I received an email the other day from someone asking about the applications of western calligraphy. Essentially, the person wanted to know: why learn calligraphy? It was one of those questions that I initially reacted to with “Ha! How obvious!”, and then I realized: it’s not so obvious. So … I took some time to seriously consider the question and came up with a few reasons that I believe calligraphy is relevant in western society.
1. It’s Good for Your Mental Health
You’ll notice that when I talk to you about practicing your calligraphy, I’ll often say, “Put on a good movie and a make yourself a cup of hot tea to make it even more enjoyable!” In a world where we are bombarded daily with information and distractions {emails, texts, phone calls, advertisements, appointments, etc.}, it’s nice to block that all out and just have “me time”. It’s almost therapeutic to leisurely make your way through a calligraphy worksheet while a good movie {or your favorite music} is playing, and snacks or a nice drink can supplement the experience. The more pleasant you make the set-up, the more joy you will get out of your practice {and the faster you’ll improve}. Improvement, however, takes a back seat to enjoyment. I am a firm believer in making life as pleasant as possible, and if writing in calligraphy/exploring creativity helps you to achieve that {as it does for me}, then you’re really doing something amazing.
2. Age Isn’t a Factor
Calligraphy is also something you can learn at any age. I know you might be scoffing, “Okay, easy for you to say; you’re 26 years old,” but I strongly believe age is not a factor. For a long time, we have been told that learning is impaired by age … but that’s not true. Neuroplasticity {changing of the brain} occurs whenever you learn and memorize something new — no matter what age you are. I can certainly understand, of course, a physical handicap that prevents a person from mastering the art of calligraphy {e.g. arthritis, severe shaking}; but if mere age is holding you back, reconsider! Anytime you learn something new, you’re broadening your horizons and being good to your brain. Also, some parents have told me they use the Learn for a Latté worksheets to work with their children on cursive writing, which is phasing out of schools. To that I say power to you! From an ability to read hand-written historical documents to the gift of being able to develop a script signature {and take college notes in quick cursive}, it’s important that kids know how to write using script — with the possibility of developing that script knowledge into calligraphy later.
3. You’ll Save Major Money on Your Wedding/Big Event
As far as practical benefits of learning calligraphy, of course weddings and big events are a good motivator. In fact, that’s how a lot of people figure out they like calligraphy in the first place — because they wanted to learn it for their wedding. If you do learn it for your wedding, you will save so much money on hiring a calligrapher. Here is a list, for example, of client wedding materials I have used calligraphy on in the past:
- Envelopes, of course: save the date, outer envelopes, inner envelopes, RSVP envelopes, and thank you card envelopes
- Invitation suite design
- Program design
- Place cards and escort cards
- Menu design
- Signs {e.g. “Wedding This Way” “Sign Our Guestbook”}
- Wedding website graphics
- Wedding certificates
These materials can all be used for company parties or important dinners as well. Since these materials take time to create, you’ll end up paying a pretty penny for them if you hire a calligrapher. But, if you create them yourself, you’ll save money as well as feel even more of a personal connection to your materials.
4. You’ll Impress People Who Can Help You
Another real-world benefit of learning calligraphy is being able to send beautiful snail mail. Now, before you react, “I’m not really a snail mail, pen pal-type person,” I’d like to point out a couple of other situations in which great calligraphy can come in handy. Let’s say you go to a job interview, right, and you want to send a thank-you note afterward that makes you stand out from the rest of the candidates. Beautiful handwriting and a stunning envelope presentation sends a message beyond what you actually write in the note. It says you are fastidious, you pay attention to detail, and you aim to impress — both future clients and future colleagues.
Alternatively, you may want to send a piece of correspondence to a person who you know receives a large volume of mail. Creating a beautiful envelope, of course, generates curiosity about what is inside; which increases the chances of the letter being opened. For example, my friend Sally recently sent a letter to a cardinal in New York. I would be willing to bet he opens her envelope, which was strikingly calligraphed.
5. You Can Forge a Unique Business Identity
You may have noticed that more and more businesses are embracing calligraphy as part of their identity. Beyond being nice to look at, calligraphy sends a couple of crucial messages {especially for boutique-type businesses}. It says, first of all, that a business is willing to take a bit more time to go the extra mile. I mean, of course, calligraphy is more time-consuming to use in a logo, on a business card, as part of a website, etc., than a computer font is. It also reflects a human touch, which I think is becoming more and more appealing as we make a shift into many things being created by machine.
