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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.

Crossroads Calligraphy

Calligraphy layout for quality compositions.

A book I made recently inspired this article for calligraphy layout tips. Or rather, a mistake I made in my composition inspired this post. If you’ve been practicing calligraphy for a while and are starting to create final calligraphy pieces with longer text, read along for tips on how to strengthen your compositions — and to see how I could have planned my book better!

At the left is an image of a pointed calligraphy nib resting on a dried rib of a cholla cactus. The point of the nib rests on a piece of lightly textured white paper, along with 2 dried white flowers and a small red stone. To the right, white text on a brown background reads, "Get Calligraphy Updates Sent to Your Inbox"! Below, a bulleted list reads, "First look at new blog posts & videos, New class announcements, calligraphy tips, and shop updates". Click to Subscribe to Tuesday Tines!

Use These Links to Jump around in this Article:

  • Sketch Your Layout in Pencil First
  • Drafting the Calligraphy
  • Create the Margins
  • Find the Optical Center
  • My Mistakes!

Recommended Reading

Before reading this article, check out my article, Tips for Guidelines and Why You Need Them (there’s also a captioned video on that page if you prefer). It details the added quality guidelines offer to your work — and the person viewing it. Two books I regularly refer to are Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens and Writing & Illuminating & Lettering by Edward Johnston.

Calligraphy Layout Video on YouTube

Why We Should Lay Out Calligraphy Carefully

I’d like to start by saying that I understand intentional artist choices, especially when it comes to pushing boundaries or dissolving them entirely. Perhaps in your career, as in mine, there are times for that, and there are occasions that call for gracefully navigating those same boundaries. Both have merit, and both are important skill sets to cultivate.

As intentional as material choices and calligraphy strokes are, so should the negative space be around and throughout your work. We write the text itself within certain bounds; even flourishes are governed by stylistic and geometric proportions. On a slightly larger scale, calligraphy layout is an invisible structure you create to support the quality of your intricate work.

A quality composition soothes and guides the eye and mind of the viewer, inviting them to spend time with your work and look through it for longer. It will have them think about the message you are sending. A lackluster composition will have them possibly read the text, if not skim it, and then move on with their lives. Read on to learn how to invite your viewer to stay awhile with your layout.

design assignment calligraphy

1. Sketch Your Layout in Pencil First

Decide what the dimensions of the final piece are, with regard to how it will be presented. You may have to adjust this as your design progresses, but it’s better to define parameters now than try to contain calligraphy later. Trust me. :) Your layout is going to depend on the amount of text you have to write and, of course, how you decide to present it.

Things to Try:

  • Varying the weights of your calligraphy to emphasize certain words or lines of text
  • Layering small text over giant text
  • Use a bold, contrasting color to catch attention
  • Adding a border or a decorative letter at the beginning

How to Do It:

Draw scaled-down versions of the planned final piece in pencil. Use wavy lines and boxes to represent your calligraphy and blocks of text. Play with arranging the text and try out new skills. These sketches should be loose and basic, not detailed . They serve to set the hand and ideas in motion. All the while, you’ll have an idea of the big picture of the final piece. As shown in the second photo above, I typically draw the edges of the sketch in pen so they stay as I erase over and over.

Scaling Down Size for a Sketch

To scale down the final piece to a brainstorming size, I try to find a common number to divide each side by. The bar sign above measured 18″ wide by 30″ tall, so I divided each side by 6. This gave me a smaller drawing of 3″ wide by 6″ tall. Try to make the sketch at a size you can still see clearly and add notes. I love to draft on 1/8″ graph paper so it’s easy to add specific measurements later.

design assignment calligraphy

2. How to Draft the Calligraphy for Your Layout

Start with a draft of the text you’ll be working with first . Write the calligraphy at-scale or at-size. This lets you decide on and practice the script, play with ligatures and flourishes, and decide on the interlinear spacing. Playing around with ideas like this gives you the confidence to arrange the calligraphy and decide on stylistic and decorative elements; it takes the pressure off and lowers the stakes.

For longer pieces of text, write a few sample lines of it in the script and size (x-height) you want to use. Write them at the length of the lines you think you’re going to use for the final piece. The average number of words per line will give you the amount of lines you’ll need for the entire text. This will help you plan for the size of the page or area you are working on. With this knowledge, you can then adjust the size or layout of the text to fit properly within the margins.

