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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.

    Calligraphy Art Tutorial: How to Make a Flourished … Well, Anything!

    February 21, 2019

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Calligraphy, Dip Pen Calligraphy, Flourishing, Tutorials, Video

    You may think of your dip pen as a tool with which you can write beautiful alphabet characters … and you’re right to see it that way! The alphabet isn’t the only thing that can benefit from a dip pen, though. Today, we’ll examine how to use a dip pen to create artwork depicting almost…

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    Calligraphy Art Tutorial: How to Make a Flourished ... Well, Anything! | The Postman's Knock

    For the past week, the focus of this blog has been on Lasso Lettering, which you can create with any pen. Today, I’d like to shift attention back to the dip pen! While any writing utensil is worth the time to get to know, I especially love the dip pen because of its stroke variation. A dip pen can seamlessly transition from making delicate, thin strokes into bold, heavy strokes — which leads to some serious visual appeal!

    Free Printable "Flourish by Number" Bunny | The Postman's Knock
    You can learn how to flourish this bunny in the (free) “Flourish by Number” Bunny worksheet!

    When I’m not lettering with a dip pen, I love using it to make flourished artwork! The artwork always ends up looking complicated to create, but it’s not. In today’s YouTube tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a flourished heart, and you can apply the concept to almost any recognizable shape!

    Calligraphy Art Tutorial: How to Make a Flourished … Well, Anything! Video

    You can check out the tutorial by watching the video below, or you can find it on YouTube by clicking here. At approximately five minutes long, the video is short and sweet!

    The gist of it: make a pencil outline of your subject. Then, fill in that outline with dense flourishes! Erase your pencil guidelines, and you’ve got some very cool calligraphy art.

    Other Examples of Flourished Calligraphy Art

    I love including flourished calligraphy art in my drills sheets! Following instructions to create such art can really help you to get used to the idea of creating calligraphy art! That will come in handy when you want to make your own piece of original art using a dip pen. Here are some examples:

    Flourished Skull Artwork

    Flourished Calligraphy Artwork | The Postman's Knock
    You can find instructions for making this little guy in the Spooky Drills worksheet! (I used this artwork as a Halloween decoration last year.)

    Flourished Hummingbird Artwork

    12 Artistic Envelope Ideas | The Postman's Knock
    Instructions for making this artwork are in the Garden Drills worksheet! This bird dresses up the back of an envelope beautifully.

    Flourished Fish Artwork

    Not Your Average Calligraphy Drills: Under the Sea Edition | The Postman's Knock
    This creature is a bit more complicated to make than the heart I showed you today — but worth every minute of your time! Find him in the Under the Sea Drills.

    I hope that this post inspires you to use your dip pen to create some flourishy magic! In addition to giving you artistic satisfaction, any piece of calligraphy art that you make will also result in fantastic calligraphy practice. That’s great because sometimes writing “A, A, A, B, B, B …” can get old!

    If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contribute to the comments section. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you! Thanks so much for reading (and watching) TPK, and have a great weekend!

    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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53 responses

  1. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie
    February 25, 2019

    These are such fun and lovely ideas, you’d almost forget they are tutorials! I’ve recently bought a dip pen and just need the courage & your nudge to try it, thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      Definitely try it! I love love love dip pens and I have a feeling you will too, once you get the hang of it 😉

      Log in to Reply
  2. Clair Avatar
    Clair
    February 25, 2019

    Really useful post thank you

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      You’re welcome, Clair!

      Log in to Reply
  3. WendyK Avatar
    WendyK
    February 25, 2019

    This is really helpful, thanks!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      You’re welcome, Wendy!

      Log in to Reply
  4. Sana Avatar
    Sana
    February 25, 2019

    This is such a great tutorial! I am so inspired by your calligraphy art. I am going to try to make something this weekend!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      Thank you, Sana! <3

      Log in to Reply
  5. Ivelis Avatar
    Ivelis
    February 24, 2019

    I’ve been wanting to learn calligraphy for years and I’m finally taking the steps to accomplish that goal! My ultimate calligraphy kit is out for delivery today thanks to your recommendation!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      Yay! It’s never too late to start! How wonderful–enjoy the kit. Thank you, Ivelis!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Katie Schroeder Avatar
    Katie Schroeder
    February 24, 2019

    I love this blog so much. It’s one of the only blogs I’ve ever found that I actually read every time a new post comes out. Thank you Lindsey!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      I am so flattered! Thank you, Katie 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  7. Martha Avatar
    Martha
    February 24, 2019

    Sounds easy when you say it 😆❣️

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      It does! but trust me–you’ll get the hang of it in no time! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  8. Lexi Avatar
    Lexi
    February 23, 2019

    You have the best flourishing projects! I made holiday cards for my family and friends this year using your flourished Christmas tree and snowflake patterns and everyone loved them!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      Thank you, Lexi <3 I’m so glad to hear you made your family some wonderful pieces of artwork! That’s always the best thing to send and receive–so fulfilling!

      Log in to Reply
  9. Natasha Hough Avatar
    Natasha Hough
    February 23, 2019

    I would have never thought of creating art like this! What a great idea. Time to pull out my dip pen….

