Be Patient & Enjoy the Process

"Be patient with yourself and SLOW DOWN. Calligraphy is a lifetime of learning. Enjoy the journey!" – @kathymilicicreative

Learning calligraphy is a process, and progress doesn’t happen overnight. Take your time and embrace every stage of your journey!

Go to Conferences & Watch the Masters

"Go to a conference. Get to know people. Get to see a wide variety of work and styles. You can learn so much watching experienced calligraphers write." – @thecherrylmoote

Attending workshops, conferences, and guild meetups is a great way to learn directly from professionals, see how they work, and get inspired by their process.

Breathe & Lighten Your Touch

"NEVER hold your breath when writing. Inhale on the upstroke and exhale on the downstroke. This slows down the writing, allowing the tool the time to make the shape. Try to cultivate a light touch as that diminishes friction and works in tandem with lighter breathing for smoother writing." – @pascribe

Who knew breathing could improve your calligraphy? Relax, slow down, and let each breath guide your strokes.

Creativity Is Like a Kneaded Eraser

"Creativity is like an unused, hardened kneaded eraser. With attention and training, it becomes flexible, agile, and adaptable." – Anne Merydith

Creativity is something you develop. Keep stretching, experimenting, and refining your skills!

Take Photos of Your Work to Track Progress

"Always take pictures of your work (head-on, not at an angle) so you can go back down the road and compare your progress!" – @prettywrittenthings

Seeing your before-and-after progress is one of the best motivators to keep going!

Where do I start? I know there are different styles, and I feel overwhelmed.

"Take a class! Learning from an instructor who can guide you through different calligraphy styles and tools is invaluable. John Neal has an email list with class recommendations. Also, check if you have a local calligraphy guild—many areas do, and they’re great for finding a supportive community. A great book to start with is Sheila Waters’ Foundations of Calligraphy." – @lindseyehook

Tip: Choose one script (like Copperplate or Italic) and practice it consistently before branching out into multiple styles.

How do I improve my spacing?

"Spacing is different depending on the letters you’re working with. Most scripts have a ‘mother letter’ like O or N. With practice, your eyes will learn what looks right and what doesn’t. I study the works of other calligraphers to see how spacing and layouts look. I also use printed guidelines or make my own by placing them under my paper and working over them." – @ginkgoarts

Tip: Use guideline sheets to train your eye for even letter spacing. Over time, you’ll develop an instinct for it!

How do I track my progress?

"You'll be able to see your progress on your own. As you continue practicing, write dates on your pieces—you'll amass a body of work. Don't worry about how long you've been practicing—just keep going. You'll gradually see where you’re improving and what still needs work." – @annika.says.so

Tip: Keep a practice journal or digital album to track and compare your work over time.