beautiful on dark and high-contrast surfaces. I like Finetec’s dry golden palettes. Work done with it looks exquisite.

Flat Paint Brushes And Brush Pens

As mentioned, I first learned to write with a flat synthetic paintbrush. It’s a great choice for learning letter graphemes, and it is the most economical choice.

Brush pens are a good tool to learn brush calligraphy and lettering. They come with and without cartridges. Brushes have different quality levels, densities, sizes and shapes. Find one you are comfortable writing with.

Water brushes are handy because you can fill them with ink or watercolor yourself. The disadvantage is that if, used improperly, they can get dry or dirty. I prefer to put my water brushes in ink or paint but not to fill them in. This way, they last longer.

Pen Holders

Pen holders can be straight and oblique. A straight pen holder is good for square-cut pens and for writing different typefaces (for example, rustic capitals, square capitals, uncials and artificial uncials, textura quadrata, italics, etc.).

At the same time, an oblique pen holder with a pointed pen better suits cursive writing. Due to its initial incline, you will not have to bend your hand so much. It can be adjusted for different pens or just one particular pen.

Oblique pen holders have a flange at the end of the handle — the metal part of the holder where the pen is put in. This helps to regulate the angle of incline.

I also have a straight holder that looks like a feather. It is more decorative and adds some atmosphere as I’m working, but it is not as comfortable as other holders. I use it mainly for photos.

Nibs are square cut or pointed. As suggested earlier, you’d better learn typefaces with a square-cut nib. These nibs are quite rough, which makes the work easier and which will train you for a pointed nib.

Tip: If you are left-handed, you just need to find a nib that bends from right to left.

Pointed nibs are specially designed for cursive. They come in different sizes and can be used for different line thicknesses and different writing styles. After trying several of them, you will find a favorite.

Tip: Take care of your writing tools. Wash and wipe dry your tools after each exercise.

Pilot Parallel Pen

These are wonderful pens with a square-cut nib! They are very firm and comfortable to use. Though they work with the original cartridges (which are quite expensive), the empty ones can be refilled with a syringe.

Mmm, books! You will find a lot of useful information and tips in books. I recommend beginning with these wonderful ones:

  • The Art of Calligraphy
  • The Calligrapher’s Bible
  • The Complete Calligrapher
  • Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering
  • Calligraphy: A Book of Contemporary Inspiration
  • Step-by-Step: Calligraphy
  • The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering: Create and Develop Your Own Style

In these books, you will learn the history of calligraphy, find descriptions of diverse alphabets (written using the elements of handwriting worksheets), learn about tools, read tips on how to adjust your workspace, tutorials and more.

Other Tools

  • Pencils . Many books recommend starting calligraphy by writing with two pencils (firmly bound together), training yourself to build letters this way. In any case, a pencil will be useful for sketches and draft text writing, which you can use as a basis for writing in ink.
  • A pair of compasses . For lining round objects in composition.
  • Pigma micron permanent pens . These pens are perfect for preliminary sketches and drawing out letters.
  • Writing desk . A wooden sketchboard can be adjusted at different angles against the table, and the sheet of paper would then be fixed on the surface.
  • A rubber and a kneaded rubber . I mostly use a kneaded rubber, because it doesn’t leave waste after cleaning.
  • Rulers . They are needed to mark up the sheet of paper and to set the height of letters. You could use a printed handwriting worksheet and put it under the sheet of paper instead.

Other Photos From My Project “Hello From…”

Nowadays calligraphy is in fashion, which only makes me happier. In comparison to digital text, handwriting is a distinct art form, and its uniqueness is being valued more and more highly.

The art of beautiful handwriting shouldn’t be forgotten, and I thank everybody who supports and promotes it today.

I hope that I’ve managed to convince you that anyone can learn the art of calligraphy! All you need is daily practice, inspiration and belief in yourself. And I believe in you. Good luck!

Let’s Practice!

To consolidate your knowledge, I suggest you draw a birthday card. Grab a brush, ink or paint and some cartridge paper. Line the paper, and write your text in the middle of the paper with a pencil. Feel free to add some decorative elements around the lettering according to your taste (balloons, flowers, confetti, etc.).

Make sure that the final composition is aligned and symmetrical. Now you can trace around the letters in ink. Not that difficult, right?

Attach your result in the comments. Can’t wait to see them!

Here is mine:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via Twitter or email .

  • The Calligrapher’s Bible: 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them , David Harris
  • The Art of Calligraphy: A Practical Guide to the Skills and Techniques , David Harris
  • Stop Stealing Sheep and Find Out How Type Works , Erik Spiekermann
  • Helvetica (documentary film)
  • The Postman’s Knock

Further Reading

  • Understanding The Difference Between Type And Lettering
  • Writing Systems And Calligraphy Of The World
  • Taking A Closer Look At Arabic Calligraphy
  • Beautiful Handwriting, Lettering and Calligraphy
  • The Art Of Hand Lettering

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Everything TypeScript, with code walkthroughs and examples. And other printed books.

home assignment calligraphy

How to Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

home assignment calligraphy

Hello! It seems you would like to learn calligraphy . That’s awesome, you are going to love the ability to never use a store bought card again and create handmade gifts for your loved ones, or to write your crush a sweet note, ooooor when you are fully practiced, start your own business/store (shameless promotion :P). On this site I have tried to put together a step-by-step beginner’s tutorial that can get anyone started from not writing to learning calligraphy in just a couple steps so stick with me. 

If you already have your own tools and want to learn what calligraphy scripts you can learn with them I have a post for that here: A Simple Guide to Calligraphy Tools and Their Respective Calligraphy Scripts

Calligraphy (n) – decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering

How to Learn Calligraphy - Complete Beginners Guide

Table of Contents

Narrow Down Your Style of Calligraphy

It’s exciting that you are thinking of picking up a new hobby (the best one) but we first need to narrow what kind of calligraphy you are interested in learning first. For there have been many types of scripts  in calligraphy over the ages. I will break it down into 5 basic and unofficial categories (but really there are so many different alphabets for each of the listed scripts). Below I have listed them with an incorrect name in quotations that I probably called each of the scripts before I knew the correct name (which is in brackets in the title). I hope that the pictures will give you a little idea of what is out there and then help you to find the script you are looking for!

Script (n) – handwriting as distinct from print; written characters.

5 Types of Calligraphy/Lettering to Learn:

“basic” (aka handwriting and hand lettering).

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Basics-1024x1013.jpg

For those who want to start slow and dip their toe in the water that is calligraphy, monoline calligraphy, handwriting or lettering is where I would start first. It doesn’t require any fancy tools or paper like some other styles of calligraphy. Just you, a piece of paper a pencil and getting right into practicing. Learning this first helps you learn the building blocks of calligraphy like letter structure to then transition into another style.

  • Recommended Tools for Monoline Calligraphy = Pen or Pencil
  • Learn Monoline Calligraphy (aka cursive)
  • Learn Faux Calligraphy (aka thickened cursive)
  • Master Class Monoline & Faux Calligraphy Practice Sheets
  • Learn Hand Lettering (aka sketched letters)
  • Master Class 3D Hand Lettering Practice Sheets
  • Improve your Handwriting (Cursive, Proper and Formal)
  • Want to see all Handwriting & Hand Lettering Styles?: Breaking Down: Hand Lettering & Handwriting Styles

“Loopy Calligraphy” (aka Modern Calligraphy)

Modern Calligraphy Alphabet with Logos

I see modern calligraphy as the best beginner pointed pen script to learn, as consistency, spacing and formatting isn’t as important. Therefore, a beginner can rather focus on learning the letter forms themselves and how to properly use pressure to get the desired stroke shape. It is pretty popular among the Instagram community and has a sort of whimsical style to it that is unique to the writer. Though there are established scripts with the pointed pen I suggest getting used to the pen first.

  • Recommended Tools for Modern Calligraphy (Pointed/Dip Pen)
  • Learn Modern Calligraphy (Pointed/Dip Pen)
  • Want to see all Pointed Pen Styles?: Breaking Down: Pointed Pen
  • Master Class Modern Calligraphy Practice Sheets
Pointed pen:  More commonly known as the “dip pen.” Contains a metal flexible nib (tip) that requires dipping in ink every so often to disperse ink.

However you can also do modern calligraphy with a brush pen or crayola marker:

How to Do Calligraphy with a Crayola Marker Tutorial

  • Recommended Tools for Modern Calligraphy (Brush)
  • Learn Modern Calligraphy (Brush)
  • Master Class Modern Brush Calligraphy Practice Sheets
  • Want to see all Brush Calligraphy Styles?: Breaking Down: Brush Calligraphy

Modern Calligraphy Alphabet with Tombow Brush Pen

“Olde English Calligraphy” (aka Blackletter Calligraphy)

Lowercase Fraktur Alphabet Example With Pilot Parallel

These are blackletter scripts that I started with and therefore are my personal favourite. The pictures are to give you a basic idea of what is possible with broad edge tools . This family of scripts would be, in my humble opinion, the second easiest to learn but has a very high skill possibility and a LOT of different styles to pick from . The line variation is low compared to the pointed pen, as there is no difference in line thickness when you apply more pressure. It depends on the angle of your pen nib and the direction you move it in.

  • Need Tools?: My Recommended Tools for Blackletter Calligraphy
  • One-stop-shop for learning: Master Blackletter Practice Sheets
  • Want to see all Blackletter Styles?: Breaking Down: Blackletter
  • Learn Blackletter Calligraphy Post
Blackletter:  an early, ornate, bold style of type, typically resembling Gothic. Often created with a broad edge pen.

“Hardcore / Heavy Metal” – (aka Calligraffiti)

home assignment calligraphy

If you like more of a modern or hardcore style of blackletter calligraphy let me be the first to introduce you to Calligraffiti. It combines calligraphy and graffiti into a style that looks uniquely awesome. Check out the letter comparison of 3 styles of calligraffiti.

home assignment calligraphy

  • Recommended Tools for Calligraffiti
  • Master Calligraffiti Practice Sheets
  • Learn Calligraffiti

“Fancy Calligraphy” (aka Spencerian/Copperplate)

Copperplate Alphabet Calligrascape

These are the classic dip pen/pointed pen scripts. Similar to the modern calligraphy that I first listed, but much stricter on size, spacing, consistency and formatting. I suggest taking either of these scripts on as a second or third script as they are a whole other beast to tackle. You have to learn the basics through some of the other scripts first then attack this one. When I was first gifted an oblique holder , it was like going back to square one in my learning . It is still doable though if you dedicate some serious time to practicing (as with all of these scripts) you  will  get there.

Spencerian Alphabet

  • Recommended Tools for Copperplate Calligraphy
  • Learn Copperplate Calligraphy Blogpost
  • Master Class Copperplate Practice Sheets
  • Full Copperplate Calligraphy Video Course

Modern Versus Copperplate Breakdown

If you still aren’t sure about whether to pick modern or copperplate calligraphy, here is a video showing the differences between them and below is a letter breakdown between the different pointed pen scripts.

home assignment calligraphy

Calligraphy Roadmap – Styles Ordered by Difficulty

Still unsure of what calligraphy style you want to learn? I have a full clickable mindmap/diagram ordering each calligraphy script you can learn from meby difficulty. Check it out below:

home assignment calligraphy

Simple Guide to Calligraphy Tools and Their Scripts

If you already have calligraphy tools, below is a guide to teach what tool makes what letters. Very helpful to get you started learning calligraphy.

