• Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition

    Calligraphy medallions are pretty much the perfect project! They act as a gorgeous calligraphy drill, allowing you to practice handling your pen like a pro. You’ll find that they add artistry and sophistication to any envelope or handmade card! Most importantly, medallions are challenging and fun to make. Today, I’m announcing the release of the…

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock

    Have you ever heard of calligraphy medallions? I hadn’t until early last year, when I came across a mesmerizing video on Instagram. In it, a calligrapher used a series of strokes to create an impressive circular work of art. I immediately had to make one myself! One medallion evolved into several, which culminated in a calligraphy medallions worksheet!

    About Calligraphy Medallions

    If you look closely at a calligraphy medallion, you’ll see that it’s just a repeating pattern. Most calligraphy medallions start with a circular template that is divided into equal parts. All of the medallions in the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition have eight parts. This division results in a visual treat that — to be honest — isn’t too tough to create!

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock
    This medallion may look intimidating, but take it one step at a time, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to draw!

    What Can You Do With Calligraphy Medallions?

    In the case of calligraphy medallions, the process is every bit as enjoyable as the result. In short: they’re fun to make, and they provide great dip pen practice! It’s like making a big calligraphy drill. Still, there are some cool applications for calligraphy medallions. This time of year, I love putting them on the backs of envelopes as a festive holiday surprise!

    Holiday Envelope | The Postman's Knock
    The “Winter Wonderland” medallion from the worksheet set is perfect for holiday mail art!

    You can also draw medallions, digitize them, and include them on invitations or cards. If you have a chalkboard at home or at your business, use the faux calligraphy technique to draw a large scale medallion on it! (Just use a moistened cotton swab to erase any chalk template lines afterwards.) If you keep a sketchbook or bullet journal, you can practice making calligraphy medallions there!

    About the Calligraphy Medallions Included in the Packet

    You’ve already seen the “Winter Wonderland” medallion (on the back of the envelope in the photo above), so I’ll talk about the other four medallions included in the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition here! First up is the “Changing Seasons” medallion. It’s the simplest of the bunch, and a great calligraphy medallion to start with if you’ve never drawn one before!

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock
    This “Changing Seasons” medallion combines bare winter “twigs” with lush summer branches!

    Next comes the “Peacock” medallion, which is the calligraphy medallion that’s featured on the front of the worksheet set. I love how the bottoms of the feathers form a star in the center!

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock
    The “Peacock” medallion is arguably the most regal of the bunch!

    After the “Peacock” and “Winter Wonderland” calligraphy medallions, you’ll find the “Birds of a Feather” medallion. It’s bohemian and artistic — perfect for any season or occasion!

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock
    Feathers and flourished trees come together to form the “Birds of a Feather” medallion.

    Finally, the packet ends with the “Rose Garden” medallion. Now, this medallion doesn’t require a lot of calligraphy work. Instead, you’ll be focusing a fair amount on illustration in order to make it. Don’t be intimidated! The illustration required is minimal and easy to understand.

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock
    This is my favorite medallion because of its strong contrast and engaging shapes!

    Can You Draw a Calligraphy Medallion?

    Short answer: yes. Anyone can draw a calligraphy medallion. If dip pens intimidate you, you can always use brush pens, faux calligraphy, or pencil calligraphy to make one! You’ve just got to take it step by step — and that’s the goal of the worksheet, to break each medallion down for you.

    Introducing the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition | The Postman's Knock
    Each calligraphy medallion features meticulous instructions that show you exactly how to make that medallion!

    Keep an open mind and be patient with yourself as you work through making these medallions. If you make mistakes, keep going! Medallions are so intricate that it’s hard to notice errors in the finished piece. Really — give it a try; you’ll be impressed at what you can do!

    Free Instructions

    If you want to try out making a calligraphy medallion but you don’t want to buy the Birds & Botanicals packet, I have two free calligraphy medallion tutorials available on TPK. You can find the “Simple Calligraphy Medallion” tutorial here, or the “Flourished Calligraphy Medallion” tutorial here.

    Simple Calligraphy Medallion Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    This is the “Simple Calligraphy Medallion”, which you can learn how to make in this tutorial.

    The tutorials don’t go into as much detail as the worksheet packet, but they’ll still help to give you a taste of what it’s like to make a calligraphy medallion!


    If you have any questions about the Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet: Birds & Botanicals Edition, please feel free to ask! I’m glad to help you out with an answer. I hope that your November is shaping up to be enjoyable, and I want to thank you for taking the time to read TPK!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock