When people ask me what I do — as in, what is my profession — I generally say I am a blogger whose main goal is to help people learn calligraphy, and modern styles in particular. While there are a lot of art and DIY projects mixed in with calligraphy posts, calligraphy and hand-lettering is the lifeblood of TPK. That said, the other day I was examining the blog and trying to look at it from the perspective of someone who has happened upon the website for the first time. In that moment, I realized that even when you conduct a concentrated search {e.g. “learn calligraphy”}, there are a lot of articles, and it’s difficult/overwhelming to choose which one to begin with.
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Beginner’s Calligraphy
Seven New Calligraphy Tips + A Weekend Giveaway
This is my second calligraphy tips post {you can read the first post here}, and I’m writing it because, well, I’m always learning new tips myself. I get new ideas from readers’ questions and comments, my own trial-and-error, and aha! moments that strike me at random. Since these tips make my life easier, it’s only fair that I pass them on to you. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who has been creating calligraphy for a long time, the recommendations in this blog post should come in handy!
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Calligraphy Troubleshooting: Nib Pressure + Shaking Hand
My last blog post, How to Practice Calligraphy, was inspired by a reader’s question. Similarly, today’s blog post will address a combination of questions and comments from three different readers regarding calligraphy troubleshooting. All of these questions relate to shakiness when writing or nib pressure, which are issues that happen all the time, but aren’t talked about a whole lot. I have expounded on what I know about ameliorating both problems in the post below, but if you have further input {or questions!}, feel free to comment.
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Ideas for Unique Modern Calligraphy
In some ways, it’s more difficult to create modern calligraphy than traditional calligraphy. In traditional calligraphy, you have very specific exemplars and rules. In modern calligraphy, however, there are no concrete rules. The whole point is to create something new and innovative that pleases you as the calligrapher. At times, that freedom can be overwhelming — the possibilities are unlimited. That’s why I’ve compiled some ideas to help you in your next modern calligraphy project, whether it’s a little thing {a written quote, perhaps} or a 300-envelope wedding calligraphy undertaking!
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5 Calligraphy Variation Techniques + A Surprise Worksheet
Here’s the thing you’ve got to love about modern calligraphy: you can implement any change — any calligraphy variation — and you’ll still be correct. While there is, more or less, “right” and “wrong” in traditional calligraphy styles like Spencerian and Copperplate, modern calligraphy embraces change.
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More Calligraphy Tips and Musings {Includes Videos + Giveaway}
I know I write about calligraphy tips all the time, but a recent conversation with Rodger Mayeda {of Rodger’s Pen Box} inspired me to share even more information with you … with a couple of videos to boot! I really hope you like them because I painted my nails for them — and, trust me, that’s something that doesn’t happen often {they’ll be horribly chipped within the next six hours; I’d bet money on it}. As if my painted nails aren’t exciting enough, there’s another artisan calligraphy pen giveaway afoot! You can enter at the bottom of this blog post.
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