Calligraphy Basics from a Left Handed Calligrapher || 15 Minute Overview

[@chetrok1]

I taught myself to write backwards over the years, as well as learned to float my wrist while moving foreward, us lefties are some of the worlds renouned calligraphers

[@elisaanne]

Wow, I'm impressed!

[@pleasestopleavealone2981]

all lefties can write backwards..

[@fairsaa7975]

@@pleasestopleavealone2981 idk I struggle

[@thebusinessprose7542]

@@pleasestopleavealone2981 - It's true! Recently I noticed that - purely by accident - while struggling with a Tombow brush pen.

[@marypatelhattab6253]

Way back in the dark ages 😊 when I learned to do calligraphy the only way lefties were taught was to draw the letters backwards to keep your hand from smearing the ink. Things have really progressed!

[@chriswolfe7830]

Thanks for the video for us lefties mate! :D

[@chriswolfe7830]

Very much so! :D

[@jagygn]

Yup thanks so much 💕

[@BritgirlTX]

👍🏼

[@saosinlunatic]

Thanks so much for this video. I'm just getting started on calligraphy and was really concerned with being a lefty. This has some really great information.

[@elisaanne]

You're welcome!

[@valtersyos6096]

A left handed in Japan, much appreciated your channel!! Congratulations!

[@GreatGreebo]

Thanks for this. I have always thought I couldn’t write using calligraphy because I’m left handed (my high school art teacher even went so far as to have me sit out the calligraphy assignments because he said it was “pointless” for me to even try to learn as a left handed person!!! I’ve always wanted to write in calligraphy but because of his one bit of misinformation I’ve never even tried. Ha! You’re videos have proven him wrong!! Once again, Thank you❤️

[@babygrrls5212]

I can’t believe he would say something like that to his student!! Ugh so rude! I bet you wish you could go back and tell him a big “I told you so!” Haha

[@GreatGreebo]

@@babygrrls5212 I really do 🤣

[@kellercrucita550]

Hi! I am watching your video again because is so interesting. Thanks for this information. I am a lefthanded person with enthusiasm to learn calligraphy techniques.

[@charisseann3765]

Hi! I'm very happy to come across this video of yours. I've recently taken interest in learning calligraphy and being a leftie I also struggled on how best to position my hand to not smudge the paper. you just earned yourself a new subscriber! :) looking forward to learning more tips from you. Thanks!

[@Jesse-FenixRizin]

Outstanding video! As a lefty myself, this is by far one of the best videos I have watched and it has helped me tremendously. Thank you. I will be watching more of your videos.

[@Katharine-000]

I started art eight months ago and have been obsessively watching hours of youtube content most days, and the is THE FIRST TIME i have found anything from a fellow lefty. THANK YOU!! My spatial sense is poor and having to try and imagine the mirror image at the same time as learning whatever the actual skill is, melts my brain. I need to learn some decent lettering for a project, and i now have some hope that i might be able to master it ❤

[@fatimaalzarouni1621]

Arabic calligraphy is easier for left handed than right handed because Arabic is written from right to left unlike English but still im practicing both. thank you Elisa, btw im from the middle east

[@وليد-ع6ظ]

Fatima Al Zarouni same

[@CK2012]

The same could be from Asians They write right to left top to bottom If I remember correctly.

[@user-tn7kl3sq2r]

yes i practice shahmukhi one of the writing systems of punjabi, it is inspired by the persian alphabet with added sounds it match the language. it’s very fun

[@alans.wendelschafer6588]

@@CK2012 Japanese written in the more traditional way is like that.

[@mei.mei1]

I was a leftie forced to be right handed, and relearning how to do things with my left hand. I naturally write backwards (mirror imaged) with my left hand, but this writing is only for myself to read (I have no trouble reading mirror writing). I want to try Arabic calligraphy at it's so beautiful.

[@KenDelloSandro7565]

As a fellow southpaw, I've never seen another lefty write so beautiful. Keep up the good work. Lefties rule!!!

[@michelletabb5010]

I’m so excited I found your channel! Such great tips. Thank you!

[@Crucent]

Best video ive ever seen for lefties on calligraphy! Im so happy!!!

[@elisaanne]

Oh my gosh yay!!

[@Mortiana27]

Thanks for the gum arabic tip! I'm very new to dip pen writing and it's nice to know these things early on :)

[@inkinikki]

That bit about mixing gum arabic is gold! We don't have any good supplies stores here and I wanted to buy ink. The only ones we had were marker refill ink and fountain pen ink. I got the Parker pen refill and it wasn't very viscous. I feel I may have wasted my money but this trick could work! I also don't want to spend so much on calligraphy paper. Thanks!

