In the seven years that I’ve written this blog, I’ve noticed trends in the questions I receive. People tend to have certain preconceptions about calligraphy that may not be true! I don’t want those preconceptions to keep you from giving calligraphy a fair shot if you’re interested in it. This blog post is the result! In it, we’ll examine eight modern calligraphy myths that aren’t true. Let’s start with the biggie:
1. If you have bad handwriting, you cannot create calligraphy.
The important thing to remember about calligraphy is this: at its core, it’s art. It’s not writing. Personally, my handwriting is not what one would call “graceful”, “neat”, or “enviable”. In fact, I am sure that when my snail mail correspondents receive my letters, they have to mentally prepare themselves for what is sure to be a few difficult minutes of deciphering!
No matter what your everyday handwriting looks like, know that it will have zero bearing on what your calligraphy looks like. They are two totally different things. Calligraphy is an activity that requires intention, artistry, and concentration. Jotting down notes, on the other hand, tends to be an automatic, no-thought-required type of thing!
2. Calligraphy is an expensive activity/hobby.
You know that part in the song Forget You by Cee Lo Green where he sings, “I’m sorry / I can’t afford a Ferrari / But that don’t mean I can’t get you there!”? Same principle with calligraphy: you can spend as much money on calligraphy supplies as you want, but you really only need a few basic tools to get you there. All of them are listed in The Utimate DIY Modern Calligraphy Starter’s Kit. All in all, a fantastic DIY starter kit will cost you $25 or so.
I’ll admit it: I have about a gazillion calligraphy supplies and I spend freely on my interest in the art. However, out of all the supplies I have purchased, I use the same tools 99% of the time. If all my other supplies disappeared, I’d be happy as long as I still had these!:
- Brause EF 66 nib, Nikko G nib
- Plastic straight pen
- Rodger’s Pen Box oblique pen fitted for Brause EF 66 nib
- Sumi ink
3. Lefties cannot create calligraphy.
Here’s the thing, lefties: we people who write with our right hands, we don’t understand how you write. It’s easier for us right-handed people to say, “Well, since you can’t do it like me, you’re out of luck,” rather than say, “I don’t understand the technicals of how you can do this — but you can.” I know it’s a right-handed person’s world; my father is left-handed, and the poor guy was tormented up through fourth grade by teachers that tried — quite forcefully — to get him to write with his right (“correct”) hand.
If you’re a lefty who is able to write with your hand under the calligraphy, your orientation can be more of an advantage than a drawback. Right-handed people actually use oblique pens to try and emulate the natural angle that you’re able to approach the paper from! If you’re a lefty who has developed a funky way to write, there’s still hope! You can write with left-handed oblique pens or flourishing pens. Some lefties even write with right-handed oblique pens! The main rule for anyone learning calligraphy — right- or left-handed — is do what works for you.
If you’re left-handed, here are two articles that may interest you:
4. You have to have a dip pen to create calligraphy.
Dip pens can be intimidating, and there are different reasons for not wanting to use one. Maybe you’re just not ready. Maybe you’ve got a child in the prime of his or her “terrible twos” and you know that little jar of (very permanent) ink is going to end up all over the carpet. Or, maybe you’re just not sure about investing in a dip pen starter kit yet!
Know that you have many, many options for writing non-dip pen calligraphy. They include:
- Faux calligraphy – You can make this with any writing utensil, including regular pens, pencils, or chalk!
- Brush pen calligraphy – Brush pens have a nice, flexible tip that allows you to make high-contrast calligraphy.
- “Crayola” calligraphy – Broad-tipped markers, such as Crayola, offer an economical and fun way to write calligraphy!
- Pencil calligraphy – You can vary the pressure that you exert as you’re writing with a pencil in order to make unique and eye-catching calligraphy.
