The following is a condensed version of Lesson 1 of the Basic Beginner's Calligraphy Course avaliable from professional calligrapher, Cecil Linda Evans. You can visit her web site by clicking on the image below.
Calligraphy, The Art of Beautiful Writing
I choose to start you with the old fashioned dip-style pen. There are many times that
you will need to use this tool, so why not learn it first! (You can purchase this type
pen and calligraphy ink at most arts and craft stores.) Also, often, the ink flow with the
fountain pen style calligraphy pen is difficult to manage at first, so I find this dip-style
easier to learn with. After each "dip" you will touch the tip very lightly and briefly
onto a paper towel...so have one handy. But first, I'll want you to practice strokes with
no ink at all. You may work at your kitchen table; however, a slightly slanted surface is
preferable. When I first started learning, I had my husband fashion a piece of plywood
with 30 degree wedges attached underneath, and I taped a smooth piece of poster board
on the top to give it a smooth surface. If you do this, make sure that you make your
calligraphy board at least 18" deep by 24" wide. OK...lets get started
1. Holding the pen - The pen is held with the index finger on the top of the barrel of the pen and the thumb on the side,
slightly toward the bottom as shown in fig. 1. The little finger, though not shown in the illustration, should be extended
slightly (but not stiffly) up and to the side...not curled under the hand. Imagine "drinking a cup of tea"!
The shaft of the pen should rest across the first knuckle of the hand.... NOT down
in the valley between the thumb and
forefinger!!!
2. The angle of the nib when writing is always held at a 45 angle. This is what gives your letters the beautiful "thick" and
"thin" strokes. Imagine a square (which is 90 )....a 45 angle is half of this. Your practice strokes will be made from top right
to bottom left, on a diagonal keeping the pen nib at this 45o angle.
3. You should sit in a straight backed chair, erectly...not slouched over, or with your legs curled under you....save that for
making the grocery list! Your hand should always be kept below and to the right of the line you are working on....never
above or directly beside the line.
4. Your strokes will move from top to bottom...never pushing the pen nib in a bottom to top movement...this will cause
splattering for the beginner. Have your ink bottle and blotting towel to the right of your work....so that you don't have to
reach across your work for the ink....drips can quickly ruin an hour's work!
These are the 15 basic strokes that make up all the letters of the Chancery Cursive
alphabet! If you can learn these basic strokes, you'll be a calligrapher in no time!
For information on receiving the rest of Lesson 1 and completing the
Beginning
Calligraphy course, contact Cecil Linda Evans at
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