How to Write Calligraphy

From LoveToKnow Crafts

If you enjoy card making, scrapbooking, rubber stamping, or other paper crafts, you may find yourself wondering how to write calligraphy. This form of beautiful hand lettering is an attractive addition to many different types of projects.

Supplies for Calligraphy

Calligraphy is often appealing to frugal crafters because it requires very few supplies. All you need to get started is some paper, calligraphy pens, nibs, and ink. You can purchase basic kits with all the supplies you need to begin writing calligraphy at any large craft store or stationary supply shop.

Learn How to Write Calligraphy

Online resources can be very helpful for people interested in developing a basic knowledge of calligraphy. For example:

For those who would prefer to have more detailed instructions, there are a number of excellent calligraphy books available. Here are a few titles to consider:

Since online tutorials and reference books can be a bit limited in their content, serious calligraphy students may want to consider taking a class in calligraphy from their local community college. Many community colleges offer short night and weekend calligraphy courses as part of their continuing education programs.

If the nearest community college offers no calligraphy classes, private tutoring may be an option. Many people who are skilled in calligraphy earn money addressing wedding invitations or by selling framed calligraphy poems at local craft fairs. Ask around and you may be able to find someone willing to help you develop your skills for a small fee.

Left Handed Calligraphy

If you're left handed, learning how to write calligraphy can be a frustrating experience. The majority of instructional materials are devoted to helping right handed calligraphers, so those who are left handed may often feel like they are trying to do everything "backwards" and get discouraged quickly.

When writing from left to right, a right handed person will make the majority of his strokes by directing the pen away from the body. In comparison, a left handed person makes a majority of strokes by pushing the pen towards his body. While right handed calligraphers are working in advance of the damp ink, left handed calligraphers must be careful not to smear the ink as they work. To accomplish this, there are three writing positions that may be useful.

  • Under arm position: In this position, the hand under the line of writing and the paper should be positioned at an angle. Use a left handed oblique nib for best results.
  • Vertical position: In this position, the paper must be turned at 90 degrees so the pen works from bottom to top rather than from left to right. In most cases, this position is preferred by left handed calligraphers who want to work with a pen nib designed for a right handed person.
  • Hook position: In this position, the calligrapher writes from above the line of writing with the paper positioned straight down. Teachers generally consider this the least desirable position, but some people find it most comfortable. Right handed nibs are best for this approach.

You can see a diagram of the possible positions for left handed calligraphers by visiting the Studio Arts Web site.

Here are some other tips for left handed calligraphy that you might find useful:

  • Set up your work space with the light coming from the right side, so the shadow of your hand does not fall where you are trying to write.
  • Try sitting further to the right of the page than what you normally would do in order to make it easier to achieve the correct pen angle.
  • Be patient. Learning how to write calligraphy isn't easy for anyone, but left handed people do tend to experience more difficulty. Don't get frustrated if you're having trouble making the letters initially.
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