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You are here: Home / Calligraphy / What *Is* Modern Calligraphy?

What *Is* Modern Calligraphy?

August 22, 2017 by Lindsey Bugbee 31 Comments
Filed Under: Beginner’s Calligraphy, Calligraphy, Dip Pen Calligraphy Tagged With: books, calligraphy

In this post, we’ll talk about what modern calligraphy is and how it differs from traditional calligraphy!

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What Is Modern Calligraphy? | The Postman's Knock

“What is modern calligraphy?” For years, I’ve grappled to answer that question. Modern calligraphy is difficult to describe because so many styles can be classified under its umbrella!

Millennial Birthday Card Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

This is my modern “Janet Style” calligraphy. It is a mash-up of Spencerian and Copperplate plus a lot of fun improvisation!

Short Definition

Modern calligraphy is any calligraphy that is not traditional calligraphy. Traditional calligraphy styles like Spencerian and Copperplate have been around for years, and you create them with very particular strokes and formations.

Learning to Write Spencerian Script By Michael and Debra Sull

If you want to learn a traditional calligraphy style, Learning to Write Spencerian Script is a great resource!

Many people today have embraced traditional calligraphy styles, and it seems the traditional calligraphy community opinion splits on modern calligraphy. Some traditionalists love the creativity that modern calligraphy allows. Others, however, dislike the deviation from order and rules. While I respect the latter traditionalist point of view, I, myself, think that modern calligraphy is amazing! It provides a creative outlet for people of many skill levels, and I’m grateful that it’s part of my own life.

Characteristics of Modern Calligraphy

There are exceptions to every generalization, but modern calligraphy usually has a few hallmark traits. They are:

1. Modern Calligraphy Doesn’t Adhere to Traditional Rules

Many traditional calligraphy styles require you to make very particular letterforms. Your letters should look just-so for the calligraphy to be considered “Copperplate”, for example.

Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy by Eleanor Winters

This is a page from Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy. This book is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to learn Copperplate!

If you’re writing modern calligraphy, you can ignore traditional rules. Don’t fret over “O”s that look a little bit too squished or descenders that go too far down. Instead, those variations are something to celebrate, and you can exaggerate them for effect!

Elegant White Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock

This Flourish Formal calligraphy has a traditional look, but ignores traditional rules.

Right now, we live in an age of intense consistency. Take the words that you’re reading at this very moment, for instance! All of these typed letters look the same, and that’s what we see every day. When we can take a step back and create or observe letters that are imperfect, that’s refreshing!

2. Modern Calligraphy is Accessible

A while back, a friend alerted me to a Facebook calligraphy community that was having a fit over this TPK article. In the article, I asserted that anyone can learn calligraphy. The community was outraged, and the general consensus was “Not everyone can learn calligraphy — you have to have talent to do it!”

How to Make Faux Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock

I created this “faux calligraphy” with a Pilot G2 pen! Anyone can write faux calligraphy with any pen.

First of all, I think that attitude is bologna, pure and simple. If you want to learn how to do something, you can learn how to do it! You just have to want to do it, and you have to put in some time. I agree that perhaps the rigid rules of the calligraphy of yestercentury aren’t for everyone — myself included. And that’s the beauty of modern calligraphy!

Watercolor Wedding Map | The Postman's Knock

Whimsical modern calligraphy styles like the Kaitlin appeal to many wedding clients. This wedding map was a commission from an Illinois bride.

If you want to make calligraphy, you can grab a pen and toy with making your own style. Be playful and come up with your own thing! People gravitate toward uniqueness, and you’ll be surprised at how many people admire your work.

3. Modern Calligraphy Favors Mix and Match

A lot of modern calligraphers like to write a veritable quilt of letters. I constantly keep an eye out for individual letters that I like, then I remember and emulate the letters for future projects.

White Ink Calligraphed Envelope | The Postman's Knock

I saw some flourished letters like these on Pinterest, so I decided to mix and match the new inspiration with my Flourish Formal style.

Sometimes, letterforms stick with me and become part of one of the styles that I regularly use. Other times, writing a certain letter a certain way is a short-lived, albeit happy, phase.

How to Learn Modern Calligraphy

Since there’s no real definition to modern calligraphy, there’s no set-in-stone way that you have to learn it. I’m biased, but I think the TPK worksheets are a great way to learn!

Printable Calligraphy Worksheet Set (Janet Style) | The Postman's Knock

This is a page from the newly-updated Janet Style worksheet set.

I also love Molly Suber Thorpe’s book Modern Calligraphy. It’s a great read if you’re interested in dip pen calligraphy. Of course, if you’re a hands-on learner, you can search to see if there are any modern calligraphy workshops in your area (I’ll be teaching a couple in Tampa in December)!

