Want to learn Modern Calligraphy but you don’t know where to start, and how to start off on the right foot? Here’s my top 3 things I wish I’d known when I first started practising calligraphy.
#1. It all about practise, practise, practise
What I hear a lot in my workshops or when I tell people what I do, is ‘Oh I could never do that, my handwriting is terrible!’. But your handwriting really doesn’t matter! Calligraphy is the art of drawing pretty letters, it doesn’t have anything to do with your everyday writing. And as long as you keep practising, your hand will get used to the strokes and remember how to draw the letters. So just make sure you practise a lot, keep practising the strokes and really get to know your nib. And be patient, real skill doesn’t come overnight!
#2. Materials matter. A LOT.
When I first got started I bought a nib and some ink at a department store. Needless to say I didn’t get the results I wanted, tossed my supplies aside and stopped practising. I wasn’t until I got some good calligraphy supplies that I actually started to enjoy my practice and get better at calligraphy. So yes, materials really matter. And luckily good calligraphy supplies aren’t crazy expensive, you just need to know where to find them. Which is why I created this list of my favourite supplies and where to find them.
#3. Enjoy and get into the flow
Find the joy in your practice, because if it’s not for the joy then why start creating anyway? If you find that relaxing, enjoyable flow in your calligraphy practice, you will want to go back to your nib and ink time and again, and practising will come easy to you! So don’t expect to much from yourself, put on your favourite music, light a candle and just enjoy. It isn’t always about the result, enjoying the process is just a important.
And of course, if you really want to learn modern calligraphy and get the best tips, tricks, practice sheets and pro tips, sign up to my online course or book a workshop in my studio!
