Word Practice
Calligraphy Practice Phrases: Short Lines Written for Beginners
A set of short original phrases grouped by the skill they train: arches, ovals, loops, descenders, capitals and mixed lines, with a simple way to practice each one.
Tutorials
30 tutorials published
Word Practice
Calligraphy Word Practice: Your First Words, Letter by Letter
Move from letters to whole words with a clear plan: short words from one stroke group at a time, then mixed words, each written three times and checked for slant and spacing.
Letter Practice
Calligraphy Letter Spacing: How to Space Letters Evenly
Even spacing comes from balancing the white space between downstrokes, not from measuring gaps. Learn the n-counter guide, how hairlines set spacing, and three quick checks.
Letter Practice
How to Connect Calligraphy Letters Smoothly
Letters join through their exit strokes: one hairline ends a letter and begins the next. Learn the basic join, low and high joins, and the pairs worth practicing.
Letter Practice
Uppercase Calligraphy Letters: Fundamentals for Beginners
Capitals are larger, rarer and built from only a few new strokes. Learn the four building strokes, three shape groups, and how to match capitals to your lowercase.
Letter Practice
Lowercase Calligraphy Letters: Learn Them in Stroke Groups
Learn the lowercase alphabet by shared strokes instead of a to z: five letter groups, the strokes each one uses, and what to watch as you assemble every letter.
Calligraphy Techniques
Calligraphy Slant: How to Keep Your Letters Leaning the Same Way
Slant is the lean of your downstrokes from the baseline. Learn how to choose one, rule slant lines, rotate the paper, and check that stems, ovals and loops all lean the same way.
Calligraphy Techniques
Pen Angle in Calligraphy: What It Is and How to Keep It Steady
Why a broad-edge pen makes thick and thin lines without pressure, what pen angle means, two quick checks to confirm yours, and how to hold it steady through curves.
Calligraphy Techniques
Pen Pressure in Calligraphy: How to Control Thick and Thin
What pressure does to a nib or brush tip, three pressure levels to practice, and three exercises for smooth transitions and downstrokes that match in width.
Calligraphy Techniques
How to Hold a Calligraphy Pen: Grip, Posture and Paper Position
Common starting points for grip, sitting position and paper placement in calligraphy, offered as options to try and adjust, with notes for left-handed writers.
Basic Calligraphy Strokes
Calligraphy Drills: 7 Warm-Up Exercises Before You Write
Seven short warm-up drills, what each one trains, how long to spend on them, and how to use the same sheet to check your pen, ink and paper before you start writing.
Basic Calligraphy Strokes
The Oval Stroke: How to Practice the Shape Behind a, d, g, o and q
The oval is the base of seven lowercase letters and the hardest basic stroke. Learn where to start, where the pressure builds and releases, three drills, and how to fix common faults.