Calligraphy is something most people like to create year-round. However, there’s no denying that it’s a skill that shines (often literally) the most during the holiday season! We spread good cheer with written greetings, fancy invitations, and beautiful meals featuring menus or place cards. It’s a visually resplendent and cozy couple of months. That’s why I love coming up with a holiday worksheet every year! The worksheet gives me an excuse to think of fresh ways to hone our pointed pen skills while learning how to make stunning motifs.
What are TPK Holiday Calligraphy Worksheets?
In 2016, a reader wrote to me and asked for holiday calligraphy examples — perhaps in the form of a worksheet. That request is what sparked the TPK Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet 2016 Edition, and every year after that, a new edition followed. I think readers like the holiday worksheets because they offer guided practice that really helps to set the holiday mood. They just feel … cozy.
The practice in the worksheets sets the stage for making real-life pretty paper goods. People take what they learn in the worksheet sets, and they use that inspiration and knowledge to create beautiful things! The photos below, which I found on Instagram, speak volumes:
What Makes This Year’s Worksheet Special?
This year’s worksheet hones in on relaxation and beauty. I am in a whirlwind stage of life right now (I have a four-year-old and a nine-month-old — need I say more?), and I’ve been loving projects that capitalize on repetitive movements. Making calligraphy flourishes, adding stippling and shading to my work, “building” illustrated wreaths … these are all things that help me unwind.
I like that this year’s worksheet strikes the perfect balance between practice and practical. You’ll find many guided exercises in the worksheet set, and all of those exercises can be used to make holiday paper goods. Work on your pen control and your comfort making any given motif in the worksheet set, and you’ll feel confident calligraphing that motif on a card, gift tag, blank piece of paper, or bookmark.
Think about what projects suit your needs best, then use the worksheet to make those projects. For example, I framed a “Bah! Humbug!” from this year’s worksheet to enhance my holiday decor.
I also made cards using the “Merry Christmas” motif, the illustrated wreath (pictured below), and the flourished ornaments. The worksheet walks you through how to create all of those!
GET THE 2022 HOLIDAY CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHEET
A Quick Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet-Inspired Tutorial
The Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet 2022 Edition begins with three flourished ornament exercises. The tutorial below utilizes two of those exercises and gold watercolor to make a gorgeous greeting card!
Here’s what you’ll need in order to make this card:
- White mechanical pencil
- Black eraser
- Pointed pen + nib (I used a Brause EF66 nib + oblique pen)
- Black cardstock (Cut it to 10″ x 7″, then fold it in half to make a 5″ x 7″ card)
- Arabic gold watercolor
- Size 2-3 paintbrush for loading watercolor onto your nib; learn how to do that here
- Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet 2022 Edition for detailed instructions over how to make the ornaments
I hope that you liked the little video tutorial today, and that you enjoy this year’s holiday worksheet! It was a pleasure to put together, and I think that’ll have fun using them on projects. (This weekend, I’ll show you how my little boy and I used the flourished ornament exercises to make actual ornaments for our tree!)
I’ll end this with a quick note to thank everyone who has purchased a TPK worksheet — holiday-themed or not — for supporting this site! For those who don’t have the budget or the circumstance to purchase and print a TPK worksheet or take a course, remember that there are plenty of free resources for practicing calligraphy, too. You can take advantage of any of TPK’s free worksheets, or take on a unique holiday tutorial! Thanks again, and happy holidays!
Warmly,
