The basics are simple.
You can do them all.
And still feel like your calligraphy needs some TLC.
Here is the difference between “looks okay” and “looks professional”:
These little details.
Let’s go!
- Consistency Is More Important Than Perfection
Your letters don’t have to be perfect.
They just need to be consistent.
In other words, your letters should look like this:
- Same height
- Similar width
- Repeated shapes
When things are consistent, you work looks professional.
- Control Your Angles
Some calligraphy styles require a consistent slant.
If your angles lean in different directions, it will feel all over the place.
To fix it right now, simply pick a slant that works and stick with it.
- Use Guidelines (Yes, Really)
It is tempting to skip guidelines because you don’t need them.
You do.
They will help you with:
- Aligning letters
- Consistent sizes
- Clean spaces
The best pros use them as well (just not so obviously).
- Focus On Spaces
Spaces are everything.
Think more about the spaces between letters than the letters themselves.
Spaces should be:
- Consistent
- Even
- Intentional
It’s that space that makes things look designed.
- Don’t Overdecorate
You will want to make your calligraphy look cool with:
- Extra swirls
- Long flourishes
- Complicated details
But if you add too much to your calligraphy, things will look cluttered.
So, do this:
Do the simple stuff first, then add details on top.
- Lift the Pen More Often
If you try to draw every letter without lifting your pen, things will start to get out of control.
If you draw each letter in small pieces, you will be able to:
- Improve precision
- Easily correct mistakes
- Draw more accurate shapes
Clean calligraphy takes time.
One last thought
The cleanest looking calligraphy isn’t the result of doing more.
It’s a result of doing the right things:
- Consistent angles
- Intentional spacing
- Controlling your strokes
Work on those, and your calligraphy will instantly look more professional.