Watercolor Calligraphy

(Hi there! There’s a more detailed, recent tutorial on this technique here on the TPK blog. You can find it by clicking here.)

As I was reading Molly Suber Thorpe’s Modern Calligraphy, I came across a novel idea: using watercolor to create calligraphy with a sort of blended rainbow effect. Sure, I have used watercolor as ink in a pinch {when I don’t have the colored calligraphy ink that I need} … but I had never thought to use it to deliberately create a faded/blended effect.

To create watercolor calligraphy, all you need is a pan of watercolors, a pen, and any brush.

You start by moistening the colors you are planning on using with a few drops of water, like so:

Then choose your nib {I used a Brause Rose nib for the calligraphy}.

Once your paints are moistened, which is only a matter of seconds, saturate your brush with the color you want to begin with …

… Then use your brush to transfer that paint to the back of your nib. I make sure the nib is covered with paint from the tip to the middle.

Use the color you applied to write your first letter.

Then, before you start on the second letter, don’t wash off your nib; and add another color above your first color. I have chosen orange.

As you write, the paint will blend in the nib, giving you this wonderful ombre effect!

I was loving this technique so much that I decided to make a full henna border. I really like the way watercolor looks when creating such an intricate design!

This watercolor calligraphy technique took a few hours of trial and error for me; it’s not one of those things you master right away. However, once you do master it, the results are beautiful. I’m thinking this would make for some beautiful wedding invitations or place cards; and very striking snail mail envelopes.

Speaking of snail mail envelopes, I have been receiving such wonderful pieces in the mail from TPK readers! Jan in Missouri sent over these envelopes, painted with sweeping strokes of iridescent acrylic paint … I cannot wait to use them. Thanks so much, Jan!

And Albrecht in Germany sent an envelope covered with stamps {how fun is that?}! He used a mixture of canceled stamps and valid stamps — I’m loving how creative this is, and am going to try this myself!

And in the meantime, I’ve been working on a simple suite for a reception dinner. It’s different from other pieces I have worked on because it doesn’t feature any custom calligraphy — but it does predominantly showcase a logo I designed specifically for this event. The theme is the family boat!

Let me know if you have any questions on how to create this watercolor calligraphy! I’ve had a request for more art tutorials, so I’ll keep that in mind for next week {I’m thinking pencil drawing or charcoal}. In the meantime — happy watercoloring!