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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.

    Free Printable Calligraphy Drills: “Cool Calligraphy Drills” Worksheet

    April 20, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Beginner’s Calligraphy, Calligraphy, Calligraphy Drills, Free Printables, Intermediate Calligraphy, Printable Goodies

    Calligraphy drills are a must for all skill levels! If you’re a beginner, they can help you practice common strokes and gain a mastery of the dip pen. Intermediate calligraphers will benefit from writing drills that commonly occur in flourishing, which helps with making effortless-looking embellishments. And advanced calligraphers can — and often do –…

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    FREE & Fresh Printable Calligraphy Drills

    Ready to add to your calligraphy drills worksheet collection? TPK’s 8 Cool Calligraphy Drills worksheet features a set of fresh, printable calligraphy drills that are perfect for anyone looking to get better with a dip pen. These drills are suitable for all skill levels and include a range of exercises to help you master pointed pen calligraphy. The best part? This two-page worksheet is completely free and can be used to warm up before a project or as a regular practice tool.

    In the video above, I’m writing the “minimum” drill from 8 Cool Calligraphy Drills. I used a Brause EF66 nib in an oblique pen with sumi ink, but you should feel free to write with any nib/pen/ink combination that’s best for you.

    TPK’s Newest Printable Free Calligraphy Drills

    If you’re looking for a fun way to improve your calligraphy skills, don’t miss out on 8 Cool Calligraphy Drills. This two-page worksheet features eight unique exercises that will challenge you to perfect your basic strokes and take on more complex techniques. Don’t forget to print it out on 32# laserjet paper (HP Premium is my preferred pick) for the best possible writing experience.

    These new drills are free, and you can find them by clicking the button below:

    DOWNLOAD “8 COOL CALLIGRAPHY DRILLS”

    Why Do Calligraphy Drills?

    Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced calligrapher, there’s no denying the benefits of calligraphy drills. For starters, drills offer a direct path to improving your skills and confidence. Personally, I love using drills to familiarize myself with new nib and ink combinations. By practicing with a repetitive, calming movement, I find it easier to adapt to an unfamiliar supply.

    Printable Calligraphy Drills

    Over the years, I’ve also learned to do drills before I jump into a dip pen session. Don’t try to make a calligraphy project without warming up first! Otherwise, you’ll likely experience shaky strokes or jerky writing motions. Taking a couple of minutes to write a few drills before you create “real life” calligraphy can make a world of difference. Take it from someone who has tackled many a project without warming up first … with not so great results.

    LEARN ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF DOING DRILLS

    Keeping Calligraphy Drills Fun

    Calligraphy practice doesn’t have to be tedious. You just have to get creative with it! That’s why I love coming up with new and interesting calligraphy drills to work on. The last four drills in today’s worksheet are a perfect example of this. They’re challenging, but also a lot of fun to work through. And once you’ve mastered them, there are plenty of ways to use them in your own projects. The Evergreen Drill, for instance, makes a beautiful addition to any holiday-themed design.

    6 Simple Ways to Make a Calligraphy Christmas Tree
    We’re several months away from the holiday season, but you really can’t go wrong pre-making a few gift tags or cards using the Evergreen Drill concept.

    If you enjoy today’s drills, TPK has several themed drills packets for your practicing pleasure. My personal favorite is the Fairytale Drills worksheet, but the Under the Sea worksheet is the best seller. No matter which theme you spring for, it’s fun to work through all the drills, carefully completing each one until you get to the projects portion and find yourself flourishing magnificent fish, dragons, or birds!

    Premium Calligraphy Drills

    BROWSE PREMIUM CALLIGRAPHY DRILLS

    A BOGO Weekend Treat

    If you enjoy today’s free drills, I suspect that you’ll love TPK’s themed premium calligraphy drills. Give two of them a try this weekend with a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) deal! Add any two of these calligraphy drills worksheets to your cart, then input the code 2DRILLSBOGO in the “Apply Gift Card” field at checkout. Voilà! You’ll get double the practice for the price of one worksheet. The code expires this Sunday, April 23rd, at midnight MDT.

