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Contemporary/Modern Calligraphy How To Tutorial

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Erica McPhee:
I'm really excited to share this! I will be going into more detail with the video tutorials in the near future. However, for now, these are some handouts to get people started.

One of the first questions to consider when doing Contemporary/Modern Calligraphy is ... what is it? What makes it different from "traditional" or "regular" pointed pen. It is really all about style. And while the variations are endless, there are certain guidelines one should follow to create beautiful lettering.

As with traditional Copperplate, consistency is key. However, it is a much different consistency. It's consistency in your inconsistency. If that makes sense! Copperplate has a set of rules that together allow one to learn the style and produce letterforms that are recognizable as Copperplate. Similarly, you can probably go on Pinterest or Instagram and can instantly recognize certain calligraphers' works by their consistency. Their own personal style.

This typically develops over a long period of time. Some believe it is absolutely necessary to learn traditional pointed pen calligraphy first, like Copperplate or Spencerian. Others feel it really doesn't matter because it is all about personal style. I fall somewhere in the middle. I do believe the difference between truly good letterforms and only pretty but mediocre ones is practice, knowing the fundamentals, and above all - knowing your letterforms.

The reason some calligraphers can form such beautiful consistent letters is because they have memorized the letterforms. So if you want to do modern/contemporary lettering, you must have a pre-decided idea about how you want your letterforms to look. So the variations are endless, but consistency will be important in developing a specific style. Otherwise, it is just a mishmash of a variety of letters which has no rhythm or style.

Modern calligraphy takes a much looser approach, but in many ways, takes much more forethought. You have to conscientiously think about how you are joining your letters, what your slant is, how you want the next variation to look. I think it is a very good idea to create your alphabet first and then create pieces. This way you can commit your style to memory. PLAY! Go through each letter, make variations, discover which you like best, and which you can form best. Slowly, a style and alphabet will come together.

I hope these handouts generate some conversation and, most of all, questions. Without video, it is a little harder to explain but I think interaction is better anyway. I hope you won't be shy and will ask away!

Have FUN!  :D

Erica McPhee:
In case people don't want to download but want to get a glimpse...

pyaink:
thank you, erica. love your samples. My style is so rigid that it is hard to vary it to something as playful as this at times. Will give it my best shot.

Sharon:
This is fabulous, Erica, thanks so much for doing this. I'm excited to begin practicing. I think it might be hard to break out of always lettering within the guidelines since that's what I'm used to, but practice, practice, practice! You are recommending developing an alphabet style first which makes sense. I'm always amazed at calligraphers who do so many pointed pen styles. I just don't know if I could keep that many in my mind - how do they do that? OK, off to have some fun with this!

Maurelle:
Thank you Erica! I am also somewhere in between LOL.. I can compare this to dancing, I learned basic ballet first and then you can dance about to any music. In Calligraphy, have the basic ( in my case, I am learning copperplate through books and of course your tutorials) and you can have a nice contemporary ( with your own unique style) I am excited to learn this!

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