Tip: Take notes of what calligraphy nib you used and how tall you made the x-height. Take similar notes even if you just used a pencil. Having this information may be useful later on in your process!

3. surround your layout with margins.

Dictionary.com defines margin as “1. the space around the printed or written matter on a page; 2. an amount allowed or available beyond what is actually necessary .” Think of the margin space as air. Have you ever tried to finish singing a line of a song as you’re running out of air? It’s stressful! Adequate margins provide energetic support to the text. Look at the difference it makes in the signs below:

design assignment calligraphy

Proportions of the Margins

As a general rule, there should always be less blank space at the top of a piece than there is at the bottom.

A simple way to achieve this is to make the bottom margin twice the size of the top margin . Side margins should be the same size as the top margin. So, for example, if you decide the top margin is 2 inches, then the sides would also measure 2 inches. The bottom margin would be 4 inches. An ample margin also gives you a little extra room should you need it after all. Enclosing your calligraphy with margins gives the viewer’s mind less to think about and figure out. This way, they can focus on reading and reacting to your beautiful script.

Here’s a link to the tools I use for measuring with accuracy: Ruler, L-Shaped Ruler, and a Protractor

4. Find the Optical Center

The optical center refers to what the mind perceives as the visual center of a shape . This is part of the reason that the top margin is smaller than the bottom margin. Optical center is slightly above the true center of the page, 46% down from the top edge of your surface. Mathematical center would be 50% from the top edge. This won’t always be relevant to your work, but it will make a difference if you’re writing a single line of text. Use your calligraphy layout to plan the most visually appealing placement.

design assignment calligraphy

Integrating These Calligraphy Layout Tips

Start paying attention to what you enjoy about other calligraphy artists’ work. Try to name it. Notice how the artist uses the tools we talked about above. Conversely, notice when you instinctively scroll past a piece you see. Go back and try to figure out what made you avoid it. Take some time to figure out how you would make it more pleasing to you. Also, study historical calligraphic pieces. Notice how they create emphasis and add decorative elements to their work.

Then, consider the way you want to visually tell a story with your calligraphy layout.

5. My Mistake(s?!)

I almost forgot to share what went wrong!

I was so excited to start penning this beautiful text, especially since I took my time to rule up circular lines outside of the bursts. So I didn’t sketch the calligraphy layout . I practiced it, and carefully chose a size for it, but I wish I’d used tracing paper over the painting to plan the placement better.

I did all the calligraphy before I folded the book. It’s better to write with a page on a flat surface rather than fight with the wrist bumping up against the edge of the book. I ruled the lines so that the calligraphy would swirl around the bursts I painted. But between the first and second pages, I didn’t leave a margin.

design assignment calligraphy

Before I started, I drew in the top and bottom margins just to be sure I’d be careful of those. Luckily I caught the missing margins at the folds early enough. But not before I had already made this mistake. I’ve learned my lesson, but that doesn’t mean I won’t make the mistake again.

And this way, we can all learn together. Once I finish this book, I’ll post a video here showing the binding and all of the pages. Thanks for reading!

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8 thoughts on “ calligraphy layout for quality compositions ”.

Since you have finished the book, have you made the video you mentioned above?

I haven’t yet because I haven’t added the covers! I keep getting sidetracked by other projects!

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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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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.

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

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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.

' src=

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

design 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!

design 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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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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Brown Calligraphy

Denis brown discusses his art.

This hardcover book, a visual feast of inspiration, offers a rare opportunity to read how a leader in the international field of calligraphic arts approaches his work, how he forms and develops ideas, and how he created his many unique styles and idioms. The artist candidly discusses every phase of his calligraphy from teenage years to date.

Hardcover, 264 pages with 234 colour illustrations, 89 of which are full-page or double-page plates including life-size and larger than life-size reproductions. Dimensions: 12" × 8.5" × 1" (303 × 217 × 28 mm)  ISBN 978-0-9957657-0-2

Look Inside

In this book, renowned calligrapher Denis Brown reveals the journey of his work from schoolboy accomplishments through rebellious outbreaks to artistic masterpieces. Brown’s calligraphy transcends the worlds of lettering and design to incorporate broader realms of expression and artistic communication. Brown discusses in detail the values of his craft: regarding letterform and composition, structure and fluency, and discipline and freedom.

