how to do it TM
Hobbies & Leisure
Calligraphy
Calligraphy Basics
Calligraphy is derived from the Greek word kalligraphia,
which means beautiful handwriting. Today, the term is
used to refer to both the art form of beautiful handwriting
as well as the technique used to create it.
Uses for Calligraphy
Since ancient times, calligraphy has been used in paintings,
books, and historical documents. Today, this ornate hand-
writing remains a popular choice for applications such as
party invitations, formal correspondence, and certificates.
Many people choose to hire professional calligraphers
to create calligraphy. With training and practice, though, just
about anyone can learn this time-honored craft. This chart
provides instruction on general calligraphy techniques,
including lining your paper, maneuvering your pen, and
forming stokes. You'll also learn to apply these techniques
in subtly different ways to create various calligraphic alpha-
bets, also known as scripts (see Calligraphy Scripts).
What Youll Need to Get Started
To start learning calligraphy, youll need the following inex-
pensive and easy-to-find supplies:
Pencil
Ruler
Soft eraser
Paper
Calligraphy pen
Depending on the type of calligraphy pen you use, you may
also need calligraphy ink.
Calligraphy Pens
Calligraphy requires a special type of
pen. The tip of all calligraphy pens,
called the nib, has a flat edge rather than
the round point found on everyday ball-
nib
point pens. Calligraphers can vary the
weight, or thickness, of the lines they
use to form letters by controlling how
much of the nibs flat edge they allow to
contact the paper. The width of the nibs nib width
flat front edge, known as the nib width
(n.w.), is equal to the width of the thickest line that can be
drawn with that pen.
published by Barnes & Noble
Try your hand at this ageless art.
Calligraphy may be an ancient craft, but it's still the go-to style for formal
invitations, certificates, and more. Hiring a professional calligrapher can cost an arm
and leg, so harness your creativity and learn to:
Choose calligraphy supplies and create a workstation
Hold and move your pen correctly and with precision
Form popular calligraphic scripts and embellishments
Types of Calligraphy Pens Choosing a Calligraphy Pen
The three types of calligraphy pens are dip pens, fountain When learning calligraphy, its generally best to start with
pens, and felt-tip pens (also called markers). markers, which are the easiest to use, and then to move
up to fountain pens and dip pens as your calligraphy skills
Dip Pens improve and you want more precision.
Dip pens have metal nibs that fit into one end of their solid
shafts. The nib of the pen must be dipped into an ink bottle Nib Width Measurements
periodically as the calligrapher writes. There is no definitive measurement system when it comes
to nib width. Pen manufacturers use two different methods
to specify it:
Pros: Dip pens are the highest-quality calligraphy pens. EF .5 mm
They have precise, interchangeable nibs that can be
switched to suit the type of script youre writing.
Cons: These are the most expensive and difficult pens
to use. Their delicate nibs can bend and snag on paper,
the ink can get messy if the nib is not perfectly dipped, F .6 mm
and the nib must be cleaned thoroughly after each use.
Fountain Pens
Fountain pens have hollow shafts that contain ink car- M .8 mm
tridges that supply ink to the nib.
B 1 mm
Pros: Fountain pens have a better quality than felt-tip
pens and are easier to use than dip pens. They are
easy to load with ink and require no dipping. BB 1.5 mm
Cons: Fountain pens aren't as precise as dip pens and
are more expensive than markers. On some, the ink
can stop flowing when you push the pen forward. To
change the ink, you must change the cartridge and
clean the nib.
3B 2 mm
Felt-Tip Pens (Markers)
Felt-tip pens have a one-piece nib and shaft and come pre- Specific measurements: Nib widths are measured
loaded with ink that cannot be refilled. according to their exact size in millimeters, which
typically ranges from 0.3 to 2.
Descriptive letters: This system uses one or two
letters to describe nib widths in more general terms.
These letter codes range from EF (extra fine) to
Pros: The least expensive pens and the easiest to write 3B (triple broad).
with, they require no maintenance and wont leak.
Cons: Markers are the least precise pens. Their non- Some scripts require thicker lines (and thus wider nib
refillable ink tubes dry out quickly, their nibs wear with widths), while others require thinner lines (and thus nar-
use, and the quality of their line decreases over time. rower nib widths). Below youll find several of the most com-
 www.quamut.com
monly available nib widths (with specific measurements and
descriptive letters), plus a sample line drawn with each.
Calligraphy Paper
Its fine to practice calligraphy on regular white photocopy
paper, or even scrap paper. When youre ready to create
a final piece of work, though, youll want to use better
quality paper.
Choosing Your Calligraphy Paper
While some paper is specifically labeled calligraphy paper,
art stores carry a vast selection of papers that work just as
well. For instance, papers labeled expressly for use with
pastels or charcoal can also be used for calligraphy. When
