Move over, modern calligraphy! (Well, just for a moment.) TPK’s very first traditional calligraphy worksheet is here, and it will teach you how to create Copperplate calligraphy.
For the past nine years, I’ve joyfully created modern calligraphy. It never occurred to me to try my hand at a traditional style until I began getting requests for Copperplate calligraphy worksheets starting about five years ago. At that point, I picked up Eleanor Winters’ Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy, and I promptly felt overwhelmed by all the rules and guidelines.
As time has passed, though, I’ve noticed more and more calligraphers using Copperplate in a playful way. As I’ve seen more Copperplate, my fondness for it has increased. It’s kind of like hearing a song on the radio … at first, it might not be your jam, but the more you hear it, the more you like it. As a result, I’ve started playing with this timeless style, and I thought you might like to, as well!
I don’t pretend to be a Copperplate pro; I’m not. I learned everything I know about this style from reading Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy and from Joe Vitolo’s free eBook Script in the Copperplate Style. Both works recommend using four to six horizontal calligraphy guidelines, but I like to use three to keep things simple. The books explain that each letter should have very specific strokes, and there is a correct and an incorrect way for letters to look. I can’t bring myself to stress over a letter that’s too pinched or too wide, so I’m not the best traditional calligrapher out there, for sure!
What I can assure you is that I’ve had fun trying on Copperplate letterforms. Sometimes, I take creative license with the letters; and other times, I stick to the script. In TPK’s new Copperplate worksheet, I included true Copperplate letters without modifications.
In short, my disclaimer is that if you choose to practice with the TPK Copperplate worksheet, you’re not learning Copperplate from an aficionado. I’m just a casual Copperplate admirer who is having fun with it, and I want to pass that fun on to you, too!
TPK’s premium Limited Edition Copperplate worksheet is ten pages long and walks you through how to write every character A-Z, a-z, 1-0, and &. I recommend printing the worksheet on 32# premium laserjet paper, then filling it out with iron gall ink and your favorite pen/nib. If you’re right-handed, an oblique pen is great for this worksheet.
I don’t recommend this worksheet for pointed pen beginners. It’s best to fill it out if you have an understanding of calligraphy basics! Below, you’ll find a short video that I made of me writing in my worksheet set. I’m using Walker’s Copperplate ink, a Brause EF66 oblique pen, and a Brause EF66 nib.
If you can’t see this video, you can watch it on YouTube here.
There are two versions of the worksheet; one is the premium 11-page version with plenty of guided practice ($5). The other is free, and it’s a basic 2-page exemplar. Choose which one fits your budget and your needs!
TPK’s premium Copperplate worksheet will be available on the TPK website through Tuesday, April 20th. After that date, it will no longer be available for purchase/download. However, anyone who purchases it will continue to enjoy unlimited access to it.
A comprehensive Copperplate worksheet would be a great permanent addition to the TPK Catalog! Unfortunately, I’ve got a lot on my plate right now with filming a couple of online courses. There’s just not enough time in my schedule at the moment to create a big Copperplate worksheet with drills, lots of word practice, and an accompanying video. So, I decided to make this smaller worksheet for now. Then, hopefully later this year or early next year, you can look for a big Copperplate worksheet that lives on the site permanently!
In the meantime, I’m confident that you’ll enjoy using this worksheet set to develop your Copperplate skills. Remember: I’m not a huge stickler for rules or rigidity, so I’m sure my Copperplate isn’t 100% perfect. To learn from the masters, you can purchase Eleanor Winters’ book or check out Dr. Joe Vitolo’s eBook (for FREE!) here.
Have fun and happy writing!
Warmly,
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