Beginner's Guide: 7 Tips for Thank You Calligraphy

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

5. Assemble Letters into Words

Mastering the art of "thank you calligraphy" can add a personal touch to your notes, making your gratitude stand out. Whether you're writing thank you cards for a wedding, birthday, or just because, the unique beauty of calligraphy can take your messages of appreciation to the next level. With practice and the right tools, you can create stunning thank you calligraphy that leaves a lasting impression. Let’s start this journey with these seven easy-to-follow tips.

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you start dipping your pen in ink, you need to gather the right materials. Working with quality materials can make a huge difference in your calligraphy journey, especially when you're just starting out. Here's what you'll need:

Paper: Smooth, high-quality paper is your best friend. It's easier to write on and won't cause your ink to bleed. A good option is Rhodia pad, which is a favorite among many calligraphy artists.
Ink: Choose an ink that flows well. Sumi ink and India ink are popular choices. They're dark, rich, and perfect for thank you calligraphy.
Pencil and Ruler: A simple pencil and ruler are handy for drawing guidelines. This helps ensure your calligraphy stays straight and even.

Remember: these are just the basics. As you progress, you might want to expand your toolset with additional nibs, colored inks, and more. But for now, these will help you get started on your thank you calligraphy journey.

2. Choose the Right Pen

Choosing the right pen for your thank you calligraphy can feel like a task. There's a wide variety out there. But don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a simple guide:

Dip Pens: These are the traditional choice for calligraphy. They offer the most flexibility in line variation, which is key for creating those beautiful swells and tapers in your letters. The Nikko G nib is an excellent choice for beginners—it's sturdy, reliable, and gives you nice, crisp lines.
Marker Pens: For those who find dipping a nib into ink too messy or inconvenient, marker pens can be a good alternative. They are easy to use and come in various thicknesses. Tombow Dual Brush pens, for instance, are great for beginners.

Just remember, the pen doesn't make the artist. It's all about you and how you use it. So, pick the one you feel most comfortable with, and start practicing your thank you calligraphy.

3. Practice Basic Strokes

Alright, now that you have your pen, let's move on to the fun part: making marks on paper! When starting with thank you calligraphy, you first need to master the basic strokes. Think of them as the building blocks of your letters.

There are three basic strokes you should practice:

Downstroke: This is a stroke that goes from top to bottom. Apply pressure on the pen to create thick lines. This is also known as a 'thick' stroke.
Upstroke: As the name suggests, this stroke goes from bottom to top. Use light pressure to create thin lines. Hence, it's often referred to as a 'thin' stroke.
Oval: This is a round stroke. It's used in letters like 'o' and 'e'. Practice it both clockwise and anticlockwise.

Remember, the key to beautiful thank you calligraphy is consistency. So, practice these strokes until they become second nature. And don't worry if your strokes aren't perfect at first—every master was once a beginner!

4. Learn Letter Formations

After getting comfortable with the basic strokes, it's time to start forming letters. This is where you'll really start to see your "thank you calligraphy" come to life. Let's start with lowercase letters as they are used more frequently.

Here are some tips:

Start with Simple Letters: The lowercase letters 'i', 'l', 't' and 'u' are great starting points. They mainly consist of vertical downstrokes and upstrokes. By practicing these, you'll get a feel for how letters are formed in calligraphy.
Progress to Complex Letters: Once you're comfortable with simpler letters, move on to letters like 'a', 'd', 'g', and 'o'. These letters require a combination of strokes and can be a bit tricky at first. But with practice, you'll get the hang of it.
Master the Difficult Letters: Letters like 'b', 'f', 'h', 'k' and 'y' can be challenging because they require a blend of all the basic strokes. But don't fret. Remember, practice makes perfect.

With patience and practice, you'll soon be able to form all the letters of the alphabet. And guess what? You're now one step closer to creating beautiful thank you calligraphy!

5. Assemble Letters into Words

Now that you've mastered individual letters, it's time to move onto words. The first word we're going to construct? You guessed it - "Thank you". Assembling letters into words in calligraphy is slightly different from regular handwriting. It involves a bit of planning and spacing. But rest assured, you've got this!

Here are a few tips to help you assemble letters into words:

Spacing is Key: In calligraphy, the space between letters is just as important as the letters themselves. Try to keep your spacing consistent. This might feel tricky initially, especially between letters that have wide strokes. But with time, you'll get it right.
Think About Letter Connections: Not all letters connect in the same way. For example, the 'k' in "thank" and the 'y' in "you" have a different ending stroke. Consider this while planning your word.
Practice with Pencil First: Before you dive in with your calligraphy pen, sketch out the word with a pencil. This helps you plan your spacing and letter connections. Once you're satisfied, go over it with your pen.

With these tips in mind, take a deep breath and start assembling your letters. Remember, it's not about speed. Take your time, and soon enough, you'll be writing "thank you" in calligraphy like a pro.

6. Add Style with Flourishes

Once you're comfortable with writing "thank you" in calligraphy, it's time to add some style to your work with flourishes. Flourishes are ornamental lines added to your letters and words to make your calligraphy stand out. They add an artistic flair to your "thank you" calligraphy and make it look fancy.

Here are three helpful tips to add flourishes to your calligraphy:

Start Simple: As a beginner, it's best to start with simple flourishes. You can add a simple curve to the end of your 'k' in "thank", or a curl to your 'y' in "you". Once you're comfortable with these, you can try more complex flourishes.
Balance is Key: When adding flourishes, aim for a balance between the decorative elements and the letters. Too many flourishes can make your "thank you" hard to read, while too few might look incomplete.
Practice Makes Perfect: Like all aspects of calligraphy, mastering flourishes requires practice. Take it slow and steady, and don't be disheartened if your first few attempts don't turn out as expected.

So, grab your pen, let your creativity flow, and start adding flourishes to your "thank you" calligraphy. You'll be amazed at how these small touches can transform your work from simple to stunning.

7. Practice Consistency

Consistency is the key to mastering any skill, and "thank you" calligraphy is no exception. When you maintain consistency in your strokes, spacing, and style, your calligraphy not only looks professional but also becomes a true expression of your artistic personality.

Here's how to achieve consistency in your "thank you" calligraphy:

Uniform Strokes: Try to keep your strokes as uniform as possible. This means that the thickness of your downstrokes and the thinness of your upstrokes should be consistent throughout.
Equal Spacing: The space between your letters and words should be equal. This gives your "thank you" calligraphy a balanced and harmonious look.
Consistent Style: Whether you're adding flourishes or sticking to simple letter forms, keep your style consistent. A sudden change in style can disrupt the flow of your calligraphy.

Remember, achieving consistency in calligraphy is not an overnight job. It requires patience, practice, and most importantly, a love for the art of calligraphy. So, be patient with yourself, keep practicing, and watch as your "thank you" calligraphy transforms from a beginner's scrawl to a professional's script.

If you're excited about mastering the art of thank you calligraphy, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Modern Calligraphy with a Dip Pen 101' by BlinkLettering. This workshop will provide you with detailed guidance on how to create beautiful calligraphy using a dip pen, making your thank you notes even more special and heartfelt.