How to Draw Using Calligraphy

A calligraphy pen is the main utensil used for these drawings.

The art of calligraphy refers to the elegant form of writing, where the letters take on a certain shape and style reminiscent of past centuries. Calligraphy fonts are usually created with a special type of pen with a flimsy tip that allows for tight lines. Artists have been using calligraphy fonts in drawings as far back as the 1400s, creating portrayals of everyday images. With this style, dark sections of images are replaced with letters instead of solid colors and the lighter areas are usually left blank. A common name for this technique, using animal images, is called zoomorphic calligraphy.

Things You'll Need

• Calligraphy pen
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Book of calligraphy styles

Instructions

1. Use a pencil to construct the basic outline and details of the target object to give you a rough idea of what this particular image will look like. Keep your pencil strokes light, as you will eventually be erasing most of the lines that detail your image.

2. Create darker areas of your drawing using calligraphy-style letters that conform to the intended shape. Carefully draw larger calligraphy-style letters for areas that require large amounts of color, while smaller areas may include smaller letters and punctuation. In humans, this may be an entire area where the person's clothing would normally drape. Because some animals feature distinctive patterns in their appearance, you may use calligraphy lettering in place of these particular shapes.

3. Check your drawing with the model you are using as a reference after you have applied all of the calligraphy letters to the image. Make sure that the image still retains its characteristic look, even though you have replaced many of the details with calligraphy fonts.

4. Let the calligraphy ink completely dry to ensure you do not smear these letters. Carefully erase any remaining visible pencil marks on the page.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine what type of drawing you wish to incorporate with the calligraphy style of lettering. Animals and people work well because you can swap the detailed features of the face and body parts for calligraphy fonts.

References

• Mighty Optical Illusions: Zoomorphic Calligraphy Illusions