Contemporary Calligraphy: Enhancing Your Hand Lettering Skills

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 18 July 2023 7 min read

Are you ready to take a leap into the world of contemporary calligraphy: exploring new expressions and styles of hand lettering? This art form isn't just about writing—it's about transforming simple letters into expressive and creative artworks. So, grab your pens and let's get started on your calligraphy journey!

Basic Tools for Calligraphy

Before we dive into the techniques and styles of contemporary calligraphy, let's explore the basic tools you'll need. Just like a chef can't cook without a good knife, a calligrapher needs the right tools to create their art.

Types of Pens

When it comes to pens for contemporary calligraphy, you have a few options. You could start with a basic calligraphy pen, which has a flat nib and is great for creating thick and thin strokes. Alternatively, you might prefer a brush pen, which uses a flexible tip to create a wide range of line thicknesses. Don't forget about pointed pen calligraphy, which uses a pointed nib and is perfect for styles like Copperplate and Spencerian. Whichever type of pen you choose, make sure it's comfortable to hold and easy to control.

Selection of Inks

Next, we need to talk about ink. The right ink can make a big difference in your calligraphy work. Traditional calligraphy inks are generally thicker and give a rich color. But, you can also use liquid watercolor or even gouache for a different effect. Just make sure your ink is not too watery—it should flow smoothly from your pen without bleeding or feathering on your paper.

Choice of Paper

Last but not least, let's discuss paper. The type of paper you choose can greatly affect the look and feel of your calligraphy. Generally, smooth paper is best for calligraphy as it allows your pen to glide across the surface, making it easier to form letters and shapes. If you're just starting out, practice paper or layout bond are good choices—they're affordable and work well with most types of pens and inks. Once you've honed your skills, you might want to explore other types of paper, like parchment, vellum, or even handmade paper.

Now that you're equipped with the right tools, you're one step closer to creating your own beautiful pieces of contemporary calligraphy: exploring new expressions and styles of hand lettering. In the next sections, we'll take a look at the fundamental strokes, forming letters, spacing and layout, and different calligraphy styles. So, stay tuned!

Fundamental Strokes

In contemporary calligraphy, mastering the fundamental strokes is like learning the alphabet—it's the building block of all letter forms. By practicing these basic strokes, you'll be well on your way to exploring new expressions and styles of hand lettering. So let's jump right in!

Upstroke and Downstroke

Think of upstrokes and downstrokes as the bread and butter of calligraphy. An upstroke is a thin line created by moving your pen upwards, while a downstroke is a thick line created by moving your pen downwards. To create a thin upstroke, apply light pressure to the pen. For a thicker downstroke, press harder. It may sound simple, but it takes practice to get it right—so don't be discouraged if your lines aren't perfect right away!

Ovals and Ascenders

Next, we have ovals and ascenders. Ovals are just what they sound like—they're round shapes that form the base of letters like "o" and "a". To draw an oval, start at the top, make a thin upstroke on the right side, then a thick downstroke on the left. Ascenders, on the other hand, are the tall, vertical strokes found in letters like "b" and "h". To create an ascender, start with a thin upstroke, then transition into a thick downstroke. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Descenders and Cross Strokes

Finally, let's talk about descenders and cross strokes. Descenders are the strokes that fall below the baseline, like the tail of a "y" or "g". To create a descender, start with a thick downstroke and finish with a thin upstroke. Cross strokes, as the name suggests, are the horizontal lines that cross through letters like "t" and "f". To make a cross stroke, simply draw a thin line from left to right across the stem of the letter.

There you have it—the fundamental strokes of contemporary calligraphy. As you practice these strokes, you'll start to see them come together to form letters and words, opening up a whole new world of hand lettering expressions and styles. So keep practicing, and remember—every stroke counts!

How to Form Letters

Now that we've got the fundamentals down, it's time to put those strokes to good use and start forming letters. Just think of this as the next exciting step in your journey of exploring the myriad expressions and styles of contemporary calligraphy.

