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  • Free Pointed Pen Worksheet: How to Make a “Foxtrot” Calligraphy Medallion

    May 30, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    — Leave a Comment

    Calligraphy, Calligraphy Medallions, Dip Pen Calligraphy, Free Printables, Tutorials, Video

    Today, I’ve got two special treats for you! First, you can download a free pointed pen worksheet that will show you how to make an intricate calligraphy medallion. Second, enjoy the detailed video demonstration that I prepared to go along with it. Happy creating!

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    8 Time Lapse Art Videos That Will Inspire You To Create
    You can download a free pointed pen worksheet with instructions detailing how to make this “Foxtrot” calligraphy medallion.

    Calligraphy medallions are stunning works of art that are the result of graceful strokes and careful repetition. When you make a calligraphy medallion, you improve your technical skills and ability to use a pointed pen. You also learn how to make everything look balanced and develop spatial judgment abilities. While these benefits are appealing, the best part about making calligraphy medallions is seeing the intricate result of all your hard work! Today, I’ll show you how to make the “Foxtrot” medallion from TPK’s Dancing Pen Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet.

    Free “Foxtrot” Calligraphy Medallion Pointed Pen Worksheet Download

    Free Pointed Pen Worksheet: How to Make a "Foxtrot" Calligraphy Medallion

    You can find the “Foxtrot” Calligraphy Medallion Pointed Pen Worksheet by clicking here. This three-page PDF worksheet is a sample from TPK’s Dancing Pen Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet! I suspect that once you make this medallion, you’ll catch the calligraphy medallion “bug”. You’ll find yourself compelled to keep making more and more of them!

    DOWNLOAD THE FREE WORKSHEET

    Video Demonstration

    I made a ~4 minute video demonstration to go along with this free worksheet. In it, I’ll walk you through the creation process with step-by-step instructions. (Note that much of the video has been accelerated. You can expect the “Foxtrot” medallion to take anywhere from 20-45 minutes to create, depending on your skill level and the materials you use.

    (Don’t forget to download the free Foxtrot Calligraphy Medallion Worksheet!)


    If you enjoy making today’s calligraphy medallion, I encourage you to explore the calligraphy medallion rabbit hole! Both the Dancing Pens and Birds & Botanicals Calligraphy Medallion Worksheets offer delightful and challenging exercises.

    Waltz Calligraphy Medallion
    This is the “Waltz” medallion from the Dancing Pen Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet.

    TPK also has a tidy handful of free calligraphy medallion tutorials. They include:

    • Simple Calligraphy Medallion Tutorial
    • Marvelous Medallion Calligraphy Birthday Card Tutorial
    • Springtime Calligraphy Medallion Tutorial
    • Flourished Calligraphy Medallion Tutorial
    Marvelous Medallion Calligraphy Birthday Card Tutorial
    You can use today’s instructions to make the Marvelous Medallion Calligraphy Birthday Card Tutorial.

    I hope that you enjoy today’s free pointed pen worksheet and the video demonstration. Thanks so much for watching/reading!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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Sketchbooking

About the author

Hi! I’m Lindsey Bugbee! The designer + illustrator + calligrapher behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). TPK is a blog focused on teaching creative techniques and offering guides to learning modern calligraphy and illustration. I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it! If you are new to calligraphy, check out the Beginner’s Guide to Modern Calligraphy!

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Several years ago, a TPK reader sent me a blunt sy Several years ago, a TPK reader sent me a blunt syringe that she’d picked up at an art supplies shop in Japan. At first, I wondered what on earth I’d do with such a thing! Then, the usages just kept coming. Now, I always have a blunt syringe around to dilute inks with water, moisten watercolors, and turn gouache into ink!

If you’ve just been using a spoon to add water to your inks/paints, you’ll appreciate the precision that a blunt syringe offers. Like a black eraser, it’s a cheap powerhouse tool. Pick one up next time you place an order at TPK! At $1.50, it’s not really worth ordering by itself (frankly, shipping will cost more than the syringe), but it’s the perfect add-on item. Visit the link in my profile to find it!

#pointedpencalligraphy #pointedpenlove #watercolor #watercolour #watercolorart #handpainted #painting #moderncalligraphy #calligraphy #dippen #pointedpen #calligrapher #calligrapherssecret #arttools #artsupplies #calligraphylove #inking #creativeprocess #artsyfinds #calligraphytips #handlettering #artistlife #createeveryday #artisticjourney #stationeryaddict #paperlove #penandink #craftingtools
Mixed up such a fantastic pink gouache that I forg Mixed up such a fantastic pink gouache that I forgot how to spell “fantastic”. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ But who can blame me? This pink on black is soooo cool!