selecting paper, keep these main factors in mind:
Weight: Paper weight, or thickness, is measured in
pounds (lb) the higher the number of pounds, the
thicker the paper. Lightweight paper can ripple and
cause ink to spread, so stick with 20 lb paper or higher.
Texture: Very rough paper makes it hard to keep
strokes straight, while smooth, glossy paper causes ink
to pool and prevents crisp strokes. Opt for paper with a
middle-of-the-road texture and a fine tooth, or grain.
Longevity: For important projects, use archival acid-
free paper, which will not break down or discolor.
Paper made with acid can turn yellow and brittle.
Calligraphy Ink
If youre using a dip or fountain pen, youll need to buy ink in
either bottles or cartridges. Inks come in a variety of colors,
and can be either waterproof or washable.
Waterproof: Waterproof ink is opaque, permanent,
and typically oil-based.
Washable: Washable ink is transparent (like watercolor
paint) and can fade over time. Its usually water-based.
Fountain pens always use washable ink, but dip pens can
use either kind. If youre using a dip pen, the type of ink you
choose will be a matter of personal preference.
Loading Your Fountain Pen with Ink
To load your fountain pen with a new ink cartridge, sim-
ply unscrew the shaft, remove the old cartridge (if one is
loaded), and pop in the new cartridge. If youre loading a
cartridge of ink thats a different color from the previous ink,
its a good idea to first wash out the pen with water and let
it dry before installing the new cartridge.
Loading Your Dip Pen with Ink
Loading a dip pen with ink involves dipping it into an ink
bottle. But you have to be careful, because if you submerge
the entire nib in ink, the nib will flood and leak. There are
two main ways to apply ink to your dip pen:
Dip your pen only as deep as the length of the slit that
runs down the middle of the nib.
Photo Credits: Page 1: age fotostock/SuperStock (photo 1), Vincent & Jennifer Keane/Lucence Photographic (photo 2), Mauro Bighin/Shutterstock (photo 3), Dave King, Andy Crawford, Steve
Gorton/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images (photo 4), Vincent & Jennifer Keane/Lucence Photographic (photo 5); Page 2: Scott B. Rosen/Bill Smith Studio (photo 1), Vincent & Jennifer Keane/Lu-
cence Photographic (photo 2), Scott B. Rosen/Bill Smith Studio (photos 3-4); Page 3: Stockdisc Classic/Getty Images (photos 1-2); Page 4: Illustration reproduced with permission of Lark Books
A Division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., NY, NY from The Art & Craft of Hand Lettering: techniques, projects, inspiration 2004 by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. (illustration 7). All other illustra-
tions by Precision Graphics.
Calligraphy
Apply ink to the nib with a thin paintbrush or an You might eventually consider buying a ready-made cal-
eyedropper. Place one drop on the nibs underside. ligraphy drawing board, which costs $2550 and is available
at most art supply stores. These boards feature metal posts
Cleaning Your Dip Pen that help you achieve the
If you choose to write with a dip pen, its important to keep proper writing angle, and
the nib clean in order to prevent it from clogging. rubber feet that prevent
slippage without the
While youre writing: Dip the nib in water occasionally need for an anchor.
and dab it dry with a paper towel.
When youre finished writing: Remove the nib, rinse Setting Up a Good Light Source
it with water, and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. To learn and practice calligraphy,
you need to see your work clearly,
You should also clean new nibs before using them for the so adequate lighting is crucial. A
first time, since they often come with a protective coating drafting lamp that attaches to
that can leave an adhesive residue. Soak new nibs in hot your desk and can be positioned
water for about half an hour, then wipe them clean. to shine directly on your drawing
board is ideal. Drafting lamps are
Ink Reservoirs sold at art stores and cost about
An ink reservoir is a piece of plastic or metal that attaches $15 and up. Place the lamp to your
to fountain and dip pens above the nib. The reservoir serves left (or your right, if youre a lefty)
two purposes: it stores additional ink to delay refilling and so your hand wont cast a shadow.
dipping, and it makes the ink flow from the nib more con-
sistently as you write. Many dip pens come with reservoirs Creating a Light Table
attached, but you can buy them separately as well. In foun- Many beginners find it helpful to learn calligraphy by
tain pens, reservoirs are used to supplement ink stored in tracing letters. It helps to use a light tablea hard,
the ink cartridge. translucent drawing surface lit from underneathas it
allows you to see through the
paper as you trace. You can
How to Get Set Up buy light tables, also known as
Before you can start practicing calligraphy, youll need to light boxes, for about $100, or
establish a workspace that allows you to work neatly and you can make one yourself in a
comfortably. This entails setting up a writing surface, a few easy steps. a light box
good light source, and a guard sheet.
1. Buy a sheet of glass or hard, clear acrylic at your local