Calligraphy Tool Types

That’s all folks!

Thanks for reading until the end! I hope you found a type of calligraphy to learn in this post. If you did tell me which one! If not, bookmark this page and come back later, I will be adding to this page as I go. Maybe you will find something then. Got a script or style not mentioned in this post? Leave a comment and let me know!

38 thoughts on “How to Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Beginner’s Guide”

I just ordered the Pilot Parallel set you mentioned and as soon as it arrives, I’m going to start with a gothic (blackletter) script first!

Any chance you’ll be doing a tutorial on Hobbit calligraphy in the future? Is there a more official name for it than “Hobbit”?

Hi Genevieve,

That’s great to hear, I love it when someone is picking up calligraphy for the first time! Great choice, as that’s the alphabet I started with too. “Hobbit” calligraphy is a version of “Uncial.” Google Uncial alphabet to get what you are looking for.

I plan on adding to these posts as I go, so that’s a great suggestion and I’ll definitely make an alphabet for it. As per a tutorial, maybe in the future. Thanks!

I have a Parallel Pen so will be having a few practices of the Old English scripts. But I do like using my dip pen too.

Same here Valerie!

I personally love all pens that can make Blackletter/Old English scripts, but nothing beats the classic dip pen and ink.

Thank you for an interesting article. I was always told by my school teacher, friends and colleagues that I have a very nice handwriting. Recently I have been thinking how to learn calligraphy and today I have come across your article. I did not even know that there are so many types of calligraphy. After reading your article I decided to give it a try. I think it might be useful and, definitely, It’s interesting. We use a Cyrillic in Mongolia so I have more opportunity to learn calligraphy.

Hey Batjargal!

Glad you enjoyed it! Calligraphy is very handy, if you learn how to letter you can apply it to anything: wood burning, sign painting, card making, wedding calligraphy… you name it! If you want video tutorials on these styles, search “calligrascape” on youtube. 🙂

Can you suggest the optimal size of the Pilot Parallel pen? I going to use it in the A5 notebook for the gothic style. Thanks in advance.

I’d say for an A5 notebook, you should use the green cap 3.8mm pilot parallel.

I already got my 6mm parallel pen to learn italic, I wanna try all the letters but I wanna go slowly, so far I think I´m doing it good, thanks to your page I´m improving every day. I have a question for you, Do you recomend to refill the parallel cartridge? If so, which ink should be appropiate? Thank you, keep doing a great job. 🙂

If you have the proper ink to refill, by all means do that. (Saves you money if you have an eyedropper and buy the ink in bulk)

My all time favourite ink to refill is Ecoline liquid watercolour, It allows mixing of all kinds of colours and flows better than the Pilot Parallel ink (and doesn’t bleed as much)

It can be found here: http://calligrascape.com/calligraphy-tools/

I am anticipating that I am part of those who want to learn, but run into a primary roadblock. As a 76 year-old LEFT hander I have found that I am not helped at all by video of right handed teachers making letters or righties guideline arrows attached to printed sheets and being told “just do them in reverse.

The one complete (I have come to understand) guide for lefties by Shepherd) is no longer in print and even used copies are selling for $79 AND UP! The very few IAMPETH offerings are basic, but do not have specific tricks and techniques outside recognizing that there are underwriters, overwriters and along the line smearers. For me, it is easy to figure many pressure changes for Copperplate and Spencerian in theory and use some creative movements to make them work.

BUT, simple Gothic and Fractur are seemingly the root of sinister problems (yes, the evil root of the word). Underwriter and smearer wrists do not bend to properly adjust the angle of nib width on the Pilot Parallel pens, and constantly shifting between under and hooked-over positions to make proper strokes for each element in each letter is impossible in my opinion.

Now you may be a righty, and I mean no insult when I say that a righty trying to give lessons to a lefty is like a Great Dane Dog giving barking lessons to a Persian Kitten. BUT. a right handed Calligrapher who knows a good (maybe one or two) left handed Calligrapher could make a large step into our unserved part of the market writing and and videoing Calligraphy lessons that go beyond buying pen and ink by solving or offering multiple ways of solving the problems left handers have.

Some of those problems include:

1. Pointed (flex) pens scratching furrows or digging holes in the paper. 2. Controlling broad nib angles in blackletter without the subtle right handed wrist changes. (Rotating pen in fingers is not accurate.) 3. Defeating smear. A bane of sidewriting that some quick dryng ink can solve some of the time while clogging nibs 4. Coping (for side and under writers) with the lack of ability to pull the pen for what righties get for downstrokes and lefties find themselves pushing against the nib inless lifting the pen and changing hand position completely. 5. Some basic exercises for Lefties that help them make letters look as good as written by righties.

Even if you do not answer or do not wish to pursue these ideas, thank you for reading my consistent plaint as a plow through life at an all too quick pace.

Gregory Chmara Tucson, AZ USA Where Ink Dries Fast

Hi Gregory,

I appreciate your feedback and well thought out response. I would really like to help out lefties, I will try to reach out to anyone that may want to collaborate on a project such as this.

Sorry for the late response.

Bom meu amigo, esse conhecimento que estou procurando em busca de uma caligrafia melhor ,bem trabalhada, esta diretamente ligada ao trabalho que realizo hoje,atualmente sou cartazista de supermercado,faço banners com adesivos e o corte é todo manual>Pinto camisas com processo de Silk- screen e eu preciso fazer nos cartazes letras manuscritas,letras tipo bastão usando pincel de pelo e pincel do kit escrita que tenho,vendo seus videos me despertou o interesse de buscar uma teccnica de puxada de letras que ficasse bonita e que fosse realizada com rapidez.Então amigo eu vou em busca do aprimoramento aprendendo cada alfabeto dentro da minha necessidade,quanto mais alfabeto eu aprender será melhor pro meu aperfeiçoamento profissional dentro da área de cartaz.Quero agradecer por você compartilhar seus conhecimentos, lhe desejar um feliz natal e que nós nos encontremos sempre ,para que eu possa aprender muito mais com Você.Obrigado.

Hi Richard,

Your posts, videos and the whole stuff that you make available for us is of a great help for beginners (ont only by the way). Keep up the great job! Gratins for South of France 🙂 Jose

I meant : “Greatings” and not “Gratins” but automatic text filler made it like this … pffff

To Gregory Chmara , the 76-year-old lefty learning calligraphy – I feel your pain. I am a 70-year-old lefty learning also. The one best advice I found that really helped me was to turn my paper to the right 90 degrees (or close to that). That made it possible to pull my strokes instead of push them, and it kept my hand out of the ink I had just put down. When I use a broad nib, I hold the edge at the same angle as a right-handed person would and make the stroke. Hope this is of some help.

_ Thank you hoping to contact in the short time. _____________________________________________________ Nasr A,Alla Arabic Calligraphy Ras Gharib- Red Sea- Egypt

I lived in Italy for 15 years, 11 of them just an hour away from Venice. I picked up a trove of glass pens and love o write and do art work with them. They hold the ink better than a dip pen and are easier to clean. I would recommend them.

Many Thanks!!

Calligraphy plays a vital role in your education career, And this article is great for the person who wants to learn new skill. Such blogs are really necessary for a student who are looking for new hobby, it can really help a lot in improving.

Great site. Glad I found it. Thank you for all the work.

FYI, your “A Simple Guide …” link at the top of the Learn Calligraphy page points to a password protected, WP administrator page instead of https://calligrascape.com/calligraphy-tools-and-their-scripts/

Great I’m happy it can help you! Good catch! Thanks a lot, I would have not found that. It is now fixed. 😀

I’d really try my hand at Copperplate calligraphy, but I’ll start with the basic one first given that I don’t have a particularly neat handwriting. Thanks for putting this guide together!

Ready to dive into the art of calligraphy? This beginner’s guide has everything you need to get started! 🖋️

very informative and insightful

Thanks so much for sharing these teaching skills. I am 74 and have Tremers. I have tried to learn Calligraphy off and on for years but inspired by you to try once more. C~

I haven’t yet found any beginners’ calligraphy course which discusses the difference between using fountain pen ink and calligraphy ink. The difference was certainly not obvious to me. As a beginner, my first port of call for ink was fountain pen ink as I had a large stock. I wish I had read somewhere that fountain pen ink will not work with a dip pen nib on average weight paper, and why.

I do have a post here about the differences between fountain pen ink and calligraphy ink if you are interested:

https://calligrascape.com/fountain-vs-calligraphy-ink/

Thanks Richard

Hi Robert, I am a middle school teacher from China. We (students and teachers) tried to explore a way for the Chinese students to write in English calligraphy. Their handwritings are in different styles, and until now, we kind of find and can do the Chinese Xingkai (literarily, easy modeling)style English handwriting. To my surprise, I find the calligraphy you listed here followed the denition of decrotive but the Chinese one is ethical, musical and esthetical based writing. The authorized and popular calligraphy (historical fronts, traces and styles)are clearly recognizable without decoration. I also seached the database for the calligraphy literature but unfortunately, I can’t find any. I wonder as you are interested in English calligraphy, can you help us for the English calligphy for Chinese students? English is a compulsory course from elementary school to university.

I would love to try and help you and your students. Please email your questions to [email protected]

Thanks, Richard

Good night. I’ve always been verrrry interested in calligraphy and would do my own thing. But now that I’ve found this site, it’s just wonderful. Retired and ready to go. Thank you so much and will keep you posted, if it’s okay. Peace and Graces 🙏🏿

Of course Aisha! Happy practicing! 🙂

I want calligraphy

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13 Websites To Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online (Free And Paid)

Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Calligraphy is the art of writing text with some of the highly complexed and intriguing forms. It does not only look enticing, but has a whole lot of other aspects like art, culture and much more embedded to it.

Calligraphy was considered a modern art and many civilizations saw it as one of the most advanced forms of art. You can evidently find a lot of cultures and civilizations that endorsed calligraphy.

It can be considered one of the most diverse and unified form of art that was equally popular among the different times. Not only that, you can find calligraphy in different religions, regions, cultures and much more.

No matter what font, language or writing style was followed, doing it the most beautiful way has always been the priority of people.You can find evident pieces of calligraphy in ancient artifacts, sculptures, important buildings, documents and literally anywhere possible.

Most of the important religious and political buildings can be found filled with calligraphy. From red Indians to Europeans, Muslims, Buddhists or Asian, you can find calligraphy in all forms.

There were ancient techniques, that are evolved to be the much better version of themselves but there is still a long way to relive the boom of calligraphy.

With computers making everything possible and you can get those perfect fancy fonts by clicking the keys on your keyboard, one might ask if why would you be needing calligraphy.

Well, its all about keeping the art alive and the satisfaction of doing things with your hand. Not to mention, calligraphy makes your writing style look a lot better.

If you are into calligraphy and want to learn some of the expert tricks and tips to step up your game, you can get help from these amazing websites including:

13 Websites To Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online Review

Udemy Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

Udemy might be your first choice if you are familiar with the concept of online learning. They are undoubtedly one of the top websites over the internet that are offering online learning facilities.

Thanks to their significantly huge library, you can find courses on almost every imaginable topic in the world on this website. The website is home to millions of courses on employable skills, educational subjects, technical courses, arts & crafts and much more.

All you have to do is sign-up for a free membership on the website that will open the doors for you to get access to all these enticing courses. The website also has some unique filters that allow you to search for the right courses that will be best fit for your learning needs.

