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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    A Perfectly Random Show and Tell Calligraphy Art Collection

    April 6, 2021

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Roundup

    Many TPK creations get sent off to new homes. Those that don’t, however, stay here with me. I can’t bring myself to get rid of my work because I love looking through it (or using it) later! Earlier today, I stumbled across these ten pieces that I thought you would appreciate seeing, too. Hopefully these…

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    Calligraphy Shoe

    Most of the things that I post here on the TPK blog and on Instagram are destined for a new home. Mail art, birthday cards, and the like all get sent to friends and family! But, there are other projects I make that don’t have an immediate purpose. Those projects get filed away, waiting until a need arises for them. Maybe that need will never develop, but at least in the meantime, the projects can serve as inspirational eye candy in today’s post! Here are ten fun pieces that I found when sifting through my old projects this morning (and guidance on how to make them, if you’re so inclined):

    1. Fork Illustration

    Fork Illustration
    This illustration was created using a Nikko G nib (in a straight pen) and sumi ink.

    This drawing was created for the Artistic Printable Meal Planner printable. I used a crosshatching technique to make the fork illustration, and the lettering is “Roman” from the Premium Hand Lettering Worksheet Set.

    2. “Giveaway” Calligraphy

    Giveaway Flourish
    You can watch a video of me making this calligraphy piece here.

    Whenever I conduct a giveaway, I like to make pretty calligraphy for social media. This “Giveaway” calligraphy features white ink and Finetec metallic watercolors on black cardstock. The giveaway might be over, but the flourishes live on!

    3. “Meet Me in Miami” Flourishes

    Miami Calligraphy
    You can watch a timelapse video of me making this here.

    Pre-pandemic, I was under the impression that I’d be teaching calligraphy workshops in Miami in April of 2020. This was a little piece of calligraphy that I created to publicize the workshops. I wrote with gold watercolor on black cardstock … a glitzy combination that, to me, is representative of Miami.

    4. Beachy MIAMI Calligraphy

    Beachy Miami Calligraphy
    The timelapse video for this piece is a bit low-quality, unfortunately. But, if you’re curious, you can watch it on Instagram.

    This was another fun piece that I created to publicize the TPK Miami workshops. I’m holding on to this one because I have a feeling that it will come in handy for a Miami dweller (or someone who just loves that city) someday! I used watercolor calligraphy to make it, which is fitting given the beach/water theme.

    5. Athletic Shoe Flourishes

    Calligraphy Shoe
    There’s a timelapse video of me making this one, too! See it here.

    This shoe was created for my first (and, come to think of it, last) sponsored post on Instagram back in 2017. For whatever reason, Famous Footwear thought I would be a good advertising partner. I have no idea if this flourished shoe ended up making them any sales, but it was fun to create! The supplies were simple: sumi ink, a Brause EF66 oblique pen + nib, and 32# laserjet paper.

    6. Lace Bird

    Lace Bird
    This artwork was created with sumi ink and a Nikko G nib (in a straight pen).

    This little guy has been around for a long time … I probably drew him in 2015? I love combining simple illustrations with and lace, so that’s what I did here. To learn how to draw lace, you can check out this tutorial.

    7. “Haste Makes Waste” Lettering

    Haste Makes Waste
    I used water soluble colored pencils and sumi ink (this was in my pre-Ziller days) to make this piece.

    I created this ombré lettering in 2015 for the Three Fresh Lettering Styles to Try tutorial. The other two pieces in that tutorial made their way out of the house, but I’ve kept this one around. It just seems like one of those things that I’ll either use as a collage piece or in a snail mail bundle eventually!

    8. Flourished Dragon

    Flourished Dragon
    I used sumi ink, a Brause EF66 oblique pen + nib, and 32# laserjet paper to make this dragon. You can find instructions over how to flourish your own dragon in the Fairytale Drills packet.

    This fierce beast can be found in the Not Your Average Calligraphy Drills: Fairytale Edition packet, which is what I created it for. It’s always fun to come across this piece because it’s so playful and detailed … plus I love fairytale creatures. I’m sure I’ll end up sending him to a friend here in a couple of years, but for now, I’m not quite ready to let him go!