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      Bring out the dip pen! Haha 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  10. sharon.m.c.kaldor Avatar
    sharon.m.c.kaldor
    February 22, 2019

    Thank you so much!!! I have been practicing your drills and sometimes feel like I just don’t get it!! But today you took some of the mystery out of it.. I hadn’t made the connection that one can use 3 flourishes to get such stunning and knock one’s socks off results!! Thank YOU SO MUCH!!! xo

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 22, 2019

      The flourishes are truly and entity of their own! Thanks for persevering, Sharon 🙂

      Log in to Reply
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A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson 1 of the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (seriously, join us — enrollment is a *steal* at $5/month, and you get complimentary tutorials [that happen to complement the course] — link in bio)! People seemed to like the story in that clip, so here’s another fun story from the same lesson. Sorry, I can’t confirm who the client was! That was a project with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). 🤐 Still: a very fun, very cool experience ... I’m grateful that calligraphy has given me cool adventures and connected me to such an amazing community. ✍️

#calligraphystory #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #beginnercalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy
Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraph Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course doesn’t actually start with the pointed pen! ✍️ Instead, we ease into it with faux calligraphy and then pencil calligraphy. Here’s a little preview of what the pencil calligraphy lesson looks like. ✏️

If you’ve been wanting to learn calligraphy, join us in this course. It is an absolute *steal* because it’s included with your TPK Premium membership ($5/month - cancel anytime). Once the course concludes in January, you can choose to purchase lifetime access to the videos; or just continue on with us to the next course. For more information, visit the link in my bio!

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pencilcalligraphy #blackwingpencil #pencilart #letteringart #handlettering #modernlettering #artisticletters #artisticlettering
I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Mode I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (🎉 JOIN US! link in profile for enrollment info!!) — and wanted to share this story from Lesson 1. In that lesson, we’ll chat about how to develop your motivation (this story is part of me sharing mine); and we’ll ease into our pointed pen experience with faux calligraphy and pencil calligraphy. Step by step, you’ll develop skills that will serve you for a lifetime ... and surprise and delight those around you, just like my “rent check envelopes” did! ✉️

#mailart #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #storytime #calligraphy #snailmail #snailmailrevolution
Some recipes aren’t just instructions — they’re memories on a page. 💛 I spent some time illustrating one of my favorites, and it turned into the sweetest (literally) keepsake. Calligraphy, watercolor, and a little patience bring the story of a dish to life.

If you’d like to try illustrating your favorite recipe, too, I shared the full process (with helpful printables) on the TPK Blog — link in bio. ✨

#illustratedrecipe #calligraphyart #watercolorillustration #creativeproject #keepsakeart #slowcreativity #handletteringlove #moderncalligraphy #calligraphyinspiration #watercolorart
As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recip As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recipe takes it one step further. ✨ In TPK’s latest tutorial (link in bio), I’ll show you how to create an illustrated chocolate lava cake recipe using watercolor. You’ll find helpful PDFs and step-by-step instructions so you can follow along — or use the layout to bring one of your own favorite dishes to life.

Frame it as keepsake art, or give it as a thoughtful handmade gift this holiday season. 🎁

#illustratedrecipe #watercolorart #calligraphycommunity #foodillustration #arttutorial #watercolortutorial #creativeprojects #handmadegifts #keepsakeart #thepostmansknock
✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesso ✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesson 5 of Hand Lettering 101 was this playful project: design an artistic alphabet where no two letters look the same.

The idea? JUST PLAY. 🎨 I used watercolor and a paintbrush, but many students grabbed markers, pens, or anything colorful on hand. The results were incredible — @adriennelovesletters gave it her own flair, Isabel C. made it three times, and Laura M. created a stunning version too. (You can peek at more inside the TPK Premium Discord!)

If you’re ready to try this project yourself, you’ll find the Hand Lettering 101 eCourse waiting in the TPK Catalog. Just head to the link in my bio to be taken to the TPK website. 💌

#handlettering #watercolorlettering #moderncalligraphy #letteringpractice #creativeplay #calligraphycommunity #artinspiration #calligraphyart #watercolorart #letterlove #tpkpremium #handlettering101
Had the best time writing the latest tutorial on t Had the best time writing the latest tutorial on the TPK Blog — “Drawing Lesson: Elegant Swallows” (🔗 link in bio). If you’ve never drawn birds before, swallows are an excellent place to start. Their shapes are simple once you break them down! ✍️ 

In the tutorial, you’ll find:

🪶 Step-by-step visual instructions for drawing swallows in four different movements
🪶 The “Hand-Drawn Swallows Cheat Sheet” PDF
🪶 A detailed tutorial for making the mail art shown here

On another note, I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to TPK Premium and Premium Plus members ... your support allows me to write cool detailed tutorials like this one. 🙏 You all are amazing, and I’m so proud of our community.

#mailart #snailmail #illustration #illustrationtutorial #drawingtutorial #drawinginstructions #birdart #swallowsart #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pointedpen
In June, I kicked off the Hand Lettering 101 eCour In June, I kicked off the Hand Lettering 101 eCourse with TPK Premium members, and wow — it’s been such a joy to watch the transformation.

Over six lessons, students went from that “where do I even start?” feeling to confidently creating their own alphabets, playing with flourishes, and putting together gorgeous compositions. I loved seeing those little lightbulb moments along the way.

Here’s the great news — you can still take the course.
When you sign up, you’ll get instant access to:
📚 All six lessons (9+ hours of video demonstrations + printable PDFs)
🖌 Fun, approachable projects that build your skills without feeling overwhelming
🎯 A “before and after” assignment that’s always such a satisfying reveal

If you’ve been wanting a gentle, step-by-step way to get started with hand lettering, this is it. You can DM me for the link, or search Hand Lettering 101 on the TPK site (link in profile).

#handlettering101 #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #letteringlove #calligraphycommunity #learntoletter #creativelettering #letteringcourse #onlineartclass #artpractice
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