You can find a handful of courses and that is too in hundreds keeping the library of Udemy in mind on calligraphy listed on the website. These courses range from some exciting courses to beginner’s calligraphy that are for modern calligraphy techniques to some ancient Arabic calligraphy.

These courses are the right help for you to learn all you need about calligraphy and making your writings pop-out.

2) LinkedIn

Linkedin Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

LinkedIn the social media for corporates. This is an essential part of every one’s life who is in the corporate field and wants to stay up-to-date with what’s going on around them.

This uniquely interactive platforms allow you to meet the right people around the world to have the corporate connection you need, get access directly to top organizations and much more. However, that is not all.

They have a dedicated section for online learning with hundreds and thousands of courses to help you learn the employable skills that will come handing in your professional career.

Of course, calligraphy might look as an outdated subject but it is actually not out entirely. In fact, modern times and the enthusiasts for art, culture and history have innovated the subtle art of calligraphy and make it more appealing with the help of technology.

So, if you are looking to learn traditional calligraphy on pen or paper, or looking for some high-end course with cutting edge technology to get the right insight on digital calligraphy, this might be the perfect website for you.

You can find some exciting courses on digital calligraphy listed on this website. They are also offering you with an option to get a free trial for a month to understand the courses and see if narrative suits you.

Lynda Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

Lynda.com is a platform powered by LinkedIn. It follows a unique approach of making online courses available for all who are into learning. You can find a wide range of professional and employable courses on this website that can help you land your dream job conveniently.

The website is focused on cutting the geographical boundaries and help people in the most remote areas to have their chance of learning the skills that are in-demand and can get you employed.

The website is good for everyone and has solutions for Businesses, Higher education platforms and governments to help everyone get the right edge of online learning.

The website follows a straight forward approach towards online learning and all their courses are compiled on the basis of useful information that can help you learn the right skills you want online.

There are certain courses on calligraphy listed on the website that range from digital to traditional calligraphy.

You can easily find beginner, intermediate and advanced level courses on the website to choose from according to your skill level and make it count.

4) SkillShare

Skillshare Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

This highly popular and enticing platform is another popular website for learning any skill online. The website is filled with multiple online courses that can help you get the right edge of learning and choose the best course for you.

They have an engaging subscription option that allows you to not pay for each course individually but have access to a premium membership that will unlock all the content that is listed on the website for you easily.

The feature makes it easier for you to switch between courses if you think a certain course is not working for you. This will also allow you to have your hands-on multiple courses at once if you like to learn things online.

You can find hundreds of courses listed on the website that can help you with learning calligraphy. These courses are the best way you can get to learn the fundamentals of calligraphy and making your words count.

You can get some original exclusive courses that can help you with learning calligraphy basics in as low as 10 days to some highly extensive courses with deeper insight on modern and ancient calligraphic techniques.

Reed Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

You are wrong if you are thinking that calligraphy is a lost art and it has no scope in the current world. Today, it has grown its value exponentially as one of the scarce arts that are being practiced in the modern times.

Reed.co.uk is keeping the tradition alive to provide the most authentic content with some of the best features online. They are well known for offering these authentic courses that are going to help you learn literally anything online.

But these courses are a great help for your career as most of the courses listed on Reed.co come with CPD points to help you grow your profile and excel in your career significantly.

The website also provides you access to dedicated portals to find jobs or for those seeking the career advice.Reed.co is offering a limited number of courses, but they are worth each penny and moment you are going to spend trying to learn from these courses.

You can find Calligraphy for beginners’ course that is for enthusiasts who are looking to get their hands in the field and want to learn calligraphy as a hobby.

There is also calligraphy diploma course listed on the website that comes with 150 CPD points and you will get the diploma upon completion as well to help you with the professional career.

6) LearnDirect

Learndirect Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

Learn Direct is the platform that might not be for you if you are into multiple courses. But this is one of the most authentic platforms when it comes to online learning.

The website is all about convenience of learning brought to your desk. It provides you with all the opportunity to learn anything at the highest academic levels at the comfort of your home.

This website has an easy to follow process to enroll with the courses. All you have to do is meet the requirements for a certain course that you want to join and you can get enrolled with most elaborative and authentic courses online.

LearnDirect is offering a 225 hours course on calligraphy that has 15 modules. This course will allow you to learn all there is out there about calligraphy.

This course contains the information from basic paper calligraphy to some highly advanced techniques of digital calligraphy that you can get your hands on. The website also offers you certification upon completion.

This is a complete online learning program for you if you are not looking for something just as a hobby. The best thing is, you can choose to either pay in full or have some installments for your learning course.

Study Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

This unique website is anything like the other online learning platforms out there. It is a combination of traditional studies embedded with the interactive online learning modules.

The website is bridging the gap between traditional studies and online learning by making it possible for all to get their hands on the right information and educational value they require.

It started off as a website to help students with their academic career but has grown to be one of the biggest online learning platforms. In addition to thousands of online courses that you can find on this website, this website houses numerous micro and nano degrees as well.

They are partnered with various renowned educational institutes across the world and offering their curriculum online for students to learn efficiently. This provides everyone with an opportunity to learn from their favorite institute online and not have to worry about the geographical boundaries.

You can find some courses that can help you with the basics of wester calligraphic arts to some highly advanced courses that will also help you with getting a degree. You can find effective plans, courses, credit hours for your school on the website as well.

8) Calligraphy

Calligraphy Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

This is a dedicated website devoted to help all the aspirants to learn calligraphy online. The website is in existence since 2009 and has helped thousands of students learn calligraphy ever since.

They have an engaging interface that can catch the attention of anyone and keeps you interested in the learning process. Their learning methods are most suitable for beginners and intermediates that want to learn calligraphy online.

The best part is, all of this is for free and you don’t have to pay for the learning material on website. They can also assist you getting your hands-on top-quality gear and tools that will make your calligraphy learning journey much more convenient.

The website offers you access to interactive lessons that are going to be the right help for you if you are looking to learn basics of calligraphy for personal satisfaction of that art craving.

You can learn easily how to create your personal alphabets, headers, have the liberty to play with some exciting fonts and much more.

The fun doesn’t end here and if you have signed up for a membership on this website, you can get guidance and feedback on your work for indefinite time.

9) Calligrascape

Calligrascape Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

This is another dedicated website that offers learning online for free. If you want to learn calligraphy from the experts and don’t want to put a dent on your wallet, this might be the best opportunity for you.

This website offers an interesting one-page interface that has all that you need to learn about calligraphy. You can have access to videos with calligraphy lessons that pretty much cover everything from the basic to advanced calligraphic lessons.

You can also get your hands on the top insight from the expert in the form of words that will make the whole learning process even more comprehensive.

Along with all those videos and guidance on the website that is available to access for all, you can also find some resources on the website listed that will be an additional help to your learning journey.

These resources include the insight on tools used by the top experts.You can also get your hands on the best paper you can use for calligraphy and also some of the nibs that are suitable for different styles of calligraphy you are looking to learn.

The website also has a store from where you can source all these products and add value to not only your learning but have the right dedication and tools reflect in your work as well.

10) LHCalligraphy

Lhcalligraphy Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

This website is a complete package of help for anyone who is looking to get their hands on a complete online learning platform that can be their guidance for the best calligraphic lessons.

Well, you don’t need to tire yourself more over it. This website got all you looking for. You can sign for their newsletter as well that will allow you to receive regular updates about the calligraphic world.

Not only that, the website also has a store dedicated to calligraphic supplies that are of top-quality and will help you getting the cherry on top of your talent.

Coming to the lessons, the website is a combination of teal pink with white that makes your artistic senses feel alive and you know that you are at the right place if you are looking for something creative, artistic that is out of the box.

You can find a number of courses to choose from that includes flourishing foundations to help you with the basics, calligraphy practice plans to help you keep your fluids going and much more.

There is a wedding calligraphy section on the website that can help you learn the art of handwritten calligraphy for exquisite luxury looking invitations and much more.

11) LearnBrit

Learnbrit Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

This is another website that is focused on home made arts & crafts. The website is your right dose of artistic ventures as it allows you to learn multiple courses at once place.

There is a long list of courses being offered on the website that include Home, food, beauty, fashion and more. You can also get some cool courses on illustration, lettering, photography, design fiber arts and other classes with the relevant topics.

Not to mention, they have some great calligraphic courses listed for you as well.Calligraphy has a scope fare wider than a pen and paper and it has been evident across the human history.

Calligraphy has been used on utensils, monuments, buildings and many other places of significance throughout the known history of developed civilizations.

Although, modern times have changed and it feels outdated to have calligraphy over a building but it opens a whole range off new doors of possibilities for you.

This might be the perfect place for you if you are looking to learn calligraphy and a whole lot of non-traditional applications like calligraphy on cakes, dressing, or creating hand-made cards for your loved ones.

12) TakeLessons

Takelessons Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

We have been looking at and reviewing the most websites so far with pre-recorded video lessons and written resources that can help you learn calligraphy.

These courses generally target a wide range of students that have different goals set for their learning journey. If you take your learning seriously and want to have better guidance, insight and knowledge of calligraphy, those might not be the most perfect options for you.

Take Lessons is the next leap in the world of online learning as it allows you to get the guidance from some of the highly expert and experienced teachers online.

This way, you don’t have to feel stuck if you cannot grab a particular concept with those pre-recorded videos. Take Lessons have multiple online teachers listed that can help you learn calligraphy with one-on-one sessions.

This is worth each penny being paid for as you will be paying for the time you will spend with these teachers learning the calligraphy.

These teachers can guide you with the basics, help you improve your skills and rectify your mistakes that you might be making in the real time and that too online.

13) CenterOfExcellence

Centerofexcellence Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online

Center of excellence is a UK based website and looks royal by the first impression of their website. They are rated highly over multiple online rating platforms for their over the edge learning programs and a wide range of non-traditional courses that are not being offered by any other website.

The website allows you to get yourself enrolled with any course you might want and get access to it right away. The best part is they focus on dedicating their resources and knowledge to one course and have singular courses on any topic you might want.

You can get the right calligraphy diploma course on this website that has 150 hours of study and 10 modules. This way, you can learn calligraphy at your own preferred pace and the most perfect way.

With each course description, you can find a detailed insight on what you will learn with each module and who can benefit from these courses. You can also get an elaborative insight on the possibilities that this course is going to unlock for you.

The website offers you with choice to pay once, or have the courses financed for you as well. Each course on the website is accredited with CPD and you will earn 150 CPD on completion of calligraphy course with them.

Choosing The Best Calligraphy Lesson Online

Calligraphy has left imprints on our world that are not easy to neglect. You can find calligraphy’s impacts over most civilizations that hit their boom and had a thing for arts. Calligraphy is still believed to be an advanced form of arts that is not easy to master.

However, if you are willing to learn calligraphy online, no matter what your goals are, these websites can help you. Whether you are looking to improve your hand writing, create exciting hand-made cards or learn digital calligraphy to land your next job, these websites can help you do that.

Leave a Comment

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with all 26 letters in every sentence, help a calligrapher practice an alphabet in context. . Even a website (stopped after 2000 of them). Have even more fun with the calligraphy project .

for all projects in general.

-- Eight suggested assignments using calligraphy. Individual assignments and cheklists below.

illustrated by my students.

includes links to many galleries of truly artistic illustrations using calligraphy. t is artwork created just from the letters of the alphabet.

t is a blog on calligraphy, reflective and beautiful.

