• Free Printable Calligraphy Drills: “Cool Calligraphy Drills” Worksheet

    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 –…

    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.