Best calligraphy tools for beginners
Calligraphy creates beautiful, artistic text. Calligraphy is fun to learn and used to create invitations, thoughtful letters to friends and even make sure your journal memories read as beautifully as they were lived. While it may seem daunting to learn this new skill, the good news is you can create calligraphy with almost any type of pen, paper or ink.
Getting started in calligraphy doesn’t need to be tough. You just need to know where to start, what to use, add a dash of practice and you will be producing beautifully written art in no time.
How to get started with calligraphy
The two main styles of calligraphy for beginners to start with are modern and classical calligraphy.
Modern calligraphy teaches how to construct popular artistic letters, numbers and designs. Classic calligraphy focuses on the fundamental rules of styles that fall outside of contemporary or modern calligraphy. While you should learn both, picking one to start with step-by-step beginner instructions, including what pen, nib and ink you should use, is the best way to get going.
For beginners, the start of your calligraphy journey should include learning the fundamentals to build your skills, confidence and passion for calligraphy.
Some people love to use a stencil to exercise their hand muscles for practice, and it helps alleviate some of the pressure on your hands while learning. Creating a self-supportive learning environment with a candle that gives you a level of relaxation and ambiance is also a great idea to help you get the best out of your calligraphy experience.
Best beginner calligraphy tools and resources
Best beginner’s calligraphy pen
Hethrone Calligraphy Pens: available at Amazon
Our take: This set of pens help to create a wide variety of calligraphy styles easily.
What we like: Each of the eight pens has a different tip style so that you can get familiar with all the basic techniques and designs with ease.
What we dislike: Some users report that the pens leaked easily.
Best book for absolute beginners to get started with calligraphy
Lettering for Absolute Beginners Workbook: available at Amazon
Our take: This book is simple, fun, interactive and requires no special pens, ink or nibs to help you get started with the materials you already have at home.
What we like: This handy resource lets you get started by focusing on active projects that help you perfect your technique by producing results such as wood signs and ceramic plates that you can show off.
What we dislike: Some users report that the techniques provided can be a little repetitive.
Best book for calmness and joy as a tool to learn calligraphy
Hand Lettering for Relaxation: available at Amazon
Our take: This book teaches the basics of calligraphy by cultivating a sense of calmness and joy.
What we like: The approach of getting calm and mindful before your practice is the perfect way to learn a new, complex skill while offering a chance to express your artistic side.
What we dislike: While this book is excellent for mental health, it may be too simplistic for users to build expert calligraphy skills.
Best book for beginners to learn modern calligraphy
The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering for Beginners: available at Amazon
Our take: This book is simple to use, great to learn with and is sure to elevate you from beginner to master of modern calligraphy in no time at all.
What we like: The tips, techniques and practice pages make this book beautiful, practical and highly effective for learning.
What we dislike: Some users report that as the book is not spiral-bound, it’s pretty tough to use.
Best calligraphy workbook for beginners
Calligraphy Workbook for Beginners: available at Amazon
Our take: Learning the skills of classical to contemporary calligraphy has never been easier with this functional end-to-end beginners workbook.
What we like: This book helps beginners become more multidimensional calligraphers by providing detailed steps to build letters, numbers and punctuation across various styles.
What we dislike: You will likely need to purchase additional practice paper.
Best calligraphy practice paper for beginners
Studio Series Calligraphy Paper Pad: available at Amazon
Our take: The artist-level calligraphy paper helps beginners to build confidence and skill with lettering.
What we like: The paper is ruled and has features that enable slanted lettering and is very comfortable to use.
What we dislike: While users suggest that this paper is of the highest quality, there may not be enough slanted lines for certain advanced styles.
Best pen and nibs combo for calligraphy beginners
Hethrone Wooden Dip Pen Handcrafted Calligraphy Set with 11 Nibs and Black Ink: available at Amazon
Our take: This stunning handcrafted pen complete with elven nibs and black ink is the perfect gift for yourself to make sure you start your new calligraphy adventure prepared and in style.
What we like: This tough, durable and beautiful pen is ideal for modern and classical styles.
What we dislike: Some users suggest that you may need a top-up of ink a little more often if you practice a lot.
Best complete set for getting started with calligraphy
Mont Marte Calligraphy Set: available at Amazon
Our take: This set gives you all the tools you’ll ever need to both learn and master the art of calligraphy.
What we like: With pen and nib variation, ink cartridges and exercise booklets, it’s difficult to see where you could go wrong.
What we dislike: Some users suggest that they’d like better instruction on using the ink from the practice booklet.
Best multi-handed set for beginners to learn calligraphy
Award-Winning Starter Set for Beginners: available at Amazon
Our take: This set is great for both right and left-handed beginners and comes with an award-winning guide and supplies.
What we like: Not only is there every pen a beginner would ever need, but this set also comes with an instruction book that includes illustrations and step-by-step instructions.
What we dislike: The price point is higher than other starter kits available.
Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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