Molly Suber Thorpe - Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy

Modern Calligraphy

E VERYTHING Y OU N EED to K NOW TO G ET S TARTED in S CRIPT C ALLIGRAPHY

Molly Suber Thorpe

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
MOLLY SUBER THORPE

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Its unlikely that I will ever win an Oscar, so, holding my metaphorical statuette high, let me say: Lilian, this is for you! you are the best pony a sister could hope for, and I love you. The universe really is infinite and you remind me of that every day

Modern Calligraphy is a book for people who wish to create their own, unique, script style using free-form, mix-and-match lettering. Even though the art of calligraphy is centuries old, it doesnt have to be intimidating or pretentious, and can reflect the modern era. As daunting as it seems when youre starting to learn, calligraphy actually requires relatively few supplies and, like all great art forms, can be fun and liberating.

In these pages, Ill teach you all the basics of pointed pen, script calligraphy. Youll make mistakes (youre not a serious calligrapher until your first embarrassing typo), youll learn that calligraphy and handwriting are two very different things, and youll find your personal style. I will show you how to get started, from building a calligraphy supply tool kit to the proper way to hold a pen, exercises for learning to write letterforms (including how to focus on the way that an alphabets curves relate to one another), intermediate pointed pen techniques for those who create a style they want to polish and take to the next level, and instructions for a variety of calligraphy projects.

Calligraphy is in the midst of a renaissance. Historically, calligraphy was relatively inflexible, with classical script stylessuch as Edwardian and Spenceriantaught as complete alphabets with established letterforms. The aim was uniformityto make each a, like every other a, each b like the rest, and so forthand practice was about striving toward correct, predetermined shapes. While I absolutely love and respect the history of this craft, my personal approach is about finding ones own, unique style, and I am confident that anyone can do that.

Yep, this is me! Even before discovering calligraphy I scrupulously practiced my handwriting until it looked just the way I wanted.

Twenty-first-century calligraphers frequently create their own alphabets to reflect their personal aesthetics and personalities, using bold and fresh colors, daring layout designs, and innovative materials, seeking inspiration in everything around them. The notion that there are right and wrong ways to write letterforms is outdated. This is apparent in current trends in typography, from graffiti art to the thousands of digital fonts created each year and the eruption of hand lettering in the blogosphere. Most of todays experienced calligraphers will tell you that they can instantly identify the various calligraphy styles of their peers. Once you develop an eye for it, you too will be able to recognize the signature traits of others unique styles.

The focus of this book is contemporary calligraphy created with pointed dip nibs, which come to a sharp, fine point, as opposed to brushes or broad, slanted nibs (referred to throughout this book as broad tip nibs). Pointed pen is the method used for writing in script. The primary benefit of these nibs is their ability to create curved hairlines as well as thick strokes, very small letters, and elegant flourishes. By contrast, broad tip nibswhich can also be used for contemporary styles, but of a different sortcreate bold, angular letterforms and are commonly associated with old-style, Western calligraphy like illuminated manuscripts and diplomas. Brush calligraphy (literally using fine-bristled brushes) is a traditional Asian style and is not suitable for writing in small script. The demand for addressing envelopes, writing place cards, designing logos, and creating stationery using calligraphy is great, and all of these skills, more often than not, call for pointed pen script.

For as long as I can remember I have been intrigued by letter shapeswhy does E only have three horizontal arms and not six or eight or twelve? Why do some lowercase letters look just like their uppercase counterparts, while others look completely different? When I was learning to read, I once asked my dad to teach me the letters of the alphabet that werent included in the alphabet song. I remember the disappointment I felt when he told me that those twenty-six letters were actually the only letters in English. Expecting me to be amazed, he helpfully explained, Just those twenty-six letters make up every word in our language. But I was not amazedwhy couldnt there be more?

Then at some point I figured out that there were moreinfinitely more. All I had to do was write a letter in a new way and it became, in effect, a new letter with different qualities and applications. Since then, letteringwhether digital fonts or handwriting or calligraphyhas been important to me. But it wasnt until I was in art school studying graphic design that I realized typography could actually be a profession, and my passion was transformed from a hobby into a career. So when people are surprised that I make my living writing things by hand, experimenting with letterforms and designing logotypes, Im reminded how extremely lucky I am to be able to do exactly what Ive always loved doing most.

BUILD A BASIC CALLIGRAPHY SUPPLY TOOL KIT, FIND NIBS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOU, AND GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE WORLD OF PAPER

Every calligraphers tool kit should contain these basic supplies (clockwise from top left): artist tape, soft eraser, water-based ink, gum arabic, toothpaste (any kind will do), soft toothbrush, soft artist pencils, an assortment of pointed nibs, and nib holders.