When you set out to create a piece of calligraphy, you need so more than just a pen and a nib. Before you gather your wallet to go to the store, though, take a look around your house! I guarantee that you already have a few surprising calligraphy supplies that will make your creative process easier.
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There are many reasons to dive into the world of pencil calligraphy. First of all, pencil calligraphy offers a new way to explore lettering! It’s also something you can easily practice anywhere, and, if you have kids, there’s no ink to keep track of (that may or may not end up spilled on a carpet). Pencil calligraphy is cost-effective, challenging, and creative — and I hope that after reading this post, you’ll try it for yourself!
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There are over 400 blog posts on the TPK website right now — four hundred!! With a number like that, it’s impossible for some gems not to get lost in the mix. Here are my top ten favorite “throwback” (circa two years or older) tutorials that you may not have seen:
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If you’ve been reading TPK for at least the past few months, then you know that I occasionally teach calligraphy workshops. The workshops are, without question, the highlights of my year! The feeling of helping learners to “click” with key calligraphy concepts and build a strong foundation is incredibly rewarding.
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It’s *this close* to being October, so I’ve been trying to make our house a little more festive with a few tasteful Halloween decorations. This Frida Kahlo Halloween art has helped to add some graceful spookiness to our décor, and I hope it will do the same for yours! If you’re thinking that you could never make something like this, think again. Skeleton Frida comes to you today as a free printable that you need but trace over!
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Halloween has always been my favorite holiday because … candy. It also offers the opportunity to make some playfully macabre creative projects (while you eat the candy)! Today’s blog post outlines my five favorite Halloween paper projects on the TPK site. You can start making them now so the holiday doesn’t sneak up on you!
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I love this calligraphy birthday card tutorial because it requires very few supplies. You can make it with black cardstock and white ink — as I’ve done here — or you can switch it up with a lighter paper and a dark ink! No matter what color scheme you choose, the swirls and stars are key. The more you include, the more festive your card will be! Here are the steps:
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In July of 2014, I was introduced to Flow Magazine in a unique way: they contacted me to do an interview. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, and I gave the interview without really investigating what the magazine was. A few months later, someone from Flow contacted me again to ask if I would be willing to do some commissioned calligraphy. I agreed, and once the article was published, they sent me a complimentary copy of the magazine. That was when I fell in love with Flow, and today I want to introduce you to it, too!
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For the past year or so, I’ve noticed watercolor cactus artwork popping up on my Pinterest feed. I love the way that you can layer watercolors to make cacti with different tones, then finish up the artwork by painting delicate spines! In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to use a special watercolor technique to make a whimsical, eye-catching cactus wreath. Don’t hesitate to pick up your brush even if you’re new to painting with watercolors!
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One of the secrets to success in any endeavor is to keep things interesting! Calligraphy is no exception, which is why I put together this Creative Calligraphy Challenge worksheet. The worksheet is intended to challenge you, stimulate your creativity, and encourage you to keep going with your calligraphy practice!
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