He also candidly examines creativity with content and conceptual approaches in responding to texts. The artist presents and discusses a broad range of his calligraphy from formal and traditional pieces to expressive, conceptual, and even transcendent works of art. This book has been designed by its author, a leader in the international field of Western calligraphy, to be one of his works in its own right.

Evert van Dijk

Calligrapher/Author Netherlands

This book makes clear the most important aspects of calligraphy as art in this moment. One will understand the difference between real calligraphy and what I call typographical calligraphy. Even if if you are not a calligrapher you will far more enjoy calligraphy after reading this book. Because of serious reflections and excellent works and illustrations, it is the most important book on calligraphy of the last decades. It s a must for calligraphers and all people interested in Calligraphy as Art. 

design assignment calligraphy

Denis Brown

Denis Brown is one of the most creative and innovative artists in the international field of calligraphy. Renowned for masterful command of the broad-edged pen, his work is not limited to style or technique; he produces art that engages with concerns broader than those outlined by craft practice. Working variously on paper, in glass, and on vellum skins, he has developed distinctive approaches to each material. In making both traditional and highly explorative work, Brown skips casually back and forth over perceived boundaries of what defines calligraphy, thus broadening the possibilities of the art. Based in Dublin, Ireland, Brown travels internationally to teach, lecture, and exhibit. For the past twenty years he has been on the faculty of most of the annual International Calligraphy Conferences held in the United States and Canada. He is an Honoured Fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society and a former Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators, the two British calligraphy organisations of prestige. His work is featured in many collections including those of the European Parliament; the British Library; the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; the National Museum of Ireland; the Akademie der Künste, Berlin; San Francisco Public Library; the Newberry Library, Chicago; and the Russian Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, Moscow. Brown’s work has restored production of calligraphy in his native Ireland to a calibre and international fame reminiscent of what the nation’s scriptoria achieved in its golden age. Inspired by that legacy, he carries calligraphy forward in a fully contemporary manner.

Buy the Book Please understand that postage costs me up to $45 per book. It is a heavy hardback.

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Font Meme

Calligraphy Fonts

The word “Calligraphy” is derived from Greek, meaning “beautiful writing”. Calligraphy or the art of fancy writing has thousands of years in its history and development. They are of aesthetics, refinement, creativity and pure beauty. For different scripts, for example, Chinese or Arabic, they have developed their own way of calligraphy. However, either western calligraphy or Chinese or Arabic calligraphy, they have strict rules and shapes with a geometrical order of lining on the page, each character with a precise stroke order.

Calligraphy fonts resemble elegant handwriting. They often look as if they were drawn with flat-tipped pens or brushes. Calligraphy fonts are widely used in wedding, event invitations, original logo design, religious art, films, TV, etc. Burgues Script created by Alejandro Paul is a typical font family of calligraphy style. According to the designer, the font is an ode to the late 19 th century American calligrapher Louis Madarasz, known as “the most skillful penman the world has ever known.”

design assignment calligraphy

Burgues Script by Alejandro Paul

To download free calligraphy fonts for personal or commercial use, you can take a look at our collection of calligraphy fonts . If you just want to create text graphics and logos online using calligraphy fonts, you can check out our text generator below.

Create Text Graphics with Calligraphy Fonts

You can use the following tool to generate text graphics based on your selection of colors, text effects and sizes using calligraphy fonts in seconds. You can then save the image, or use the EMBED button to get image links.

design assignment calligraphy

More Fonts to Check Out

Download free fonts for local use, or create text graphics and logos with them online. You can click here to refresh with a new set.

Lily Script One Font Preview

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Triptych. 1st part: And Now I am Leaving Moscow by Joseph Brodsky

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Triptych. 2nd part: The Season is Winter by Joseph Brodsky

Anatoly Moschelkov Triptych. 2nd part: The Season is Winter by Joseph Brodsky

Triptych. 3rd part: The Christmas Romance by Joseph Brodsky

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The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Dmitry Petrovsky The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow and Russia Forever

Dmitry Petrovsky Moscow and Russia Forever

Moscow, How Many Strains are Fusing in That One Sound by Alexander Pushkin

Yelena Bobkova Moscow, How Many Strains are Fusing in That One Sound by Alexander Pushkin

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Nikolay Taranov The Golden-Domed Moscow

The Ancient Capital

Li Zuo The Ancient Capital

The River Is Long

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The age of uniting the humanity

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Memories of Moscow. Poems by Sergei Yesenin.