Just Google , and enjoy!

offers a very speific style, useful in journaling.

 

provides nine free alphabet guide sheets.

.

(International Organization) has a wonderful website, with and .

-- Provides worksheets, alphabets to copy, illsutrations.

has , a t, a , and more.

generously offers free printable guidesheets and alphabets.

has good beginning instruction.

-- An AP that lets you generate exactly the guidesheet you need for a project.

is a basic reference from the book.

-- Includes links to many sites, with several fonts for digital projects.

The Groom Club’s gives a history and overview, references different cultural styles for calligraphy, and even guides the learner to develop their own unique style. (Thanks to Melissa for suggesting this source.)

“Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country,” Jobs said when he gave Stanford’s 2005 graduation speech. “Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed…I learned about serif and sans serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture.”
 

at Stanford explains how Calligraphy at Reed College infuenced Apple typography and his view of life.

-- Notable quotes about the program that inspired Steve Jobs to learn calligraphy and design the Apple font.

is a personal blog giving sage advice on materials and techniques.

t is a blog on calligraphy, reflective and beautiful.

includes lessons and worksheets.

Katharine Scarfe Beckett’s has much to offer, and my favorite is -- a broader and deeper subject than one might think.

offers links to the history of calligraphy, several intriguing projects, free calligraphic fonts, and tips for improving your style.

 

discusses the consequences when students no longer learn cursive handwriting.

 

Cursive handwriting practice at Education.com offers many .

Alternative for those unwilling or uninterested in learning calligraphy.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Back to Assignments or Home . Updated 13 March 2024 .

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  • Join for Free

English Calligraphy from A to Z

A course by bego viñuela galarraga , calligraphy artist.

Bego Viñuela Galarraga

Explore Copperplate script and revive the power of freehand lettering

  • Information

English Calligraphy from A to Z

Each letter is its own world and has a distinct personality. This is what Bego Viñuela, calligraphy artist and founder of Bilbao Calligraphy, discovered when she began exploring this art form. With more than a decade of experience, she is known for her expertise in English or Copperplate calligraphy and her work has led her to collaborate with brands like Vogue, Mont Blanc, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, among others.

In this course, she teaches you how to master the art of English calligraphy from scratch. Learn how to use the tools and draw upper and lowercase letters until you complete a full Copperplate alphabet.

What will you learn in this online course?

17 lessons & 7 downloads

Lesson image

  • 99% positive reviews ( 933 )
  • 28,012 students
  • 17 lessons (2h 3m)
  • 7 additional resources (4 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: Spanish, English, Turkish
  • Spanish , English , Portuguese , German , French , Italian
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Choose your favorite phrase, poem, or song lyrics and write them in English calligraphy.

home assignment calligraphy

Projects by course students

Mi Proyecto del curso: Caligrafía inglesa de la A a la Z. Calligraph project by Natalia Lanza - 05.08.2020

By naty_lanza

Natalia Lanza

By ariadnaabel

Ariadna Abel Luque

By sofidlcastillo

Sofi Castillo

Who is this online course for?

Anyone who wants to get started in this art form and enjoys creating with their hands, as well as graphic designers and illustrators who use calligraphy as a primary or complementary technique in their projects.

Requirements and materials

No prior knowledge is needed to take this course since Bego teaches you everything from scratch.

As for materials, you need a nib, a nib holder, 80 GSM paper, and ink.

home assignment calligraphy

The course is excellent! The best calligraphy course I've learn so far.

nurvismonteverde

Nurvis Monteverde

Me encanto ! excelente para personalizar proyectos.

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Margarita Mendoza Lopez

Muy bueno el curso, me encanto, sigo practicando para hacerlo mejor

Angel Francisco Soler Cano

Un curso excelente. Muy aconsejable si te gusta la caligrafía. Muy bien explicado.

rahul_malhotraa000

excellent course for beginners

  • More reviews

Bego Viñuela Galarraga

Bego Viñuela Galarraga A course by Bego Viñuela Galarraga

Bego Viñuela studied fine arts at the University of the Basque Country where she discovered the world of calligraphy, which motivated her to take a master's degree in advanced typography at the University of Barcelona. To fuel her passion for all things calligraphy, she has traveled the world honing her technique and learning from the best local and international teachers.

Since 2013, she has been sharing her knowledge of calligraphy techniques and approaches at her studio and school Calligraphy Bilbao. When she's not teaching, she works with different brands and crafts invitations for weddings and events.

Introduction

  • Presentation

First steps

  • History of English calligraphy
  • Materials and tools
  • Guidelines and ergonomics
  • Basic lowercase traits
  • Union of lowercase
  • Capital letters
  • Basic Features Uppercase
  • Warming the hand
  • Capitalization

Alternative letters and composition

  • Alternative letters
  • Numbers and signs
  • Composition

Techniques: watercolors and gouache

  • Write about dark backgrounds
  • Write with watercolor

Final project

  • Introduction to English calligraphy or copperplate

What to expect from a Domestika course

Learn at your own pace.

Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

Learn from the best professionals

Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

Meet expert teachers

Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

Certificates Plus

If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

Get front-row seats

Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

Share knowledge and ideas

Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

Connect with a global creative community

The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

Watch professionally produced courses

Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

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Calligraphy Practice Exercises: Hone Your Skills

Calligraphy Practice Exercises

Table of Contents

Calligraphy Practice Exercises: Essential Drills for Improving Your Lettering

Calligraphy is a beautiful art form that requires practice and patience to master. In this section, we will explore various calligraphy practice exercises that can help you improve your pen control, perfect your flourishes, and elevate your overall calligraphy skills. These exercises have been recommended by professional calligraphy artists and have proven to be effective in honing your calligraphy skills.

Key Takeaways:

  • Regular practice is essential for improving your calligraphy skills.
  • Calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets provide structured exercises for honing your skills.
  • Start with basic exercises and gradually progress to more advanced drills to challenge yourself.
  • Choose the right practice sheets that suit your needs in terms of size, slant, and paper type.
  • Utilize free calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets available online to enhance your skills.

The Importance of Practice in Calligraphy

Practice is essential for improving any skill, and calligraphy is no exception. By regularly practicing calligraphy exercises , such as pen control drills and flourishes, you can develop muscle memory, improve your hand-lettering technique, and enhance your overall calligraphy skills. These practice exercises are designed to help you gain control over your pen strokes, refine your letterforms, and cultivate a unique calligraphy style. Through consistent practice, you can improve your calligraphy skills and create stunning hand-lettered pieces.

When you practice calligraphy, you give yourself the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and styles. It allows you to explore various letterforms, strokes, and flourishes to find what resonates with you. By dedicating time to practice, you can refine your skills and develop your own unique artistic voice.

Remember that calligraphy is a journey, and improvement takes time. Embrace the process and be patient with yourself. Set aside regular practice sessions, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Consistency is key in building muscle memory and improving your pen control.

“The expert in anything was once a beginner.” – Helen Hayes

The Benefits of Regular Calligraphy Practice

Regular calligraphy practice offers several benefits that contribute to the improvement of your skills. Firstly, it helps to develop muscle memory, allowing your hand to move fluidly and effortlessly as you create strokes and letterforms. With practice, your hand becomes more familiar with the movements required for calligraphy, resulting in smoother and more consistent penmanship.

Secondly, regular practice allows you to experiment and explore your creativity. As you try new techniques and styles, you expand your repertoire and develop your own unique calligraphy style. Practice sessions provide an opportunity for self-expression and growth as an artist.

Lastly, practice helps to build confidence. The more you practice, the more comfortable you become with the tools and techniques of calligraphy. This confidence shines through in your work, allowing you to create beautiful and impactful pieces.

How to Incorporate Practice into Your Routine

To make the most of your calligraphy practice, it’s important to establish a routine that works for you. Consider setting aside dedicated time each day or week for practice. Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself, just like any other commitment.

Create a comfortable and inspiring workspace where you can fully immerse yourself in your practice. Surround yourself with tools, materials, and inspiration that motivate and excite you. Whether it’s a designated corner of your home or a portable practice kit, make sure it’s a space that sparks your creativity.

Additionally, consider joining a calligraphy community or finding a practice partner. Connecting with others who share your passion for calligraphy can provide valuable feedback, inspiration, and accountability. Whether online or in-person, these communities offer a supportive environment for growth and learning.

Calligraphy Practice Sheets and Worksheets

Calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets are valuable resources for honing your calligraphy skills. These structured exercises provide guided lines, stroke sequences, and lettering drills that allow you to practice specific techniques and styles. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced calligrapher, using calligraphy practice sheets can help you refine your strokes, improve your letterforms, and enhance your overall calligraphy skills.

There are various types of calligraphy practice sheets available to suit different preferences and areas of focus. Traditional calligraphy practice sheets are designed to help you master classic scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian. Modern calligraphy practice sheets cater to those interested in contemporary lettering styles. Brush lettering practice sheets focus on developing skills specific to using brush pens , while digital calligraphy practice sheets offer exercises for creating calligraphy on digital platforms like the Procreate App.

By incorporating calligraphy practice sheets into your routine, you can establish a structured approach to learning and refining your calligraphy technique. These sheets provide a solid foundation for building muscle memory, improving pen control, and exploring various lettering styles. With consistent practice using these resources, you’ll be on your way to creating beautiful, professional-quality calligraphy in no time.

Basic Calligraphy Exercises for Beginners

Basic Calligraphy Exercises for Beginners

If you’re new to calligraphy, starting with basic calligraphy exercises is a great way to build a strong foundation. These exercises focus on fundamental strokes, such as upstrokes and downstrokes, transitioning between thick and thin strokes, and creating oval shapes. By practicing these drills, you can improve your pen control, learn proper letter formation, and develop a consistent writing style. These exercises are designed to help beginners develop the necessary skills and techniques for creating beautiful calligraphy.

One of the key calligraphy drills for beginners is practicing upstrokes and downstrokes. This exercise involves applying pressure to create thick downstrokes and releasing pressure for thin upstrokes. By mastering this technique, you can achieve the desired contrast in your letterforms.

Another important drill for beginners is transitioning between thick and thin strokes. This exercise helps you understand how to vary the pressure on your writing instrument to create different line weights. It’s essential for creating elegant and dynamic letterforms in calligraphy.

Basic Calligraphy Exercises for Beginners Description
Upstrokes and Downstrokes Practice applying pressure to create thick downstrokes and releasing pressure for thin upstrokes.
Transitioning Between Thick and Thin Strokes Learn how to vary the pressure on your writing instrument to create different line weights.
Creating Oval Shapes Master the technique of smoothly transitioning from thin to thick strokes to create oval shapes.

In addition to these drills, beginners can also practice creating oval shapes. This exercise involves smoothly transitioning from thin to thick strokes to form perfectly rounded shapes. Mastering this technique will help you create beautiful flourishes and decorative elements in your calligraphy.

Remember, practice is essential for improving your calligraphy skills. By dedicating regular time to these basic calligraphy exercises , you can develop the necessary foundation to progress to more advanced techniques and styles. So grab your pen, find some practice sheets, and start honing your calligraphy skills today!

