Are you newly engaged and considering handwriting your wedding invitation envelopes using calligraphy? This beautiful technique of writing is not just for artists or crafty types but anyone who applies focus and precision to their work can accomplish this fine craft. Depending upon how soon your wedding date is, it is entirely possible to put your personal calligraphic touch on those envelopes. A suggestion to keep your goal on track—have your workspace and materials readily available and allot 15 minutes per day to practicing. So where do you begin?
One approach to learning calligraphy is through a class; however, if you are the self-studying type who is not looking for immediate feedback, books can provide step by step instruction. There are a number of excellent books out on the subject. A few that have gotten excellent reviews are The Art of Calligraphy: A Practical Guide to the Skills and Techniques by David Harris or Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Book of Lettering and Design by Margaret Shepherd. For those who may be applying their calligraphic skills to handmade cards and personalized gifts, Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide by Patricia Lovett, is a beautiful hardcover book that gives step by step instructions not only on calligraphy but illumination and gilding as well.
For those beginners looking to showcase their work, an excellent Web site with lessons, printout sheets, suggested projects and even a beginner’s gallery is http://www.studioarts.net/calligraphy. The very inventive styles of addressing invitation envelopes shown at http://www.artisticaddressing.com proves calligraphy is not just a craft but an art form that can convey not only class and elegance but individual, contemporary style. The examples are done with digital calligraphy but the creative ideas could be done with hand calligraphy as well. This site is definitely worth a visit for those looking for inspiration for their calligraphy.
And what about the tools? A really quick way to get started is with the Walter Foster Calligraphy Kit. Not only do you get a project book, practice pad, and calligraphy paper, but also a cartridge calligraphy pen with a selection of nibs and cartridges along with a felt-tip calligraphy pen—everything you need to get started. For those looking for metallic inks, a convenient calligraphy tool for novice or expert, is the LCI Gold or Silver Pen. These calligraphy paint markers lay down a beautiful stream of metallic color, perfect for invitation envelopes. The creative projects that these markers inspire is endless as they will apply ink to not only paper but glass, wood, porcelain, metal and mirrors.
Once you’ve completed your wedding envelopes, there are plenty of projects to allow you to continue honing your skills. A blank card or specialty paper personalized with a favorite inspirational quote or poem is always a beautiful gift. LCI’s blank card section abounds with blank cards in all sorts of sizes, formats, and paper types. LCI Japanese papers can make a beautiful background in a framed calligraphy piece. The creative options available with calligraphy are endless, and you will have learned an art form that can last a lifetime.
Tags: Calligraphy, Handwriting, Invitation Envelopes, Writing Technique, Personalized Cards
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