Hello from Austin, TX!

[inkanapen]

Hi Everyone!

I recently finished up the calligraphy.org class for modern calligraphy and started an Instagram account (@inkanapen). Here are a few questions I have:

Any tips on how/what to practice?
Any calligraphers in the Austin, TX area want to meet up to practice?
Any tips on how to build Instagram followers and clients?

Looking forward to learning more!

-Ana

[Erica McPhee]

Hi Ana,
You have asked some great questions. I will try to answer and hopefully others will share their thoughts as well.

1. How/what to practice?

I still think this advice from the Zanerian manual  represents the best method for practice.

In terms of what to practice, words and quotes that are meaningful to you will help keep you engaged.

2. I believe we have a few Texas calligraphers with us. 

3. Hashtags. Many people search for calligraphy. #calligraphy #flourishforum #calligraphynewbie #calligraphylove #calligraphypractice

Also, once you start following other calligraphers, they start following you back. 

Hope that helps!

[Bianca M]

Welcome, Ana!  Regarding #3, in addition to what Erica said, engagement on IG also helps.  Most of the calligraphers I follow and who follow me enjoy commenting and asking/answering questions- you'll find a lot of new talent to follow that way, and they'll discover you as well.

[JanisTX]

Hello, Ana, & welcome!  Lots of us Texans on the Forum all the time!    I'm up in the Panhandle, so too far away to be a practice buddy!  There is an excellent calligraphy guild in Austin (maybe called The Capitol Scribes??).  You can meet lots of local talent by joining the guild & they also hold classes & workshops.

Happy lettering!

Janis

[ash0kgiri]

Hi Ana,

Warm welcome. Keep posting your work in 'Kind Critique'.

@Erica McPhee thanks for the advice from Zanerian manual.

Ashok

[Karen Gray]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Sometimes linking a blog with Instagram will help boost followers, especially if you talk about how you approach your art. People like to see how you work

[ash0kgiri]

Hi @inkanapen,

Adding to what @Karen Gray and @Erica McPhee  mentioned.
I found out quite a lot online short informative lessons on how to get familiar with Instagram and other social media channels.
You can check few on Lynda.com in Marketing / Social media section (part of LinkedIn network) or https://www.skillshare.com/classes/instagram.

Just see what suits you best. Im on skillshare to learn some broad pen calligraphy.
Hope this helps.

Keep writing,
Ashok