Unlock the Art of Calligraphy with What You Already Have at Home

Exploring Different Ways to Create Calligraphy: From Traditional Tools to Everyday Items

While pointed pens and ink may be the classic choice for modern calligraphy, there are many everyday tools that work just as well and to beautiful effect. Let’s dive into a variety of methods, from traditional pointed pen calligraphy to more unconventional options like markers and ballpoint pens! Experimenting with different tools can be a lot of fun for beginners and more experienced calligraphers alike.

1. Pointed Pen and Ink Calligraphy: The Traditional Method

I do most of my work with pointed pen and ink , and it is probably the first tool people think of when they picture classic calligraphy. With a pointed pen, the nib flexes as you apply pressure, creating those characteristic thick and thin strokes that make calligraphy so elegant. Interestingly, the feather quill works in a similar way.

2. Crayola Marker Calligraphy: A Fun and Easy Alternative

If you're looking for a fun and accessible way to do calligraphy, Crayola markers are a fantastic option. They might seem like a surprising choice, but their flexibility allows you to easily create beautiful thick and thin lines. And, when they smell raspberries like the one in the photo below - it’s sheer bliss! These markers are great for kids interested in learning calligraphy and form the basis of "Anthea’s Calligraphy for Kids (…and Young at Heart Adults)". They also make for a simple way to experiment with calligraphy without the need for special (and often messy!) tools.

3. Pencil Calligraphy: Perfect for Practising

Don’t overlook the humble pencil! While it is a basic tool, it can be used to create some very pretty calligraphy and is also great for practising. By using the same methods as you would with a dip pen (pressure on the downstroke, less pressure on the upstroke) you can create elegant thick and thin lines.

Pencil calligraphy is ideal for all calligraphers (especially beginners) practising their letter shapes. All you need is a pencil and some paper and is great on those days you don’t want to pull out all the ‘stuff’.

4. Brush Pen Calligraphy: Colorful and Convenient

Brush pens are another fantastic tool for calligraphy enthusiasts. They’re easy to use, mess-free, and come in a variety of colors, making it simple to create vibrant, colourful pieces of lettering art.

Brush pen calligraphy is versatile and perfect for both beginners and seasoned calligraphers. Not only do they come in many colours but also in many sizes. The large ones are great for larger calligraphy lettering.

5. Ballpoint Pen Calligraphy: Underrated and Accessible

Believe it or not, you can even use a ballpoint pen (my fave is a BIC 4-colour pen) for calligraphy! While it might not produce the dramatic thick and thin strokes of a pointed pen, you can still achieve subtle variations in line width with the right technique.

Ballpoint pen calligraphy is perfect for those moments when you don’t have traditional calligraphy tools on hand but still want to practice your skills. It's simple, effective, and accessible to everyone.

6. Paint Brush Calligraphy: Creative and Artistic

One of my favorite ways to create calligraphy is with a paintbrush. While a paintbrush may not be as precise as a pen or marker, it allows for a looser, more artistic style. By using the same pressure techniques—applying pressure on the downstrokes and a light touch on the upstrokes—you can create beautiful, flowing letters.

Paintbrush calligraphy is ideal for those who enjoy a more fluid and expressive approach to lettering.

Conclusion: Calligraphy Is About Creativity—No Matter What Tools You Use

Calligraphy is an incredibly versatile art form, and you don’t need to rely solely on traditional tools to create beautiful lettering. From pointed pens and brushes to markers and everyday items like pencils and ballpoint pens, the possibilities are endless.

If you have other ideas for tools or methods you use in your calligraphy, feel free to share them with me. I’m always excited to learn new techniques and share them in future posts.

Until next time,

Anthea x

5 really great benefits of learning Calligraphy

One thing I love about teaching is how enthusiastic students are about calligraphy once they get the hang of it. I have seen this with students of all ages from adults, through to teens and even children as young as 6 and 7. I can only think this is because of all the amazing benefits that come from learning and practicing calligraphy (and maybe, I like to think, some decent teaching! 😂). 

Here are a few of those benefits that help to explain why people love it once they try it. 

1 - Calligraphy requires focus and patience.