    9. “Remember Why You Started” Calligraphy + Watercolor

    Remember Why You Started
    When I combine watercolors and calligraphy, I always write my calligraphy first in waterproof ink. Then, I watercolor over the calligraphy.

    Lots of people try to create pointed pen calligraphy on watercolor with limited success. For that reason, I wrote the How to Combine Calligraphy and Watercolors tutorial. This is the piece I made for that tutorial, and I’ve kept it since. Like the dragon, I’m just not ready to part with it yet, though I’m sure I eventually will!

    10. Woodland Wreath Place Card

    Nataly Place Card
    For instructions over how to make a wreath like the one shown on this place card, see the Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part III article.

    This place card is one of my favorite creations ever. It makes me feel calm to look at all those floral shapes and muted tones. I’ve kept this because I like it … and also because I’ve never had a need for it. I don’t know a “Nataly”!


    If you enjoyed today’s post, I suspect you’ll also like A Decluttering the Drawer Show and Tell and 10 Items That I Successfully Sold on Etsy: A Throwback Post. I love reading articles like these because they give me new project ideas. Hopefully, they do the same for you! Thanks so much for looking through these pieces with me, and we’ll reconvene this weekend with a fun tutorial. Maybe something that has watercolor? I’m feeling inspired after looking at that place card (project #10)!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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4 responses

  1. bev.stanley3 Avatar
    bev.stanley3
    April 14, 2025

    Hi Lindsey, I love your work. Do you have a tutorial for the Athletic shoe? I think it’s great

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 24, 2025

      I don’t at the moment — but that’s actually a really great idea for an upcoming worksheet! Thanks so much for the idea. 😊👟

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  2. Debb Thorne Avatar
    Debb Thorne
    April 7, 2021

    Any chance you have a flourish chicken? A dear friend of mine, a five-year year old little boy, loves chickens and “fancy writing. “

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 7, 2021

      I don’t! But that would be something really cool to flourish. I’ll put that on my inspiration list … I’d also like to flourish an octopus. 🙂

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✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Chr ✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Christmas trees for years. They’re a go-to whenever I need a quick gift tag, envelope flourish, or something festive that doesn’t require a whole afternoon.

They look fancy, but they’re really just simple strokes stacked in different patterns. Truly: once you get the rhythm down, you can make a tree in under 30 seconds. 🎄 

If you want to try them (there are six styles!), the tutorial is on the TPK Blog, and it’s called
“6 Simple Ways to Make a Calligraphy Christmas Tree.” Feel free to google it, or visit: thepostmansknock.com/6-simple-ways-to-make-a-calligraphy-christmas-tree/

It’s very beginner-friendly, video-based, and a great way to get some creativity in during a busy season. I hope you love it as much as I do. 💛

#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #holidaycalligraphy #calligraphyart #creativelifehappylife #christmascrafts #holidaycrafts #giftwrappingideas #diychristmas #christmascards #calligraphytutorial #finetec #metallicwatercolor #papercrafts #creativepractice #thepostmansknock #holidayinspiration #blackandgold #christmasideas #holidayideas
🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favor 🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favorite free printables on the TPK site. Just download, print, cut them out, and — if you want to — reinforce them with a bit of cardstock.

Inside the PDF you’ll find four designs: Festive Frida, Flourished Tree, Pine Boughs, and Merry & Bright. They’re all hand-drawn, and they make even the simplest wrapping look bespoke and artistic. 🎨 

Pro tip: If you’ve got a bit of extra time, add a pop of watercolor or some gold dots; and consider mounting the tag on a contrasting piece of cardstock for extra oomph.

They’re free to download at: thepostmansknock.com/free-super-cool-hand-drawn-printable-gift-tags/ (or visit the link in my stories today). Happy holidays!

