Contemporary Calligraphy - it's all about style

[Erica McPhee]

There is no denying "contemporary" or "modern" calligraphy is responsible for the HUGE growing interest in calligraphy. I could not be happier that hundreds, if not thousands, are discovering the joys of pointed pen lettering. I hope to provide some great tutorials and offer advice to anyone looking to learn how to do calligraphy.

There is some discussion in the calligraphy community about the amateur look of this style of calligraphy. While I am strong believer in learning the fundamentals of calligraphy, I also recognize this style is wildly popular for a reason. It is accessible, charming, and it really can be done by anyone.

I encourage anyone who wants to learn to pick up a pen and get started. Don't be afraid. We all started somewhere. We'll be offering tutorials to learn the basics, the fundamentals of good lettering, and eventually more in-depth topics such as good design, layout, and computer skills.

Come one, come all, join in, ask, and share! 

[Re.awaken1]

Hi Erica,

You said, pick up a pen, right?  Any pen? Any paper?

[Erica McPhee]

Hi!

LOL! Not just any pen... check out this board: Tools and Supplies for suggestions for practice paper, pens, nibs, etc.

I hope that helps! 

[Erica McPhee]

Oh, also, watch the first video tutorial - I show the supplies I use and how to get started in the first lesson. 

Pointed Pen Nirvana 

[papercrew]

Hi Erica,

You said, pick up a pen, right?  Any pen? Any paper?

Re.awaken1, I know how you feel. I'm a bit lost in this forum. But the more discussions I read I'm starting to feel like I understand the calligraphy lingo. What really helped me was to to to the home page and under "General Discussion" go the the "Start Here" discussion and follow through. Erica really took the time to list everything a beginner needs. It's awesome!

I'm right there with you, and like Erica said, we all gotta start somewhere.

Here's to the journey!
Cheers!

[Artsynibs]

I encourage anyone who wants to learn to pick up a pen and get started. Don't be afraid.

I fully agree with Erica! Modern calligraphy is certainly less technical than traditional one although the rule of consistency in spacing still applies. In fact, it's more about the creativity and writer's personality!

Personally, my modern calligraphy designs are often more structured and "straight". Fancier and more abstract designs don't come to me naturally. I guess that speaks of my character- structured and somewhat inflexible! haha. But that's the beauty of modern calligraphy - you're not bound by any restrictions except yourself! 

[shandra23]

Does anyone have tips they can share on making modern calligraphy bounce on a line ?

[rabbitship]

Does anyone have tips they can share on making modern calligraphy bounce on a line ?

For consistency, what I like to do is to draw an extra line slightly below my original baseline. This allows me to alternate my baseline either after every letter or after every few letters. Hope this helps 

[shandra23]

To rabbitship, Great idea!  Thanks!

[ash0kgiri]

There is no denying "contemporary" or "modern" calligraphy is responsible for the HUGE growing interest in calligraphy. I could not be happier that hundreds, if not thousands, are discovering the joys of pointed pen lettering. I hope to provide some great tutorials and offer advice to anyone looking to learn how to do calligraphy.

There is some discussion in the calligraphy community about the amateur look of this style of calligraphy. While I am strong believer in learning the fundamentals of calligraphy, I also recognize this style is wildly popular for a reason. It is accessible, charming, and it really can be done by anyone.

I encourage anyone who wants to learn to pick up a pen and get started. Don't be afraid. We all started somewhere. We'll be offering tutorials to learn the basics, the fundamentals of good lettering, and eventually more in-depth topics such as good design, layout, and computer skills.

Come one, come all, join in, ask, and share! 

Hi Erica,

Thats so nicely said and true, that we all started somewhere. So just start writing. And yes this site offers all the help in the world who is eager to learn calligraphy.
Thanks Erica.

Regards,
Ashok

[cejohnson]

Erica -

Thanks for sharing this style. Is the word 'Flourish' in the Flourish Forum icon considered the 'bounce' style? It looks playful 

- Catherine

[Erica McPhee]

Hi Catherine,
Yes - it is a contemporary version of Copperplate with a bit of bounce, flourish, and angle to it. 

[Wanderful Writs]

Modern calligraphy is fun and relaxing to create whether it be written with dip fountain pens or brush lettering, adding flourishes with bounce lettering wow admire the versatility!

[joi]

This book is a wonderful read...
Calligraphy: How I Fell In, Out, and In Love Again
by Susan Gaylord.
She writes "Traditional calligraphy is based on principles and on consistency...In the beginning it was all about learning the basics and making my letters as close to the ones in the exemplars as I could.  Adding personality to my letters came later."

That hit home.  I have hemmed and hawed a bit on which bucket do it fit in, Traditional or Modern?  And then I realized that you make your own bucket.  Letters are yours to create however you fancy them!

Traditional, Modern, Contemporary (I like that term), it's all good!  Have fun and explore and learn and create and make your heart sing!