Here are examples of all of the techniques mentioned above:
5. Dip pens are only good for creating calligraphy.
If you’re not interested in illustration/drawing at all, then this calligraphy myth may be true for you. But, if you’re creative enough to create calligraphy (and you are, trust me); then you’re also creative enough to create illustrations! All of the illustrations below were made using a calligraphy pen and sumi ink and/or watercolor.
If you want to learn more about how to create and/or print any of these illustrations, you can visit:
- Watercolor Henna Cat Illustration Tutorial
- Illustrated Lace Butterfly Card Tutorial
- How to Create an Illustrated Watercolor Map
- “Springtime in Paris” Printable Stationery
- Printable Henna Bluebird Illustrations
6. If you know how to create calligraphy, you can write on any paper surface.
This myth is partially true. You can write on any paper, just maybe not with a dip pen. For example, if you attempt to write on regular printer paper with sumi or India ink, that particular paper will absorb the ink like crazy. This will result in fuzzy letters that bleed out at the edges! There are a few solutions. If you have a fairly smooth paper surface, you can add gum arabic.
That said, there are some papers that aren’t conducive to standard dip pen calligraphy. Try writing on a kraft grocery sack, for instance, with sumi ink and a dip pen: the ink will bleed like crazy! Ditto for cardstock. Truthfully, there are papers that are optimal for calligraphy and papers that simply aren’t. You can read about them in this article!
7. You must take classes to learn calligraphy.
While my husband was working on his PhD in Aerospace Engineering, his advisor sat him down and said, “As a general rule, classes are useless. You can learn whatever you want from books and the internet.” (Hernán’s former advisor is a German engineer who doesn’t mince words.) While, obviously, this isn’t a blanket statement, it does apply to many things, and it has inspired me to pursue learning many things!
The thing about a class is it organizes information and techniques in a logical and comprehensive way. A good calligraphy workshop provides you with information and feedback that’s relevant to your skill level, and it gives you a clear path for improvement. If you learn best with structure, then a class is definitely beneficial! But, if you’re able to learn via piecing together bits and pieces of information from books and online, power to you! I actually have a YouTube video to get you started. 🙂
8. Calligraphed envelopes won’t get delivered.
You might be curious about how many calligraphed envelopes have been returned to me … and the answer is zero. Okay, yes, I think two in the past three years have gotten lost; but I chalk that up to USPS’s 6% non-delivery rate. That said, I’ve gleaned from reader emails that some post offices seem to be more tolerant than others. What my post office in Boulder decides to let through, your post office in New Orleans (let’s say), might wag a finger at. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from trying!
If you’re curious about how to make calligraphed mail that gets delivered, I’ve got a couple of articles that you might find helpful. The first is How to Make Deliverable Mail Art, and the second is 10 Mail Art Tips.
That’s it for the top eight calligraphy myths (that I know of, at least)! If you are aware of any more myths, or want to know whether something you have heard is myth or fact, please feel free to comment. I’m always happy to hear what’s on your mind!
Thanks very much for reading TPK, and have a great weekend!
Warmly,
I love this! I was particularly worried about the deliverability (?) of the gorgeous envelopes. However, I’m gonna have to actually get around to making them to find out. Thanks so much!
Yes! It depends on the post office, but my envelopes have always gotten delivered successfully!
Great, informative post—you are a calligraphy enabler! When I get busy, things that feed me, like calligraphy can be neglected; you always remind me how much I enjoy it. Thank you!
There is hope for “lefties”! As a left hander, it is encouraging to know that Calligraphy is an art that I can undertake, and undertake successfully. It is great to feel “included” rather than dismissed as a no hoper. There are some great articles and useful information to follow that allows me to undertake this beautiful and creative art form. THANK YOU !
This blog post has inspired me to keep trying with learning dip pen calligraphy i have an oblique holder, nikko g nibs, ink and paper but haven’t practiced a whole lot because I get discouraged easily. But this blog post helped a lot. In fact all of your blog posts help a lot they’re always so encouraging. Thank you so much.
Thank you. I’ve been really interested getting started. This has helped.