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Don’t You Sigh When Staring in the Skies

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The Golden-Domed Moscow

Alyona Staskova The Golden-Domed Moscow

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Calligraphy is the art of both ideal writing and an ideal soul.

IMAGES

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  2. Assignment Font by andikastudio · Creative Fabrica

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  3. How to write Assignment Work in calligraphy

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  4. How to write Assignment File in style

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  5. How to Write English Assignment in Stylish Calligraphy

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  6. How to make assignment ||Front page design||[calligraphy][drawing]

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

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    Strengthen skills in building final compositions using calligraphy layout before you even put the pen to the page.

  6. Free Calligraphy Worksheet to help you practice more

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    Postcards, posters, invitation cards, website banners, prints for t-shirts and many other design products would look more authentic and interesting in calligraphy and lettering.

  8. How to Write English Assignment in Stylish Calligraphy

    How to Write English Assignment in Stylish Calligraphy Calligraphy Master Saeed 82.5K subscribers 132 13K views 2 years ago

  9. Calligraphy Paper

    1. Canson Marker Paper (and other marker/layout papers) The best all-around calligraphy paper for practice is - The Canson Marker Pad. 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.

  10. How to write Assignment in Beautiful English Calligraphy writing

    How to write Assignment in Beautiful English Calligraphy writing || Cursive hand lettering Calligraphy Master Saeed 82.4K subscribers 728

  11. 26 "Real Life" Calligraphy Practice Projects

    When it comes to calligraphy practice, people often fall into a rut. Today, I'll share 20 unique "real life" calligraphy tutorials with you!

  12. How to write Assignment Work in calligraphy

    How to write Assignment Work in calligraphy | How to write | Assignment File in fancy style RK ARTZ 18.2K subscribers 81 6.1K views 3 years ago #copperplatecalligraphy #copperplate #AssignmentWork

  13. How To Learn Calligraphy From Scratch [FREEBIES]

    Wondering how to learn calligraphy as a total beginner? Grab a pen and paper and start writing calligraphy now with this beginner tutorial. Free worksheets included!

  14. Calligraphy Projects for Classes

    Calligraphy Skills -- Provides worksheets, alphabets to copy, illsutrations. Dancing Pen Calligraphy has a gallery of letter styles, a Calligrapher's Alphabe t, a Calligraphy Ideas Journal, and more. Bill's Space generously offers free printable guidesheets and alphabets.

  15. Design Calligraphy Fonts

    Looking for Design Calligraphy fonts? Click to find the best 226 free fonts in the Design Calligraphy style. Every font is free to download!

  16. Brown Calligraphy

    Brown's calligraphy transcends the worlds of lettering and design to incorporate broader realms of expression and artistic communication. Brown discusses in detail the values of his craft: regarding letterform and composition, structure and fluency, and discipline and freedom.

  17. The Secrets To Calligraphy Composition & Layout

    When your calligraphy just looks "off," it's time to tweak your composition and layout. Follow these exact steps to make your composition SING.

  18. Calligraphy Fonts

    Calligraphy fonts resemble elegant handwriting. They often look as if they were drawn with flat-tipped pens or brushes. Calligraphy fonts are widely used in wedding, event invitations, original logo design, religious art, films, TV, etc. Burgues Script created by Alejandro Paul is a typical font family of calligraphy style. According to the designer, the font is an ode to the late 19 th ...

  19. Guilds, Conferences & Museums

    Located in Bruges (Belgium), this institute offers a three year professional training course in calligraphy and digital lettering design as well as short term courses and workshops. This retreat center in Abiquiu, New Mexico (USA) often offers calligraphy workshops as well as a summer program. This annual conference changes names and locations ...

  20. Саlligraphy About Moscow

    Саlligraphy About Moscow Moscow: So big and diverse. So ancient and modern. Boasting numerous historical monuments and attributes of ultra modern culture. A colorful and eclectic kaleidoscope. The centre of attraction for the whole country. Our capital.

  21. 60 A-Z Calligraphy Alphabet Examples (+ Free Worksheets!)

    The calligraphy alphabet can take almost any form. Browse these 60 examples, from traditional to modern hand lettering, to get inspiration for your own letters!

  22. Museum of Calligraphy

    The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, dedicated to the art of calligraphy, [1] is situated in Sokolniki Park, Moscow. The museum collection features calligraphy masterpieces from 65 countries.