    Not Your Average Calligraphy Drills: Under the Sea Edition | The Postman's Knock
    This “Stinging Jellyfish” drill is from TPK’s Under the Sea Calligraphy Drills.

    Thanks so much for reading today’s short article, and I encourage you to fill out the 8 Cool Calligraphy Drills worksheet when you have the chance! I gave it a test run yesterday as I listened to an audiobook, and I was immediately transported to a tranquil calligraphy paradise. The practice session underlined the reason I love creating calligraphy: it’s a slow and deliberate activity, and it never fails to make me feel centered. I hope this new drills sheet helps you to relax a little bit, too!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

    This article was first posted in November of 2020. It has been updated to include new photos, a video, and clearer information.

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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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60 responses

  1. Connie Avatar
    Connie
    December 15, 2020

    I need these! After trying the tree template in the 2019 Holiday packet, I realize I need practice with flourishing!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      December 15, 2020

      Yes, they are amazing & so helpful!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Leslie Avatar
    Leslie
    December 14, 2020

    Thank you so much for this lovely drill set! I tried making some Christmas cards without warming up first, and just like you described, my writing was shaky and a little uneven. I warmed up with some basic strokes, but this drill set looks much more fun!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      December 15, 2020

      Absolutely! Warming up makes such a difference! I hope you get to try this drill set soon. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  3. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie
    December 14, 2020

    I love all the work you do. Thank you so much for sharing. I so want to get started!!
    Valerie

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      December 15, 2020

      My pleasure! I hope you can get started soon. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  4. Penelope Luedtke Avatar
    Penelope Luedtke
    December 14, 2020

    Thank you so much for providing these! I’m beginning to look for more and more opportunities to practice and learn. The more resources I find online, the more I want to learn and get good at hand lettering. I so appreciate your generosity!!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      December 15, 2020

      My pleasure & I’m so happy to hear that! Practice always makes progress. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  5. amma_mama Avatar
    amma_mama
    December 14, 2020

    Thank you for providing these drills. They are so much fun to practice with .

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      December 27, 2020

      Absolutely!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Valerie Hess Avatar
    Valerie Hess
    December 14, 2020

    Can I use a calligraphy pen instead of a dip pen to practice or does the fact that one is pre-inked and smooth like a marker defeat the purpose?

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      January 4, 2021

      It sounds like you’re looking to create brush pen calligraphy! Here’s an article about that: https://thepostmansknock.com/using-brush-pens-for-calligraphy-collection-worksheets/

      Log in to Reply
  7. Rhea W Avatar
    Rhea W
    November 23, 2020

    I love these! Thank you 🙂

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      November 29, 2020

      Absolutely!

      Log in to Reply
  8. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa
    November 23, 2020

    This is going to be my holiday stress relief. Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      November 29, 2020

      Yes, definitely! I hope you enjoy. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  9. null Avatar
    null
    November 23, 2020

    Always enjoy the calligraphy drills! Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      November 29, 2020

      I’m so glad to hear that! My pleasure. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  10. Chantal Block Avatar
    Chantal Block
    November 23, 2020

    Thank you for this! These worksheets have been invaluable as I learn my new pandemic skill 🙂

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      November 29, 2020

      I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
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🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around be 🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around because my kids love to color (right now, their pages of choice are K-Pop Demon Hunter-themed). While I’m always down for some adult coloring, I also love to letter with crayons! In the latest TPK tutorial — link in bio — you’ll learn how to make this cozy ombré wax crayon calligraphy. 🍁 Switch up the color scheme if you’re not a pumpkin spice person! This technique looks great with light blue, dark blue, and dark purple; or light green, dark green, and dark blue. #crayoncalligraphy #crayolacrayons #waxcrayons #adultcoloring #autumnart #cozylettering #handlettering #lettering
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
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