A customs delay has led to a delightful treat: an 11-page free “teaser” worksheet! In the worksheet, you’ll become acquainted with Cocktail Casual calligraphy. If you like it, you can snag the official Cocktail Casual Calligraphy Worksheet when it’s released next week!
Cocktail Casual calligraphy is a loose, bohemian style with just the right amount of flourish. I love it because it’s quick and not too fussy; anything goes. There’s need to draw out a pencil draft and no need to center. You just put pen to paper and do your thing!
I actually have the full Cocktail Casual Calligraphy Worksheet all ready to go. It features 60+ pages of core practice, plus around 150 pages of intensive alphabet and word practice. But. Iron gall ink is really the best ink for writing Cocktail Casual calligraphy, and my iron gall shipment was a bit late in arriving. (My ink comes from the UK and has to go through customs, which sometimes takes longer than anticipated.)
I didn’t want to release the official Cocktail Casual calligraphy worksheet until I have iron gall ink readily available. So, I put together a substantial teaser worksheet to give you a weekend challenge. It should tide you over until the ink — and, therefore, the worksheet — are ready next week!
Basically, the teaser worksheet offers a chance to give Cocktail Casual calligraphy a spin before the official worksheet comes out. First, you’ll start with some long, fluid drills. Then, you’ll move on to a fun exercise: invitation word practice.
I love it when invitations are written in elegant but casual calligraphy. Announcing an event using a calligraphy style like this one lays expectations that a soirée will be chic and tasteful. I thought this would be a fun exercise because it’s been a while since many of us have had the chance to look at — or design — an invitation!
The word practice in this worksheet will encourage you to let your proverbial calligraphy hair down. In Cocktail Casual calligraphy, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to write something, and consistency isn’t a must. If your letters don’t look exactly like my model letters, embrace that. And, of course, you should *never* hesitate to add an extra flourish or two!
On Thursday (9/16), the official Cocktail Casual Calligraphy worksheet will become available. You can expect to find plenty of tips for writing Cocktail Casual calligraphy in next Friday’s article, but I’ll give you a barebones run-through here. First, if at all possible, use a thin ink like iron gall or walnut. Second, use the pointed pen nib that you are most comfortable with! The goal is to write this style at a relatively brisk pace, so it’s important to feel at ease with your writing tool. Third, of course, use a smooth, calligraphy-friendly paper like Rhodia or 32# laserjet.
Finally, make sure that you’re not working on a sticky surface. Arms tend to stick to naked tabletops, so always keep a big piece of paper (or fabric) between your forearm and the table. That way, you arm can move freely, giving you the ability to make deft, long strokes.
I hope that you enjoy the free worksheet! Remember to look out for the official Cocktail Casual Calligraphy Worksheet on Thursday, when it will be announced here on the TPK blog. Thanks very much for reading, and happy practicing!
Warmly,
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