Mastering Calligraphy from Scratch: Essential Guidance for Novices!
Ready to debunk a common myth? "I can't do calligraphy, my handwriting's a mess!" Hold on to that thought, because it's about to be squashed! Contrary to popular belief, your handwriting skills have zilch to do with learning calligraphy. Let's walk through four easy steps to start your journey into this enchanting art form.
Essential Supplies
- Smooth Paper Pad (Rhodia, for one, rocks!)
- Ball-Point Pen (any ol' pen will do!)
- Brush Pen (Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens are an excellent choice for beginners!)
- Marker Paper (Canson, for instance, is another favorite!)
- Beginner Course + Workbook (Like Show Me Your Drills, for example!)
Time to Get Started!
When I say this tutorial is as easy as pie, I'm not joking! It's an insanely fun and simple technique that'll have you dripping with excitement. Best part? No past experience needed!
Note: You can use any paint or even markers for this card design. I'm using Ecoline Liquid Watercolours 'cause I dig them, but feel free to opt for any paint or markers of your liking.
Step #1: Comprehend the Difference
First thing's first - calligraphy ain't just fancy handwriting. They're two different beasts!
Handwriting is what pops out when you jot something down in a jiffy. It's a mixture of all the writing lessons you've ever had, combined with your personal style. Calligraphy, on the contrary, is more like drawing than writing. You're intentionally creating specific strokes that just so happen to resemble letters. Think of it as drawing shapes, which eventually look like letters, as opposed to writing letters with a dash of pretence.
Step #2: Grab Your Tools
You don't need an arsenal of 500 fancy brush pens to commence calligraphy (no matter what social media may suggest).
My top suggestion for beginners? The Tombow Fudenosuke small tip brush pen. It offers the right balance of control and flexibility, squishing down to make thin lines and expanding when you press harder, creating thicker lines.
For paper, opt for something smooth to protect your brush pens. Bet on either:
- Marker paper (smooth and transparent, so you can position it over workbooks)
- Rhodia pads (high-quality paper available with various guidelines like grid, dot, blank, or lined)
Guidelines are crucial! A typical blunder is practicing on blank paper without any guidelines to keep your work consistent and steady.
Step #3: Master the Nitty-Gritty
This step is pivotal - and one that's commonly skipped, but it's crucial!
Before tackling letters, get comfortable with the basics - those simple shapes that form the foundation of every letter you'll create. Without pressure, they appear as wiggly squiggles; but these are your building blocks!
The secret sauce? Light pressure going up, heavy pressure going down. Once you've aced these basics, you'll meld them to form stunning letters.
Neglect this foundational step, and your calligraphy will always seem a tad off because your letters won't have been constructed correctly. Nailing these starter steps is a total game-changer!
Step #4: Practice Effectively
Now that you know what to learn, how to implement it? That's where proper practice materials come into play!
I've crafted a free step-by-step course called "Show Me Your Drills," which includes traceable workbooks, guided video lessons, and all the explanations you'll need to start calligraphy the right way. It's helped countless beginners along their calligraphy path.
Wrapping Up!
Feeling motivated to step beyond your doubts and commence creating breathtaking calligraphy? Head over to ShowMeYourDrills.com and enrol for free!
Remember, your handwriting has no bearing on your ability to learn calligraphy - with the right tools, techniques, and practice, even someone with "trash" handwriting can master the art of calligraphy!
Happy lettering!
And lastly, your go-to dad joke ...
What do you call an artwork exhibiting a cow? A moo-sterpiece.
- To delve into modern calligraphy, gather essential supplies like a smooth paper pad, Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens for beginners, marker paper, and a beginner course + workbook.
- The tutorial for learning calligraphy is easy and enjoyable, requiring no prior experience – you'll be thrilled with the results!
- In Step #1, it's important to understand that calligraphy is not just fancy handwriting, but rather an art form that creates strokes to resemble letters.
- Beginners should start with the Tombow Fudenosuke small tip brush pen for the right balance of control and flexibility. Opt for smooth paper, such as marker paper or Rhodia pads with guidelines, for practice.