To make this tone, I combined Schmincke gouache tones — opaque white and madder red — in a 0.5 oz container. I added probably 1.5 teaspoons of water and let everything sit for a couple of minutes to give the gouache time to loosen up a bit. (The white, especially, comes out of the tube with a fairly solid texture.) Then, I used a chopstick to stir everything up. After that, voilà: a fabulous opaque pink! 🎨

Some people add gum arabic to their gouache; I’ve found that this isn’t necessary with the Schmincke. Since it’s intended specifically for calligraphy, it tends to cooperate as soon as you’ve mixed it in that perfect creamy viscosity. To learn more about how to use gouache to write calligraphy, visit the link in my profile.

Okay, off to write more pink calligraphy — and hopefully it will be spelled correctly this time. 😁 Have a “fantasic” day!

#pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #gouachecalligraphy #pointedpen #schmincke #calligraphygouache #calligraphypractice #dippencalligraphy #misspelling #calligraphylove #calligrapher #calligraphyart #calligraphymasters #flourishing #calligraphycommunity #calligraphylettering #pointedpenlove #pinkandblack #calligraphyaddict #pinkcalligraphy #pointedpenpractice #handwriting #thecalligraphyhub #dippen #handwritten #penmanship #handmade #modernscript #letteringchallenge
A lot of people don’t realize what a slow, inten A lot of people don’t realize what a slow, intentional process pointed pen calligraphy is. It’s not about the speed; it’s about the focus. You see the pace I’m going in this video? That’s what you need to shoot for! It’s okay to go a little bit faster or a little bit slower — calligraphy isn’t one size fits all — but pointed pen calligraphy is *never* going to reach a pace that’s similar to that of everyday handwriting. ✍️ 

Calligraphy drills are really great for figuring out what speed works best for you and sorting out your ability to make stroke contrast. This drills sheet is a free download at TPK, and I encourage you to take advantage of it! It starts with basic drills like the one I’m doing here, then it progresses to a page with a gorgeous flourished seahorse drill. Everything in the drills sheet has a marine theme because why not keep it fun? 🧜‍♀️🐟 PDF link in profile! 

Speaking of a marine theme: I absolutely love this song. My husband makes fun of me for it (“What? Are you a pirate now, or ...?”) Of course, I am jumping at the chance to include it in a reel. 😁

#pointedpen #calligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphydrills #handlettering #lettering #pointedpendrills #penmanship #handwritten #dippen #flourishing #calligraphypractice #calligraphymasters #calligrapher #dippencalligraphy #calligraphyart #calligraphylove #freecalligraphyworksheet #calligraphycommunity #calligraphyworksheet #calligraphylettering #freecalligraphydrills #flourish #obliquepen #learncalligraphy #learnpointedpencalligraphy #pointedpenlove #fearlessflourishing #thecalligraphyhub
Did you know: this fabulous (hand-drawn!!) thank y Did you know: this fabulous (hand-drawn!!) thank you card is a FREE printable on the TPK website. You can follow the link in my profile to download it. 🥳

Once you’ve got the file, print it out on the highest quality print setting you have. Print it on the heaviest paper that your printer will allow you to use; I use an Epson paper that’s around  100# and great for printing off artwork. Then, cut out the design, fold it, and write your message on the inside. And voilà: an instant + unique thank you card!

#diycard #diythankyoucard #freedownload #penandinkillustration #illustration #handmadecards #paperlove #stationeryaddict #artprintable #cardmaking #gratitudecards #snailmaillove #printathome #craftyday #diyproject #greetingcards #thankyounotes #printablecards #cardcrafting #paperprojects #creativeexpression #stationerylove #papercrafts #inkandpaper #craftersofinstagram #paperpassion #cardlover #cardmakersofinstagram #sendmoremail
If you plan on giving a DIY gift or two this holid If you plan on giving a DIY gift or two this holiday season, now is the best time to start planning! Pretty soon, we’ll be knee-deep in the “holidaze”, when it’s impossible to get practically anything done. 

To me, this anniversary artwork (which could double as a holiday gift) is the perfect thoughtful present. It’s a conversation-starter, a memory-keeper, and a celebration all rolled into one! It’s also incredibly time-consuming to make something like this, so there’s that. 🤷‍♀️ But: the most precious commodity we have is time, which makes gifts like this one all the more special. To find instructions over how to make it — along with the help of a digital shortcut — visit the link in my profile!