When learning calligraphy we focus a great deal on crafting each individual stroke and putting these together in letters and then words. This forces us to slow down, be in the moment and immerse ourselves in the experience. It turns out to be a very meditative process that I think makes our overstimulated brains very happy. 

2 - Calligraphy is calming and stress relieving. 

As a result of all that mindfulness, calligraphy is very calming and likely stress relieving (anecdotal evidence only!) Students are always tell me how relaxed they feel after class - almost as if they have done meditation or yoga. Calligraphy is like a stress-busting workout for you mind -  with the added benefit that you make pretty stuff.💕

3 - Calligraphy allows us to express ourselves.

One of the most rewarding aspects of calligraphy is the opportunity for personalised expression. With practice, each person develops their own unique style. Whether creating cards and tags, writing out a poem or simply doodling, calligraphy allows you to unleash your creativity.

4 - Calligraphy builds confidence.

When students first dip their pens into ink and put them to paper, they almost always doubt how they will ever be able to create something beautiful using these tools. By the end of the class, students are always amazed at how those first wobbly strokes have transformed into something really beautiful. There is always a sense of pride that comes with overcoming the initial challenges. 

5 - Calligraphy Instills Lifelong Skills and Habits. 

Beyond its immediate benefits, calligraphy practice builds valuable skills and habits. From perseverance and attention to detail to a love of learning and exploring creativity, the lessons learned through practicing calligraphy are numerous and extend beyond this simple activity. (The photo below is something I must have written about the age of 8 or 9. Still at it after all these years!)

Can you tell? I think calligraphy has it all! Not only do you create beautiful things, you also get to relax and enjoy the creative experience. Ditch your screens, pick up a pen, and get writing! 😀

Curious to know what my calligraphy looked like when I started out?

This question comes up almost every time I teach calligraphy. When I tell students that it wasn't really all that good, they often don't believe me. The truth is, I started out exactly where every one of my students starts out - without a clue about how to use a dip pen and ink, struggling to make straight up strokes and lush downstrokes, and with a lot of frustrating and wobbly lines. The only thing I had was a desire to create beautiful lettering like I had seen online and in magazines. I was no different than anyone I have ever taught. 

I don't have my very earliest attempts at calligraphy anymore (a cross Atlantic move took care of those!), I dug up a few things that I would call 'intermediate'. Come with me down memory lane and see where I started. Promise me you won't laugh! 😂 

As you can see, my writing is now more fluid and definitely much prettier. With some practice, the forms became more consistent and there is an ease and a flow to the lettering now which was not there initially.

Moving on. The two photos above are from commissions I did for clients. The top one is from one of the first love letters I was commissioned to write many years ago. Apparently the recipient loved it but I look at it now and think it wasn't the best. The photo beneath is from a poem commission I did more recently, in my opinion, is much improved. The downstrokes are nice and thick and contrast with the fine upstrokes. The letters seems to have a rhythm and flow across the page. 

And, one last example. Here is a thank you card that I made many moons ago. I was quite pleased with it at the time, especially the flourished bits. For comparison, here is a card that I made once I took the time to learn how to flourish ‘well’. With some practice and greater confidence, the final product is completely different.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these as much as I did. I think it's really worthwhile to take the time, when learning something new, to look back and see just how much you have improved. It's likely more than you think. To all my students, you now don't have to take my word that I was exactly where you were once upon a time. Here is the proof.

Behind the Scenes - How I Lay out a Poem for Calligraphy

Everything (almost!) you need to know to create your own calligraphy poem artwork. Here we go...
 

Step 1 - Read the Poem

😂 I am not trying to be funny here! Take some time before you begin and give some thought to how you can convey the feeling behind or meaning of the poem through your calligraphy. Remember you are creating a piece of art. In the example below, the poem is about a house in the Caribbean and the watery blue ink captures some of the local colour.

In this well-known Aldous Huxley quote the word 'lightly' is repeated many times. To add visual interest to this piece of wall art, the word was written in a way that conveyed its meaning, in this case, a looser script that seems to gently float on the paper.

Step 2 - Create a Line Template for Your Lettering

You will need to create a very precise template to ensure your lettering fits perfectly. I won't lie. This part of the process can be fiddly and takes some trial and error to get just right.

