The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Modern Calligraphy (2025 Edition)

Your go-to handbook to get started, even if you’ve never picked up a calligraphy pen before.

Have you been admiring calligraphy on Pinterest or Instagram and wondering, “Can I do that?”
The answer is: Absolutely.

Modern calligraphy is fun, forgiving, and full of personality. Here’s how to start—without feeling overwhelmed.

 

 

What is Modern Calligraphy?

Unlike traditional scripts, modern calligraphy allows you to bend the rules and bring your own flair. It’s expressive, fluid, and often done with brush pens or dip pens.

Think of it as handwriting meets art—with your own signature style.

Tools You’ll Need to Begin:

• Brush pen or dip pen
• Smooth, bleed-proof paper
• Guidelines/practice sheets
• A dash of patience

Psst: Our Beginner’s Calligraphy Kit includes all the above (and it’s beautifully packaged too).
[→ Calligraphy Kit coming soon!]

 

 

Learn These 3 Foundational Strokes First:

1. Upstroke: Light pressure
2. Downstroke: Heavy pressure
3. Oval: Smooth curves (used in letters like ‘a’, ‘o’, ‘e’)

Practice tip: Do rows of each stroke before forming letters. It’s like a warm-up for your fingers.

Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

• Pressing too hard on upstrokes – leads to blotting
• Using the wrong paper – leads to fraying pens
• Skipping drills – slows progress

Your 3-Step Beginner Plan

1. Practice strokes for 10 mins a day
2. Use a guide sheet with slant lines
3. Letter your favourite quote by Week 2

Final Tip:

Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress. And remember, your handwriting doesn’t have to be beautiful to begin calligraphy.
It becomes beautiful because of calligraphy.

→ Download your free Calligraphy Guideline Practice Sheet Here