Forming Upper Case Letters

Upper case letters, also known as capital letters, are often the showstoppers in calligraphy. They are usually more elaborate and, let's admit it, a bit more fun to create. To form upper case letters, you'll use a combination of strokes. For instance, the letter "A" starts with a thick downstroke for the left side, a thin upstroke for the right side, and a cross stroke to connect the two sides. The key to mastering upper case letters is to break each letter down into its individual strokes. Practice each stroke before putting them together—soon enough, you'll be creating beautiful capital letters!

Forming Lower Case Letters

Lower case letters may not be as flashy as their upper case siblings, but they make up the bulk of any written piece. Like upper case letters, lower case letters are formed using a combination of strokes. Let's take the letter "a" as an example. Start with an oval, followed by a downstroke on the right side. Voila! You've just written a lower case "a". As with the upper case letters, the key to perfecting your lower case letters is to practice each stroke before combining them.

There's no denying that forming letters can be a bit of a challenge when you're starting out. But remember, every great calligrapher started where you are now. So keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be creating letters that are uniquely yours, adding a personal touch to your contemporary calligraphy journey.

Spacing and Layout

Knowing how to form letters is just the beginning. To make your contemporary calligraphy truly stand out, you need to master the art of spacing and layout. It's like arranging furniture in a room: it's not just about the individual pieces, but how they work together to create a harmonious space.

Spacing Between Letters

Imagine if all the letters in a word were squished together—it'd be pretty hard to read, right? That's why the space between letters, also known as 'kerning', is such an important part of calligraphy. A good rule of thumb is to leave enough space so that the letters don't overlap, but not so much that they appear disjointed. It may take some practice, but once you nail it, your words will flow as smoothly as a river.

Spacing Between Words

Now, let's talk about the space between words. This is typically a bit wider than the space between letters. A good guideline is to leave a space equivalent to the width of the lowercase 'o' in the font you're using. This should provide enough room to distinguish separate words, without making them appear too far apart. Remember, balance is key!

Arranging Text Blocks

Lastly, let's touch on the larger picture: arranging text blocks. Whether you're creating a beautiful piece of wall art or a heartwarming greeting card, how you arrange your words can make a world of difference. You might align your text to the left, right, or center, or even arrange your words in a shape like a heart or a circle. The possibilities are endless, and the choice is all yours. After all, contemporary calligraphy is all about expressing your individual style.

By mastering spacing and layout, you can create pieces that are not only beautiful, but also easy to read. So go forth, and let your creativity run wild!

Calligraphy Styles

Now that you've understood the fundamentals, it's time to explore the world of contemporary calligraphy styles! Each style has its own unique flair and character, and learning them can help you find your own unique voice in the world of hand lettering. Let's get started!

Italic Style

First off, let's talk about the Italic style. Originating from Italy during the Renaissance period, Italic calligraphy is known for its elegant, flowing letters that slant to the right. It's a versatile style that's perfect for everything from formal invitations to casual greeting cards. Try it out, and you just might find it to be your go-to style!

Gothic Style

Next up is the Gothic style, characterized by its bold, dramatic letters. With its roots in medieval Europe, Gothic calligraphy brings a touch of historical charm to any piece. While it may seem intimidating at first, don't worry—with a little practice, you'll be creating your own Gothic masterpieces in no time.

Uncial Style

For something a little different, why not try the Uncial style? With its rounded, symmetrical letters, Uncial calligraphy has a timeless appeal that's hard to resist. Dating back to the 4th century, it's one of the oldest forms of calligraphy—but don't let that stop you from adding your own contemporary twist!

Copperplate Style

Last but not least, let's explore the Copperplate style. Known for its elegant curves and intricate flourishes, Copperplate calligraphy is sure to add a touch of sophistication to any piece. While it might require a little more patience and precision, the end result is definitely worth it.

By exploring different styles, you can broaden your calligraphy skills and find new ways to express yourself. So why wait? Dive into the world of contemporary calligraphy and start creating your own unique expressions of hand lettering today!

If you're looking to elevate your hand lettering skills and dive into the world of contemporary calligraphy, don't miss the workshop titled 'Getting Started with Hand Lettering' by Shannon Layne. This workshop will guide you through the basics and help you develop your own unique lettering style, setting you on the path to becoming a skilled calligrapher.