We often have calligraphy jobs come across my desk that I would consider “less ideal” than others - to put it nicely! Generally, anything with a polished surface can be really tricky to work with. While trial and error is really the only way to go, here is my own first go-to for trial and error. Wipe the surface clean [...]
We are frequently asked about the difference between an oblique pen {with the flange holding the nib} versus a straight pen {with the flange inserted directly into the pen holder}. Most commonly, oblique pens are recommended for beginners as it helps you to more naturally achieve the thick and thin lines that are characteristic of pointed-pen calligraphy. Now you may have noticed [...]
Happy Thursday, everyone! You might recall from a few weeks ago when Alyssa & I attended Fleurology in Houston that we were fortunate enough to participate in The Sketchbook Series class offered during the symposium. I had previously completed the online version of the class last year & it was so fun to put my learned skills to use in the live class. The Sketchbook [...]
Happy Thursday, everyone. We just received our Wedding Calligraphy books from our publisher and we can’t wait to send them out to everyone next week! Happy dances are in full swing! With that said, for our calligraphy tip today, we want to share with you some of our favorite reads that inspire us in hopes they do the same for you. Where do you usually go [...]
Flourishing can be a beautiful way to enhance your calligraphy skill set. Being versed in one or more flourished alphabets can add value to your portfolio and client work, and it can be useful in a practical, rather than just aesthetically pleasing, sense as well {see number 4!}. Below are just a couple basic tips to help you in your flourishing adventures. [...]
A popular question we get on Instagram is what type of nib am I’m using for my calligraphy work. When starting out with calligraphy, it is hard to know what to start with! In general, you want to try out a variety of nibs and see what feels best for you. The nib I prefer might not work well for you and vice-versa…and that’s okay! [...]
White ink is all the rage and for good reason – It is crisp, fresh and can be used on a variety of surfaces to add romantic flair to any project. I love using white ink when addressing wedding envelopes but it definitely took some trial and error before I got the ink just right. Below are a few tips worth mentioning before you get started [...]
It's hard to know what type of paper is best for your calligraphy work – especially since most paper supply is online these days which means you can't feel the texture and try out the paper before you buy. Well, over the last 20 years, I have tried countless paper types and sources. Today, I'm sharing with you my favorite paper for my calligraphy work. My hope is to [...]
Are you frustrated with pointed pen calligraphy and wondering what you could possibly be doing wrong? Do not fret! You are not alone. Most of the mistakes I see can be solved by simple adjustments to your practice. Below are the top five mistakes I most frequently see beginner calligraphers make. If you are getting discouraged, you might be doing one or a couple of these things. Try out this advice [...]
I am frequently asked "How do you write so straight? Any tips?" And while there are certain tools for writing straight without gridlines {see below}, when practicing we always recommend the use of guidelines. Meet Ductus The key to writing straight is of course guidelines, and if you’re looking to try out different spacing between your lines or want to create guidelines for your own practicing, [...]
