How To Do Modern Calligraphy (+FREE Worksheets)

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Modern calligraphy isn’t just a creative skill, it’s a mindful, rewarding art form that anyone can learn.

With just a brush pen and a few basic techniques, you can create stunning modern calligraphy designs, from personalized greeting cards, inspiring wall art to logotype designs and so much more. In this tutorial, I will show you how easy it is to get started with modern calligraphy. 

What You’ll Learn

  • What modern calligraphy is and how it differs from traditional calligraphy
  • Essential tools needed for modern calligraphy
  • Step-by-step techniques for mastering strokes and alphabets.
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them.
  • Advanced tips and resources to take your calligraphy to the next level.

Let’s dive in—and don’t forget to download your free practice sheets to get started!

What is modern calligraphy?

Modern calligraphy combines the elegance of traditional calligraphy with a contemporary twist. It’s less about following rigid rules and more about creative expression, making it accessible to beginners and adaptable to personal styles. With its roots in traditional scripts, modern calligraphy is a broad term that could be applied to a wide variety of different styles and writing tools.

Let’s have a quick overview of the differences between traditional and modern calligraphy: 

Traditional vs. Modern Calligraphy

Traditional calligraphy

Modern calligraphy

Focuses on strict letterforms

Emphasizes creativity

Requires specific tools

Flexible with tools

Formal and rule-bound

Fluid and free-form

A simple example would be comparing the Copperplate script (traditional) with free flowing brush calligraphy (modern). 

With Copperplate calligraphy the guidelines are set to a strict 55 degree angle and with a 2:1:2 height ratio, whereas the example to the right is much more relaxed on those rules.

Image by @tri-shiba from the Copperplate calligraphy tutorial

In comparison, the example above has all the letters not in the same size, some of them are bouncing up and down yet it still retains a visually appealing look overall.

Modern calligraphy is widely used in wedding invitations, journals, home décor, branding, and digital designs, making it one of the most versatile creative skills today. 

Fun Fact: The popularity of modern calligraphy surged with the rise of social media, where artists share stunning lettering videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Why Learn Modern Calligraphy?

Modern calligraphy is a skill that enriches your life in many ways:

  1. Stress Relief: Practicing repetitive strokes is a mindful, meditative activity.
  2. Creative Freedom: Explore your artistic side and create one-of-a-kind designs.
  3. Practical Applications: Add a personal touch to cards, gifts, and décor.
  4. Monetization: Many turn their skills into a business, offering services for weddings, events, or branding.
  5. Mindfulness: Calligraphy encourages focus and presence.

Did You Know? Calligraphy is often recommended as a mindfulness exercise, akin to journaling or yoga.

Also, it’s just a fun thing to do. Whether you’re a graphic designer looking to enrich your skills or just looking for a new hobby, modern calligraphy offers a chill and relaxing entry into the world of calligraphy.

Why Start with a Brush Pen?

Modern calligraphy can be created with a variety of tools, from brush pens to dip pens, markers, and even digital devices. However, if you’re just starting out, a brush pen is one of the best tools to begin your journey.

Black brush calligraphy surrounded by brush pens

Here’s why:

  • Beginner-Friendly: Brush pens are easy to control and great for building confidence. They allow you to focus on technique without worrying about ink flow or nib angles.
  • Dynamic Strokes: They enable you to effortlessly create the thick and thin lines that define modern calligraphy, thanks to their flexible tips.
  • Affordable and Accessible: Brush pens are inexpensive, portable, and don’t require additional supplies like ink or super expensive paper.

Other tools are great as well for modern looking calligraphy styles, however, in this tutorial I will be mainly focusing on the brush pen.

Once you’re comfortable, you can explore other tools to expand your style, such as dip pens for traditional elegance, markers for bold strokes, or even faux calligraphy with a regular pen.

Tools and Materials for Modern Calligraphy

Choosing the right tools is essential for a smooth and enjoyable calligraphy journey. Beginners need simple, easy-to-use tools to build confidence, while advanced users may prefer specialized materials for precision and artistic versatility.

Below is a quick comparison of beginner and advanced tools to help you decide where to start and what to upgrade to as you progress.

