Tonight is my calligraphy class. I have three more left before the course is complete. I have LOVED this class even though it is getting harder to sit in one position for two and a half hours. Some things I’ve learned about calligraphy since I’ve started taking the class.
-It has nothing to do with handwriting. {I have good handwriting so I thought I would be good at calligraphy, not true!} Calligraphy is closer to drawing than handwriting.
-It isn’t imperative to have expensive materials, just the right ones. The pen and nib my teacher uses costs only a few dollars.
-Calligraphy is really hard. It takes months and months of daily practice before you get even kind of good.
I had bought calligraphy books before thinking I could learn myself from a book. As it turns out there are very few good books out there. If you want to learn on your own, the best thing to do is to take a one time class from a master who can tell you what books to buy and show you the proper form before you start practicing on your own.
cheryl
October 23, 2007
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now (and not commenting!)– love it! I was so happy you posted about lettering. My profession is calligraphy– the points you brought up were so true! But, the practice is worth it– a beautiful, relaxing and wonderfully historic art form.
Denise
October 23, 2007
So true!! I’ve been practicing for a few years now and still wouldn’t consider myself ready to go prime time!!! But like Cheryl just commented, it’s very relaxing. I think that’s why I keep going back to it.
Erica
October 23, 2007
Jordan, how do you find time for all of these activities you do?
I would love to take a class like this! You’re so cute!
darling
October 23, 2007
I think I posted a comment when you mentioned your calligraphy class before (or maybe I’m imagining it?). Anyway, I recently posted an entry on my own blog about my first calligraphy class taken 2 weeks ago.
I totally agree about the misconception that good handwriting = good calligraphy, but I am determined to practice!
xo Christine
Jane
October 23, 2007
okay, i feel better now that my practicing is not getting me results. it’s hard to write “pretty” when it’s so specific.
Julie
October 24, 2007
I took a class and lost interest, it was so hard. Keep up the practice. I’m sure it is worth it.
Enjoy Celebrations and Occasions
October 24, 2007
Yes, it is sooo much more difficult than it seems. I took Chinese calligraphy in college (absolutely amazing and ridiculously difficult) and then I took a two level calligraphy course over two semesters at a local community college a few years back. You truly have to keep up with the practice or you lose it. It was so satisfying to do the calligraphy on my own wedding invitations and I have done a few friends’ as part of their wedding gift. It is so special to them and great practice for me. Keep it up, it looks like you’re doing great!
ali
October 25, 2007
Have fun, Jordan! Everyone laughed at me when I took calligraphy instead of the popular jewelry class in high school.
Bet they wouldn’t be laughing now! 🙂 Hope everything is going well.