Setting Up a Writing Surface hardware store. Make sure it's the same size as your
You should practice calligraphy on a slanted surface thats drawing board.
hard and flat. Doing so will help you to: 2. Prop up the sheet as
you would your drawing
board and place a a portable flourescent light
tip of nib
portable fluorescent light under it.
3. Mount the paper containing the letters youd like to
ink reservoir
trace onto the glass or acrylic using masking tape.
Hold your pen at an ideal angle to the paper Place your sheet of calligraphy paper on top.
Maintain good posture (no hunching) 4. When you turn on the light, you should be able to see
Move your writing arm freely by not leaning on it straight through to the letters youd like to trace.
To set up a calligraphy writing surface: Guard Sheet
Prevent your hands sweat and oils from staining your paper
1. Prop up a drawing board against some books on a or smudging your ink by using a piece of absorbent paper
table. A drawing board can be any hard, flat, wooden or known as a guard sheet. To set up a guard sheet, follow
synthetic surface (such as plywood or melamine), and these steps:
should be about 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep.
2. Anchor your board at the corners closest to you with a 1. Cut a piece of absorbent blotting paper into a sheet
heavy object. This will keep the board from slipping. thats wider than but not as tall as the calligraphy
3. Tape a few large sheets of construction paper onto paper youll be writing on. This piece of paper will
the board to make the surface smooth and slightly serve as your guard sheet.
cushioned. Mount your calligraphy paper on top of 2. Place this guard sheet near the bottom edge of your
these sheets. board, then tape its sides up vertically (do not tape
across the top or bottom of the sheet).
The information contained in this and every Quamut guide is intended only for the general interest of
its readers and should not be used as a basis for making medical, investment, legal or other important
decisions. Though Quamut makes efforts to create accurate guides, editorial and research mistakes can
occur. Quamut cannot, therefore, guarantee the accuracy of its guides. We disclaim all warranties, including
www.quamut.com
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, and must advise you to use our guides at Copyright 2007 Quamut.
your own risk. Quamut and its employees are not liable for loss of any nature resulting from the use of or
All rights reserved.
reliance upon our charts and the information found therein.
Quamut is a registered trademark of
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States
Writer: Rachel Mannheimer
 www.quamut.com
3. Slide your calligraphy paper under and behind the
guard sheet. To work on the calligraphy paper, inch it
up or down while resting your writing hand against
the guard sheet.
writing paper blotting paper
guard
sheet
drawing board tape
How to Line Calligraphy Paper
Lined calligraphy paper contains a precise framework of
horizontal and vertical lines that help you to create letters
of a consistent size and angle. You can line your own paper,
but its helpful first to understand the basic structure of
calligraphy letters.
The Structure of Calligraphy Letters
Every calligraphy letter has four main traits: the body,
the ascender, the descender, and the slant angle.
slant angle
ascender
waistline
body
baseline
descender
Body: The core part of the letter contained between
the waistline (top line) and the baseline (bottom line).
Ascender: The part of the letter extending above the
waistline. Only with some letters, such as b, d, f, h, k, l,
and t, have ascenders.
Descender: The part of the letter extending below the
baseline. Only with some letters, including f, g, j, p, q,
and, y, have descenders.
Slant angle: The angle, if any, at which the letters of
the script should be written in relation to the horizontal
lines.
Horizontal Lines
The distance you create between the horizontal lines on
your paper will help you draw your letters to the proper
height. This distance will depend on the script you choose
and the nib width of your pen.
Determining Horizontal Line Height
Each calligraphy script has a fixed set of core traits that
determine the distance between its horizontal lines. No
matter what script you choose, the traits you should know
in order to line your paper properly are x-height, ascender
height, and descender height.
x-height: Distance between baseline and waistline
Ascender height: Vertical length of ascenders
Descender height: Vertical length of descenders
Determining x-Height, Ascender Height, Descender Height
x-height, ascender height, and descender height all depend
on the script youre writing and the nib width of your pen.
Each script has fixed single-digit numbers for its x-height,
ascender height, and descender height that determine the
number of nib widths (n.w.) you should use to create your
horizontal lines. For instance, if a script has an x-height of
5 n.w., the waistline and baseline should be 5 n.w. apart.
According to this system, the height of your letters will de-
pend on the size of your nib. The taller the letters youd like
to draw, the broader the nib should be on the pen you use.
Why Line Height Matters
The height of your letters in relation to the size of the nib
