A Beginner's Guide to Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know

What is calligraphy? Calligraphy is one of the oldest art forms on Earth and has been around since the development of written language. Over time, it developed into a variety of different styles and has influenced the ways that we print today. In this beginner’s guide to calligraphy, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the history of calligraphy, how it works, and why it’s important in Western culture today.

Introduction

What is calligraphy? The word calligraphy comes from a combination of two Greek words: kallos, meaning beauty, and graphein, meaning writing. Thus, literally translated, calligraphy means beautiful writing. However, there are different variations of calligraphic works – each with its own distinct characteristics and features. These varieties may be classified based on subject matter or historical periods in which they originated. For example, Copperplate calligraphy was created as a variation on standard copperplate engraving during the eighteenth century. Italic script was designed by Aldus Manutius and Francesco Griffo in 1501.

History of Calligraphy

The oldest known written example of calligraphy comes from cuneiform tablets, dating back more than 4,000 years. The tablet was found in Ur and is estimated to be created around 3100 BC. Throughout history, calligraphy has been used for various purposes. In ancient China, calligraphers were highly respected and relied upon by leaders for their writing ability as well as their advice about life; in Japan during medieval times, practicing calligraphy was a way for members of society to better themselves; and in Europe during early modern times, it was thought that beautiful handwriting indicated intelligence or a noble upbringing.

Origin of Calligraphy

The origin of calligraphy is a subject that is debated by both historians and artists. Many believe that Chinese culture was the original source of calligraphy, while others point to ancient Egypt as its birthplace. What we do know for sure is that writing has existed since humans first developed language. The process of making letters looks similar across many cultures, so it’s likely that human hand movements naturally replicated one another as they all wrote on various materials, including stone tablets and skin.

Different Types Of Calligraphy Styles

There are many different types of calligraphy styles, and each style has its own unique characteristics. This can make it a little hard to know which one is right for you. For instance, if you're looking for calligraphy examples for kids then a more modern style might be best, but if you're writing a formal invitation then your best option might be something with more prestige. To help you out we've put together a quick guide on all of your options (and how they'll look).

Kufic Calligraphy

Kufic is an ancient form of writing that originated from Arab tribes. It is thought to be one of the first styles of calligraphy in use, dating back as far as 3rd century BC. Kufic calligraphy has straight, angular lines and many letters look like characters from other languages, such as Farsi or Hebrew. Its most distinctive feature are words written across (rather than down) which is why Kufic calligraphy stands out on page. Examples of it include movie posters for Lawrence of Arabia and The Passion of Christ. Some notable artists who have used Kufic calligraphy in their work include: Picasso, Matisse and van Gogh.

Cursive calligraphy

While many people associate calligraphy with fancy, elaborate fonts that only experienced hand painters can produce, there are actually several different styles of calligraphy. One form is known as cursive—it looks like it sounds. Cursive calligraphy uses flowing lettering that blends together easily—it’s what you might see in wedding invitations or on a banner at an awards ceremony. Practicing cursive calligraphy is a great way to learn basic brush strokes and get familiar with how paint reacts on paper.

Naskh Calligraphy

What Is It? How Did It Develop? What Makes it Different From Other Kinds of Calligraphy? Naskh is one of many styles of Arabic calligraphy. Many people who take up calligraphy do so with a specific goal in mind, such as learning naskh or nastaliq. To get started with your first letter, check out our guide to getting started with learning how to write calligraphy here. If you want to dig deeper into what makes each different style unique, read on for more about some common forms of Arabic calligraphy that are available today.

Tools And Materials Used For Calligraphy

Tools used for calligraphy are basically pens which help in making strokes, nibs, inks, papers and a writing surface. The materials used as tools are fountain pens (metal nibs), lettering brushes (ink) and calligraphic pens which come with various sizes of nibs. Different types of inks and papers have been created for calligraphy purpose. The famous calligraphers who played a pivotal role towards development of modern calligraphy were William De Morgan and Edward Johnston who were responsible for bringing medieval scripts into contemporary use by designing fonts.

Examples Of The Various Styles Of Calligraphy

For many people, calligraphy is a lost art. It’s something that their grandparents did and seems almost foreign today. For these people, learning more about calligraphy may be an interesting way to get back in touch with their family history. Here are some examples of different types of calligraphy as well as famous calligraphers from throughout history who helped make these styles so famous

Modern Calligraphy

There are four main categories of calligraphy, each with different examples of calligraphy. While modern calligraphy is a huge component of lettering, it shouldn’t be limited to just formal documents and envelopes. It also lends itself well to wedding invitations, announcements, thank you cards and other events. Modern calligraphy is mostly in block format and can be embellished with simple or intricate designs—it’s entirely up to you! We love seeing artists use bold lettering with solid backgrounds or contrasting lettering against varying colored backdrops. Another modern take on calligraphy is typography; usually created digitally but occasionally displayed in artful environments like on chalkboards or walls. Here are some examples of modern calligraphy for inspiration!

Islamic Calligraphers names

Calligraphers' names weren't included in Islamic calligraphic art for religious reasons; many people didn't want their names included. This could have been out of modesty, since most of them weren't from royalty and calligraphy was an art that they were very good at, so they didn't need or want other people to praise them for it. Another reason might be because most calligraphers were government officials who wanted nothing more than anonymity. It was a difficult career choice and, if discovered, would ruin their chances at being promoted further up the ladder—so they didn't want their names recorded anywhere or praised in public venues.
Ibn Muqla (d. 939/940)
Ibn al-Bawwab (d. 1022)
Hâfiz Osman (1642–1698)
Mustafa Râkim (1757–1826)