I am so glad to hear it! Can’t wait to see you progress.
I’ve always marvelled at copperplate (dip pen) calligraphy but never went into it assuming it was far too expensive! I wishes now that I had at least researched the prices as I would have then started much earlier!
It’s never too late to start! 🙂
It is not necessary to take classes to learn calligraphy. I love learning creative stuff on the social media’s I use; Wether it be on instagram, YouTube, Facebook. I learn languages and creative arts on this medias. Calligraphy is no different as I have picked up some techniques just through thepostmansknock posts I frequently view and enjoy. Not to contradict myself, but I also love traditional classes. If anyone wants to learn something creative especially, it is better to learn as much as they want, whenever they want, and wherever they want. 🤔 Learning while enjoying something like calligraphy is great as it supplements the experience and strengthens the connection between the art and learner. That is what I have planned for the summer too.
Exactly! So great to hear 🙂
Glad to hear being left handed isn’t necessarily a drawback. I’m working on some techniques using a kit and it’s a little tricky getting the feel for being “backward”. Thanks for the encouragement to keep trying!
Yes–calligraphy is for everyone! I’m glad this helped 🙂
I loved learning that the dip pen can be used for more than just calligraphy.
Yes it’s great for so much more!
Articles like this are always so helpful and motivating for fledglings like me! Thanks!
You’re welcome! And good luck! 🙂
Really enjoyed this post. Lots of information. Also found the link to your rent payment envelopes. Fantastic!!!!
I am so glad! Xo
I love this pot about the myths …. it helps those of us who can get easily discouraged that anything is possible … thank you for your wonderful posts and give aways
You are so welcome!
Thanks so much for the links to information on “lefties” and calligraphy!
Of course! I am glad you found it helpful and have a resource or two!
I love this article. Sometimes it is disheartening to play the comparison game, but I love that you dispel these myths so at least a few things won’t get newbies down 😀
The one thing the pros and the newbies have in common is that they all begin in the same place. Use professional work as inspiration! I know I did and I am constantly still learning 🙂
I hope your Mother’s Day is awesome! I know it will be.
Such a happy baby you have!
Peggy
Thank you, Peggy 🙂 It was wonderful
Awesome article, I wanna check the alternatives to dip pens, it’d be helpful since I don’t have one.
There are so many! Good luck 🙂
Bottom line! Get the zip code correct!
I’ve had mail returned to me cuz of incorrect zip code. I got the correct mailing address, but the ZIP was wrong. It was returned.
nb
Haha! That is so true!
Hi! This may be an odd question, but will learning the art of calligraphy change my handwriting? Or, would I be able to retain my style?
You’ll retain your style. 🙂
I absolutely loved those super-original drill sheets!
Thanks for all the info!
I am so glad! You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Lindsey,
I have just found your blog post as I was thinking of trying out Calligraphy but I was hesitant whether I would be able to learn it or not. I am very interested in creative things like Calligraphy but I am lacking confidence. Your post just gave me that. Thank you for encouraging people including me to get started.
Keep on blogging, it is so enjoyable to ready your blog.
All the best,
Angela
Angela–
This is why I do it! I love hearing that I am giving confidence to those hesitant to trying it. It’s a difficult craft but you will have no problem learning it. Stay positive and driven!
Xo
I’m obviously late to this post, but do have one comment as a left-handed calligrapher. I haven’t had any unsurmountable issues with calligraphy pens, but I did study calligraphy in Japan as well and it cannot be done left handed. In traditional Japanese calligraphy (shodo or shuji) as brush is used to create Japanese characters (kanji). The formation of many of the strokes cannot be done left handed as one must pull the paintbrush to the right. The best a leftie can do is push the paintbrush, which does not have the same effect. So for my course, I used my right hand, which worked fine for me as I am fairly ambidextrous, but the limitation for me was creating small characters. Large was okay, but once they became too small (like a size closer to what you would typically see written on a page, my right-handed fine motor deficiency kicked in. Thought you might be interested in that feedback.
