TPK’s new collection of calligraphy drills is here to add festive flair to your practice sessions! Through July 4th, you can use these drills to hone your skills while embracing the spirit of Independence Day. Get the printable version, the Procreate version, or the free basic worksheet.
In rural Kansas, where I grew up, the build-up to Independence Day starts in late May. There aren’t any firework restrictions, so seasonal entrepreneurs armed with black cats and sparklers set up shop along the highways and in parking lots. Rural Kansans love the 4th of July. Since I haven’t lived in Kansas for a while now*, I’ve channeled my Independence Day love into something creative and relaxing: Limited Edition Independence Day Calligraphy Drills.
*I’ve lived in Boulder, Colorado, since 2011. Wildfires are a serious concern here, so the fireworks scene is non-existent.
Calligraphy drills can feel like the pointed pen equivalent of starting off a workout with 10 burpees. They seemed boring and tedious, so I used to avoid doing them — which definitely hampered my calligraphy progress. At a certain point, though, it dawned on me: calligraphy drills don’t have to be the burpees of the calligraphy world. As long as you’re making a variety of strokes, anything can be a calligraphy drill.
Any calligrapher will tell you that calligraphy drills are important regardless of your skill level. Every single time you pick up that pointed pen, you’re improving your technique. For beginner calligraphers, committing entire practice sessions to drills is extremely beneficial. Experienced calligraphers might either spend the whole session on drills or use them as a quick warm-up routine.
I like to design drills for you that can be used on greeting cards, sketchbook pages, handmade gift tags, etc. My philosophy is that drills should be both enjoyable and productive. That’s why I like to keep things fresh with both festive holiday-themed worksheets and the core Not Your Average Calligraphy Drills worksheet collection.
TPK’s new Independence Day Calligraphy Drills worksheet is a limited edition resource. It will disappear from the Digital Catalog this July 4th, and $7 early bird pricing is available through Thursday, when the price will increase to $8.
This is a premium resource, with plenty of details and traceable practice, including:
For best results, print your drills on a calligraphy-friendly paper such as 32# laserjet. Then, fill them out using your favorite pen/nib/ink combination. Feel free to print out certain exercises as many times as you want to in order to get the most out of your practice!
For those who prefer to create calligraphy on an iPad, there’s a Procreate version of this worksheet available! It presents all of the pages as neat layers, which you can hide and summon at your convenience. Don’t forget to add a new layer for your own practice!
If you’ve never practiced calligraphy on an iPad before, it can be a no-fuss way to practice your calligraphy. Many of the skills that you develop creating calligraphy on your iPad can be parlayed into actual pointed pen practice. Although the pen grip is different, you’ll be improving your control over pace, pen pressure, and patience.
For every paid printable that I make, I like to make sure that there’s a free version available. The Soaring Flourished Eagle Basic Drill serves as this free alternative. It’s a single-page resource featuring a basic traceable eagle and an outline for you to fill in yourself.
Like its premium counterparts, the Soaring Flourished Eagle Basic Drill is available through July 4, 2024. You choose the version you prefer: printable, Procreate, or both!
No matter where you’re based, and whether you officially celebrate the US Independence Day, I hope that you enjoy these new drills! During the worksheet’s soft release on Monday, I noticed orders coming in from New Zealand, India, and — yes — even the UK. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading, and happy practicing!
Warmly,
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon
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