youre using determines the letter weight, or the thickness
of the lines that comprise each letter. If you dont use the
correct line height, you wont be able to create the proper
contrast between thick and thin strokes.
Vertical Lines
The vertical lines on lined calligraphy paper are used to:
Provide general guidelines for the width of the letters
you produce (in contrast to horizontal lines, which
precisely define the height of the letters)
Help you produce letters at the correct slant angle
The Distance Between Vertical Lines
There is no hard and fast rule used regarding how much
distance there should be between vertical lines on lined
paper. In general, calligraphers space their vertical lines a
distance equal to the x-height of the script they are writing.
For instance, if the x-height is 5 n.w., the vertical lines
should be 5 n.w. apart.
Letter Width
Your letters dont have to be any specific width per se. Its
more important that they be an appropriate width relative
to one another. As you practice, youll develop a feel for
keeping your letters widths consistent. The following rules
of thumb may be useful:
All letters except lowercase l and both upper- and
lowercase m and w should be about the same width.
Lowercase l should be narrower than other letters.
Upper- and lowercase m and w should be wider than
other letters.
Spacing Between Letters
The amount of horizontal space you create between letters
is largely a matter of personal style. Experiment to see what
distance you like best for a particular project. These general
guidelines may help:
Two curved letters should be closest together.
A curved and a straight letter should be slightly farther
apart than two curved letters.
Two straight letters should be slightly farther apart
than a curved letter and a straight letter.
To form a space between two words, imagine an invisible
lowercase o between the words.
Slant Angle
The slant angle is the precise degree to which the vertical
lines on your calligraphy paper (and therefore your letters)
should be angled to the right. A script with a slant angle of
5 should be drawn on calligraphy paper with vertical lines
that intersect the horizontal lines at a 5 angle. Each script
has a precise slant angle (even if that angle is 0).
Drawing Horizontal and Vertical Lines
In addition to your basic calligraphy supplies (see
Calligraphy Basics), youll need the following tools in order
to draw horizontal and vertical lines:
Calligraphy
Protractor: For drawing your scripts slant angle
90 ruling triangle: To help render lines evenly
protractor 90 ruling triangle
For the following demonstration, assume youre working on
lowercase Italic, a script with these traits:
x-height: 5 n.w.
Ascender and descender height: 4 n.w.
Slant angle: 5
Drawing the Horizontal Lines
Each line of calligraphy you write actually requires four hori-
zontal lines: the baseline, the waistline, the line at the top of
the ascender, and the line at the bottom of the descender.
1. Using a piece of scrap
paper, create a nib ascender
ladder, a vertical stack height
of your pens widest (4 n.w.)
strokes. The number of
stacked strokes on your
nib
nib ladder should equal x-height width
the sum of the x-height (5 n.w.)
(5 n.w.), ascender height
(4 n.w.), and descender
height (4 n.w.). The descender
actual width of these height
strokes doesnt matter; (4 n.w.)
its the height of each
(equal to the nibs width)
thats key.
2. Draw horizontal lines on your nib ladder at the top and
bottom of the x-height, the top of the ascender height,
and the bottom of the descender height. Extend these
lines all the way to the right edge of your scrap paper.
3. Line up the right edge of the scrap paper that contains
your nib ladder against the left edge of a fresh sheet
of calligraphy paper. Align the topmost line of the nib
ladder 4 n.w. from the top of the calligraphy paper.
4. Starting at the top, make a light dot with your pencil on
the calligraphy paper at the point at which each of the
four lines on the nib ladder meets the paper.
5. Move the nib ladder down four n.w. from the fourth dot
you placed on the calligraphy paper and mark off four
more dots. Repeat until youve dotted the entire length
of the calligraphy papers left edge.
6. Place the corner of the 90 angle on your 90 ruling
triangle at the topmost dot you marked on the
calligraphy paper. Draw a horizontal line across the
paper using the edge of the ruler that extends across
the sheet. Repeat at each dot.
You should now have several sets of horizontal lines spaced
properly for the script and the pen you intend to use.
Drawing the Vertical Lines
The process of drawing vertical lines differs depending on
whether your script has a slant angle.
For Scripts with No Slant Angle
1. Rotate your nib ladder counterclockwise. Starting from
the left edge of your paper, mark a light dot along each
of the horizontal lines on your paper. The distance
between the dots should be equal to the x-height.
2. Use a ruler to draw vertical lines through the dots you
marked along the horizontal lines.
For Scripts with a Slant Angle
1. Align the bottom of your paper about one inch from the
bottom of your drawing board. The paper and drawing
board should be parallel to each another.
 www.quamut.com Calligraphy

