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9th May 2022
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Top 5 Tips for Calligraphy Beginners

It is no secret that every once in a while all of us like to see some exquisite and captivating calligraphy. But if you are amongst those unfortunate ones whose handwriting resembles a spider dipped in ink crawling on the paper, you might look at calligraphy with envy and wonder how you can get started with the art form yourself. The good news is that it is actually quite easy to start practising this art. With the right tools and regular practice, you can also learn how to start writing like a seasoned calligrapher. In this blog, we have detailed the best 5 tips that will help you start practising calligraphy from today! 

Most Useful Tips to Start Calligraphy 

When you start to learn the art form of calligraphy, there are a few crucial tips that you should know which will help you along the way. Here are some of the operative tips for calligraphy that you should know when you start practicing this exquisite art form. 

1. Know the Difference Between Traditional and Modern Calligraphy 

One of the very first lessons that you need to learn in your journey is that there are two different main disciplines of calligraphy. The concepts of traditional and modern calligraphy are both derived from the same principles, which revolve around the importance of the pressure and angles of the calligraphy pen you are using. 

While modern calligraphy is a much more free-style and loosely structured art form, traditional calligraphy is much more calculated and based on set formats. 

2. Choose What Pen You Want 

While initially starting out with calligraphy, it is advised that you start drawing with a pencil so that you can get a hang of connecting the letters without the fear of smudging or smearing. Once you are confident in your skills, you can consider promoting yourself to an ink pen. The shapes you produce will depend upon the type of nib you are using; the following are some of the most popular calligraphy nibs: 

  • Round Nibs: These nibs are more like those of a ballpoint pen. These nibs will have a steady stroke and a curved round shape. These nibs will not produce the traditional thicker and thinner curves of calligraphy. 
  • Brush Pens: These are the ideal pens for novice calligraphers as they are very easy to use and can help in easily creating unique and distinctive strokes. Beginners shouldn’t concern themselves about finding the perfect specialist brush – a simple marker with a felt-tip and pointed nib would be the perfect pen to start calligraphy. 
  • Calligraphy Nibs: These pens are very similar to simple dip pens or classic fountain pens with a slit nib. When the user puts some pressure on the pen while drawing, the nibs will part and create curvier, thicker lines. These pens can be a little more difficult to handle for the layman, so it might be better that you polish your skills with other pens before using calligraphy nibs. 

3. Start With Faux Calligraphy 

The best way for beginners to get better at calligraphy is to start out by practicing faux calligraphy. This way the artist can effectively imitate the style of traditional calligraphy, without having to perfect the art of using complicated pens and nibs, which can be quite a daunting concept. 

You can get started with faux calligraphy by just writing a word in the usual handwriting, all the while paying attention to how the pen moves while you are writing, particularly during the downstrokes. Then proceed to trace back those lines upwards and thicken the line, while ensuring that the lines remain consistent and thick. This will create a calligraphy-like image and help you in understanding the future vision of your calligraphy. 

4. Slow and Steady 

In today’s fast-paced environment, it is not uncommon for you to be writing as fast as possible, but this isn’t the same for calligraphy. It is important to slow down and take your time while approaching calligraphy. You can only proceed if you take a pause and lift your pen every once in a while. Especially when you are a beginner, you should pay attention to each downstroke and upstroke as you are drawing it and get in tune with how the pen’s angles change while drawing each letter.

5. Get Used to the Anatomy 

Even though we are sure that you know all about the 26 letters in the alphabet, it is still advised that you should get used to the anatomy of the alphabet. This is so because when you start out with calligraphy, you should know all the points in the letters that can be connected to create the best and most smooth possible way for the lines to flow. As you start practicing calligraphy regularly, you will learn that each part of the letter has a different name – for instance, the space between the letter ‘e’ is known as the eye, and the endpoint of each letter is called the terminal point. 

In a Nutshell 

Calligraphy is a truly timeless and unique art form that has aged gracefully even ages after the concept was first thought of. Nowadays, an increasing number of people are starting to practice this art form and incorporate it into their daily lives. The style that might be the best for you is dependent on your personal choice and preferences. It is important to keep in mind that calligraphy is not just beautiful writing on paper, if you are well-prepared it can be a unique art that can help in creating the modern-day masterpiece. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basics of calligraphy? 

Some of the basic concepts that the beginner should keep in mind while starting calligraphy are to keep the angle of the pen constant, don’t push the nib, and make curves and parallel lines. 

How does calligraphy affect us? 

The art form of calligraphy has had an impact on the traditions and cultures all over the world. Calligraphy has actively helped in the improvement of arts all over the world. 

What is the purpose of calligraphy? 

The purpose of calligraphy is to essentially beautify letters and words so that they can be used on religious books, statues, cards, wedding invitations, handwritten signs, etc.