That’s interesting to know! It’s a bummer that lefties have so much difficulty writing traditional Japanese calligraphy. :-/
Love your list! I’m just learning calligraphy and am thrilled to find out that my normal chicken scratches don’t mean I can’t create beautiful letters! Thanks for all the info!!
Oh, and I had to mention your Dillons bag. I guess I thought we only had Dillons in Kansas. You’re in CO, right? Has our local grocery store branched out? 🙂
Oh my gosh! I love that you noticed that!! In Colorado, we have King Soopers. BUT: we also have a 10 cent per bag charge here in Boulder. I am originally from western KS (where my family still lives), so I have my mom save paper Dillon’s bags for me (because I have taken a weird “absolutely-will-not” stand against paying for grocery bags). I just like having them around for everything from projects like this to putting the recycling in.
Fun fact: my college roommate (KU) was David Dillon’s niece. She is, of course, from Hutch. 🙂
Hi Lindsey,
I so love this myths you enumerated.. 🙂 Always always thankful that I bumped into your youtube post. My calligraphy had a lot of improvement since then.. You really are a blessing to me 🙂
It’s funny how one chance encounter with a piece of information on the internet can lead to so much more inspiration and learning. I can totally relate! I’m glad that this blog serves a wonderful purpose for you; that makes my day. 🙂 Thank you, Farryl!
Thanks so much for addressing my issues with kraft paper! And I have plenty of acrylic inks and a shiny new Brause Rose nib! (And clearly a spending problem…)
Also, kinda mollified to see the Pentel EnerGel pen 😉 I hope it’s up to snuff.
I have decided that there are two things that you can spend freely on and not be considered to have a spending problem: 1. art supplies, 2. food. Both are necessary {for me, at least} to have a happy life, so I’ve got a no-limits policy, there!
I do love the contents of my Sally package so much! I use both the pens and the notebook every day — both are so portable {plus the leather from the notebook smells amazing}. Best. gift. ever!! Your little trinket is coming along slower than I expected; though that always happens to me! But: I’ll be excited when I send it!
Haha! My list is something like 1) Music 2) Food and 3) Calligraphy/Planner Supplies… And in about that order.
I love my FoxyDori too. (I got mine in the dark gray when I ordered yours…) And there are so many fun ways to use them and interesting inserts on Etsy now!
Also, no worries on the “trinket.” Please take all the time you need. 🙂
Oh, I think the FoxyDori is awesome! I would be lost without it; I use it to doodle in *and* make to-do lists. I can tell my FoxyDori and I are going to be very happy together for years to come! It was an extremely thoughtful gift that fits into my life priorities, for sure. 😉
Thank you for being patient with me! I always have grand ideas, but am slow on the execution. One of these days soon, I’ll send something that will brighten your mailbox.
Loved this post! I took good advice out of it and am very happy to see that there’s other people that enjoy writing their friends letters. I find it’s good practice and makes other people really happy!
Thanks for sharing, came here from reddit!
I’m loving the Adventure Milo site … though I have to say, it’s giving me wanderlust. Letters are amazing anyway, but they’re really neat when sent while traveling! I really enjoy seeing the different stamps and hearing about all the things that are going on.
So happy to see you came from Reddit! My spouse has been posting my blog posts there … I’m still a little shy on Reddit, but I’m getting there. 🙂
Another lovely post. Thank you! Ive been playing around woth calligraphy now for a couple of months and have to say that your posts and worksheets have been very helpful and inspirational. It was on one of your recommendations that i bought the modern calligraphy book you mention in this post and i love it. Spent atleast an hour tonight copying the variation examples of the letters and writing my name about 10 different ways. As a left handed person, you may be suprised to know i write and draw different to how i do calligraphy. Im usually a ‘hooker’ or over the top writer/drawer but for calligraphy i found keeping my wrist straight under my writing was easier. Its really true what they say, each to their own, its the results that matter.
