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Have you ever tried your hand at fancy, seemingly-difficult calligraphy? Defined as “decorative handwriting or lettering,” calligraphy isn’t just your standard letters but rather works of art, as each meticulous stroke produces a beautiful result! Yes, it may look hard to do, but it isn’t too bad once you get the hang of it.
Why not try it for yourself? Or, better yet, with your grandchild(ren)?
Here is what you need to get started with the ancient art of calligraphy, beginning with your materials:
Materials
- Calligraphy pens
- Ink
- Calligraphy paper
- Practice workbook (optional)
- YouTube tutorials
1. Do a little research
Begin your new hobby by learning about the history of calligraphy. Learning more about what it is and how it works can be a bonding experience in itself, a la watching documentaries or reading books together.
2. Practice the basics
Begin with holding the pen correctly. Remember, the grip is different from regular writing and crucial for achieving the desired strokes. (You can find lots of tutorials on YouTube to help you along in your journey!)
3. Learn the strokes
Before diving into letters, practice basic strokes – upward, downward, curves, and intersections. These seemingly regular lines form the foundation of calligraphy.
4. Letter formation
Start with individual letters. Practice makes perfect. Use your workbook and/or YouTube tutorial videos to guide you.
5. Words and sentences
Once you both are confident with individual letters, you can move on to words and then sentences. (If it takes a bit to get here, don’t worry – it takes a little practice to master a new skill!)
6. Personal projects
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can encourage your grandchild to pick a favorite quote, song lyric, or even a personal message and write it out in calligraphy. This personal touch can make the learning process even more meaningful and a lot more fun.
7. A few more ideas
- Calligraphy challenges: Set friendly weekly or monthly challenges, like, “Who can craft the most elegant ‘R’?” or “Who can write out a quote in the neatest handwriting?”
- Crafting together: Use your calligraphy skills to make greeting cards, bookmarks, or wall art. These handmade items can even be gifts for family members or friends.
- Journal together: Start a calligraphy journal where, every week, both of you can write a short entry about your week, your thoughts, or your dreams, all while crafting it beautifully with your new skills.
- Share feedback: Constructive criticism helps in improvement, so share feedback with each other after every session, and always remember to focus on the positives and the improvements.
Conclusion
Not only is calligraphy a great hobby, but it is also a great way to relieve stress, as it forces you to be away from your gadgets and focused on this moment. I hope you and your grands find it as enjoyable as we have. Happy writing, friends!