Comparison Table: Beginner vs. Advanced Calligraphy Tools

Category

Beginner tools

Advanced tools

Writing tools

– Brush Pens: Tombow Fudenosuke, Pentel Sign Pen

– Felt-tip Brush Pens: Tombow Dual Brush Pen

– Dip Pens: Zebra G nib, Nikko G nib

– Calligraphy Fountain Pens

Paper

– Smooth Paper: Canson Marker Paper, HP Premium 32

– Practice Sheets with Guidelines

– High-quality Cotton Paper: Canson Bristol, Watercolor Paper

– Handmade Calligraphy Paper

Ink/colors

– Built-in Pen Ink (standard brush pens)

– Metallic Inks: Finetec, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Iridescent Ink

Iron Gal ink, Custom Ink Mixes

Accessories

– Rolling ruler (or any ruler)

– Pencil for drafting and sketching

– Tracing Lightbox for advanced layout precision

– advanced books and live workshops

Cost

Low Cost (Beginner-Friendly)

Moderate to High Cost (Customizable, High-Quality)

Purpose

Ideal for practicing basic strokes and alphabets

Perfect for mastering advanced techniques and compositions

Beginner Tools: Start Simple

If you’re new to calligraphy, focus on tools that are easy to use and affordable. Here are some recommendations:

Pro Tip: Avoid cheap printer paper, as it can damage brush pen tips and create uneven strokes.

Advanced Tools: Level Up Your Skills

Once you feel comfortable with the basics, consider upgrading to advanced tools to explore your creativity: 

Tracing Lightbox: Perfect for creating consistent designs and layouts for projects like invitations and logos.

How to Choose the Right Tools

  1. Focus on your goals: Beginners should prioritize ease of use, while advanced learners might prefer tools that offer precision and flexibility.
  2. Try the basic recommendations first: Try different pens and papers to find what feels most comfortable for your hand and style.
  3. Don’t waste your money: Start small and upgrade gradually as your skills improve.

In case you want to learn more about this topic, I wrote a separate in-depth article about the basic calligraphy tools.

I know, I forgot the letter x 😀

Getting Started: Basic Techniques in Modern Calligraphy

The single best way to improve your skills is to move gradually from basic to more complex elements, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. 

Here’s how we do it – 

  1. Start with basic strokes
  2. Use basic strokes to form letters
  3. Combine letters to form words and sentences. 

Easy right?

Step 1: Practice the basic strokes individually

Modern calligraphy is built on a few core strokes that form the foundation for every letter. Master these, and you’ll have the building blocks for creating (almost) entire alphabets. 

These are called the basic calligraphy strokes and we have 8 of them – 

  • The ascending loop
  • The entry stroke
  • The underturn
  • The overturn
  • The compound curve
  • The oval 
  • The reverse oval

Here’s how you can get started with your modern calligraphy practice – 

  • Download the free worksheets from the Lettering Crate, print them out and start practicing
  • Alternatively draw your own calligraphy guidelines using a ruler and start practicing them

Step 2: Combine Strokes into Letters

  • Each letter in the alphabet is made from core strokes. For example:
  • The letter “a” combines a thin entry stroke, an oval and an underturn.
  • The letter “n” includes an overturn and a compound curve.
  • The letter “b” is made from an entry stroke, an ascending loop, and a reversed oval.

Step 3: Build Muscle Memory

  • Dedicate 15–20 minutes daily to practice. Start with basic drills and gradually progress to letters, words, and phrases.

Download Your Free Worksheets: Get step-by-step drills and guided alphabet practice to accelerate your learning. Drop your email below and get your worksheets straight from the Lettering Crate.

Lettering Crate illustration

Stay updated with my tutorials and get instant access to the Lettering Crate –

A growing library of free lettering & calligraphy resources that includes –
  • Calligraphy practice sheets
  • Procreate brushes
  • The 30-day lettering planner
  • Printables, and more!

In the video below, I demonstrate how you can use these basic strokes to create the whole lowercase alphabet. 

I use different colors for each separate stroke so you can clearly see the distinction. 

Once you understand the basic calligraphy strokes, you can also check out this tutorial, where I teach you how to write the whole lowercase alphabet step by step.

Want to Dive Deeper? Check Out My Ebook!

Once you get a solid grip on writing individual letters you can start forming words, sentences and other intricate compositions. All that and so much more is what I teach in my workbook “From Strokes to Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Brush Calligraphy.”  

It is packed with:

  • Over 50 pages of in-depth theory
  • 50+ pages of printable worksheets
  • Everything you need to master the basics of brush calligraphy
👉 Get Your Copy Here

Modern calligraphy is incredibly versatile, with a variety of styles to explore. Each style has its own unique characteristics and creative possibilities. Here’s a gallery showcasing some of the most popular styles to give you an idea of the things you can create with a brush pen.

1. Brush Calligraphy

Brush calligraphy uses flexible brush pens to create bold downstrokes and delicate upstrokes. It’s the most versatile and beginner-friendly style.

2. Faux Calligraphy

Don’t have brush pens? Faux calligraphy mimics the look of traditional calligraphy using any regular pen. Simply draw over your downstrokes to thicken them. To learn more about it, check out my full guide on Faux calligraphy.

Faux Calligraphy for beginners tutorial - Lettering Daily

3. Bounce Lettering

Bounce lettering is all about breaking alignment rules to create a fun, dynamic effect. Letters dip and rise off the baseline for a whimsical look. As the name says it, the letters are bouncing up and down the base line.

4. Flourished Calligraphy

This decorative style incorporates loops and swirls (aka flourishes) to add elegance and drama. It’s perfect for formal projects and special occasions. Not suited for beginners as it requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of movement as well as a ton of practice. In case you feel ready, check out this tutorial on how to do calligraphy flourishing.

5. Monoline Calligraphy

Monoline calligraphy focuses on uniform line thickness, creating a minimalist and modern look. It’s a great style to start with for practicing consistent strokes.

6. Digital Calligraphy

Digital calligraphy takes traditional techniques into the digital realm, offering endless customization options. Using software like Procreate, you can create stunning designs with minimal mess. 

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Over the years of teaching, I’ve seen people making certain mistakes more often than others. Here is a quick overview of frequent mistakes when working with a brush pen. 

1. Not using calligraphy guidelines

Beginners often don’t know how to create them and why they matter. To fix this, check out my article on how to make calligraphy guidelines. 

2. Messy thick & thin transitions

Releasing/applying pressure too quickly. It takes consistent practice to get thick/thin transitions properly and consistently. 

3. Shaky Strokes

Lack of control, rushing, wrong type of arm movement can lead to wobbly lines.

4. Frayed Strokes

Using the wrong type of paper causes brush tips to fray and lines to bleed. To learn more about paper, check out my guide for the best calligraphy papers.

5. Skipping Warm-Ups

Many people dive straight into writing without practicing basic drills or even warming up.

6. Holding the Pen Incorrectly

Incorrect grip can lead to discomfort, uneven strokes and it limits your range of motion.

All of these things and so much more I cover in my workbook – From Strokes To Style.
Alternatively you can check out my article on the most common calligraphy mistakes.

FAQs About Modern Calligraphy

Yes! Faux calligraphy is a great way to start with just a regular pen and paper. Besides Faux calligraphy, you can also do calligraphy using a pencil.

With consistent practice, beginners often see improvement in 2–4 weeks, though mastery takes longer.

The Tombow Fudenosuke is highly recommended for its control and versatility.

Not at all! Calligraphy is more about learning proper techniques, such as controlling your strokes and pressure, rather than having neat handwriting. With practice, anyone can master it.

Traditional calligraphy follows strict rules for letterforms, spacing, and alignment, while modern calligraphy allows for more freedom and creativity. Modern calligraphy often features unique styles like bounce lettering or flourishes.

Absolutely! Start with affordable tools like Crayola markers for brush lettering, regular printer paper, and free practice sheets. You can upgrade as you gain experience.

Yes! Left-handed calligraphers may need to adjust their paper angle or use pens designed for left-handed writers. Practice and experimentation will help you find what works best.

Consistent practice is key. Focus on mastering basic strokes, follow practice sheets, and try different projects to refine your style and gain confidence.

Conclusion: Start Your Calligraphy Journey Today

Modern calligraphy is a great introduction into the world of calligraphy. Getting started is quite easy – 

  1. Get the basic tools
  2. Find a good resource for learning
  3. Practice the basics (move gradually)
  4. Gradually expand your toolbox and explore different styles

Sharing your work online and asking for feedback is also a great way to build confidence and fast track your learning process. The online calligraphy community is super friendly and welcoming and if you ever have any specific questions you’re always welcome to reach out directly to me via e-mail.

Don’t forget to download your free practice sheets and check out my ebook for even more inspiration and resources.

Enjoy!

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About the author

110 thoughts on “How To Do Modern Calligraphy (+FREE Worksheets)”

  1. Pingback: Top Hobbies You Can Try at Home This Summer! | RHXO Tips – Rosemary Helen XO

  2. Does anyone know the source or the artist on that pink flourishing work from the article photo? I don’t find that photo anywhere in the actual article or worksheets. Thanks!

  3. I like your suggestion to much But there are some things that neither avalibale in our area I use only 605 marker Hashim from Pakistan

  4. Thank you so much for sharing a very details tutorial. I like learn more about calligraphy. May I have you to share the lettering practice sheets. Thank you.

  5. standard oyster co

    Hello there! This blog post could not be written any better!
    Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He constantly kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this information to him.
    Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Hai 😊i already given my email id but i didn’t receive the practice sheet can you please help with practice sheets

  7. I’ve stumbled across this post while researching different calligraphy styles. I’m thrilled. Everything is so clearly explained. Now I understand why modern calligraphy differs from traditonal. This is definitely a post I’ll keep refering to. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to start practicing drills and finally enjoy calligraphy for what it is. Thank you.

  8. Do you have any uppercase worksheets for Modern Calligraphy? I’ve gotten a lot out of the lowercase worksheets but I can’t figure out how to do the uppercase letters nicely! Thanks for this great resource 🙂

  9. Josette Moranda

    I can’t take part in the discussion right now – I’m very busy. But I’ll be free – I will definitely write what I think on this issue.

  10. Hi Lettering-daily team, just discover your website looking for inspiration to our spanish portal and I found one of the best Lettering sources of true, a great quality and perfect content for benginers and experts; I can’t stop reading your site ¡¡¡¡
    I’m very happy, thanks a lot to sharing with us ¡¡¡
    a big hug from Barcelona rockie lettering school ^^
    Hi Lettering-daily team, just discover your website looking for inspiration to our spanish portal and I found one of the best Lettering sources of true, a great quality and perfect content for benginers and experts; I can’t stop reading your site ¡¡¡¡
    I’m very happy, thanks a lot to sharing with us ¡¡¡
    a big hug from Barcelona rockie lettering school ^^
    https://lettering-barcelona.com

      1. Thank you for the very useful and well structured content on calligraphy . I am a beginner , and after reading this I am so much motivated to keep on practicing . Thank you n God bless youuu.

  11. OMG Thank you sooooo much! I have tried to write this on my own, but it just looked crooked and the letters were uneven. After practicing like this for just a week, I feel like I made a huge improvement!

  12. Hi Laura,

    This is so helpful, thanks for the info. I’m a wedding celebrant and want to be able to do modern calligraphy on peoples wedding certificates.

    Could you please email me your practice sheets?

    Thanks in advance
    Renee <3
    info@reneethecelebrant.com.au

  13. Calligraphy is my passion. I have done many worksheets for my college and some for my work.
    I have to admit it. This is so clearly explained. What if I want to collaborate with you and share some of my works, how to approach you?

    1. Thank you for your kind words. I have created a Facebook group specifically with this in mind. Be sure to check it out, over there you can share your work, ask questions, and meet other fellow artists 🙂

  14. I just found your website, I love it your content is great, the articles are easy to read and understand with the video and the links. I love it thqnk you again

    1. Oh, no I didn’t explain that part. I’ll make a note to include it in the next update. But basically, you just dip a brush in a bit of ink and using your finger you just splatter a bit of ink around it 😀

  15. Wow! Your tutorial just broke down calligraphy into pieces for easy understanding. Now, I fully understand where to start from. I’m gonna start practising.

  16. This was so helpful & encouraging. I actually printed the practice sheets & have been using the guidelines just a day or so and they’re helping me more than I believed they would. Thank you so much.

    1. Lettering Daily

      Reading comments like these make me so freaking happy! Keep working on it, and if you ever need any help with your practice – just let me know 🙂

  17. Frankly,Mr Max, this is soo…mind blowing and well explained. Thank you for your shared knowledge and encouraging words, I feel like an expert already when the reverse is the case ?. Anticipating for more tutorials in future ?.

    1. Lettering Daily

      Yaay! 😀 Thank you, Ifenna! I am truly happy to hear that this was helpful for you. And don’t worry, new content is always coming 🙂

  18. This was a really informative and and somewhat detailed article. I really appreciate the efforts you have put to spread skill and knowledge. Would be more than happy to receive worksheets. I am just starting. Budget constraints have made me start with a pencil. Will buy myself a calligraphy kit for my birthday. I am really excited to start and develop! ??

    1. Lettering Daily

      Thank you Shiny for the kind words! When you say ”somewhat” detailed article, what do you mean exactly? Do you have any constructive feedback on how to make it better? I would really appreciate it 🙂 Starting with a pencil is a great idea! Cheap and effective 🙂

      Cheers! 🙂

  19. Thank you ! I’ve wanted to do calligraphy for many years. You have provided the best instructions I’ve seen to date. I am so excited to make this happen! During these stressful times, calligraphy has provided a calm escape! Sincere thanks!

  20. After reading a good number of other good resources and having been practicing for a few days now, I find that yours summarizes, explains and equips me the best for success. Thanks so much for this and your Facebook group.

    1. You have no idea how happy I am to read this! Thank you! I’ve put a lot of effort into this and I constantly try to make it better. If you ever have some suggestions, ideas or constructive feedback, please let me know! Cheers! 🙂

  21. Hey…..this was awesome!As I had already completed the beginner’s course,I was searching for something more advanced.Here,I found exactly what I was looking for…thank you so much!

  22. Hey….this was of great help to me!As I had already completed the basic course,I was looking for something more advanced.Here,I found exactly what I wanted…thank you so much for the help!

    1. Hello Glenda, the practice sheets are to be found in the Lettering Crate, and in order to get access to them you need to sign up to the newsletter. Let me know if you need help with that.

  23. This is a very good tutorial. I would love to receive the download-able practice sheets, especially the Faux Calligraphy sheets. Thank you.

    1. Hey Trudy, all the sheets are available inside the Lettering Crate. Just sign up for the newsletter and you will get instant access to it 🙂

    1. Hey Pat, absolutely! You just need to sign up for the newsletter in order to access the Lettering Crate. Let me know if you need help with that. But basically you have a sign up form in every article of the website.

      1. Hi,your article is awesome! You have made it very clear and interesting in a sorted out,step by step manner.I am totally motivated and want to try it out today itself??

  24. I would like to purchase the rolling ruler featured in the video, but the site rollnruler.mov seems to have some problems, at least from the UK. Any suggestions?

    1. Hey Jim, thank you for your comment. If you just scroll up where i mention the rolling ruler, you will see that there is a link. Just hit the link and you will be redirected to Amazon.

  25. Thank you for talking about how when you work with a dip pen, you need to hold it at an angle that will work better and that takes a little bit of time to learn. I really want to become better at calligraphy, and I love crafting and making cute signs and things. I should look into purchasing all these materials to make sure I will be more successful in my attempts.

  26. Hi. Thanks a lot for this really clear guide for lettering!
    I would like to receive the practice worksheets if you do not mind.
    Sincerely Yours
    M.K. Chiani

    1. Thank you for your comment! In order to get the practice sheets, you need to sign up for the Lettering Crate. Once you do that you will have full access to all the freebies that we offer on the website 🙂

    1. Thank you Eric! It’s not a font. Fonts are what computers use. This is a modern adaptation of the Copperplate script – that’s really the closest thing I could call it.

  27. Thanks a lot for this really clear guide for lettering for starters!
    I would like to receive the practice worksheets if you do not mind.
    Thanks again,
    Silvina

    1. Lettering Daily

      Thank you, Silvina!
      Be sure to join the mailing list in order to get access to the Lettering Crate! 🙂

  28. Truly amazing. I am a beginner and I thought that calligraphy might be that easy, but actually,,,,, IT’S NOT ?
    when I looked upon your tutorial I think it act like a teacher!!!
    Thank you LETTERING DAILY for such a innovative and easyyyy ways of modern calligraphy. I loved the fact that you mentioned the requirements with respective videos and images.
    (☺ —— ?)

  29. Linda Marquesen

    Thank you for providing such clear instructions in your tutorials. I just began practicing calligraphy and I have found it to be a lot more difficult than I ever thought it would be! But I love the challenge! I’m grateful that you are posting some very helpful information!
    Sincerely,
    Linda

  30. Your tutorials are so clear–thank you! I’m a beginner and a little intimidated! I am having trouble finding the practice sheets, for this one and the faux caligraphy lesson. I did enter my email (again) where indicated, but have not received an email with the practice sheets. Have I loverlooked something? What do I need to do to get them?

    1. Hey Kate, thank you so much for the kind words. We are really happy to hear that you found the tutorials to be helpful. Once you enter your email, you should receive a confirmation email (to confirm the subscription) and then you get an email that contains the link and the password to our Lettering Vault (resource library), where all of the free downloadable content is located. This second welcome email, sometimes tends to end up in the spam folder – have you checked there? In case you are unable to find it, please reach out via email and I will personally send you over the access to our Lettering Vault 🙂
      Cheers!

  31. The tutorial is amazing….I am a beginner and did not know where to start but now everything seems so crystal clear…thanks

  32. Ok. I have to admit it. Your tutorials actually inspire to practice. ☺️?. And I mean print out the practice sheets and use guidelines type of practice. You make everything straight forward and easy to understand. ?

    1. hahah! Thank you Stephanie 🙂 Im really glad it has that effect on you – that was exactly the point!
      Keep practicing and be sure to share some of your work on our forum. Once a week we share our favorites on our Instagram feed 🙂

  33. I like learn more about calligraphy if you more info or if you have lettering practice sheet. Suppose you have more lettering style please show me the print out lettering sheet thank yo7

    1. Thank you Lucy,
      You can find the practice sheets in this tutorial – they should be somewhere in the middle 🙂

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