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This popular free calligraphy drills worksheet is perfect for calligraphers of all levels! It’s fun and relaxing to fill out, and it will give you fantastic pressure exertion and stroke practice.
With nearly 130,000 downloads, the 11 Calming Calligraphy Drills worksheet is one of the most popular free printables on the TPK website. I suspect that’s because these drills encompass the most appealing facet of calligraphy: its ability to calm and soothe. The worksheet was released exactly six years ago, so it’s high time to put it back on longtime readers’ radar and help new readers to discover it!
Today, I’ll explain how to use this calligraphy drills worksheet, provide you with a create-with-me tutorial video, and provide tips for success.
This calligraphy drills worksheet is free, and you can download it by clicking here. Once you’ve got the file, print it off on a pointed pen-friendly paper such as 32# laserjet (affiliate link). If you’re confused about why paper makes a difference, see this article.
When you have the worksheet in front of you, you will notice that each drill starts with an exemplar featuring red arrows. The arrows are there to demonstrate how your nib should move as it creates each drill. That exemplar continues without arrows, and it eventually fades into a traceable gray tone.
You’ll get the most out of this calligraphy drills printable by tracing over the gray parts of the drills first. Feel free to use a straight pen or an oblique pen and the pointed pen calligraphy nib of your choice. (If you want optimal relaxation, use a tried-and-true nib. For a challenge, use a nib that you want to master.) Remember to apply pressure when the stroke thickens, and let up on pressure when the stroke is thin.
Tracing over the gray characters will accustom you to the drill. Once you get to the end of the gray characters, keep writing the drill on your own until the end of the page.
In June of 2022, I decided to make a video called “Calligraphy Drills and Chill”. I had recently given birth to my second child, so goodness knows I needed the relaxation myself! While four-month-old Pia napped, I filled in this worksheet, alternating explanations of how to do each drill with the story of how I learned pointed pen calligraphy.
I love creating calligraphy, and I think that one of the secrets to learning is not to take it too seriously. Because of that, these drills are unique exercises that you probably won’t see anywhere else. Of course, I always have a lot of fun naming each drill … I think that names help to give drills more personality!
While the drills are meant to be engaging, they also have a purpose. Every drill focuses on pen pressure regulation with a combination of thick and thin strokes. Many of the drills have ample curves so you can practice making nice, rounded strokes. Each drill was made with slant lines in mind, so you’ll also get a chance to work on your right-leaning slant!
If you want to see progress in your calligraphy, the trick is to focus on the joy of the journey. As you write, don’t forget that this is supposed to be a relaxing activity. If the drills don’t turn out perfectly, that’s okay! No matter what the result, you should be proud of yourself for sticking with it and filling out the sheet. The more you practice with this drills sheet, the better you’ll get at doing the drills.
When you practice, it’s important to set the mood. Calligraphy practice doesn’t have to be a rigidly serious activity — make it fun! Play your favorite music, a good audiobook, or an interesting podcast. Keep a non-stimulating beverage such as herbal tea nearby (caffeine and alcohol are a no-go because they compromise your hand’s stability). Comfortable clothes are a must, too.
One clear benefit of doing calligraphy drills is that it warms your hand, preparing it for making projects that require focus and precision. If you’re feeling motivated after filling out the drills sheet, consider taking on a real-life project. You might pre-make holiday or birthday cards, create envelope art, or make flourished map artwork for your home. Working on projects is every bit as helpful, from a calligraphy practice standpoint, as filling out drills!
No matter what calligraphy skill level you’re at right now, I hope that you enjoy today’s free calligraphy drills worksheet! If you find it helpful, print off several copies and fill it out whenever you need to. I’d love to see your inky worksheet on Instagram (@thepostmansknock)! Enjoy the rest of your day, and thanks so much for creating with TPK.
Warmly,
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon
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