How to Create Calligraphy Projects

Calligraphy is the art of writing beautifully. It began with scribes who used calligraphy to create books prior to the printing press. The style of writing survived the Dark Ages and remains a popular form of art today. Calligraphy adds elegance to invitations, greeting cards, framed quotations or poems.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to write. Poems, quotations and scripture inspire many calligraphy projects. Use a passage that holds special meaning to you or a friend.

2. Look at examples of framed calligraphy, invitations and old text. Books with calligraphy patterns often have projects to try after you master the technique.

3. Pick Western, Arabic or Oriental calligraphy. You may want to master all three or focus on one. Each style branches into several minor modifications that you might prefer.

4. Practice writing the calligraphy style. You need to know how to use the pen and work with ink. To begin, write the alphabet on lined paper until you create the letters on unlined paper. Then practice writing the text from Step 1.

5. Choose a material for your calligraphy project. Think of the calligraphy as part of the art not all of it. Use different types of paper to enhance the calligraphy or woodburn calligraphy onto a plaque.

6. Rough out the project. Measure out margins and find the center of the piece. Make sure the project fits on your surface and that you like the spacing. Remember to leave space for a mat or a frame so you don't cover over the calligraphy.