I’m pretty good at fake calligraphy {learn how here}. I even made my own font with my faux-script {get it free here}.
But I’ve always wanted to learn how to write all fancy with a real calligraphy pen.
And so I am taking a real class.
It’s perfect and it’s called I Still Love Calligraphy by the darling Melissa at the blog I Still Love You.
Melissa is an expert modern-calligrapher and does a great job teaching the basics {I didn’t even know how to hold the pen! Top part of the nib faces up, FYI}.
The class is online and easy to understand.
My favorite part are the printable worksheets. With a piece of tracing paper over top, it makes for great practice {of which I need a lot}.
I’m hoping that learning the basics and lots of practice will someday equal me addressing envelopes and creating artwork with pretty calligraphy.
If you have always wanted to learn calligraphy, or maybe you need a refresher course, I Still Love Calligraphy is a great option.
Click on the image below to learn more.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress …
Oh thank you so much for posting this! I have been looking for a calligraphy class. Also, if you like hand-drawn lettering/typography, check out this guy’s site; very inspiring: seanwes.com.
Yours looks great! I have a daughter that is wanting a pen and ink set. Which do you use?
I have now added the calligraphy class on my Christmas wish list. You really do inspire me to do more and better at everything. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Emily,
It is a joy to receive a greeting written with calligraphy and proper ink!
I learned to write calligraphy in high school, but I haven’t used it that much so a calligraphy course would fresh it all up – Thank you for inspiration and for sharing Melissas blog!
I am planning to take this class soon. I love sending actual letters and cards in the mail and this will be such a nice touch to envelopes.
I have to admit that the ink & nib seem a bit intimidating. I wonder if there’s a calligraphy pen I could use instead?
I was fortunate that my high school offered calligraphy as an art class! I took 2 years of it. Such a lovely way to express the loving words we share with others. So pleased to see your beautiful script!
I just wanted to say, thanks so much for sharing about the calligraphy course you’re taking! I’ve been looking for something exactly like this. And with wedding planning, I’d love to do our own calligraphy !
Thanks so much!
Hi Emily – Would you mind sharing where you picked up the cute silver pumpkin on your desk? I saw them in gold and orange at Marshall’s but no silver and I’m a silver girl. :) Thanks!
I am taking a calligraphy class, too! Except it’s in person at a Sam Flax in Atlanta. I can’t wait. Keep us updated on how your class is going!
I recently heard of a father that took a calligraphy course… it was a gift to his daughter so he could address all of her wedding invitations.
Eek! I am SO excited as I JUST took this exact class a couple of months ago. It was SO fun!! I will have to post a few photos on my blog. I cannot wait to see how you do!? I bought red ink recently, so excited to do something different, and it is a lot harder than black! Ack! But, I do still love it — what’s for favorite nib so far!?
Thank you, thank you for sharing this amazing resource!! I’ve recently enrolled myself in my own “reinvent yourself” program. I plan on taking your online Blog Class, (along with reading Etsy for Dummies, WordPress for Dummies) so this calligraphy class will be the PERFECT creative outlet when my eyes start to cross from all the technical stuff that I’ll be learning.
I LOVE learning new things, don’t you???
Thank you so much for the feature, Emily! Your stuff looks great!
The skipping is to be expected with the tracing paper, the fibers are short and tend to gum up the more fine nibs. I think you might like the Hunt 22b or the Hunt 101 imperial a lot.
Each person is so different with what they want out of lettering, so I like to teach with the straight holder. I use both interchangeably, it just depends upon the style I’m going for.
I do hope you upload your work to the gallery! I’d love to see your progress.
I love it!! When I was in junior high my dad took me to the art store and we bought a book, paper, pens, nibs, ink, and off I went to learn on my own. It was fun. But….that was a long time ago. I love the modern take on calligraphy now. Hmmm. Maybe I need to try my hand a this again.
Learning calligraphy has been on my ‘bucket’ list for some time now and I am so happy to see this. I will be popping over to check this out!
Awesome! I’m addressing shower and wedding invitations today! Know a little, but would love to learn! Will check it out! KL
I love this. I am fond of beautiful handwriting. Will this help you learn to do what I call “modern” style writing , like Lindsey Letters? I also want to ask you ( because of your knowledge of paper) what type of paper you would use for a baby announcement, if you wanted a bit more firmer than card stock (if that makes sense). I’m doing my own this time, but that’s the type of paper that was used with my last announcement, but it was purchase on shutterfly.
Hello Emily,
Today my husband and I celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary! Doesn’t seem possible.
Your beautiful calligraphy post transported me back to the months leading up to our wedding when I took a class in calligraphy at our local college– just so I could hand address each of our invitations, each table placecard, and the wedding programs! (I won’t even talk about the wild search I went on for the perfect pen and the perfect shade of brown ink). Just think how much computers and the internet would have changed my story.
Enjoy your day,
Nancy
I see you’re using pointed pen instead of broad edge! Awesome!! I started on pointed pen first and I LOVE IT. I have no desire to pick up a broad edge pen. I’m curious about why you’re using a straight pen holder as opposed to an oblique? I learned on Copperplate and have expanded from there and my teacher had a variety of reasons as to why to start on an oblique pen and I never learned the benefits of a straight because of it. Does Melissa speak to this at all?
I just ordered what she suggests and went for it! She does talk about the difference between nibs and pen holders. Her biggest recommendation is that you try out different holders/nibs and find what is comfortable to you. I’ll have to get an oblique holder and give it a try.
Good for you! I’m not sure why she doesn’t recommend an oblique holder. It makes copperplate and pointed pen in general much easier. It creates the proper angle for the nib. Very few calligraphers I know use a straight nib holder for pointed pen work. However, those who do are typically lefties.
Good luck with your class. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful work!
One reason to not use an oblique holder is that the modern style font of calligraphy does not require as steep a slope. The other reason I have found not to use one in my own practice is that the cheaper plastic forms often do not mimic the nib angle needed for the nibs I have. I hope to invest in a true speciality one soon, but until then, I often find that for casual work, I prefer the straight.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to do calligraphy. I’ll have to check out this class, it looks awesome.
I have been planning to take this class since Melissa started offering it. I’d better get on it so hopefully I will be able to address my holiday card envelops in Calligraphy.
I remember learning and loving calligraphy in my 6th grade art class! Not sure I could do it well anymore but I remember loving it!
So cool to learn something new and I love your blue nails :)