Sometimes, calligraphy simply reflects a business’s “vibe” better than anything else. For example, last year I created the logo below for Charlie Campey Photography. Charlie is a photographer whose work has a timeless, classic feel with an unmistakable artistic touch. What could better reflect that than a logo created using calligraphy {and the ever-classy walnut ink}?
If you have an Etsy shop and/or a Society 6 store, you might consider incorporating calligraphy into your branding. For example, you can see that my friend Jessica has used her own calligraphy in her Etsy banner to reflect the handmade nature of her products. The attention to handmade detail adds something special to the store and shopping experience as a whole.
6. You Can Incorporate Calligraphy into Your Art
A wholly enjoyable way to utilize calligraphy is in sketchbooking and art/illustrations. I have seen so many art pieces lately that feature a mix of calligraphy and illustration. Calligraphy is an effective way to communicate a message in a beautiful way, and adding illustrations/embellishments only adds to the striking nature of the art piece. For example, calligraphy, illustrations, and watercolor work together so incredibly well in illustrated maps.
7. Calligraphy is Not an Expensive Activity
If you want to learn calligraphy for any of the reasons above {or “just because”}, it’s easy to get started. First and foremost, I would recommend against purchasing a pre-assembled kit. Instead, make your own kit using high-quality materials. It will set you back around $25, which isn’t bad at all considering that’s the cost of a dinner out.
I am sure that I haven’t identified all of the reasons to learn calligraphy here, but these are the reasons that came to mind for me! If you can think of something I’m missing {and I’m sure you can!}, please feel free to contribute in the comments. The main reason that I learned calligraphy, more than anything else, is I just enjoy it. It makes me happy to create it! To me, that’s a good enough reason, and all the practical applications are secondary. 🙂 Thanks again, very much, for reading. I’m looking forward to launching a brush pen tutorial {and a giveaway} in Friday’s blog post!
Warmly,
I just started doing calligraphy a fee months ago and can I just say , I love your blog. It helped m discover a new skill an with your blog I learned a lot of things. Thank you Lindsey!!
Thank you! I’m so glad you like the blog 🙂
Hi Lindsey,
I have been told to unleash my creativity: It is my Life Purpose to use my imagination to help others and help myself.
When I was a very small child in 2nd or 3rd Grades I was praised by my teachers and family for such good cursive writing. I also was reprimanded by a teacher who thought someone else did the work for me (of course she was wrong because I did the writing).
Anyway, I am trying to enhance my creativity and find my talents. Calligraphy may be one of those talents to bring out of me.
Can you help me or give suggestions how to proceed? Give me your honest opinion what you think about what I have written.
Thank you.
Hi Tommy! I would just create as much as you can — make mail art, projects to display in your home, and gifts for friends. The more you use your skills, the more joy they will give you, and the more you will improve. 🙂
I cling on to reason #1. I have a very stressful work and a “very” busy brain and since I found your blog, I purchased all the things that you suggested, and went through (and still currently reading) the tips that you have for beginners. Now calligraphy and yoga are now my two go-to activities to relax myself. I usually forget about the time and only go back to “reality” when my small cap runs out of ink. Unfortunately, I found your blog five months after my wedding! Calligraphy would’ve been a great addition to our stationery.
A big thank you from across the miles 🙂
http://www.jointhetravellingpair.com
Que sera, sera, right? 🙂 I am really happy to hear that calligraphy and yoga are helping you to de-stress! Lettering can be super-relaxing, which is part of the reason I like to do it, too. Loving your website!
Its a way if expressing your creativity.
And creativity Is something the more you use , more creative you get .
So to keep coming with new ideas and keep your creative enzymes up . You must do this!
P.S- I do a lot of calligraphy and it has helped me in my overall personality.
I love that input! Absolutely fantastic. 🙂
What ink did you use for the green Starbucks address? <3 🙂
Hi Katie! It’s McCaffery’s — I love it!
Hi Lindsey,
I found your blog about a month ago. I can’t tell you how much your lettering and drawing tutorials have meant to me. Do you know how some people need to exercize or they don’t feel *right*? I am like that when it comes to creating and making. It makes me feel right with the world. Over the past year or so I haven’t made the time for it. Your friendly voice and beautiful projects have improved the quality of my life and I wanted you to know. I’m so grateful that you’ve given me this gift. I look forward to each new post.