  • Calligraphy for a Latté: Basic Calligraphy Drills
  • Cursive Calligraphy for Beginners: An Easy Way to Start

Advanced Calligraphy Exercises for Skill Development

Brush Lettering Practice

If you’re looking to take your calligraphy skills to the next level, it’s time to challenge yourself with advanced calligraphy exercises. These exercises are designed to push your skills beyond the basics and allow you to explore more complex techniques and styles. By regularly practicing these advanced exercises, you can further develop your own unique lettering and refine your overall calligraphy technique.

One of the key areas to focus on in advanced calligraphy is brush lettering. Brush lettering involves using a brush pen or a paintbrush to create thick and thin strokes, adding depth and dimension to your letterforms. By practicing brush lettering drills, you can improve your control over the brush, experiment with different pressure variations, and create beautiful calligraphic compositions.

Another important aspect of advanced calligraphy is mastering various calligraphy drills . These drills focus on specific aspects of calligraphy, such as achieving consistent spacing between letters, creating intricate flourishes, and perfecting complex stroke combinations. By dedicating time to practicing these drills, you can enhance your overall technique, develop your muscle memory, and expand your repertoire of lettering styles.

Finally, using practice sheets specifically designed for advanced calligraphy can be immensely helpful. These practice sheets provide guided lines and exercises that challenge you to experiment with different shapes, angles, and lettering styles. They can also serve as a valuable reference as you work on perfecting your technique and developing your own unique calligraphy style.

Benefits of Advanced Calligraphy Exercises Examples
Enhances brush lettering skills Creating thick and thin strokes, experimenting with pressure variations
Refines overall calligraphy technique Mastering spacing, creating intricate flourishes, perfecting stroke combinations
Expands repertoire of lettering styles Practicing different shapes, angles, and
“Advanced calligraphy exercises allow you to push the boundaries of your skills and explore new possibilities in lettering. By challenging yourself with more complex techniques and drills, you can greatly enhance your calligraphy skills and create stunning hand-lettered pieces.” – Professional Calligraphy Artist

Take Your Calligraphy Skills to New Heights

If you’re ready to take your calligraphy skills to new heights, start incorporating advanced calligraphy exercises into your practice routine. Dedicate regular time to brush lettering, explore different calligraphy drills, and utilize practice sheets specifically designed for advanced techniques. Through consistent practice and experimentation, you can continue to grow and improve as a calligrapher, developing your own unique style and creating breathtaking hand-lettered artworks .

Choosing the Right Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Practice Sheets for Calligraphy

When it comes to improving your calligraphy skills, choosing the right calligraphy practice sheets is crucial. These sheets provide structured exercises that allow you to practice specific techniques and styles, helping you refine your strokes, improve your letterforms, and elevate your overall calligraphy skills. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting the perfect practice sheets:

  • Size: The size of the practice sheets should be compatible with your writing utensil, whether it’s a brush pen, dip pen, or a regular pen. Opt for sheets that offer enough space for you to comfortably practice your strokes and letterforms.
  • Slant: Consider the calligraphy script you are practicing, such as Copperplate or Spencerian, and choose practice sheets with the appropriate slant. This will help you maintain consistency and accuracy in your letterforms.
  • Paper Type: Different writing utensils require different types of paper. For brush pens, marker paper is recommended to prevent ink bleeding. On the other hand, dip pens work best with premium 32lb paper, which can handle the ink flow without feathering or smudging.

By selecting practice sheets that suit your specific needs, you can ensure a more effective and enjoyable calligraphy practice experience.

Sample Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Here is a sample of calligraphy practice sheets that you can use to enhance your skills:

Sheet Type Focus Recommended for
Basic Strokes Mastering fundamental strokes Beginners
Alphabet Lettering Improving letterforms and consistency All skill levels
Flourishes Practicing intricate embellishments Intermediate to advanced

These practice sheets are just a starting point, and there are countless resources available online that offer a wide range of practice materials. Explore different styles, techniques, and scripts to continuously challenge yourself and improve your calligraphy skills.

Free Calligraphy Practice Sheets and Worksheets

Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Enhance your calligraphy skills with a wide range of free calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets available online. These resources provide valuable practice materials for both beginners and experienced calligraphers, allowing you to improve your hand lettering and lettering techniques.

Whether you’re interested in traditional calligraphy or modern calligraphy, you can find a variety of free practice sheets that suit your needs and skill level. These practice sheets cover everything from basic strokes and alphabet lettering to more advanced techniques and styles. By regularly using these practice sheets, you can refine your calligraphy strokes, perfect your letterforms, and develop your own unique calligraphy style.

Many professional calligraphers and calligraphy enthusiasts generously share their worksheets for free, making it easier for aspiring artists to access high-quality practice materials. So, take advantage of these free resources and start practicing your calligraphy skills today. With consistent practice and dedication, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can improve and create stunning hand-lettered pieces.

“Practice makes perfect. Take advantage of the free calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets available online to sharpen your calligraphy skills. These resources provide structured exercises that target specific techniques and styles, allowing you to refine your strokes, improve your letterforms, and enhance your overall calligraphy skills.” – Calligraphy Master

Benefits of Using Free Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Using free calligraphy practice sheets offers several benefits for calligraphy enthusiasts:

  • Structured Exercises: Practice sheets provide guided lines, stroke sequences, and lettering drills that help you practice specific techniques and styles in a structured manner.
  • Progress Tracking: By using practice sheets regularly, you can track your progress and see how your skills improve over time.
  • Diverse Styles: Free practice sheets cover various calligraphy styles, giving you the opportunity to explore different lettering techniques and find your own unique style.
  • Accessible Resources: With numerous calligraphy practice sheets available online for free, you can easily find and download practice materials that suit your preferences and skill level.
Practice Benefits
Using structured exercises Improves pen control and letter formation
Tracking progress Allows you to see improvement over time
Exploring diverse styles Helps you find your unique calligraphy style
Accessing free resources Provides easy and cost-effective practice materials

Practicing Calligraphy for Improvement

Consistency is key when it comes to improving your calligraphy skills. By dedicating regular time to practice and focusing on targeted exercises, you can enhance your technique and achieve the desired results. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your calligraphy practice:

  • Start with basic calligraphy drills: Begin your practice sessions with exercises that focus on fundamental strokes and letterforms. This will help build a strong foundation and improve your pen control.
  • Gradually progress to more advanced drills: Once you feel comfortable with the basics, challenge yourself with more complex exercises. This could include practicing intricate flourishes, experimenting with different line thicknesses, or working on control with different shapes and angles.
  • Set specific goals for each practice session: It’s important to have a clear objective in mind when practicing. Whether it’s mastering a specific letterform or improving your spacing, setting goals will help you stay focused and measure your progress.
  • Record and compare your progress: Keep a record of your work and regularly compare it to older pieces. This will allow you to see how far you’ve come and identify areas where you can continue to improve.
  • Learn from mistakes: Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Embrace them as opportunities for growth and use them to refine your technique.

Remember, practice is the key to improving your calligraphy skills. Stay dedicated, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the journey of honing your craft.

Table: Common Calligraphy Drills

Drill Description
Upstrokes and Downstrokes Practice creating smooth and consistent upstrokes and downstrokes, focusing on maintaining a consistent angle and pressure.
Transitioning between Thick and Thin Strokes Master the art of creating thick and thin strokes by gradually increasing and decreasing the pressure on your pen.
Oval Shapes Create perfect oval shapes by practicing your hand movement and maintaining a consistent width throughout the stroke.
Flourishes Experiment with different types of flourishes, such as loops, curls, and spirals, to add flair and elegance to your lettering.

Regularly incorporating these drills into your practice routine will help you develop muscle memory, improve your technique, and elevate your overall calligraphy skills.

Calligraphy is a beautiful and expressive art form that requires practice and dedication to master. By incorporating calligraphy practice exercises into your routine, using practice sheets and worksheets, and staying consistent with your practice, you can greatly improve your calligraphy skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced calligrapher, there are always new techniques and styles to explore and refine.

With time and patience, you can develop your own unique calligraphy style and create stunning hand-lettered pieces. So pick up your pen, grab some paper, and start honing your calligraphy skills today!

Embrace continuous improvement

Remember, learning calligraphy is a journey, and each practice session brings you closer to your goals. Set specific objectives for your practice sessions, whether it’s perfecting a certain letterform or refining your flourishes. Regularly compare your earlier works to track your progress over time. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and keep pushing yourself to grow. With dedication and a growth mindset, your calligraphy skills will continue to improve.

Express yourself through calligraphy

Calligraphy allows you to express your creativity and unique style. As you practice and refine your skills, you’ll develop your own signature lettering and flourishes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and styles. Explore traditional calligraphy, modern calligraphy, brush lettering, or even digital calligraphy. The possibilities are endless, and the more you practice, the more your calligraphy will become a reflection of your artistic voice.

What are calligraphy practice exercises?

Calligraphy practice exercises are structured activities and drills designed to improve your pen control, flourishes, and overall calligraphy skills.

Why is practice important in calligraphy?

Regular practice in calligraphy helps develop muscle memory, improves hand-lettering technique, and enhances overall calligraphy skills.

What are calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets?

Calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets provide guided lines, stroke sequences, and lettering drills to help you practice and improve specific calligraphy techniques and styles.

What are basic calligraphy exercises for beginners?

Basic calligraphy exercises focus on fundamental strokes, transitioning between thick and thin strokes, and creating basic shapes to develop pen control and proper letter formation.

What are advanced calligraphy exercises for skill development?

Advanced calligraphy exercises focus on intricate flourishes, varying line thickness, and practicing control with different shapes and angles to push your skills to the next level and refine your technique.

How do I choose the right calligraphy practice sheets?

Consider the size, slant, and paper type that align with your writing utensil, calligraphy script, and prevent ink bleeding or damage to your writing utensils.

Are there free calligraphy practice sheets available?

Yes, there are numerous free calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets available online that cover a range of techniques and styles, shared by professional calligraphers and enthusiasts.

How can I practice calligraphy for improvement?

Dedicate regular time for calligraphy practice, set specific goals for each session, track your progress, embrace mistakes, and focus on targeted exercises to enhance your skills and achieve desired results.

Source Links

  • https://www.loveleighloops.com/blog/free-calligraphy-practice-sheets
  • https://thepostmansknock.com/all-of-tpks-free-calligraphy-worksheets-a-master-list/
  • https://www.domestika.org/en/blog/10179-5-fun-calligraphy-exercises-to-master-a-nib

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Hi, I'm Jay, the author behind What is Calligraphy. As an avid calligraphy enthusiast, I've dedicated this website to share my passion and knowledge with all things calligraphy. With a deep love for the art form, I aim to provide a comprehensive platform where beginners and experienced calligraphers can explore and learn. Through informative articles, step-by-step tutorials, and helpful resources, I'm here to help you embark on your calligraphy journey. Whether you're curious to know the history, different styles, or the tools needed, this site has got you covered. Join me as we dive into the enchanting world of calligraphy and unlock your own creative potential.

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Calligraphy Paper – The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Best calligraphy paper for beginners cover image

This post and the photos within it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a commission at no extra charge to you.

In this article, I will teach you everything I know about calligraphy paper.

Calligraphy paper is extremely important and can have a tremendous impact on your calligraphy as well as your tools.

There are many different types of papers out there, and finding the right one can get overwhelming.

So if you want to learn more about calligraphy papers, you’ve come to the right place.

Here is a quick overview of what you’ll learn in this guide – 

Why does calligraphy paper matter?

Calligraphy practice paper vs. calligraphy paper for special projects.