1. Use the nib ladder to mark dots along the line closest Lefties and Nib Angle Pen Type Ink Flowing Too Ink Not Flowing
to the bottom of your page only. The distance between Lefties will inevitably have problems holding calligraphy Quickly Quickly Enough
the dots should be equal to the x-height. pens at a nib angle thats both comfortable and practical Dip Make strokes on The ink on the nib
2. Place the horizontal measuring line of your protractor for calligraphy writing. To solve this problem, lefties can a piece of scrap may have dried, or
along this same line. The left edge of the protractor use pens equipped with an offset pen holder that helps paper until the the nib may have
should align with the left edge of your paper. position the nib at an angle conducive to calligraphy writing. ink flow returns become clogged. If
3. Keeping the protractor still and the center of the paper Some left-handed calligraphers prefer to alter the position to normal. refreshing the ink
in the same spot, rotate the top-right corner of the of the paper instead. doesnt help, rinse
paper counterclockwise until the line youve dotted the nib with water.
meets the protractors 5 marker. Note that protractors
measure angles from 0180 in both directions (left to Fountain Check the ink The cartridge may
in the cartridge. be empty. Check
right and right to left). Use the numbers that go from
Ink flows quickly and, if necessary,
0180 from right to left to mark your slant angle.
when the car- refill. The nib might
4. Once youve rotated the paper to the correct angle,
tridge is nearly be clogged. Try
tape it down in place.
empty. rinsing it with water.
5. Line up the bottom edge of your 90 ruling triangle with
the bottom edge of your drawing board.
6. Slide the 90 ruling triangle along the bottom of the
drawing board until it lines up with the first series of Calligraphy Serifs
dots. Draw a vertical line. Repeat across the sheet Moving the Pen Calligraphers enhance the appearance of scripts by add-
of paper. Once you return your paper to a horizontal When writing calligraphy, never change the position of ing embellishments, or decorative lines. These are also
position, the resulting lines should be angled to the your hand, wrist, and fingers. Instead, form each stroke by known as flourishes or swashes. The most popular types of
right at 5. moving your entire arm from your shoulder down while calligraphy embellishment are serifs, small strokes added
keeping your wrist, hands, and fingers fixed in place. to the ends of:
The only exception to this rule occurs when you write
very small letters (roughly 1/2" tall or less). In that case, Vertical and diagonal strokes that dont attach to other
youll need to form the letters carefully with your fingers. strokes, such as the vertical line in a lowercase p
Most beginners work only with larger-scale letters. Horizontal strokes, such as the top-right hook of the r

