Younghae Chung - Classic Calligraphy for Beginners: Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Copperplate and Spencerian Scripts

Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Copperplate and Spencerian Scripts

Younghae Chung

Back in 2005, when I was a senior at Tufts University, I remember scrolling through different class electives, wondering what fun classes I should take before graduating. I heard about a calligraphy class that would be an easy A, and intrigued, I signed up to learn Italic calligraphy for the first time. That semester, I learned how to write letters with a broad-edge nib, practiced writing out words and sentences, and ended with a finished project. I received an A, but more than that, I really enjoyed the class because it gave me a break from the rigorous academic classes that I was used to.

Fast forward to 2014. I never thought taking that one calligraphy class in my 20s would come back into my life in my 30s when I was a mom of two young boys. Our family was working through some medical issues with our youngest boy, and we were staying at a short-term rental apartment in Florida. Looking around our dreary and empty walls, I had a longing to write out words from Scripture, words of hope and encouragement to hang as visual reminders not to give up.

In that moment, I had a flashback to the Italic calligraphy class, which led me to do a Google search for local calligraphy class in Orlando. The first advertisement that popped up was from an art shop for a Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop with Kaye Hanna. I had no idea what copperplate was, but I was captivated by the beauty of the script. It was my first time learning how to write with a pointed nib, but I was instantly hooked. This became my newfound joy and a daily outlet for me to slow down, meditate, and practice while the boys were asleep.

Logos Calligraphy & Design officially launched in January 2016. As logos in Greek means the Word (John 1:1), my hope and vision is that calligraphy would bring the same encouragement, hope, and beauty to others as it did in my life. Over the past years, not only has it been a joy connecting with thousands of students worldwide, but Ive also been able to learn more about my great uncle, Song, Seong Yong, his legacy in Korea, and the impact he had as the last traditional scholar, calligrapher, and painter in the twentieth century. Song, Seong Yong (19131999), was well known for developing his own calligraphy script style called Gangam, which was named after his pen name. He dedicated his life to preserving calligraphy and promoting it to younger generations, and he established the Gangam Calligraphy Center and Gangam Calligraphy Research Foundation. Thousands of his works are scattered throughout Korea, and my parents have a handful of his original works hanging in their home. In 2018, I had an opportunity to meet with his son, Song, Ha Kyung, who is a retired professor, author, and calligrapher. Though we are generationally and culturally different, I love that we were able to come together and share in our love for calligraphy.

My great uncle, Song, Seong Yong (19131999)

The author with Song, Ha Kyung, 2018

This journey has been unexpected but filled with joy and new opportunities. Now, Im thrilled to share a bit of my heart with you through this book. In this book, we cover two of my favorite pointed pen scripts: Copperplate and Spencerian. These scripts are different but complement each other nicely. We begin with the foundation, from gathering the right supplies, to performing warm-up exercises, to understanding the basic strokes and learning how to form the lowercase and uppercase letters. In the latter half of the book, I share fun and creative ways to use calligraphy for various projects. The projects are grouped into three categories: nib, brush, and pen. Whats great is that calligraphy isnt confined to the nib, and I show how you can emulate calligraphy using a variety of writing tools.

I encourage you to enjoy the journey. Progress over perfection has always been my mantra, and it has helped me push through when things got difficult. I also tell my students to give themselves time and grace. My script has changed and developed so much over time, and even with these classic scripts, we can each leave our unique mark. I cannot be more excited for you as you take the step forward to learn this timeless craft. Amid the fast-paced, digital society we live in today, learning calligraphy will enable you to create something with your hands that is personal, meaningful, and irreplaceable. May this book help deepen your appreciation and love for handwritten words.

Getting Started

Setting up properly with the right tools and materials will greatly enhance your whole writing experience. After taking my first pointed pen calligraphy workshop, I remember feeling overwhelmed walking through the art supply stores and scrolling on Amazon. Thankfully, Ive learned from my mistakes over the years, and I am excited to share some of my favorite supplies and recommendations so you can get started on the right track.

Recommended Tools and Materials

Paper

Choosing the right paper is crucial to preventing ink from bleeding through the paper or feathering, which is when your lines spread out from the edges and become blurred. For practice, I print my guide sheets directly on HP Premium 32. Thicker than regular copy paper, it is smooth, takes ink well, and is cost efficient. You can also place a guide sheet behind a translucent paper such as Canson Pro Layout Marker Pad, Borden & Riley #37, or Borden & Riley Cotton-Comp Marker Pad. Rhodia graph notepads are also nice to write on, but I recommend drawing in your slant lines or placing a slant guide sheet behind it.

For finished pieces, I use thicker paper, such as cover card stock or watercolor paper, so that it doesnt warp. Canson XL cold-pressed watercolor paper is one of my favorite kinds of paper to write on and has a bit of texture to it. If you prefer writing on a smoother surface, you can try Canson or Strathmore Bristol paper. Hot-pressed watercolor paper will also give you a smooth surface to write on. Always make sure to test your ink on your paper before working on your final piece.