Looking forward to your next post!
I really love that book, too! {Well, as you know!} And I agree with you that it’s just the results that matter. I’m an odd right-handed person in that to write “normally”, I turn the paper to a complete 90 degree angle, so I’m writing sideways. I’ve always done that; I remember my teachers in school thinking it was so odd. But, like you, when I write calligraphy, I keep my wrist under my writing as well. That said, just because that’s what works for me, that’s not what other people need to do! It’s always best to develop your own system, I think. 🙂
I’m really, really glad that you’re enjoying calligraphy and practicing! It’s a really neat skill to have that lasts a lifetime. Thanks very much for the leftie input!
Sorry, Lindsey, I don’t know any left- or right-handed calligraphers (except via the internet). Best of luck in your quest. Wow, your cat tutorial on Inkstruck Studios is fabulous (as are the dog, the fashionista, and the unseen guitar strummer on this post! I also love the floral Laurel wreath on the envelope.). You are quite the talented artist! I enjoyed perusing the Inkstruck Studios site. Thanks for the pointer! Kudos to Hernán as he nears the end of his journey to a Ph.D. Well done! Looking forward to Thursday’s blog post.
You did help me in my quest after all — thank you! I’ll be reaching out to your recommendation when I have a moment. 🙂
The unseen guitarist in this post is my little cousin! I’m working on her high school graduation invitation design here and there when I have time. Go figure; after I drew this one, she informed me she’d rather have an illustration of her playing the drums. Teenagers! I also really enjoy perusing Inkstruck Studios. Zakkiya’s style is different from my own, yet I never fail to garner inspiration from looking at her pieces!
We’re hoping Hernán is at the end of his journey! The timeline he and his professor came up with is December, but I think that’s sort of fluid. I know he’s ready to be out of school, though! We’ve already taught our little niece to call him “Uncle Doctor Carlos Hernán” in preparation … poor girl. What a mouthful! 😉
I learned calligraphy way back in the mid 70s as a high school student; it’s been a while since I’ve done it on a regular basis, but I’m coming back to it -and agree wholeheartedly with your post!
In regard to the post office pickle, I suggest using a certain office with regularity and if possible one or two clerks with whom you can chum up with. Along with calligraphy, I send the most odd things through the mail- always as un-boxed/packaged as my imagination will allow (pool noodles, sandals, beach pails, a fully blown up plastic pool dolphin, balls, a paint brush… you get the idea). At my post office they always greet me with excitement to see what I’ve brought in this time and beg to hear reports of how it was received (“Did it arrive still blown up?” That question always perks up the ears of others standing in line “What blew up?!?!?!”) While having friends at the post won’t guarantee a safe delivery, it does grant a safe passage through at least one facility!
Thanks again for always providing an interesting post and fab visuals to boot!
A wonderful tip, Penni! And I love that you are sending imaginative things through the post office — how fun! It’s probably really amusing for the clerks to see what your creativity has led to every time you come in. 🙂
I think that ultimately it’s important to realize that the post office is a system that can fall victim to human error every once in a while. The reasons that some letters aren’t delivered vary so much from situation to situation … maybe it was a windy day, and the letter blew out of the carrier’s bag or hands; maybe the letter was simply dropped by the carrier outside and s/he didn’t notice; maybe there was a domestic disaster at the post office {e.g. a bad water leak from broken pipes} that ruined a few letters. You just never know! So, it’s always good to try, try again.
Thanks for the cheerful advice and input! 🙂 I’m curious to hear about what you send next!
I am currently attempting to address the wedding invitations for my son’s wedding. His wonderful bride chose brown kraft paper envelopes, inner & outer, & wants them addressed in dark brown ink. I am on my second full day of mixing numerous combinations of walnut & gum arabic, Sepia with a drop of sumi black, walnut with a drop or two of sumi black. I still have problems with bleeding which wastes envelopes. Sadly, white is not an option she will consider. Will you kindly offer me advice?
