A Quick Crash Course on Modern Calligraphy

You can create artwork just by writing words. Usually, people with neat handwriting turn out to be excellent at hand lettering. If you are tired of printing computer-processed quotes for your daily pick-me-up, you can try your hand at modern calligraphy. The output is more personal and the process is relaxing.

What is modern calligraphy?

Modern calligraphy or hand lettering uses some rules from traditional calligraphy. Traditional calligraphy has more rigid fundamentals. It’s the type of scripts you see on official and old documents. The style used in writing your diploma falls under traditional calligraphy. You would also often see this in land titles and official correspondence from governments decades ago.

It uses intricate details. Lines and angles are precise and the weight of strokes is uniform. Of course, computerized word processing has made traditional calligraphy easier to make. You just choose a typeface from your word processor and then type in the words.

Examples of traditional calligraphy are Copperplate, Spencerian, and Italic.

Now, modern calligraphy allows more freedom. No, it doesn’t mean you can just scribble words on paper and call it calligraphy. It still has rules, but fewer than traditional calligraphy has.

What materials do you need to start?

For beginners, the best tool is a brush pen. They are friendlier. It allows you to practice your strokes and be used to the needed angles and weight. As your skills improve, you can move on to more complicated tools like classic dip pens and nib pens. You will also need pencils, markers, and erasers.

How do you master modern calligraphy? 

There are various online classes that teach modern calligraphy. Some are free and others charge a fee. You can also watch tutorials on YouTube or other social media platforms. Join online communities as well. They will be a great help for a starter like you.

1. Start by practicing upstrokes and downstrokes

For this beginner exercise, you can practice on any paper. But if you prefer more guidance, you can download free practice sheets online. The goal for this exercise is to familiarize yourself with the proper handling of a pen. Yes, you need to learn how to hold a pen, as you did at 4 years old.

The ground rule in modern calligraphy is to apply heavier weight on downstrokes and the lightest possible on upstrokes. This is what gives calligraphy a style. Of course, you will need a brush pen for this. No matter how hard you press on a regular pen, the lines won’t change.

When you press the tip of the brush pen more firmly on paper, it creates a thicker line. Be sure to pack plenty of patience. You will fray a ton of brush pens before you achieve the correct method.

2. Experiment with other script styles

Once you master handling a brush pen, you can now experiment with other script styles. Try bigger letters, italicized words, or crooked writing. This is where creative freedom comes in. Once you learn the basics of the strokes, you are on your own to find your style.

3. Move on to creating depth

To level up your game, practice putting shadows on the words you write. This creates a three-dimensional effect that makes the words look like they are floating.

You can start with a gray color pen. Once you have a word that you wrote in a style you prefer, add some shadows. The trick here is to imagine there is a flashlight shining on the word from one side. That will help you identify which parts of the letters should have shadows.

4. Combine different colors for varied styles

You are now free to explore the beauty of colors. Remember the basics of color blending. Red and blue make purple, yellow and blue make green, and so on.

If you want to incorporate all the colors of the rainbow in one word, you can do so. The key here is to blend markers. It’s best to work with alcohol markers for this one because they blend better and more easily.

You can start with an outline of the word you want to design. Use a pencil for that. Get a red marker to use for the first letter. Before you even finish the first letter, switch to orange. Do this until you finish all the colors and the whole word is written.

5. Incorporate other elements

Now that you know how to shade and use colors, it’s time to add elements. You can practice with a circle, then write your favorite saying inside that circle. Add leaves, hearts, or whatever shapes. Be as creative as you can and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Once you master the basics, you can now write sayings and quotes on your own. You can even frame your artwork and hang it on your wall. They are also a perfect gift for family and friends. The next thing you should learn is how to digitize your work so you can have them forever.

Meta title: Mastering Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering
meta desc: Did you know that you can make beautiful word arts using your own hand and a pen? This guide will teach you the basics of modern calligraphy.