Carey
I absolutely can relate. From 2007-2011 {my college years}, I really didn’t make any art. At that time, I didn’t notice anything amiss, but when I graduated and started creating again, it felt like I could finally breathe again. I feel happier than ever now, and I know it’s because creativity is a part of my daily life. I now understand that, in general, people are happier when they are creating. Of course, some people don’t channel their creativity into artistic pursuits like we do, but it’s just human nature to want to be able to make things we are proud of!
Thanks for humoring me there on my soap box a little bit in my first paragraph. Suffice it to say, I really appreciate your comment and am so happy that you are garnering inspiration from this blog. I am really, truly, absolutely honored. Thank you!!
I just wanted to thank you again for all your wonderful posts. I’ve had my equipment sitting unused since around Christmas but over spring break I got some of your “latte sheets” and took a few minutes to start. You are right that it is SO relaxing. I think I’ll work harder now to find a few more moments for practices.
It does take some careful planning to set aside time for practice {or to set aside time for anything, for that matter!}. I notice that I always feel good when I give myself a few minutes of “me-time” … especially if that time involves creating art or calligraphy. {I mean, it’s a lot more fun than “me-time” spent cleaning!} I’m really happy to hear that you get the same feeling of relaxation from creating art/calligraphy as I do! I really can’t picture a better way to spend an afternoon than a good documentary and some art/calligraphy creation. 🙂
Hi, Lindsey ~ Thank you for your kind words about my comments. I just write from my heart, which is easy … depending on subject matter, of course. (I must admit though: I’m now a bit intimidated to comment. LOL)
I really connected to Numbers 1 and 2 on your list of “reasons to learn calligraphy.” I’ve ventured down many artsy/craftsy avenues since retiring in an effort to “keep busy” and “elude brain atrophy” by learning new things. When I tried calligraphy, I was hooked! Your comment “Improvement, however, takes a back seat to enjoyment” really resonated with me. I admit to being my own worst critic. Some days, when nothing seems to go right (e.g., ink splotches, no ink flow, poorly formed letters, etc.) and my arthritic fingers ache, I just want to give up. But, I keep trying. Why? Because I really enjoy the elegance and meditative aspects of calligraphy. Most importantly, in the end it’s just for my own personal enjoyment anyway.
The main point I’m making, Lindsey, is this: Your wonderful blog benefits many—from those of us “learning new things” or wanting a new hobby to those hoping to start a blog or business of their own. So, keep up your good work and thank you for all you do!
PS As to the affordable bit … I guess that’s true … unless you’re a supply junkie, as I am!
Haha! Well, I love your comments so much — but I was thinking, I don’t want you to feel obligated to comment, ever! Sometimes it’s hard to come up with things to write — trust me, I know! If you ever want to take a small break or a big break from thinking up wonderful things to say, don’t worry about it, really. 🙂
Rest assured that everyone has days in which the creativity just isn’t there, and things aren’t going as according to plan. I get them, too. Then I just think, you know, this is part of the creative process. When I’m in that state of mind, everything looks worse anyway; I’m usually surprised at how nice it looks the next day when I go back to what I made. And you’re absolutely right: in the end, it is for your enjoyment. Even if you are creating something for someone else, you’re making that thing because you like doing it.
While I am glad {though in disbelief!} that the blog benefits people, I maintain it for the same reason you maintain your calligraphy practice: it’s for my enjoyment. Something I really love doing, and something that makes me happy. Interactions with the people who follow the blog just takes it to the next level … and I truly mean that.
And yes: I can completely relate on the “it’s affordable” point being subjective! As you can imagine, I have spent hundreds of dollars on my beloved calligraphy. I probably should have clarified: “It’s an affordable activity to get started in.” Once you get addicted, you can’t help but slowly acquire new supplies to get a “fix”!
I’ve been a calligrapher for over 30 years. Another reason that tickles me is comments from my friends over the years saying, “I can never throw out anything you send me.” I’ve achieved a form of immortality. 🙂
“I’ve achieved a form of immortality.” <- I. love. this!!! What a great point! 🙂
Thanks so much for your post! Could you remind me which of your “Learn for a Latte” tutorials you would recommend for a beginning beginner? Thanks! 🙂
You are welcome! And gosh … I think I, personally, would begin with the Kaitlin as I do find it to be the style that requires the least amount of concentration {and no measuring, wahoo!}. It also includes extra practice sheets on forming words, which I added after getting a few months’ worth of feedback from users. But, honestly, all the worksheet sets are made for starting from scratch! You should be just fine with picking the style you like the best, and then going for it!
