Calligraphy takes patience, but has great rewards.
Calligraphy is still considered a high art form. It is a formal type of writing, literally meaning "beautiful handwriting." Modern calligraphy uses either an inkwell and a metal-angled dip pen -- the tip is called a nib -- or a metal-angled pen with a replaceable ink cartridge inside. Calligraphy, like most forms of art, takes a lot of practice to perfect and is not for everyone. It is a beneficial skill to have, as calligraphy artists are in demand for letter writing, envelope addressing, wedding invitations or sign making.
Instructions
1. Decide which type of calligraphy pen you want to use. Traditional dip pens with inkwells are better for flow and precision. The nibs are less expensive, but you have to buy ink -- permanent India ink in matte black is best. Cartridge pens are easily interchangeable, and offer a quick set-up, but because the ink is in a cartridge, it may not flow out as easily as the dip pen. Nibs come in 10 sizes; the wider the nib is, the thicker your line will be. Nibs that are 1 to 2 millimeters wide are recommended for general writing.
2. Apply the ink, if using a dip pen. You can either carefully dip the pen into the inkwell, or apply the ink on the nib with a small paintbrush.
3. Get the proper paper. Since calligraphy uses more ink than other pens, it may bleed through regular lightweight paper. Layout paper is thicker and is often used for calligraphy. For formal work, parchment, rice or vellum papers work well.
4. Hold the pen properly. Never squeeze the pen or press hard on the paper. A light hold, with the pen resting just below the bottom knuckle of your index finger, with your forefinger and thumb almost touching, is recommended. If a certain grip feels more comfortable, and your writing does not suffer, do not force another grip. Always sit up straight when writing and hold the pen at a 45-degree angle for best results.
5. Practice before you start following templates. Do lines and squiggles, or write your name. "C," "W" and "U" are the best letters to practice on, as they share common movements with the rest of the alphabet. Write enough to get used to the pen and ink.
6. Use a template for practicing the alphabet and numbers. Templates for calligraphy are similar to those you used when you were learning write for the first time. They can be found online and printed out for free, or are available in the calligraphy section of most art and craft stores. Practice uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers. Do this until you feel comfortable with each letter.
7. Write a sentence on lined paper. Write a sentence such as, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" -- a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet. Continue with several sentences, until you feel comfortable.
8. Write a letter or a long paragraph without the use of lines. Most uses of calligraphy will involve unlined paper, so you need to be able to write straight. If you find that it is not possible to write straight without lines, use a ruler and pencil to lightly add lines to your paper, then carefully erase them when the ink is dry.