Types of Strokes Types of Serifs

draw lines along edge
bottom of drawing board
lined up with 90 ruling triangle
How to Hold and Move Your Pen
Learning how to hold and move your pen is the most
challenging part of calligraphy. Once you master this step,
forming letters will come naturally.
Holding the Pen
1. Grip the pen between your
thumb and forefinger.
2. Rest the pen on the side of
your middle finger.
3. Extend your pinky finger
slightly for extra stability.
4. Keep your wrist straight, not
bent to the left or right.
Nib Angle
The nib angle is the angle at which the nib of your pen
should intersect with the horizontal lines you drew on the
paper. It is measured in degrees from 0180.
Each calligraphy script calls for a specific nib angle,
which affects the width and quality of the line you produce
as you move your pen in different directions to form the let-
ters. Using the proper nib angle for a script helps you draw
the scripts letters as easily and beautifully as possible. For
instance, many (though not all) scripts are best written with
a nib angle of 45. If youre not sure you have your pen at
the right nib angle for the script youre working on, you can
check it using a protractor.
nib angle
45
0 180
nib
The motions you use to form calligraphic letters are called
strokes. There are three main types of strokes:
Upstrokes: Move the pen upward (away from you) to
the left or right.
Downstrokes: Move the pen downward (toward you)
to the left or right.
Continuous strokes: Move the pen in a single,
continuous motion.
Forming Strokes
There are a few rules you should follow in order to form
precise, consistent strokes:
Use your entire arm to move the pen.
Keep your nib at the proper angle (45, for example).
Form each stroke with the entire width of the nib.
Use light yet consistent pressure on the paper.
Practice Strokes
The two practice strokes below give you a chance to prac-
tice moving the pen and to try out all three types of strokes.
Use a nib angle of 45 for both practice strokes.
Zigzag: Make connected
diagonal strokes. Your
downstrokes should be thicker than your upstrokes.
Loop: Make a continuous,
looping stroke. Your whole
arm should move in a circular motion.
Solving Pen Problems
Even if you hold and move the pen perfectly, you'll still
sometimes encounter writing problems that stem from your
pen itself. These problems result most often from either
too much or too little ink flow. If this problem occurs with
a marker, youll need to buy a new marker. If youre using
a dip pen or a fountain pen, refer to the following table for
possible solutions:
There are dozens of types of serifs. The most popular are:
Hairline serifs: These short, thin upstrokes are used
on the ascenders of b, d, h, k, and l.
Curved serifs: Tiny lines that curve up into strokes
or flick up at the ends of strokes. Used on all letters
except on the ascenders of b, d, h, k, and l.
Slab serifs: Unlike other serifs, which are flourishes
added to the letters main strokes, slab serifs require
separate strokes. The shape they form also differs from
most other serifseach slab serif resembles a small,
wavy parallelogram.
hairline
serif
curved
serif
slab serif
Calligraphy Scripts
There are hundreds of different calligraphy scripts (also
called alphabets). Many, though not all, have both an
uppercase version and a lowercase version. This chart will
focus on the two most popular scripts, Gothic and Italic.
Key Traits of Calligraphic Scripts
In calligraphy, the different appearance
serif
of each script results primarily from
differences in five key traits: x-height,
ascender and descender height, nib an-
gle, slant, and embellishments such as
serifs. All calligraphy books, websites,
and other resources include the specifications of these five
traits for each script they cover. Some also include general
guidelines for the width of the scripts letters.
Exemplars of Calligraphy Scripts
An exemplar of a calligraphy script is every letter in
that script written out as an example. Some exemplars
include the formed letters only, but others include helpful
21serif.ai
instructions for forming the letters. These instructions are
called stroke guides.
 www.quamut.com Calligraphy

Stroke Guides
A stroke guide is a system of numbered lines that shows the order and the direction in
which to draw the strokes that form each letter. The exemplars in this guide all include
stroke guides. The sample letter and stroke guide in this section shows a finished upper-
case letter A in the Italic script (on the bottom) and its stroke guide (on the top). Notice that
the stroke guides system of arrows and letters shows:

The order in which to write the strokes, as indicated by the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4
The direction in which to move the pen to form each stroke, as indicated by the
arrows