To get a sense of the size of my lettering, I start by writing out the longest line of the poem on scrap paper. If the poem has very long lines, then the lettering will naturally have to be smaller in order to fit. I don't want to 'break' a line if I don't have to. If the lines are short, then the lettering can sometimes be larger (but not if there are a lot of lines to squeeze in vertically, of course.) Don't forget to include your desired left and right margins when writing out this line. 

Next, I consider the:

• top margin - including space for title and author

• bottom margin - don't forget to leave adequate space at the bottom of the page. Your poem will look nicer for it. 

Having completed these steps, I now know how much space I have for the actual poem as well the approximate size my lettering can be. At this stage, I go to my favourite website for creating free calligraphy guide lines: https://www.blocklayer.com/writing-guide-paper. Here I can input all the variables I need to create a template that works for my particular layout. Experiment with x-height, ascender and descender height and the space between lines to get something that fits nicely. Don't forget to account for space between verses, if applicable. 

If you end up with a poem that is a tight squeeze, your ascender and descender areas may overlap. Not to worry! In the few instances where your ascenders and descenders 'collide' you can deal with them artfully like this: 

How to deal with ascender and descender spaces that overlap.

Step 3 - Write Your Poem in Pencil

Using your template, write the poem out in pencil. Make sure you are writing at the same size as your calligraphy will be - this may not be handwriting size! I usually do this using a light box (sometimes called a light table or pad - an indispensable tool that can be purchased fairly inexpensively) with my template and a sheet of thin marker paper on top. Something like this:

Step 4 - Centre Your Poem

The next step involves a little crafting.

• First - draw a centre line down your template

• Second - Cut each line of the poem into a strip. This way you can fold each line in half which marks the exact centre of the line. 

• Third - Stick down each line of the poem on the template with clear tape, making sure to line up the fold (the centre) with the centre line of the poem. Something like this: 

Fold in poem line is lined up with centre of template.

Result! Perfectly centred poem to copy over. No mistakes, no off-centre lines! Below is part of the template from the original poem about the house in the Caribbean. I have also highlighted the places where my ascenders and descenders may cross over. This gives me a little heads up to be extra careful when writing out those parts. 💡

Step 5- Write out the Final Version

Last step! 😅 Writing out the poem. Now that you have a perfectly centred version of your poem sketched out, with no mistakes and any tricky areas highlighted, you can be confident in writing out your poem in calligraphy. 

So that's it - how I put together a calligraphy poem. Other calligraphers may use techniques such as writing it out in pencil (lightly!) and then erasing (which works well if you don't have a light table) or else using a typed (vs. written out version of the lettering to copy over) but this is what I have put together over the years that seems to work best for me. I hope you now have the knowledge and confidence to approach your own calligraphy poem. They make wonderful and unique gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, house warmings, etc. As always, I would love to see what you create. Please tag #CrouchEndCalligraphy on Instagram to share.

Six Ways to Make Your Holiday Season Extra Special with Calligraphy.

The holiday season is always the busiest time of the year for me as a calligrapher, probably because it's the time when all of us, regardless of which holiday we celebrate, gift and host the most. I thought it might be fun to share some ways that calligraphy can be used to make small things like cards, gift tags, and tables that little bit more beautiful for friends and family. Here are six ways to use calligraphy to make things extra special this holiday season:

1 - Gift tags. As a paper lover, I take gift wrapping very seriously 😂. Personalising gifts with with handwritten calligraphy tags certainly steps them up a notch. For those who have just learned calligraphy with me, tags are a great place to start. 

 
2 - Placecards. A few years ago, my youngest insisted we buy a red tablecloth for our Christmas table. I was a bit hesitant because I don't like having a lot of 'stuff' but I caved and haven't regretted it - the kid was right! The deep red is the perfect backdrop for greenery, candles and festive placecards such as these. Plus, we can use it again for Valentine's! 😂

3 - Snail mail. I don't think I can put in words how much I ❤️ a holiday card. The ones I send out wish everyone a Happy New Year as many of our friends don't celebrate Christmas and I think best wishes for the new year is a really nice sentiment (though last year I was so late I designed and sent out Valentine's Day cards 😅). Regardless, receiving an envelope addressed in calligraphy will make anyone smile. 