#anniversaryart #anniversary #art #anniversarygifts #watercolorart #anniversarygift #illustration #love #watercolorwedding #weddinganniversarygift #painting #holidaygift #happyanniversary #anniversarygiftsforhim #anniversarygiftideas #diypresent #procreateart #anniversarygiftcustom #diywatercolorart #watercolorpainting #watercolortutorial #dailyart #handmade #connecticutlove #coupleart #cute #poitnedpencalligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #customartwork
** Nib on paper ASMR ** 😌 ✍️ In today’s ** Nib on paper ASMR ** 😌 ✍️ 

In today’s technology-saturated world, handwriting often gets tossed to the wayside. Some say that handwriting doesn’t really matter anymore, but I disagree. For one thing, handwriting is one of the most personal reflections of you. To hold something that someone wrote feels more intimate than looking at a photo — probably because a piece of handwriting requires active concentration and touch from its writer. (For this reason, I love looking through my late grandmother’s recipe box, with all its handwritten ingredient lists and instructions). ❤️

Furthermore, studies have shown that handwriting stimulates the brain differently than typing, promoting better retention of information and aiding in the learning process. The act of putting pen to paper can also be therapeutic, offering a mindful respite from the constant screen time and digital distractions. Plus, in an age of emails and texts, a handwritten note or letter carries an emotional weight and sentimentality that digital communication often lacks. 

Sometimes, though, people feel self-conscious about their handwriting. If that resonates with you, here are my top three tips for writing in fluid, pretty cursive:

1️⃣ Use a pen with smooth ink flow (in this video, I’m using a Pilot Falcon fountain pen; but I often use Pentel Touch or Pilot G2 05 gel pens).

2️⃣ Practice regularly with guided worksheets (TPK has a *fabulous* — and rigorous — elegant cursive worksheet; link in profile).

3️⃣ Analyze and adjust your grip and posture for comfort. A relaxed grip is key!

#CursiveHandwriting #HandwritingTips #CalligraphyLove #CursivePractice #HandwritingMatters #CursiveWriting #Penmanship #HandwritingHelp #WritingJourney #ImproveYourHandwriting #HandwritingGoals #ScriptLove #CursiveGoals #WriteBetter #ModernCalligraphy #WritingTips #HandLettering #LetteringLove #CursiveScript #HandwritingImprovement #ScriptPractice #HandwritingCoach #LoveToWrite #HandwritingSkills #Scripting #CursiveMagic #WriteDaily #HandwritingPassion #ElegantScript #ScriptTransformations”
👻 Is Halloween on your radar yet? If yes, consi 👻 Is Halloween on your radar yet? If yes, consider sending cards or making delightfully creepy artwork to start celebrating! Follow the link in my profile for Halloween inspiration, including free tutorials and worksheets + information about TPK’s premium artistic Halloween resources. 

This is a time lapse video of the trumpet vine sugar skull illustration tutorial from TPK’s “Halloween Fun Art and Calligraphy Worksheet” — which includes an optional instructional video component! I’ve included traceable templates to ensure that your illustrated skull looks gorgeous every time. 💀🌹

#HalloweenInspiration #CreepyArtwork #HalloweenCards #ArtisticHalloween #HalloweenFun #CalligraphyWorksheets #HalloweenCalligraphy #SugarSkullArt #TrumpetVine #IllustrationTutorial #HalloweenCrafts #SpookyArt #OctoberCrafts #DIYHalloween #HalloweenArtProjects #SkullIllustration #HalloweenCountdown #SpookySeason #ArtisticResources #TraceableTemplates #ArtTutorials #CreepyCreations #HalloweenCreatives #SpookySketches #HalloweenDIY #SkullArt #CelebrateHalloween #HalloweenLovers #FallCrafting #GhoulishGraphics
Last week, we went to a party where @facefiesta (L Last week, we went to a party where @facefiesta (Leah Reddell) was painting faces and giving henna tattoos. 👩‍🎨 I’ve been vaguely aware of henna and its intricate patterns for a while now, but had never seen it in action. I instantly fell in love and was so excited when Leah let me acquire three henna cones from her! 

Since we had friends and family visiting this weekend for my son’s birthday party, I painted five henna tattoos. The one in this reel is my very favorite: a masculine sleeve full of geometry and contrast. My friend, the “canvas”, has been applying coconut oil to this pattern like crazy to ensure that it lasts a long time (I believe 1-3 weeks is standard).

Of course, I’ve since written to Leah and asked her to sell me 10 more tubes. 🙈 I adore this stuff and can’t wait to doodle on my own arm! And I know that at many family gatherings to come, my loved ones will ask for tattoos. 

If you’re in the Boulder/Denver area, Leah sells henna cones! Outside of this area, I’m not sure where to get them — but that’s knowledge that I’m positive is easily procured with an internet search. 🔎 Happy drawing!

#HennaArt #FaceFiesta #HennaLove #HennaTattoo #ModernHenna #HennaDesigns #MasculineHenna #GeometryTattoo #HennaLove #DIYHenna #TattooLovers #BirthdayHenna #FamilyTattoos #BoulderHenna #DenverHenna #LocalArtists #HennaInspiration #TemporaryTattoos #HennaDoodles #SkinArtistry #NaturalInk #TemporaryTattoo #FacePainting #PartyTattoos #SkinCanvas #HennaSleeve #HennaSupplies #HennaTips #ArtisticExpression
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