How to Learn Traditional Calligraphy

If you want to take a crack at learning traditional calligraphy, here are some great resources:

  • Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy by Eleanor Winters
  • Spencerian Penmanship by Platt Rogers Spencer
  • IAMPETH Website
  • Script in the Copperplate Style by Dr. Joe M. Vitolo (free eBook)

Of course, you can search out local traditional calligraphy workshops as well!


Ultimately, “modern calligraphy” means different things to different people. The thing that I think everyone can agree on, however, is how awesome any kind of calligraphy is! It brings joy and creativity into the lives of both creators and observers, which is why I love it.

Thanks very much for reading TPK, and enjoy the rest of your day!

Warmly,

Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

Filed Under: Beginner’s Calligraphy, Calligraphy, Dip Pen Calligraphy Tagged With: books, calligraphy
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon

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Welcome! I'm Lindsey, the designer + illustrator + calligrapher behind The Postman's Knock. I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it!

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31 Comments

  1. Ashwini B. Jadhav says

    April 10, 2018 at 12:47 am

    Calligraphy – the art of writing beautifully. Please Refer below link http://www.penkraft.in/

    Reply
  2. gopikrishna says

    November 15, 2017 at 12:31 am

    my name is gopikrishna and i am 12 years old. i have the accessories needed for calligraphy but i don’t know were to start or how to start. could you please tell me how to or were to start. and how many years will be taken to study calligraphy?

    Reply
  3. Veronique says

    October 18, 2017 at 3:55 am

    Hi Linsdey, I agree with your statement that all that is not traditionnal is modern. That includes broad edge styles, and all gestural calligraphy with ruling pens and modern tools. But, I don’t totally share your point of view when you say that modern calligraphy can break all the rules. It is almost true, as far as some things work, and some just don’t. You cannot do whatever you want unless at the end, you get a result that is beautiful and well balanced, because that’s the essence of calligraphy. Your many tutorials teach the do’s and don’ts, so I’m sure you understand what I mean ;-). Modern calligraphy is not about doing anything no matter how. It has its own little rules, and at the end a single aim : beauty !

    Reply
    • Lindsey Bugbee says

      October 22, 2017 at 6:03 pm

      You know, though, I have seen modern calligraphy that I would not consider to be “beautiful”, but I still find it visually impactful! I think that as long as the letters are legible and artistic, it can be called calligraphy. 🙂 Still, I understand your point!

      Reply
  4. Chimgama-Emeh Darl. says

    September 3, 2017 at 6:24 am

    Lindsey dear, am just a beginner, and I love this blog. So please keep me updated.

    Reply
  5. Gail says

    September 1, 2017 at 3:30 am

    Great post, Lindsey! I love that modern calligraphy doesn’t have any boundaries and limitations. I was looking to start a new hobby and I think I found just a perfect one. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    August 24, 2017 at 11:13 am

    Hi, Lindsey–you have a gorgeous blog, and I love reading your posts! I just want to mention that traditional calligraphy also includes broad-nib italic in all its variants, not just dip pen cursive hands like Spencerian and Copperplate, and is as lovely and satisfying as any of those. Having said that, modern calligraphy is a great springboard for other styles–I now work mostly with broad nibs, but where did I get my start? Why, right here with TPK of course, working with your Kaitlin booklet from Scribblers in the UK! So there doesn’t need to be any conflict between traditional and modern styles at all. And as for talent vs. skill, I so agree that any of these hands and styles can be learned with enough practice, and will look beautiful. So thank you for sharing all you’ve learned, and I look forward to more!

    Reply
    • Lindsey Bugbee says

      August 30, 2017 at 11:24 am

      A great piece of input — can’t forget the beautiful broad nib styles! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Carmen says

    August 24, 2017 at 12:54 am

    I agree with your approach Lindsey, I too used to believe I had no “talent” for callugraphy or arts in general so never really tried, discovering your blog has given me the confidence to try calligraphy AND watercolours when making cards for family and friends and the results are really satisfying. THANKS!

    Reply
    • Lindsey Bugbee says

      August 30, 2017 at 11:23 am

      Yay! That’s amazing to hear … thanks, Carmen. 🙂

      Reply
  8. JJ says

    August 23, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    Ohhhhh! Tampa in December? When will we know venue/dates/cost? I would love to do this if it fits my schedule!!

    Reply
    • Lindsey Bugbee says

      August 30, 2017 at 11:22 am

      Hi JJ! I just solidified the details. 🙂 There will be one workshop taking place on Saturday, December 16th, and two workshops taking place on Sunday, December 17th. The workshop on Saturday will run from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, and the workshops on Sunday will run from 9:30 – 12:30 and then 1:30-4:30. All three workshops are beginner workshops. The cost will be $215, all supplies included, and they will be taking place at The Paper Sea Horse, which is located at 211 S. Howard Ave. in Tampa!

      Reply
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