4 - Holiday cards. If you want to go all out you can even write the notes inside your cards in calligraphy. I only wish I had the time for that. (This one was for a client - no Royal Highnesses on my list!)

5 - Christmas Crackers. In my opinion, most Christmas crackers are pretty disappointing. I love buying the ones I fill myself so I can give each person a little something that is special to them. You can buy ones that come flat which are perfect for personalising for each guest.

6 - Gifts. Calligraphy makes for a great gift. You can write out a favourite poem, song lyrics or quote for a loved one. The thought and time put into it will make the result of your efforts one of their favourite gifts - guaranteed!

 

While not an exhaustive list, I hope you enjoyed some ways you can use calligraphy this holiday season  - and really any time of year! 

Frustrated by shaky calligraphy strokes? 9 tips and tricks to help with wobbly lines.

I have not had a student yet who has not found the shaky lines they produce when trying to master the point pen really frustrating. I think this is in part the fault of those hypnotising Instagram videos (don't get me wrong - I love them too!) of gorgeous calligraphy that seems to come straight off the pen silky and smooth. Don't be fooled! These are the pros and even they probably shot that video a dozen times to get it absolutely perfect.

Gold ink is always makes placecards seem super special.

I thought it would be helpful to share the steps I take to minimise shakes as much as possible. The key word is minimise. I don't think the goal is to get rid of them entirely (there's Procreate for that!). The beauty of calligraphy is that it is done by hand so perfect isn't really the goal. Nevertheless, here is what I do to get as close to 'perfect' as I can:

1 - I MAKE SURE I HAVE EATEN WELL

Being hungry definitely makes my hands less steady. It also interferes with my ability to focus and, as a result, take my time and work slowly.

2 - Avoid Caffeine

I always avoid caffeine right before sitting down to work. A cup of tea is usually alright, but a high octane flat white is definitely out of the question if you don't want to tremble.

3 - Stay Warm

In cooler weather, I always make sure I am dressed warmly. I am really lucky there is radiator right under my desk. I crank that up and make sure my entire body, all the way to the tips of my fingers and toes, is toasty warm.

My mom knits the best woolly socks - perfect for living in an old, draughty house. This is my favourite pair.

4 - how you sit is really Important

I keep my feet off the ground. Arranging your workspace (i.e.: how you position your body, your paper, height of chair relative to desk, etc.) definitely impacts how smooth your calligraphy will look. I could probably dedicate an entire post to this but my number one tip has nothing to do with the position of your paper, pen or the angle of your body relative to these. Rather, it has to do with one simple thing - your feet being raised off the floor. This little discovery was a revelation to me! Now whenever I am working or practising, I always make sure my feet are up on a tiny stepping stool (these IKEA ones are perfect - https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/foersiktig-childrens-stool-white-green-60248418/) so that my thighs are ninety degrees to my body. If your feet are any lower that this, you will be slightly unstable and this will impact your posture and your ability to control your arm and hand. 

A sneak peek under my desk. It's a pretty good set up with a stool, radiator and one very cute studio dog.

5 - Remember to breathe

I focus on my breath and try to inhale on the upstrokes and exhale on the downstrokes. Give it a go and see if you can almost use your breath to move your pen. This will have a transformative effect on your lettering by encouraging you to relax and discourage you from holding your breath - something we are all guilty of - me included!

6 - DON’T FORGET THE WARM UP

I know nobody likes warming up and if I am honest, I don't like it much either. Ever notice, though, how your calligraphy seems to improve 10 minutes in? That's because you have warmed up! Warming up for 5 - 10 minutes before writing will make a massive difference to how shaky your calligraphy appears. Writing out a few lines of text or doing some drills with either your pen and ink or even a pencil will do the job.

It's really easy to warm-up by doing drills with a pencil. This is a worksheet students do with me in my Complete Modern Calligraphy for Beginners course.

7 - Relax your grip

I try not to hold my pen too tightly and to think about the pen gliding over the paper, especially for those particularly challenging little upstrokes. This has the added benefit of not making my hand cramp which is always a win.

8 - write at the right speed (no pun intended!)