I’m working on a new style, too, which should be released next month if I manage my time well. Good time-management doesn’t happen nearly as often as I try to make it happen, but that’s what I’m shooting for! It will be a style that is best created with a straight pen {not an oblique}, which is great for beginners!
Thanks so much Lindsey! Yes, I need something that requires little concentration, so Kaitlin sounds perfect, lol. 🙂
Just so you know, my daughter (11) and I both really enjoy your blog!
It’s always really, really cool for me to hear when a couple members of a family enjoy the blog! When you start a blog like this, you really don’t know who is reading, so I just try to write as though I’m writing to a friend. I’m really glad the content and tone appeal to people who are in/close to my age group; as well as younger people like your daughter, and people who have been 35 years old for 50 years. 🙂 Thank you!!
Hi Lindsay! I am so glad to receive this post in my mail ID and I am pleased to read it. But please guide me on this: as of yet whomever I have approached with my work said “but we get nice digital calligraphy fonts, why would we ask you to write, when things can be done so easily… moreover the human error is also not helping for impressive and good looking cards”. All of them said this one point which I failed to have answer of. Please please please help me to convince them for good. I would be more than grateful to you 🙂
Hi Tara!
In my experience, there are some businesses that want and appreciate elements with a handmade feel {be they illustrations, calligraphy, etc.}; and then there are businesses that want elements that have a tech-y feel. It would be so strange if Apple suddenly switched to a handmade look!
I would suggest perhaps setting up a portfolio on your website so that companies who do want a handmade feel will be able to find you! I always wait for clients to come to me, which works great because 99 times out of 100 they’ve already done their “research” on my portfolio and decided they like the style. It may be hard to cold-convince companies that they need a handmade look, because that actually may not be what their particular business needs … if that makes sense. I’d just put your work out there on the internet, and eventually the clients who are a perfect fit will find you!
Ohh so true Lindsey!! It is such a relief to hear from you on this. I will do the needful. Thank you so much for your kind guidance 🙂
As a photographer, lately I’ve been feeling like the act of looking through a lens is kind of separating me from the actual experience. But drawing has the opposite effect…it “draws” me into the experience. I have an exciting vacation coming up and this time I plan to shoot less and instead document it in a travel journal with hand drawn maps, lettering, sketches, and watercolor (Greenleaf & Blueberry, of course!). So I guess you could say that another reason to calligraph is to connect more fully with your experience.
Thank you, Lindsey, for creating THIS space…it’s such a wonderful place to visit and I ALWAYS come away inspired!
I have been thinking about your upcoming trip and considering how amazing it will be for you to have the chance to flex your artistic muscles once again in Paris! I hope you’ll post some of the artwork you create … I know you garner inspiration by coming here, but I get just as much inspiration from you!
So very many reasons! And I happen to like them all. Lovely post as always. And I’m still waiting to hear from that Cardinal! Fingers crossed
I will be very surprised if you don’t receive some sort of acknowledgement that he got your letter!
Thanks for the awesome post! Can I ask an unrelated question? (Sorry!) I notice in one of your photos that you’d used Noodler’s ink. Do you use it with a dip pen? I’ve admired their colors for ages but never bought any because it’s labelled as Fountain Pen ink. Can it work with a dip pen too? Because if so, man, I have some money to spend!
Hi Cherie!
I actually have never used Noodler’s ink as of yet. BUT … very ironically, I received two bottles in the mail today from a friend {their arrival was a complete surprise}. They were “will you be my bridesmaid?” gifts; clearly she knows me too well!
I’ve written a note to check back in with you once I give them a try. I’m guessing they’ll be absolutely wonderful once I add some gum arabic! Just give me a couple of days to form an opinion, and I’ll report my results. 🙂
Hi again, Cherie!
I’ve been using Noodler’s Ink today (in Catfish as well as Victory), and have been very impressed with how well it works with a dip pen … no gum arabic needed! I’d say go ahead and buy a bottle and see if you like it! 🙂