A new version of the Beth Style Premium Calligraphy Worksheet has been in the works since March 28th. On that day, I calligraphed a Beth Style alphabet and some titles to incorporate into the worksheet set, then I posted on Instagram: “I’m not sure when the new worksheet will be finished, but it should be within the next two months.” That time estimate was ambitious, to say the least — you can’t rush doing something right! Today, half a year later, I am incredibly glad to be able to tell you that the new Beth Style Premium Calligraphy Worksheet is available, and it was well worth the wait.
The first thing you’ll notice about the new Beth Style worksheet is an eye-pleasing, clean design. The design, however, is secondary to the thoughtful content. A lot of TPK calligraphy worksheet learner feedback went into making this worksheet the best it can be! Before we get into the new features of this worksheet set, however, I’d like to briefly explain what Beth Style calligraphy is.
About Beth Style Calligraphy
Beth Style calligraphy has a clean, stately flair to it. I developed it three years ago at the request of a client — Beth — who was hosting a nautical-themed reception dinner for her son’s wedding. She wanted the paper materials at the event to showcase a neat calligraphy style without too many feminine elements.
After Beth’s event, I continued to use “Beth Style” calligraphy! I love a lot of things about this calligraphy style. First of all, it’s approachable for both right- and left-handed beginners because it only has the slightest of slants. That means that you can create it with a standard straight calligraphy pen (as opposed to an oblique pen). Beth Style calligraphy is probably the most simple TPK calligraphy style: it doesn’t have a lot of complicated flourishes or complex letterforms.
You can create Beth Style calligraphy with a variety of writing instruments precisely because of its simplicity! If you need a break from your dip pen, a paintbrush also makes this style look fantastic.
I know you’ll thoroughly enjoy learning and implementing this calligraphy style. The more you use it, the more signature flair you’ll develop! Feel free to tweak the style to accommodate different projects, and remember not to take the worksheet as gospel. You are always welcome to evolve the style so it’s just how you like it!
About the New Beth Style Calligraphy Worksheet Set
Now that you know more about Beth Style calligraphy, I’d like to introduce you to the new worksheet set. If you own any other TPK calligraphy worksheet sets, you’ll notice that this one really sets itself apart! It’s got four separate sections, all of which will help you to learn and implement this style in an intellectually and creatively stimulating way.
1. Core Beth Style Calligraphy Worksheet
The 30-page core Beth Style calligraphy worksheet set resembles other TPK worksheet sets that you may own. That said, it implements some changes that I’d like to add to other worksheet sets as well. These changes include:
- Three horizontal guidelines (top, middle, bottom) to help you write instead of just two
- Cleaner, more organized Stroke Reference Sheet design
- Improved Word Practice section featuring contour arrows
- Beautiful, tidy design with calligraphed titles and original artwork.
- Troubleshooting and FAQ page
Like other TPK calligraphy worksheets, the core Beth Style worksheet begins by teaching you faux calligraphy. Once you feel confident in your faux calligraphy skills, you can move on to the dip pen calligraphy sections.
You’ll get plenty of practice with your dip pen: first, you learn how to create different strokes based on pressure and nib direction. Then, you move on to writing Beth Style letters using the dip pen. You end by writing 26 different words so you can learn how letters connect to each other. The worksheet concludes with a sleek Stroke Reference Sheet, a Troubleshooting and FAQ page to answer any questions that may come up, and a General Practice Sheet.
2. Intensive Alphabet Practice
I received feedback from several TPK calligraphy worksheet learners that entire pages of traceable letters would be very helpful. The new Beth Style Premium Worksheet embraces and implements this feedback! Beth Style Calligraphy Intensive Alphabet Practice is 67 pages long and includes one page per Beth Style letter/number/character.
I know what you’re thinking: “67 pages?? There’s no way I am printing all that out!” — and I agree! I encourage you to print the Intensive Alphabet Practice a couple of pages at a time on a per-need basis. Let’s say, for example, that you’re having trouble with the letters “D”, “H”, and “g”. To practice those specific letters, you’ll instruct your printer to print off pages 6, 10, and 35, which are the pages that correspond with those letters.
The Intensive Alphabet Practice offers you an opportunity to get the guided practice you need when it comes to writing difficult letters!
3. Intensive Word Practice
There are a lot of learners who can draw letters just fine, but words prove to be a bit of a roadblock! Enter the Beth Style Calligraphy Intensive Word Practice. The concept is the same as the Intensive Alphabet Practice: each of the 26 pages is dedicated to one word, and there are several opportunities for you to trace over that particular word.
Like the Intensive Alphabet Practice, you don’t need to print out all of the pages of Intensive Word Practice unless you want to. You’re welcome to only print the words you need extra help with!
4. Beautiful Beth Style Envelopes
Beautiful Beth Style Envelopes is an entirely new TPK worksheet element! I wanted to include something in this set to help you use your calligraphy skills on envelopes.
Beautiful Beth Style Envelopes is an eBook, meaning there’s no need to print it off if you don’t want to. You can view it on your computer/tablet/phone instead! In it, you’ll learn several useful tips for using your new Beth Style calligraphy skills on envelopes, including:
- How to Make an Address Guidelines Template
- Centering Your Calligraphy (includes several different methods)
- Envelope Calligraphy Shortcuts
- Pre-made Printable Address Guidelines Templates
If you plan on using your Beth Style calligraphy skills on envelopes at any point, you’ll find the eBook helpful! It covers information that’s not common knowledge, setting you up with everything you need to know to create envelope calligraphy.
Supplies Needed for Beth Style Calligraphy
To learn Beth Style calligraphy, you’ll only need a few basic supplies. They are:
- Beth Style Calligraphy Premium Worksheet Set
- Straight calligraphy pen (even a simple black Speedball will work!)
- Nikko G nib (the Nikko G is the best beginner nib)
- Sumi or India ink
- Water (to wash ink off your nib every minute or so)
- Non-fibrous cloth (to dry off your nib after you dip it in your water)
Like all TPK calligraphy worksheet sets, the Beth Style is intended for printing at home. The very best paper to print off this worksheet — and any other printable worksheets — on is 32# laserjet paper!
I love, love, love this paper! I highly recommend that you not only use it to print calligraphy worksheets on, but also for general dip pen calligraphy practice. At $10.00 for 500 sheets, it’s a much better deal than other good practice papers like Rhodia ($8.50-ish for 80 sheets). You can buy it on Amazon or at your local office supply store like Office Depot or Staples!
Other Things to Note
First of all, there is a 2-page free, very basic Beth Style calligraphy worksheet available. It is essentially an exemplar, and you can download it by clicking here.
As I promised in Tuesday’s blog post and on social media, if you own the previous version of the Beth Style Calligraphy Premium Worksheet, you are “grandfathered” in to this new worksheet set. If you have an account on TPK and you already own the previous Beth Style worksheet set, you will find the new Beth Style materials there! If you own the previous premium Beth worksheet but do not have an account, let me know: I’m more than happy to send you a new order confirmation email with download links. I can also put all the files you have ever ordered (including the Beth worksheet) into an account if you create one!
Finally, I’d like to add that you need the latest version of your PDF reader (the program that opens PDF files on your computer) to properly view the worksheet set. Many people use Adobe Reader, which you can download for free by clicking here. If your PDF reader is outdated, you may have printing issues or notice that there are some letters missing in the worksheet set!
If you have any questions about this new worksheet set or Beth Style calligraphy, please feel free to comment! Otherwise, I sincerely hope that you enjoy this new learning tool, and if you have any feedback as you are using it, I’d love to know. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Warmly,