  • Papers to avoid when doing calligraphy
  • Eco-friendly papers for calligraphy

FAQ – common questions about calligraphy paper

Let’s dive right in.

Note – If you’re just getting started with calligraphy, I highly recommend you check out my ultimate guide for calligraphy beginners.

Working with the wrong type of paper can ruin the look of your calligraphy, damage your tools, and slow your progress .

Here’s a quick story.

Imagine you just bought a brand-new car.

That car can more or less drive anywhere.

However, what happens if you take your new car off-road somewhere?

The car can still drive, but it goes very slowly, you’re not very comfortable, and it’s just a matter of time before you damage a vital part. 

You can render a brand-new car into a piece of junk rather quickly.

funny example as to why calligraphy paper is important.

On the other hand, if you drive your car on a regular (car-made) road, you can move pretty quickly (and comfortably), and your car will last for years. 

Well, it’s fairly similar to your calligraphy pens and papers. 

The most common issues when using the wrong calligraphy paper

Here are a few common issues you can encounter when you use the wrong calligraphy paper.

1. Ink bleeding  occurs when the ink soaks on the paper and starts showing on the other side. It might even leave a mark on the page or surface underneath. 

example of paper bleeding.

2. Ink feathering  – happens when the paper fibers absorb much of the ink and they dont hold it in place. It then starts spreading through capillary action, completely ruining the look of your calligraphy. 

example of paper feathering.

Note  – bleeding and feathering can also be caused by the ink. 

3. Paper fibers catching onto the nib  – when small pieces of paper start catching on the edges of your nib. This can happen both to broad edge and pointed nibs.

example of calligraphy nib catching onto the paper fibers.

4. Lack of control  – some papers have texture on them. This is also known as the paper tooth. Depending on the tool you’re working with, paper with too much or too little texture (too smooth) can be both good and bad. I’ll talk more about that later on. 

5. Fraying brush tips  – specific issue related to felt tip brush pens. Rough paper fibers can damage the tips of your brush pens. Once that happens, you’re stuck with a crappy brush pen. 

frayed nib vs. healthy nib of a brush pen.

Note – Not all brush pen tips are the same. I talk about this in my best brush pens article . For example, the felt tip brush pen of an ABT Tombow is much more sensitive than the small plastic tip of the Tombow Fudenosuke or Pentel Fude Touch . This means it will fray more easily if the wrong paper is used. 

Brush pen plastic tip vs. felt tip.

Ideally, we want to avoid all of these issues, as they can affect our calligraphy practice and the longevity of our tools. 

At the same time, the goal is to spend the least amount of money for the best possible paper. 

Paper Characteristics

There is a ton of different types of paper you can get. 

Seriously, the choice is overwhelming. 

You can find specific papers for nearly any tool and technique you can think of. 

Some characteristics of the paper are – 

  • Weight (thickness)
  • Finish (coating)
  • Texture (a.k.a tooth)
  • Price 

various papers for calligraphy.

Im not going to cover all these things in this article. 

Otherwise, it would really get overwhelming. 

Instead, Strathmore shares  great information about papers on their blog .  

You don’t have to know all of these things right away. 

But with time, as you explore different types of papers, understanding these basic characteristics of paper can be useful. 

Regardless of the calligraphy style you choose to practice, a super important distinction about paper is – 

  • Practice paper 
  • Paper for final projects (a.k.a. Finished pieces)

Finished piece - Custom blackletter alphabet on watercolor paper.

By finished pieces, I mean special calligraphy projects. 

Think of artwork you would present in a gallery, sell as a decoration piece, hang on a wall, etc. 

Basically, something you’ve put a lot of effort in. 

These types of paper usually look and feel nicer; as you might have guessed, they’re more expensive. 

On the other hand, we have practice paper that is usually consumed in larger quantities.

Once you get started with calligraphy practice , you’ll realize how much paper you end up using. 

Used paper for calligraphy practice.

That’s why it’s important to find something that is affordable yet suitable for your calligraphy tools. 

Let’s begin with the practice paper.

Best practice paper for calligraphy

It’s crucial to pick your calligraphy paper based on the calligraphy tool you’re working with. 

It will make all the difference. 

Here are some of my recommendations (all link to Amazon).

1. Canson Marker Paper (and other marker/layout papers)

The best all-around calligraphy paper for practice is – The Canson Marker Pad.  

Canson marker paper for calligraphy.

Other marker papers will do just fine, but Canson’s offers the best price and quantity, and it’s my top choice for calligraphy practice. 

This type of paper is bleed-proof and super smooth.

With this paper, you’ll be able to use various calligraphy pens and inks without issues.

It will work great with – 

  • Broad-edged nibs, pens, and markers 
  • Pointed nibs

Sampling different calligraphy tools on Canson Marker paper.

It will also prevent any sort of feathering and bleeding. 

Which for me is super important.

I still haven’t encountered a type of ink or pen that feathers on this paper.

Also super important to mention is that the tips of your brush pens won’t fray on this paper. 

Brush calligraphy comparison on cheap print paper vs. Canson Marker paper.

I know it isn’t easy to see the difference just by looking at the image above.

However, using cheap printer paper will fray and ruin the tips of your brush pens in a matter of days.

I believe that only one side of this paper is coated, so make sure to use the correct one.

You can find it by inspecting each side with a gentle touch.

Another feature of this paper is that it is super thin (only 70gsm).

Because it’s so thin, you can place a guide sheet underneath, so you don’t have to draw them manually every time.

Using calligraphy guidesheets with Canson Marker paper.

Which is great for streamlining your practice sessions.

You’ll find other brands of bleed-proof marker paper.

But in my experience, Canson offers the best bang for your buck. 

The only downside I can think of is the lack of tooth. 

Paper tooth is referred to the texture of the paper. 

More tooth = more texture (think of watercolor paper). 

Demonstrating smooth paper vs. paper with tooth.

Having a bit of texture can sometimes be good for calligraphy. 

It improves the control of your strokes. 

Too much of it can have the opposite effect, same as too little. 

2. Rhodia Paper Pads

Another excellent practice paper that works with all three main pen categories is the Rhodia paper pad.  

Rhodia is a French-based paper company known for producing high-quality papers. 

Rhodia dot par is a great paper for calligraphy.

It’s slightly more expansive than the Canson marker paper , but it’s fantastic to work with. 

If you want to work with dip pens or any other pen/marker with heavier ink flow, you won’t experience any feathering or bleeding.

Regarding your brush tips, they won’t get frayed and will last much longer. 

Sampling different calligraphy pens on Rhodia paper.

The Rhodia paper pads come with different grid samples on the pages.

different Rhodia ruling samples.

My preferred one is the dot grid, but feel free to pick the one that suits you best. 

A worthy mention here is the PAScribe Rhodia pads.  

PA Scribe Rhodia pads for calligraphy.

These pads are an absolute dream to work with. 

I was actually gifted these by Paul when I visited him in Portugal (humble brag). 

3. HP 32 Premium

HP 32 Premium paper.

The HP 32 Premium is one of the most frequent paper recommendations you’ll find online.

It’s a good paper, quite thick (120gsm) and smooth to the touch.

However, I don’t think it’s the best for all calligraphy pens.

For example, working on this paper with a Pilot Parallel Pen , which has a heavy ink flow, will cause some feathering and slight bleeding. 

Parallel Pen calligraphy on HP 32 Premium vs. Canson Marker paper.

It’s not the end of the world, but I just can’t stand to see my hairlines feather like that.

As for brush pens, they will glide quite smoothly on the HP 32 Premium .

However, the tips of your brush pens will fray over time.

Again, I know it’s hard to spot the difference from the image below, but I’m saying this from experience.

Brush pen comparison.

It is cheaper than the two recommendations I made above, but if you have to purchase calligraphy pens more often, it’s not really. 

If you plan to exclusively practice calligraphy styles with brush pens, I would stick to either the Canson or Rhodia paper .

The HP 32 Premium will work great with dip pens (both pointed and broad-edged). 

Testing the HP 32 Premium with different calligraphy tools.

If you plan to practice with dip pens, I would definitely recommend this paper.

However, it does depend on the type of ink you’ll work with. 

The Sumi ink and gouache will work great with this paper.

Other inks might need their viscosity adjusted with either gum arabic (to market it thicker) or water (to make it thinner).

Either way, this will require a bit of trial and error before getting the right combo.

That goes not just for this paper but for any type as well.

If you live in Europe, you won’t be able to find the HP 32 Premium. 

Instead, here we have the HP Color Choice.  

Color choice paper image example.

Best calligraphy papers for final projects.

When you start looking for papers for final calligraphy projects, you start realizing how beautiful some papers can be.

Also, how expensive 😀

Let’s begin with one of the most common options.

1. Watercolor paper

I would say that watercolor paper is kind of a safe choice.

Widely available and works great with multiple calligraphy pens. 

Calligraphy example on watercolor paper.

Usually, it’s thick (around 300gsm), giving it a nice feeling when holding it. 

An important mention of watercolor paper is the texture. 

We can distinguish between hot-press and cold-press watercolor paper. 

In short, the cold press will have more texture, and in comparison, the hot press will be smoother. 

Underneath, you can see a comparison between the two ( Fabriano vs. Hahnemühle ).

Comparison between cold press and hot press watercolor paper.

The difference matters because it might be suitable for one tool but not the other.

For example, a cold press watercolor paper might work well for broad-edged calligraphy.

However, the extra tooth will give you some control issues when working with a pointed nib. 

That’s why for pointed nibs I would choose a hot press watercolor paper.

Sometimes (depending on your ink viscosity), it can also give you a very interesting texture to your letterforms. 

Calligraphy texture on watercolor paper.

Felt brush pen tips will also last longer on a smoother surface, like the hot press watercolor paper. 

Brush calligraphy example on hot press watercolor paper.

Again, keep in mind the tool you’re working with before you purchase paper. 

Some watercolor papers I recommend getting are – 

  • Canson watercolor
  • Winsor & Newton

2. Handmade paper

Handmade paper is probably one of my favorites.

It just looks so freaking amazing.

Plus, it comes in various textures, colors, and patterns.

Hand made paper for calligraphy.

The downside of handmade paper is that some calligraphy tools and inks can cause some issues. 

If the handmade paper is very fibrous, it might feather. 

If that happens, you can adjust the ink consistency with some gum arabic.

As I mentioned earlier, gouache is also a great alternative since you can easily regulate the consistency of the ink. 

The nib might also get caught onto the paper.

However, that could be either because of the ink or the angle of your pen hold. 

Pro tip – since this paper is usually quite expensive, make sure to test out the ink and nib on a separate, smaller piece of paper. 

Handmade paper I recommend – 

  • Indian Cotton Paper Co – offers different sizes and envelopes
  • Khadi handmade paper

Also, make sure to check your local art stores. I usually find some of the best handmade papers in these shops. 

3. Bristol paper

Bristol is a thicker type of drawing paper that is made by gluing together to form multi-ply sheets. 

Brush calligraphy on Bristol paper.

Because of that, it’s usually sold in smaller quantities and for a higher price.

Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic paper for final calligraphy projects.

You can find two types of surfaces on Bristol paper , Smooth or Vellum. 

Bristol Smooth – great for pens, inks, and markers. Little to no paper tooth, making it smooth. This version of Bristol is more suitable for final pieces with brush pens, pointed nibs, and even broad-edged pens if that’s what you prefer. 

Bristol smooth example

Bristol Vellum – the more textured surface is more suitable for graphite, pencils, charcoal, pastel, crayon, etc. I would pick the Vellum Bristol only if I plan to work with a broad-edged calligraphy pen. 

Bristol vellum example.

Bristol paper I recommend – 

  • Canson 
  • Winsor & newton

4. Mixed media paper

Think of mixed media paper as a type of hybrid suitable for both wet and dry mediums. 

Gothic calligraphy on mixed media paper.

It’s usually a thicker type of paper with a slight tooth. 

Personally, I find the amount of tooth on these papers just great for broad-edged and pointed nibs. 

I would avoid using felt tip brush pens on this type of paper. 

The surface is a bit too rough, and the tips start fraying quickly. 

Mixed media brands I recommend – 

  • Winson & Newton

5. Black & colored paper

Sometimes you want to spice things up and do some calligraphy artwork in different background colors. 

White calligraphy on black paper.

I love the strong contrast of white ink on black paper. 

Pro tip:  For white ink, I recommend trying Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof white ink .  

That’s why I decided to include a few options for black and colored papers. 

I haven’t tried many black/colored papers, but the ones I did and want to recommend are – 

  • Canson Colorline paper 
  • Clairefontaine Paint’On drawing pad 

The Canson Colorline also offers other paper colors. 

You can also try out various colored cardstock. 

I got a set of papers from Ikea, which worked fine with pointed and broad-edged nibs and various inks. 

Calligraphy on colored paper.

However, felt tip brushes are quite sensitive to uncoated papers. 

Unfortunately, my brush pens did not last very long with this Ikea paper. 

Papers to avoid when doing calligraphy

Some papers are better than others. 

Some are just downright horrible to work with. 

Like the one you see below.

Papers you should not use for calligraphy.

Here are the types of papers I would advise you to avoid getting – 

  • Photo paper – other terms glossy, enamel, slick.
  • Tracing paper – good for lettering, not calligraphy.
  • Cheap print paper – ruins your tools, horrible to work with.
  • Cheap regular notebooks – not made for calligraphy.
  • Certain cardstock – requires testing with tools and inks.

Keep in mind that paper can sometimes be hit-and-miss. 

Some might work well with a Pilot Parallel Pen but not with a Tombow Dual Brush Pen . 

You might get an awesome and affordable type of paper, or you might end up with something unusable for your calligraphy tools . 

Finally, I would stay away from papers/pads labeled as “calligraphy paper.” 

They are usually produced for specific types of tools, and some of them come with a grid. 

You might think the grid is helpful until you realize it’s not made for the style you want to practice. 

Again, calligraphy is an umbrella term with many writing styles and scripts sitting underneath. 

Trying to narrow down calligraphy as a single thing is just wrong.

Eco-friendly paper for calligraphy

As you may know, producing paper is not the most sustainable practice, and recycling paper isn’t super straightforward.  

On top of that, it’s a consumable material and gets used quickly and in large quantities. 

Taking that into consideration, I wanted to include a few suggestions for eco-friendly papers. 

Eco-friendly calligraphy paper.

The best choice is to purchase paper pads made of recycled paper.  

Strathmore has a whole line of different recycled paper pads. 

Canson offers one as well. 

I haven’t tried all of these papers, but from those I did, I can say that they’re more suitable for pointed and broad-edged nibs than brush pens. 

These recycled papers tend to have a bit of a rougher surface which will damage your felt tip brush pens. 

Technically yes, however, using regular paper can damage your calligraphy tools. Using the wrong paper can also have a negative impact on the sharpness of your strokes, issues with bleeding, feathering, nibs catching onto the paper, and more. That’s why picking the right type of calligraphy paper is important. 

Paper weight for calligraphy can range from 70gsm all the way to 300gsm. Of course, it all depends on the calligraphy pen you are using. Check out the article for more detailed information on each tool.

Bleed-proof paper such as the Canson Marker Pad. These paper types are treated with a special transparent coating that prevents the ink from bleeding. Thicker papers, such as watercolor paper, will also prevent the ink from bleeding. 

Thicker paper, such as Bristol paper, with a smooth finish. Mixed media paper is also great for dip pens. The slight texture of these papers can also help you increase the control of your calligraphy strokes. 

This issue can happen for multiple reasons. Most commonly, it happens when you apply too much ink on fibrous paper. The ink softens up the paper fibers, which are easily caught by the pointed nib. This often happens with cheap paper. It can also happen due to holding the pen too steeply, so try to adjust your pen angle. 

Printer paper is not recommended for brush pens. Most commonly, printer paper is a cheap uncoated paper that will quickly damage the gentle felt tips of your brush pens. These papers also tend to soak up more ink, draining your brush pens faster. 

In most cases, cardstock is too rough for brush pens. However, it depends on different types of cardstock. A better alternative is the Canson Marker Pad paper, or you can choose smooth Bristol paper for finished projects. 

The best for brush pens is bleed-proof marker paper. It’s treated paper that is very smooth and non-absorbent. As a result, the tips of your brush pens will not fray, and the ink will last longer compared with cheap print paper. 

You can use brush pens on watercolor paper. It’s also great if you plan to blend different colors together. The thickness will absorb the extra liquid needed for blending. Make sure to take hot-press watercolor paper for extra smoothness. 

Watercolor paper is a great choice when creating final calligraphy projects. It has a nice feel to it. It’s quite thick and works well with almost all calligraphy pens. However, it’s not the best choice for regular calligraphy practice. 

If the paper is fibrous, thin, and untreated, then most likely, yes. The best paper to prevent your brush pens from bleeding is bleed-proof marker paper, such as the Canson Marker Pad. 

Yes, calligraphy paper is an important element for successfully learning and practicing calligraphy. In the article above, I describe why calligraphy paper is important and how to choose the correct one. 

Yes, cotton paper is great for calligraphy, especially for creating final calligraphy projects. Just make sure to get the right type of ink to avoid ink feathering or ink bleeds. A helpful tip if these issues happen is to adjust the consistency of the ink with some gum arabic. Gouache is a great alternative. 

In most cases, by slowly touching and feeling the paper’s surface. You can quite easily spot the difference between smooth and rough paper. However, sometimes the paper can feel smooth to the touch, but it’s still not good for your more sensitive tools such as brush pens. That’s why it’s important to pick the right paper.

Final words about calligraphy paper

And there you have it, friends. 

I hope this article helped shed some light on the topic of calligraphy papers. 

Now I want to hear it from you:

What’s your favorite type of paper for calligraphy?

Or maybe I forgot to mention your favorite paper for calligraphy.

Either way, please let me know by dropping a comment below. 

Thanks for reading,

And I’ll see you at the next one!

Best calligraphy paper for beginners Pinterest pin.

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About the author

Photo of Max Juric, the guy behind Lettering Daily.

Hey, I’m Max Juric, and I’m deeply passionate about calligraphy and hand lettering.

I’ve spent years honing my skills in the art of lettering, working with hundreds of clients from all over the world on design projects such as logotypes, branding, custom lettering, murals, and more.

But my journey doesn’t end there. I’ve also dedicated myself to sharing my knowledge and expertise with others, creating a wealth of resources including tutorials, articles, and podcasts.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to see thousands of people engaging with my content each month. Knowing that I’m helping fellow enthusiasts grow and develop their skills makes me really happy.

Welcome to Lettering Daily, your hub for all things lettering and calligraphy. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, I’m here to inspire and guide you on your lettering journey. Stick around, and let’s explore the world of letters together!

14 thoughts on “Calligraphy Paper – The Ultimate Guide For Beginners”

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Hi, I’m a calligraphy beginner. Thank you so much for your sharing! I recently bought a Rhodia notepad(80gsm), and I use Daler Rowney’s calligraphy ink( https://www.daler-rowney.com/calli-calligraphy-ink/ ). When I write with a bit of pressure, the ink bleeds and feathers on the paper, but on the Rhodia notebook(90gsm) is less bleeding and feathering. Does this mean that this ink is better suited for final artwork (thicker paper) rather than daily practice? Looking forward to your reply. :-)

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Hey Sophie,

Yes it could be due to the ink. Have you tried with a different type of ink?

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Thanks for this very comprehensive article, Max—a wealth of great information and advice!

Thank you so much, Drew! I really appreciate it 🙂 What’s your go-to paper for calligraphy?

' src=

This is a great and helpful article about what papers to use. I have another question. I submit my calligraphy scans for printing. But I’d like to put embellishments (gold ink) when I get the print back. There are a bunch of papers to choose from the printer- but I made a mistake, and the paper I chose didn’t hold the fine lines- it bleed. Do you have a suggestion for what kind of paper doesn’t bleed that is used by printers- but is still suitable for framing? Thanks!

Hey Lianda, unfortunately I don’t have much experience with printer papers. Your best shot is to purchase a few different types of premium matte printer paper and test them out with your tools before the print. You can also try different types of gold ink, and I would even try to play with the viscosity of that ink by adding some gum arabic to it. What tools do you use to apply the gold ink? Another alternative is to add the gold embellishments before you send them out to print. But that depends on what you use to create your artwork. Let me know a bit more info.

Thanks for your reply. I’ll try the gum arabic recommendation- sounds like a good idea. But I can’t add anything before- it’s just an image file. As you know, there’s no metallic printing available. But in Photoshop, you can make effects that look like gold.

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Thank You Max, is a lot and very educational information.

Thank you, Jose! 🙂 I appreciate your comment. What’s the paper you work with the most?

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Hey there, what are your thoughts on stone paper?

I tried it once in a notebook, and I was pretty impressed. However, I remember that this particular notebook was pretty expensive. After that, I haven’t looked into it. I remember that a cool feature was that was stain-proof. If you spilled coffee on it, you could just wipe it off with a cloth. I thought that was pretty cool. Maybe I’ll get some and do a test run with various calligraphy tools. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂

I tried it in a notebook a while ago too, but I found that some ink colours/makes were distorted–that is, the colour of the ink once dry was different from the wet ink as I wrote. I reverted to using pencil only 🙂

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Great article, thanks for the tips. Some I had discovered from experience 🙄, others were news and very helpful.

Thank you, Liz! I appreciate your feedback 🙂 What’s your favorite type of paper for both practice and final projects?

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26 “Real Life” Calligraphy Practice Projects

home assignment calligraphy

Lindsey Bugbee

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When it comes to calligraphy practice, people often run into a rut. Today, I’ll share 25 unique tutorials with you that have a strong dip pen focus! All of these tutorials have “real life” applications as gifts or home décor.

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20 "Real Life" Calligraphy Practice Projects

Every time you pick up your dip pen and write, you’re getting in some calligraphy practice. For your first few calligraphy sessions, that practice should be structured — ideally with a worksheet or a video course so you can learn the basics. But once you understand how to hold your pen and (mostly) regulate ink flow, it’s time to take on projects! Today, I’ve got several suggestions for real life projects that you can use your calligraphy skills to make.

1. This Calligraphy Birthday Card 

This card is an all-time favorite tutorial on Instagram. People make it all the time, yet no two cards look alike!

Calligraphy Birthday Card Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

2. This Calligraphy Medallion

Medallions help you to practice calligraphy because they’re basically one big, gorgeous calligraphy drill.

Flourished Calligraphy Medallion Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

3. This Shortcut Calligraphy Passage Concept

If you’ve got a light box and 45 minutes or so, you can write out practically any passage.

