When asked about the meaning of calligraphy, you’ll probably come up with the universal definition that says it is the art of beautiful handwriting.
It is, except that it isn’t JUST that.
Forming and arranging beautiful symbols by hand is called the art of calligraphy. It has come a long way from the traditional style to the modern innovations that have kept the lettering art alive. People often buy calligraphy pens as part of their collection or not exactly knowing what it is for. So, please read on to know more about modern calligraphy.
What Is Modern Calligraphy?
Modern calligraphy strays from the fundamental rules that have long since governed traditional calligraphy. Different types of scripts like Copperplate are known for being elegant, historical, more slanted, and typically written with pointed pens. Consistency and perfect imitation of traditional hands are essential.
With modern calligraphy, however, rules are bound to be broken as long as you intentionally know what art you want to produce. Your art will still have to show traces of traditional calligraphy, although now, it offers a sense of fun, freedom, and whimsicality, which makes it appealing for the modern generation.
Modern Calligraphy involves playing with various styles, tools, and concepts that show a distinctive taste of who you are as an artist. You no longer have to just imitate other’s works. You can get inspired by them, modify them, and make them your own.
Starting your calligraphy journey means more than just having a set of calligraphy pens and sheets of good-quality paper within your reach. You should consider some things before you get started with the art, such as:
Step 1: Find Your Style
Go ahead and search your social media feed for plenty of calligraphy or lettering inspirations. Don’t follow several accounts at once. Instead, go for accounts whose art inspires you to create a similar style (but it should still be unique and yours).
Finding your style involves choosing what “hand” you want to employ in your art. Do you want to try brush-pen lettering with fancy embellishments? Or do you want to keep it straightforward and minimalist?
Whatever aesthetic you want to go for, you can expect to find a community that embraces the same eye for the art as you.
Step 2: Get the Right Tools
Many beginner calligraphers have set their mind on only buying the expensive writing tools once they become a master at their craft. Such a mindset isn’t exactly wrong, but it still pays to have the right tools from the very start.
You can never go wrong with investing in top-quality calligraphy pens and practice papers. Getting the right tools doesn’t always mean getting the most expensive. However, If you search wisely, you’ll find yourself a writing instrument that will stay with you in your humble calligraphy beginnings until you become a master at the art.
Step 3: Practice!
As a beginner, whatever you do, don’t jump into imitating that master-level calligraphy art immediately. If you do replicate it correctly, you must be a natural at it. However, you may also find yourself wondering why you seem not to get some strokes right or why the entirety of your artwork feels like something is off.
You have to start with calligraphy basics, which means understanding how a stroke goes for every hand you pick. The internet is a vast place, and you can probably find step-by-step instructions explaining how to do a specific hand. And then, practice, practice and practise until you achieve satisfaction.
After you grasp individual letters, you can move on to short words, then complete sentences. There is no shame in starting small and progressing slowly as long as you are consistent. One day, you’ll find yourself producing a pageful of beautifully handwritten letters and symbols like a pro.
Do you feel like starting your calligraphy journey now? If so, best of luck to you and your newest craft!