Hmm … well, I don’t think you’re going to be able to use walnut ink because of its high water content, even if you add a ton of gum arabic. {Though: I could be wrong!}
You know what a fool-proof solution would be? Writing with gouache. Gouache dries pretty matte, so you’re not going to have that sheen that walnut ink has, but I actually love the matte, and it sounds like the bride likes an earthy vibe, so I’ll bet she’d like it, too. To write with gouache, you’ll just add water until the gouache is the consistency of heavy cream {if it’s too thick at that point, you can add more water drop by drop until you hit a “sweet spot”}. You can watch a video here of someone mixing gouache for calligraphy. Remember, you’ll want your gouache to be a bit thicker than the average ink, though, so it doesn’t bleed.
An alternative solution is this: you could go to Goulet Pen Co.’s website, take a look at their browns {here}, and identify if there are any browns that would work, color-wise, there. Then, you can scroll down to click the “Contact” option, and write them an email explaining that you are writing on kraft paper so you need a more viscous ink {I’d repeat to them what you have tried so far}. You can then mention the colors you think would work, and ask if Goulet anticipates bleeding with those options, and if so, if that can be remedied with gum arabic or a special ink thickener.
No matter what you decide to do, I’d dig one of the dud envelopes out of the recycle bin and use it to experiment on. The creative solution you come up with will, I’m sure, end up being really cool and unique! Just keep trying new inks {or ink concoctions} until something works!
Hi Lindsey!
Enjoyed reading this post! There are so many myths, and people think that it sooo hard to do calligraphy, especially when they think that you need to have nice handwriting. It’s all about how letters are built.
I’m a left handed calligrapher (for about 2 years). Feel free to check out my site if you like. I’d be happy to see if I can answer some leftie questions if you want to send them my way!
Love when you posts end up in my mail box. They are always so good! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Reva
Hi Reva!
I would love to compile a few questions for you and make a blog post that can help some lefties {and give learners confidence}! You’ll be hearing from me this week — thanks so much!
This is really a good article. And i like how you explain the proper or what type of ink i can use with a different kind of paper.That is sometimes my problem, it bleds. But question, when is the right time to change the nib? Tysm
Hello!
There is no set time that you need to change the nib; I just stop using one if I notice it’s not writing like it used to. 🙂 It’s always best to buy 2-3 of the same nib at a time, use one for a few months, and when the ink doesn’t flow as smoothly or you just notice it’s acting weird, you can throw it away {or upcycle in a creative project … jewelry?} and use another another one!
Sorry for the somewhat vague response! I wish nibs had an expiration timeline so my answer could be more exact; but the real answer is you’ll just know when it’s time … I promise!
I was one of the many who asked Lindsey about left-handed calligraphy, and she assured me that I could do it. I was also inspired by this video showing master calligrapher John DeCollibus at work. (Inspiring – but don’t be discouraged – he’s been doing this for 40 years!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiupZ2L_U8
Thanks so much for sharing that, Pam! What an inspiration — and it’s great to be able to see his hand position and also that he is using a left oblique pen! 🙂
Lindsey, thanks for the write up. Being fairly new to calligraphy I have not or was not aware of all the incorrect thinking in regards to this art but now if any any concerns should arise I can throw them out the window. I do know that it is because of you that I was finally able to jump into calligraphy with confidence being a left handed person and thinking “Yeah, I can’t learn this.” But you set me straight on that. Lol and even told me I have an advantage. Your words of encouragement set me on a path of being free to master and create without fear. I am learning I am Imperfectly perfect in creating calligraphy my way because of my left hand gift.
I’m really happy that you are creating calligraphy without inhibitions! I’m really wanting to write a blog post for left-handed learners so they can have a bit more specific information. However, it really is a “whatever works” type thing! It sounds like you’re developing a great system to make calligraphy, and that’s so wonderful. Go, Suzette! And thank you!