Shortcut Pointed Pen Calligraphy Passage Tutorial

4. This Silhouette Artwork

Choose a favorite poem, play, or book, and use its words to make this lovely artwork. Mine hangs in an 11″x14″ frame with a mat in our guest bathroom.

Calligraphy Artwork Tutorial: Woman's Back | The Postman's Knock

5. This Flourished Tree Holiday Card

Take advantage of free time this summer to make this tasteful flourished card. You’ll be all set for the holiday season! (There’s also a heart version for Valentine’s Day.)

Tasteful Twist-Out Tree Holiday Card Tutorial

6. This Perfect Envelope

… Because you won’t find better calligraphy practice than writing out (and centering!) an address.

How to Make the Perfect Calligraphy Envelope

7. These Place Cards

If you’re too intimidated to make these cards for a formal celebration, try using a family dinner as an excuse for doing a “dry run”.

Basic Calligraphy Place Cards Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

8. This Goal List

In my experience, goals are easiest to achieve when you see them every day. And goals are easiest to display when they’re beautifully written out!

Printable Goal List with Botanical Border | The Postman's Knock

9. This Comforting Card

I made this card for a friend who was feeling a little down about the COVID quarantine. However, you could modify the concept to fit any occasion.

A Comforting Card Tutorial

10. This Calligraphy Ampersand Art

This ampersand gives you a great opportunity for calligraphy practice, and it makes a stellar gift!

Calligraphy Ampersand Art Tutorial

11. This Flourished Bunny Envelope Art

My nieces (ages 6 and 4) were so happy to receive this envelope. Who doesn’t love a cute bunny?!

Free Printable "Flourish by Number" Bunny | The Postman's Knock

12. This Balloon-Themed Birthday Card

This card does require just a bit of illustration, but I promise it’s simple! Use the balloon strings to convey your warm wishes with calligraphy.

Quick Balloon Birthday Card Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

13. These Gift Tags

A midcentury design motif meets Amy Style calligraphy to result in holiday gift tag perfection!

DIY Holiday Gift Tags Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

14. This Flourished Phrase

With just a few sweeping strokes, you can transform an ordinary phrase into an eye-catching work of art.

Simple Calligraphy Flourishing Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

15. This Personalized Feather Banner

I love to make these bohemian banners for guests.

Paper Feathers Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

16. This Traceable Calligraphy Flourishes Card

Don’t be intimidated: these flourishes are all traceable from a free template (you can find it in the tutorial ).

Traceable Calligraphy Flourishes Card Tutorial

17. These Paper Sashes

Nothing ties your paper goods together better than paper sashes, both visually and literally! Make calligraphy on your sashes, and you’ve got a beautiful presentation.

Paper Belly Bands: 3 Simple Tutorials | The Postman's Knock

18. This Christmas Tree Calligraphy Envelope

This envelope is so magical that I made it for my friend in 2017, and I never could bring myself to let it go! Now that she’s moved, I have an excuse to keep it forever.

Christmas Tree Holiday Envelope Art Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

19. This Calligraphy Exemplar

If you’re up for developing your own calligraphy style, try making an exemplar so you can remember all of the letter formations!

You can use these templates to make a calligraphy exemplar like this one!

20. This Breezy Envelope Art

The fun, coastal look of this envelope art is the perfect complement to a summer day!

Breezy Hand-Lettering Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

21. This Flourished Swan Envelope Art

Feeling up for a calligraphy practice challenge? Try tackling Schin Loong ‘s swan envelope art!

Bleed Proof White Ink

22. This Flourished Calligraphy Country or State Artwork

You can use calligraphy and flourishes to fill in any country or state silhouette, which makes for a fabulous gift!

Flourished Calligraphy Country or State Art Tutorial

I also used this concept to make this artwork , which I gave to my (Kansas-dwelling) brother as a Christmas gift:

State Calligraphy Art

23. This Fabulous Family Tree

I made this family tree for my mom’s birthday. She’s absolutely in love! A simple calligraphy family tree like this one can help to make any space feel a little more homey.

How to Make a Gorgeous Calligraphy Family Tree

24. This “Little Black Dress” of Calligraphy Birthday Cards

I call this the “little black dress” of calligraphy birthday cards because it’s perfect for everyone! Man, woman, close friend, vague acquaintance … you can confidently give this card to anyone.

The "Little Black Dress" of Calligraphy Birthday Cards

25. This Quick Calligraphy City Map

This simple project incorporates a hand-drawn roadmap, calligraphy, and lettering. If you’re looking for a quick and meaningful gift, give this map a try!

Quick Calligraphy City Map Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

26. These Watercolor and Calligraphy Buffet Food Place Cards

These charming tented cards provide guests with essential information about the food they’re about to enjoy and add an elegant touch to your table or buffet setup!

home assignment calligraphy

Remember that calligraphy practice should always be fun, so work on whatever you feel like. There will be some days where you’d prefer to practice with a worksheet or do some drills, and there will be other days where you want to freestyle a bit! I hope that this article gets you excited about project ideas and helps to show you that dip pen calligraphy can be versatile in its applications. Enjoy!

Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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Calligraphy.org

Is calligraphy for you?

Don't waste your time. Follow the steps below to find out.

Ask us! Email Chris at [email protected] and he'll answer your hardest questions.

Step #1: Do your research

practice makes permanent

Melissa was the first calligraphy teacher to take online instruction seriously back in 2012.

A number of free and paid online classes have popped up since then, and we believe that Calligraphy.org is still the best option.

So go ahead and ask Google how to learn calligraphy online. We're confident in our teaching model and the excellent outcomes that we've seen year after year.

Step #2: Check out our online store

We offer a number of classes, so check out our online store to browse all of your options. This can be the hardest step, so we've written a guide on how to pick a class .

Our online courses are entirely self-directed and at your own pace .

We don't have start dates.

We don't have deadlines.

You can start learning within five minutes of your purchase, and you can learn as quickly or as methodically as you like. And you can always circle back for more practice :)

Step #3: Get your activation code

We'll email you an activation code for each class that you purchase.

You should receive the activation code in your inbox within five minutes of making your purchase. It will go to the email address that you used to make the purchase. It should arrive right alongside your receipts.

Email [email protected] if you have trouble with your code. He'll get right on it.

Click the link on your activation code or log into Calligraphy.org and copy/paste your activation code on your dashboard.

Step #4: Start reading while you wait for supplies

wait for your supplies

We ship our supplies every morning from a warehouse in Utah. We ship USPS 2-3 Day Priority within the US. International orders take just over a week via DHL airmail.

Start reading the class material and practicing with a pencil while you wait for your supplies.

Starting a new class is exciting, and we need to leverage that excitement to build great practice habits. You only need to dedicate 15 minutes per day to make fast progress with calligraphy, and that includes reading and pencil practice, so get moving!

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  5. How to Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Beginner's Guide

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  6. How To Practice Calligraphy Effectively (+ Free Worksheets!)

    Build Muscle Memory. When you first learn calligraphy, certain hand movements require a lot of effort. Calligraphy basics like using a pointed pen or even drawing even thick or thin strokes require focus and repetition — this is completely normal!. Through repetition and practice, you can slowly but steadily eliminate this need to concentrate on the fundamentals.

  7. Calligraphy.org

    Modern & Brush Calligraphy for Beginners 🏼 The #1 online calligraphy class - Taught by industry pros - Learn at your own pace with one-on-one coaching ... As you complete your assignments, you will upload snapshots of your work to your personal feedback gallery. You can use the gallery to ask your instructor any questions that you have.

  8. 13 Websites To Learn Calligraphy Lessons Online (Free And Paid)

    10) LHCalligraphy. This website is a complete package of help for anyone who is looking to get their hands on a complete online learning platform that can be their guidance for the best calligraphic lessons. Well, you don't need to tire yourself more over it. This website got all you looking for.

  9. Learn Calligraphy

    start by working through the alphabet - connect a to b, b to c…. soft on upstrokes, firm on downstrokes. soft in between letters. don't be scared to lift up your pen! it's okay to go back to basics. practice your name. For more great calligraphy resources, visit my calligraphy board on Pinterest!

  10. Calligraphy Projects for Classes

    Calligraphy Assignments. Alphabet Sentences, with all 26 letters in every sentence, help a calligrapher practice an alphabet in context. A Plethora of Pangrams.Even a Daily Pangram website (stopped after 2000 of them). Have even more fun with the Quick Brown Fox calligraphy project here.. Calligraphy Guidelines for all projects in general.. Calligraphy Unit Projects-- Eight suggested ...

  11. How To Write In Calligraphy

    Calligraphy is a visual art of writing letters in a skillful, creative, and expressive way. It can give life to boring texts and make them beautiful. Want to...

  12. Online Course

    This is what Bego Viñuela, calligraphy artist and founder of Bilbao Calligraphy, discovered when she began exploring this art form. With more than a decade of experience, she is known for her expertise in English or Copperplate calligraphy and her work has led her to collaborate with brands like Vogue, Mont Blanc, and the Guggenheim Museum ...

  13. Calligraphy 101

    The three-step formula. Step 1 - Choosing a calligraphy style. Step 2 - Picking the correct calligraphy pen + the essential calligraphy tools. Step 3 - Find a proper study resource and create an effective practice routine. Additional learning resources for calligraphy. Advanced calligraphy techniques and effects.

  14. Calligraphy Practice Exercises: Hone Your Skills

    Calligraphy Practice Sheets and Worksheets. Calligraphy practice sheets and worksheets are valuable resources for honing your calligraphy skills. These structured exercises provide guided lines, stroke sequences, and lettering drills that allow you to practice specific techniques and styles. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced ...

  15. Calligraphy Paper

    Bristol is a thicker type of drawing paper that is made by gluing together to form multi-ply sheets. Because of that, it's usually sold in smaller quantities and for a higher price. Nonetheless, it's a fantastic paper for final calligraphy projects. You can find two types of surfaces on Bristol paper, Smooth or Vellum.

  16. 26 "Real Life" Calligraphy Practice Projects

    2. This Calligraphy Medallion. Medallions help you to practice calligraphy because they're basically one big, gorgeous calligraphy drill. 3. This Shortcut Calligraphy Passage Concept. If you've got a light box and 45 minutes or so, you can write out practically any passage. 4. This Silhouette Artwork.

  17. The Secrets To Calligraphy Composition & Layout

    A skilled designer is able to create a beautifully finished composition through a series of. This is true for a lettering composition, a painting, a song, a photo - these fundamentals of design apply to all works of art! The elements of design are the invisible forces behind great layout and composition. In design theory, these intentional ...

  18. How to Take a Class

    Step #1: Do your research. Melissa was the first calligraphy teacher to take online instruction seriously back in 2012. A number of free and paid online classes have popped up since then, and we believe that Calligraphy.org is still the best option. So go ahead and ask Google how to learn calligraphy online.

  19. 20+ Free Practice Sheets For Calligraphy (PLUS Tutorials

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  20. 60+ Beautiful Calligraphy Examples (FREE Worksheets)

    Tools: Hunt 101 for the Copperplate script and Chinese brush for the Chinese characters.. From the artist: "I think that Copperplate (with flourishing) matches the Chinese calligraphy style 'thin-golden-style' just right because they are elegant and graceful.". What can we say about the elegance, balance and breathtaking beauty of this piece by Tsung-Yi Nina Chin?!

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