#handdrawn #gifttags #printablegifttags #freeprintables #holidayprintables #christmascrafts #holidaygifts #papercrafts #snailmailinspo #mailart #creativegiftwrapping #diyholiday #diygifttags #artistsoninstagram #illustrationartists #thepostmansknock #tpkcommunity #calligraphycommunity #stationerylove #creativecommunity
There’s something extra fun about a card that do There’s something extra fun about a card that doesn’t just open … it comes to life. ✨ This little stand-up tree might look fancy, but it’s totally approachable — relaxing to make, satisfying to embellish, and (my favorite part) it folds up perfectly to pop in the mail. 💌🎄

If you’re looking for a holiday project that feels creative and doable, this is *such* a good one. The printable template does half the work for you, and you can customize the rest with flourishes, white ink, ornaments, or whatever feels festive to you.

The full step-by-step tutorial is waiting for you on the TPK website; just head to the link in my bio and tap “Blog.” I think you’ll have as much fun making this as I did. ❤️

#calligraphy #calligraphytutorial #holidaycalligraphy #flourishedcalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphyart #letteringcommunity #letteringart #papercraft #papercrafting #diycards #handmadecards #holidaycards #christmascards #christmascrafts #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #snailmaillove #creativecommunity #stationerylove #makersgonnamake #thepostmansknock
I love it when I can make simple pointed pen pract I love it when I can make simple pointed pen practice on cardstock ... and it magically turns into a festive card! Find instructions + a printable template for making this “Loop-de-Loop” tree in the TPK 2025 Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet set. 🎄 (Link in bio, then navigate to the Blog!)

#pointedpen #calligraphy #calligraphypractice #pointedpenpractice #holiday #christmastree #treedrawing #doodles #goldwatercolor
Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward t Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward to sitting down with a cup of something warm ☕️ and sketching out ideas for the TPK holiday worksheet. This year was no exception, and I think you’ll be pleased with the motifs! They’re designed to bring calm, beauty, and (sneaky) pointed pen practice to your holiday season. 🎄Visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) for details!
The other day, I was thinking about sending out ho The other day, I was thinking about sending out holiday cards, and I immediately dismissed the thought with, “I have zero time to calligraph envelopes for those.” ✍️

... But is that true? I put it to the test for the latest article on the TPK Blog. Using some time-saving tricks I’ve learned over the years (like using a watery ink, a bouncy calligraphy style, and minimal pencil guidelines), I timed myself making three envelope concepts. Two of them took 5 minutes or less. The most time-intensive took 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The envelopes still turned out looking elegant, especially with the help of some artistic postage stamp collages. 💌

For clear step-by-step tutorials detailing how to make these envelopes and sourcing pretty postage, visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”)!

#snailmail #mail #calligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #happymail #snailmailrevolution #mailbox #postage #vintagepostage
After I chose this music to accompany this reel, i After I chose this music to accompany this reel, it dawned on me: drawing a calligraphy medallion is like, well, Belle’s arc with the Beast. 

At first, it’s a bit of a weird situation. Strange shapes, questionable structure, possibly some growling (à la “YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER. That’s not a request!”) when the inevitable ink smudge happens. You keep thinking, “I’m not sure why I’m doing this ... should I hop on Felipe and gallop away?” 🐎

But something shifts as the medallion starts to come to life. And when you finish that last detail and pull back, the music swells. Light bursts from your paper like it did from Beast’s digits as he transformed into a stunningly beautiful prince. ✨ You’re practically in a ballroom celebrating, and, wait, did your furniture just turn into an adoring crowd that’s celebrating your fortitude and skill?

(And now you know how my mind works 🧠 ... I love a good metaphor, no matter how weak it may be!) 

To learn how to make a calligraphy medallion, just search for “calligraphy medallion” on the TPK site (link in bio). You’ll find both free Blog tutorials and detailed premium worksheets.

... I’ll show myself out now. 🙈

#pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy #handwritten #pointedpen #dippen #calligraphymedallion #calligraphydrill #calligraphypractice
My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remi My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remind you how cozy this season can be. 🍂 This project definitely fits the bill ... create it with a hot, comforting drink nearby and an excellent audiobook, and you’re in for a treat! ☕️ ✍️ The tutorial on the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) is super detailed, with mini tutorial videos to guide you every step of the way.

#autumnart #watercolortutorial #arttutorial #handpainted #paintingtutorial #pointedpen #dippen #flourishing
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