Calligraphy Letters

how to write calligraphy letters

The angle of the pen nib to the writing line, left, is approximately 30°. This angle differs from alphabet to alphabet and is reflected in the thick and thin strokes of the letters.

Try to maintain this angle as you write to give your letters uniformity. There will be some, minor, natural variation in angle as you write but this will add a liveliness to the work as a whole.

You will begin to notice the repetition of certain shapes (below) in making the letter forms. Click each picture for a larger view. The practise shapes will also help with these exercises.

         

Strokes 1 & 2 of 'j' & 'k' are the same, but 'j' dips below the writing line and 'k' sits upon it. Repeat stroke 2 of the letter 'n' and you have the letter 'm'. 'P' could be finished with an 'o' shape which overlaps stroke 1 on the left hand side.

Note how some strokes pass over another one. Compare the two letter d's here. In the first example the straight stroke is attached to the back of the curve and the letter looks bigger. In the second example the downward stroke passes over the curve, looking like a part of the letter rather than an afterthought.