To say that I’m excited is an understatement. I’m overjoyed to take you on this journey of learning calligraphy with me. Over the course of the next 6 weeks, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know to learn calligraphy including step by step instructions, practice sheets & more. I, along with calligrapher Madi Sanders, have designed this to teach you calligraphy in 5 “days.” Today, we’re going to get you started with the basics, so you’ll have plenty of time to purchase supplies & start Day 1!
Recommended Supplies:
Zebra G Nib {firm, great for beginners}
Straight pen {I purchased an oblique & immediately felt overwhelmed. The choice is up to you, but whatever you learn with should be what you continue to use for sake of ease.}
Tracing paper
Black ink {I use Higgins Eternal Black Ink}
Paper in varying weights
Most of these items should be available locally, but are easiest to locate online. I receive numerous emails about where to purchase supplies. While you can find them at numerous stores, this is one I have used.
Let’s do this! To get started, insert the nib.
Dip the pen in ink.
You don’t want to see the hole after you dip. The first time may take a little more. When you fill the hole, remove the excess ink on the nib on the side of the ink jar. Notice that Madi stabilizes her jar with a roll of washi tape. Genius, right? Don’t forget to print your practice grids!
Next week you’ll learn the strokes, how to create varying widths & loops! Everything you need to learn calligraphy is within these posts, but you can subscribe here to receive a bonus practice sheet {goes out once a month}!
PIN the tutorial for later here:
The series, in order:
Calligraphy Resources & Left Handed Calligraphy
You may also like my online flower arranging workshop filled to the brim with beautiful centerpiece ideas you can recreate with step-by-step instructions.
Credits:
flowers Emmy-Ray, photography Wheat Photo, calligraphy instructor Madi Sanders [show_shopthepost_widget id=”1746039″]
LET’S CONNECT!
I find it very easy to write in different calligraphy styles after seeing your site. It has helped me a lot.
I would like to share something.The sentence’ A QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER A LAZY DOG’ contains all the letters of the English alphabet. By practicing this sentence, we get to practice all the alphabets in calligraphy in one go.
Hello Julie,
This series looks fantastic, thank you for providing it for free 🙂
I am on the site you’ve provided the link to for supplies and I’m looking at purchasing my supplies soon.
I’m just wondering whether I’m getting the right things? My cart contains: Zebra Comic G Nib, Higgins Eternal Non-Waterproof Ink, Speedball Marbled Penholder.
I also have the Copperplate Practice Pad in my cart but I am wondering if I need this as you’ve provided practice grids.
Also, do I need to buy specific paper, you mentioned ‘paper in varying weights’, I looked at the sampler pack on this site, however, it is $20.95 and also very extensive so I wondering if it was necessary or better to get a recommended few sheets and if so, do you have a recommendation please? I only ask because the options in the paper section are a touch overwhelming when all you have ever bought is basic printer paper.
I already have a tracing paper pad, is there anything else I need to get started?
Also, I am ordering these to the UK so would you recommend getting multiple nibs, any other specific nib types or multiple pen holders?
Thank you for your time and I hope you receive this (as I’ve noticed the last comment was from August).
Kind regards,
Rachel
I am very excited to get started. I purchased the actual practice pad or do you recommend that I just use the tracing paper with calligraphy paper?
I am also confused about using the tracing paper with the provided practice sheet. Do I place the tracing paper just over the provided practice sheet and go from there. Thanks!
I personally recommend starting with tracing paper, but it’s completely up to you! That’s correct!
Hi, I brought the oblique pen and the zebra G nib but couldn’t find the higgings eternal black ink.
Can I use some other ink?
Absolutely!
I am very exiting to lurn callygraphy