Calligraphy is the art of writing script in such a way as to express the beauty of what is being written in the formation of the letters themselves.

Calligraphy claims ancient roots in the first recorded forms of expression: the cave paintings of our ancestors some 25,000-30,000 years ago. Eventually this form of pictorial communication became stylized around 3500 B.C. with the development of Egyptian hieroglyphics. The Phoenicians followed circa 1000 B.C. with one of the earliest alphabets — an entirely different writing system in that each symbol represented a sound rather than an idea or picture. The Phoenician alphabet was adopted and modified by many peoples, including the Greeks. The Romans picked up the Greek alphabet and adapted it to suit Latin.

Latin brings us to the beginnings of what many people think of as modern calligraphy. It was the language of the all-powerful churches of the Middle Ages when monks were among the only literate members of society. One of their tasks was committing the word of God to paper, by scribing ancient texts into ornamental volumes to be read by holy elite and royalty. The monks infused the script with a flourishing style that would add glory to the letters themselves as if to make the inscriptions worthy of the holy words they were conveying. The style was also economically narrow to save expensive paper. It became known as Gothic and was the original form of European calligraphy as we think of it today.

Yes you can, we have two products: 

https://calligraphyartsuk.com/en-gb/calligraphy-ink/826-dr-ph-martin-s-bleed-proof-white-30ml.html

https://calligraphyartsuk.com/en-gb/calligraphy-ink/714-liquid-gouache-30ml-white.html

Hi Alison,

The White gouache should be good to work with straight out of the bottle. Just be sure that the contents have been well shaken or stirred before use. If you think the gouache is too thick (perhaps because the lid may have been left off for a period of time) then diluting it with a few drops of water will be okay.

Kind regards,

Jane

Hi Penny. Thanks for asking. Unfortunately Modern Calligraphy does not work as a style for Mediaeval calligraphy. Gothic calligraphy is the best style for this kind of work. If you would like to learn in-person at 'Calligraphy Arts HQ' I have a number of Anything Goes' 1-day classes. The next one on the 24th March 2024 can be found here: https://calligraphyartsuk.com/en-gb/workshops-and-classes/893-anything-goes-calligraphy-class-24th-march-2024.html

I currently offer eight different styles:

• Uncial
• Round Hand
• New Modern
• French Ronde
• Copperplate
• Flourished Italic
• Basic Gothic
• Basic Italic

All these can be seen on my calligraphy styles page

Since every job or commission is unique, I prefer to discuss all the details with you first, then provide you with an estimate which can be agreed upon. My aim is to make you happy rather than present you with a surprise bill at the end of the job.

Why not call me on +44 (0)07818 250605 for a quick discussion about your requirements. We can then more accurately define prices and timescales for your calligraphy work.

Generally orders take two weeks, but I do I prefer to have six weeks notice (miracles have been known to happen!).

I can provide much quicker times but this will incur a premium cost which would be discussed at the time of ordering. Please contact me to discuss things further.

For standard cards – no more than two days from receipt of order to putting in the post box. I always let you know via email once it has been posted.

If you have asked for a personalised card or for it to be written inside etc, then these will normally be posted to you within five days of receipt of the order. Please take this into account when ordering your cards.

If you need a card to be processed urgently, then you should contact me before ordering.

Of course I can, but they may incur an extra premium cost. I normally like to have six weeks notice for large orders such as wedding invitations, so please bear this in mind when ordering. Please contact me with your specific deadlines and I will do my best to work within your schedule.

Here are some tips on how to start learning calligraphy:

1. **Choose a calligraphy script.** There are many different types of calligraphy scripts, so it's important to choose one that you're interested in and that seems like a good fit for your skill level. Some popular calligraphy scripts include Copperplate, Spencerian, and Brush Script.

2. **Get the right supplies.** You'll need some basic calligraphy supplies to get started, such as a pen, ink, and paper. You can find these supplies at most art stores.

3. **Learn the basic strokes.** Each calligraphy script has its own set of basic strokes. Once you know the basic strokes, you can start to practice writing letters.

4. **Practice, practice, practice!** The more you practice, the better your calligraphy will become. It's important to be patient and not get discouraged if your handwriting doesn't look perfect right away.

5. **Find a calligraphy community.** There are many online and offline communities where you can connect with other calligraphers and learn from each other. Joining a calligraphy community can be a great way to stay motivated and learn new techniques.

Here are some additional tips that may help you learn calligraphy:

* Start with simple exercises and gradually work your way up to more complex ones.

* Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they're learning a new skill. The important thing is to keep practicing and learning from your mistakes.

* Find a comfortable and supportive environment to practice in. You'll be more likely to stick with it if you're enjoying yourself.

* Set realistic goals for yourself. Don't expect to become a master calligrapher overnight. Just focus on improving a little bit each day.

* Have fun! Calligraphy is a great way to express your creativity and relax. So enjoy the process and don't take it too seriously.

I give calligraphy classes and workshops at many locations. Mainly in the East Midlands, including Leicester, Nottingham, Market Harborough, Loughborough and Birmingham. I also provide online classes for the Womens Institute and can provide extra special workshops at your lovely event too.

All of my calligraphy and gold leaf workshops are listed at https://calligraphyarts.co.uk/workshops/