How to Practice Calligraphy Scripts

Extensive practice is the only way to perfect your ability to draw calligraphy scripts. Your
practice sessions should include the following guidelines:

Line your paper: Though lining your paper may feel like a waste of time, it's the only
way to ensure that you form your letters to the right height and to an attractive width
(see How to Line Calligraphy Paper).
Follow the stroke guide: If you deviate from the stroke guide
and try to draw the letters based on their appearance alone,
youll have trouble forming the letters properly and will likely
develop bad habits.
Use the proper form: Beginners often forget to hold and
move the pen properly when focusing on learning new letters.
Concentrating on the proper form will make drawing letters
easier in the long run, even if its more difficult in the beginning
(see How to Hold and Move Your Pen).
Trace if necessary: If youre having trouble forming letters
on your own, trace some or all of the letters to help you get
started. Follow the stroke guide, even when tracing.

The Italic Script Key Traits of the Uppercase Italic Script

Italic is an elegant, easy-to-read script. Its also the most popular calligraphic script and Uppercase Italic shares all of lowercase Italics key traits, with two exceptions:
the one that most beginners learn first. Developed first in Italy during the Renaissance, the
Italic script has become an all-purpose script used in everything from greeting cards and x-height: 7 n.w. instead of 5 n.w.
academic papers to government documents. Width: Roughly twice as wide as their corresponding lowercase letters

Key Traits of Lowercase Italic Script The Uppercase Italic Letters

Traditionally, the lowercase Italic script has the following specifications: Below is an exemplar of the uppercase Italic alphabet.

x-height: 5 n.w.
Nib angle: 45
Slant angle: 5
Ascender and descender height: 34 n.w. above or below the x-height, with one
exceptionthe letter t should have a somewhat shorter ascender
Serifs: Hairline and curved

The Lowercase Italic Letters

Below is an exemplar of the full lowercase Italic alphabet. Note that in lowercase Italic, all
the strokes are downstrokes (made with a downward pulling motion), which is typically the
easiest type of stroke for beginners to master.
 www.quamut.com Calligraphy

The Gothic Script

The Gothic script, also known as black letter, was developed during the Middle Ages. In
fact, the scripts pointed arches are meant to resemble the arches of medieval churches.
Gothics antique and dignified appearance makes it a popular script for writing certificates,
quotes from scripture, and holiday cards.

Key Traits of Lowercase Gothic

x-height: 4 n.w.
Nib angle: 45
Slant angle: None
Ascender and descender height: 2 n.w.
Stylistic embellishments: Built-in serifs, since many of the downstrokes angle off
into diamond-shaped feet

The Lowercase Gothic Letters

The following is an exemplar of the lowercase Gothic alphabet.

How to Correct Mistakes Made with Calligraphy Ink

Because the ink used in writing calligraphy is permanent, fixing mistakes can be difficult.
But that doesnt mean you're completely helpless when you make an error. If you make a
mistake, try the following tricks before you give up on the sheet:

If youre using waterproof ink: Blot the ink youd like to change with a paper towel.
If youre using washable ink: Use a small, wet paintbrush to apply clean water
directly to the area that contains the mistake, then blot. Repeat until youve diluted all
the ink in the area. Allow the paper to dry overnight before continuing your work.
If youre using heavy paper: Use an X-acto knife or razor blade to scrape off just
the top layer of paper on which the mistake occurred. Brush away paper scrapings
with a soft brush. Dont use your hand; it might smudge the rest of your work. After
scraping away the mistake, smooth the uneven surface youve created by placing
a sheet of paper over the area and rubbing it with the back of a metal spoon. Next,
spray the scraped area with hairspray. This will make the area sticky and help new ink
absorb into the raw paper youve exposed by cutting away your mistake.

Key Traits of Uppercase Gothic If none of these tricks seems to work, you may want to consider using a correction fluid,
Uppercase Gothic has the same traits as lowercase, with one exception: slab serifs (see such as white-out, which is available in several shades to match paper hues. Correction
Calligraphy Serifs). fluids themselves leave visible traces, though. If its important that your document have a
flawless look, you may be better off just starting over.
The Uppercase Gothic Letters
Below is an exemplar of the uppercase Gothic alphabet.