Exploring Calligraphy
My calligraphy journey dates back to 2020. I’m sure that doesn’t come as a huge surprise, since that was the year many of us were isolating, contemplating life, and seeking new hobbies to fulfill ourselves and our time. I bought my first Tombow dual brush pen pack in March of that year, and I began tracing some basic letter forms with Fudenosuke brush pens as well. However, it wasn’t until 2021 when I really decided to commit time to exploring calligraphy. From then until now, there are essentially three parts to my journey.
Part 1: Brush Pens
In late 2021, I dusted off my Tombow pens and started practicing my thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes more diligently. I researched other popular brands of brush pens and learned that the size of the tips, as well as the stiffness, affected the look of the calligraphy and my ability to control my writing. I developed a preference for more firm brush pens.
Part 2: Pointed Pen
Pointed pen calligraphy popped up early in my research, and I actually attempted to learn back in 2020 through an online course. Progress was slow and improvement was unnoticeable. I gave up. Fast forward to 2022, and my pointed pen calligraphy practice sheets were staring at me in the face again. I decided to try once more, and this time, progress was steady, but mastery still seemed out of reach. After browsing on Instagram for a couple hours, I stumbled across Shinah and Crooked Calligraphy. She was offering a free five-day challenge to jump start my calligraphy. I gave it a go, and my oh my, I felt hopeful. I enrolled in her calligraphy course, invested in myself, and was further inspired to start a small business!
Part 3: Still Exploring
Pointed pen is definitely my favorite type of calligraphy. There is just something satisfying about using a nib with some ink on paper. However, as I experiment with different ideas and product development for my business, I am learning about other mediums. I am learning what I like, what I don’t like, and what I am willing to put more effort into improving. I am learning that as a calligrapher, I do not have to be the best at all types of calligraphy, nor do I have to do them all or like them all. I am learning that I can explore calligraphy in my own way at my own pace.
I hope that as you are making your way through your own calligraphy journey, that you give yourself some grace and be true to who you are. For those who aren’t interested in learning but simply enjoy admiring calligraphy, I hope you are able to find inspiration in the craft to fuel your own creative dreams.