I know the right speed for me. It's not painfully slow (though probably much slower than you think) and definitely not too fast. Everyone is different so experiment and find the speed of writing that helps you to get the smoothness you are looking for.

If you look very, very closely you will always see some imperfections, but it's still beautiful. 

9 - practice makes perfect

Some of the shakiness is just down to experience and practice. The more you practise the less shaky your lettering will be. I promise! To make it a bit easier, I have shared lots of everyday writing tools in this blog that you can use for practice - it doesn’t have to be dip pens and ink all the time.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

This gets us back to those absorbing Instagram videos we started off with. The people posting them didn't just start out. They probably know a lot of this and the great news is now so do you. You are well on your way to smooth calligraphy. Have fun! 

Anthea xo

It's Finally Here! Anthea's Calligraphy for Kids

I have some exciting news! So exciting that I am going to put my apprehensions aside and write my first ever blog post. Here it goes...

After more than a year of tweaking and testing, I am really proud to launch 'Anthea's Calligraphy for Kids' in my web shop and through Etsy! 🎉.

The story: It all started during lockdown (thankfully seems like ages ago now) when my son's Cub Scout leader, clearly desperate for content for his weekly Zoom sessions, asked me if I could teach the kids calligraphy. I agreed, but was 100% certain this was going to be a complete disaster. I don't want to stereotype but 8-10 year old boys, with only a few girls? Calligraphy? Really? And how do I keep their attention over dreaded Zoom?

Not wanting to disappoint the best Cub Scout leader one could ask for, I put my apprehensions aside and got on creating a little lesson for the kids to learn to write 'calligraphy style'. But what was everyone going to use to write with? Back then, we could barely leave the house let alone buy calligraphy supplies. The answer? The ubiquitous Crayola Broad Line marker! For sure everyone had a few of those, half dry, in the junk drawer. I created some print-at-home worksheets outlining the basic strokes and each letter and figured I was as ready as I was ever going to be.

The fateful evening finally came and, as it turns out, the kids were absolutely amazing. They were interested and engaged. They asked great questions and without too much instruction from me, worked their way through the materials. I couldn't believe it - THEY LOVED MY CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHEETS!! I came off the Zoom call that night with such a buzz. And the feedback from parents couldn't have been more positive. Not only did their kids really enjoy learning something new but also the process of doing calligraphy. And, the best piece of feedback - the parents were surprised and appreciative that their kids were quiet for more than an hour! Who wouldn't love that?!

At that moment, I knew I was on to something. Online searches revealed that despite the enormous popularity of modern calligraphy and a seemingly infinite number of beginner sets available for grown ups, there was nothing geared towards children. But why wouldn't kids want to learn calligraphy with tools that work for them? And, with the increasing interest in mindfulness, I had proof that kids were engaged in a mindful activity, otherwise they couldn't possibly have been so quiet for so long, right? Feedback from parents given early versions of the workbook, confirmed what I suspected. Kids really got into it and enjoyed learning calligraphy. And parents don't mind a little extra cursive practice and a little less screen time. Sneaky, eh?

'Anthea's Calligraphy for Kids' uses the same principles as I use in my own work as a calligrapher. The workbook shows children the basic strokes and how to put them together to create all the lower and upper case letters. Once they have mastered the letters, we move onto joining them into words. Along with step-by-step instruction, there is lots of space for children to practice their calligraphy throughout. The workbooks are made of quality paper, tough enough to resist markers, and with a spiral binding so they lie perfectly flat.

The kit comes with design ideas to inspire children to create their own calligraphy projects, as well as an alphabet exemplar, lined template, projects materials, and a set of washable Crayola Broad Line markers. It's delivered in a fully recyclable box in which everything can be stored.

If you are looking for a rainy day activity, a unique gift for a child or something to keep the kids busy on holiday, please check out 'Anthea's Calligraphy for Kids' in my online shop. To celebrate the kit's release, don't forget to use the code LAUNCH10 for a 10% discount during the month of May. That's something to smile about.

Well, that wasn't so difficult in the end, if not a little fun. If you haven't already and would like to sign up for future emails, please do so here. Thanks so much for reading to the end and, as always, for supporting my small business.

Lots of love,

Anthea xo

Calligraphy with Crayola Markers @CrouchEndCalligraphy 2022

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