• How to Learn Calligraphy in Two Months

    This article is an update of a post that first appeared on TPK in early 2017. If the title looks familiar to you, that’s why! The information, however, has been considerably modified. Today, I’ll walk you through how to learn calligraphy in two months. Start this weekend, and you’ll be proficient enough to start sending…

    How to Learn Calligraphy in Two Months | The Postman's Knock

    In January 2017, I wrote another article that was also titled “How to Learn Calligraphy in Two Months”. The response was interesting: beginners were encouraged, but a small handful of seasoned calligraphers were outraged — I remember one fellow on Facebook got angry and vowed to stop following TPK. “You can’t learn calligraphy in two months, and furthermore, not just anyone can learn it!” he scoffed before his exit.

    Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    If I learned calligraphy, there’s no reason that you can’t, too. The secret isn’t talent: it’s just some time and practice!

    I’ve always found that exclusive attitude perturbing. Calligraphy is a relaxing and beautiful art form that should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn it! And, you know what? I truly think that you can build a solid calligraphy foundation in two months. It just takes a bit of self-discipline and the will to stifle any negativity that you feel about your work. In short: if my Facebook guy lives in your head (“You can’t learn this!”), shut him off — because you are capable and you can learn! This blog post will give you a timeline to guide you through it.

    1. Enroll in the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course

    The TPK Beginner's Modern Calligraphy Online Course | The Postman's Knock
    I made the TPK Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course with people like myself in mind! I am a very visual learner who likes to know all the whys and hows, which is why the course is so detailed.

    Listen, the last thing I want to do is make you think that if you don’t buy the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course ($25), you won’t learn calligraphy. If you put in the time to research, you can find all sorts of tidbits of information for learning calligraphy online for free! However, the course saves you time in that it guides you through learning in a clear, organized way. It will also help you to steer clear of frustrations that calligraphy beginners generally experience!

    2. Compile a Three Ring Binder for Your Practice Materials

    Can You Really Learn Calligraphy Online?
    If you decide to learn with the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, this worksheet (included with the course) is the first thing that should go in your three ring binder.

    The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course includes a worksheet, so put that in your binder first. After you finish the course, you can use the binder for additional worksheets, free calligraphy printables, and general practice. Keep the binder materials in chronological order! It’s gratifying to flip through it to see your progress.

    How to Learn Calligraphy in Two Months | The Postman's Knock
    A binder will help to keep you organized, and you can flip through it to track your progress!

    3. Get the Proper Supplies

    The TPK Modern Calligraphy Starter Kit | The Postman's Knock
    This is TPK’s gorgeous pre-assembled calligraphy kit; it’s got everything you need to get started to learn. Note that you can DIY your own kit for a very reasonable price!

    In the case of calligraphy, success comes easier when you have the right tools. If you DIY a starter kit, your cost will be $25-35. Purchase a preassembled calligraphy kit, and the cost will be a bit higher.

    4. Pace Yourself to Finish the Online Course in a Month

    Writing Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock
    I generally recommend giving yourself two months to complete the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, but if you plan accordingly, you can finish in a month for sure!

    Dedicate at least five hours per week to filling out the course worksheet and watching the videos. I’d try to disperse the five hours over a span of 2-3 days so you can keep your practice consistent! 

    5. Take a Week-Long Break to Test Out (and Enjoy!) Your Skills

    Kaitlin Style Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock
    If you’d like, you can use the Kaitlin Style exemplar from your Online Course worksheet for reference as you write out your recipients’ addresses.

    After you finish the course, take a week to test out your new skills on a real-life application: envelope calligraphy! Choose two special recipients to send mail to (you can always check out the More Love Letters letter requests), and calligraph envelopes for them! Try to create both of your envelopes within a week.

    6. Learn a Specific Calligraphy Style

    Printable Calligraphy Worksheet Set (Janet Style) | The Postman's Knock
    This is Janet Style calligraphy, an elegant, slightly embellished style.

    In the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, you learn the principles of calligraphy in general. The focus isn’t really on making a particular style. That’s why, at this point, I would recommend dedicating three weeks to learning a specific calligraphy style. If you like one of the worksheet styles in the Learn Calligraphy collection, then pick that one! I have five different modern calligraphy styles available that you can learn. If you’re drawn to traditional scripts, check out Eleanor Winters’ Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy or Joe Vitolo’s free eBook Script in the Copperplate Style.

    7. Continue to Use Your Skills

    Dip Pen Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock
    Use your calligraphy skills every chance you get! Every single project you take on, whether it be envelope art or calligraphy artwork for your home, will help you to improve.

    The work that you put in for the last two months will all be for naught if you don’t use what you learned. So, try to make a goal to create one calligraphy-related project every week or two. It doesn’t have to be a big project, just something to keep your lettering fresh! Here are some suggestions:


    If you follow the steps in this article, you will be comfortable using a dip pen within two months. Remember, though, that you will never stop improving as long as you are creating projects with your dip pen! I first picked up a dip pen seven years ago, and I still find myself getting better at the art. Every single calligraphy-related project that you make is a building block, so keep creating! I know you’ll be impressed at what you can achieve with some time and patience.

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock