Calligraphy is not just about fancy pens and intricate handwriting. It’s about your dedication to a hobby that you find highly pleasurable. Is calligraphy a good hobby? Read the basics and learn how to write calligraphy.
Calligraphy as a Hobby
Calligraphy is coined from the words ‘kallos’ and ‘graphe’, which mean ‘beauty’ and ‘writing’. Calligraphy can create typography but a typographer won’t be able to replicate calligraphy if the art isn’t learned. Learning calligraphy can help you improve handwriting skills, and it is a constructive leisure activity that works well for all ages. It takes time and if you are undergoing multiple EMDR therapy sessions, you might as well find a hobby that can keep you busy.
Is calligraphy a good hobby when coping with health concerns? Finding a hobby is crucial when dealing with mental issues such as overcoming PTSD. You don’t need to be intimidated by the fancy pens often used. Learning calligraphy doesn’t need to be expensive. Special calligraphy pens can be easily found in stationery stores.
Calligraphy as an Expression
Expressing yourself through your handwriting is experimental and fulfilling. You can pursue calligraphy anytime, and you can come up with different writing styles on your own. Just like how occupational therapy assistants love their work, you can also learn to love calligraphy.
The basic requirement for learning calligraphy is knowing how to write, and kids can start this hobby as soon as they learn how to write. Calligraphy acts like an extension of the basics of writing. To learn how to start calligraphy, you need to know technical skills. It hones your writing skills and love for the arts, and even your patience and discipline.
Calligraphy Pens
The art of calligraphy is extensive and involves alphabets that have different appearances because of different types of pens, papers, and ink used. Calligraphy societies can guide you on the basics of how to start calligraphy. Online books will be useful to learn how to write calligraphy.
Some of the essentials include learning the thickness and angles of nibs. Pens come in different types and sizes, and fountain pens are preferably used on how to learn calligraphy. Knowing how to use the right thickness and angle of the nibs can help you learn how to write calligraphy. Ink used in pens can either be temporary or permanent, depending on the pre-filled ink cartridges being used.
Fountain pens are good for calligraphy especially when you are first starting out on how to learn calligraphy. At first, using special fountain pens will be difficult, but by mastering precision and care you can create beautiful artwork.
Feather and bamboo pens are originally used by dipping them into ink but today, modernized versions are available in the form of metal and cartridges. Practice pens with broad edges called dip pens are also normally used. There are different pen types used globally such as Automatic, Reed, Quil, Speedball, Coit, Brause, and Mitchel.
Calligraphy Styles
Learning to write calligraphy isn’t confined to just one writing style – you can even invent one! Just like reaping the benefits of counseling, you can also make the most out of calligraphy by learning it. For now, you may refer to different styles for starters before customizing your own.
East Asian Calligraphy
East Asian calligraphy traces its roots to ancient writing in China, Korea, and Japan. East Asian calligraphers often have a distinctive way of writing by using the running style to write quickly. This is why Chinese calligraphy stands out as a calligraphy style because of the unique style created by reed pens as ink brushes.
Ancient Indian Calligraphy
Ancient Indian calligraphy is characterized by edicts inscribed on stone, with the style made unique by the angled chisel tips. Palm leaves, copper nibs, and birch bark are used in ancient times. The Kharsoti and Brahmi calligraphy styles are highly popular.
Islamic Calligraphy
Islamic calligraphy has a distinct Andalusi style influenced by the geometric shapes and backward flow of the Arabic language. Ancient writings are best represented through inscriptions on ceilings and walls of mosques.
Western Calligraphy
Western calligraphy started with the first letter being illuminated as its main feature. Influenced by the Roman alphabet, the geometrical order of lines is apparent by following a hierarchical order and precise stroke orders. Nowadays, modern Western calligraphy has transformed into the use of different sizes and styles of letters.
Is calligraphy a good hobby? Yes, and it is for everyone. It is an acquired art form that takes more than just pen and paper. Learning to write calligraphy allows you to express skill and well-being into aesthetics and harmony.