[@MMGARC]

Oh my gosh, Elisa Anne! I have been searching for a Left-handed calligraphy teacher - but to no avail. I started watching video's on You tube, but they were all right handed. I took a class years ago and was the only lefty in the entire class. And finally, I wrote a comment on a video and they said to look you up and ......Whella!! Here you are! You are such a good teacher and cannot wait to watch all your video's. Thank you so much for sharing your advice and experiences on writing as a lefty.

[@MMGARC]

Darn - I cannot remember who it was, I'm so sorry, Elisa Anne. Thanks for your quick reply - I can't wait to see more of your future video's!! Very inspiring to me!

[@horseshoe_nc]

Thank you for posting videos from a left handed perspective. I've been writing with fountain pens for about a year. But just recently started getting into flex writing. Actually just got a Speedball dip pen set for Christmas.

[@dionellacubero3509]

This was mega useful! I've recently started calligraphy and without knowing bought myself an oblique nib holder. This video has clarified so much for me, keep it going! Already have some new nibs and pen holder on their way.!

[@rworrick8037]

As a fellow south paw with a random interest in possibly learning calligraphy this video was most helpful. I look forward to watching the rest of the series to see if I'll actually jump into this. Thanks for sharing!

[@RachAndAlly]

Hi there! I am another lefty just starting out with calligraphy, and your videos have helped a lot! I was wondering when/if you were still planning on posting a video about mixing the gum arabic with the ink? That would be a HUGE help, I feel like I've already spent a chunk of change on calligraphy paper, so being able to use regular printer paper would be great! Looking forward to your next video! :)

[@CADI71]

Thank you for your video! I'm left handed as well and I have recently began looking into calligraphy as a hobby and noticed how most people that practice the art are right handed. I find it really peaceful to watch and hoping to buy my supplies soon. Thank you for the tips! :D

[@christinestafford2089]

Thanks for the great video. Im a lefty and just started calligraphy. Not doing to well, but you answered alot of my questions. Thanks again

[@christinestafford2089]

Im practicing, gone through a ton of paper..haha

[@mirkskids8565]

thanks so much!!! As a leftie, this is super hard for me to do calligraphy because I feel that it's only for right handed people. I was also getting really concerned. Thanks so much!

[@KissTheCookie]

Thanks for this video :) I'm a graphic designer and really wanted to get into lettering, but of course, no one could teach me 100% as a lefty!

[@erikabalazs]

I'm glad I found your video. I'm left-handed and my letters are tilted to the left, so it's very difficult for me to write calligraphy. Thank you for your help, I'll follow you!

[@kakeru21]

I'm a left handed and it didn't stop me from doing calligraphy and drawing illustrations although I couldn't practice everyday which is vital for improvements but at least I accomplished something 😊 And oh try using highlighters for calligraphy it's good even for lefties 😁

[@susiefreckleface]

thank you ElisaAnne for this video. this seems to be closest to my hand position style as well, and very helpful. have a wonderful day.

[@elisaanne]

great! Glad it was helpful!

[@horseshoe_nc]

Thank you for this video. Us lefties have to adapt to a right handed world. I wasn't sure how to start in calligraphy. This video was a huge help.

[@the_neutral_container]

I'm one of the weird-hand-postioners. At art school, when we were learning Carolingian minuscule, I ended up writing upside down and right to left. It looked super weird but the script turned out nice and smear-free.

[@maisondumewcustomdollsbyte127]

Thank for this video. I have always had trouble with calligraphy writing mostly because everything is for right handed people. Even in Art school I found it extremely difficult because I was the only leftie. I did just pass the course. I love writing with regular pens markers etc but I always avoid calligraphy pens. Not I am going to give it another try because of your videos. Thanks again.

[@Maugrim76]

I'm a southpaw too. This helps so much. Thanks! I've never really tried an ink-dip calligraphy pen before (just the felt tip, and mostly medieval style lettering). I am so eager to try this now. 😁

[@trishasargeant6435]

Thank you for some helpful ideas for us lefties. I gave up practising because I got such hung up and frustrated about the angle you need to have, I cannot for the life of me work out just where this angle is?? Lol, anyway after coming across your info and ideas i think I just might have another go at it soon, it really is such a beautiful art and a joy to watch others writing it. Thank you I will look out for your other tips x

[@elisaanne]

Hey Trisha! Lots of modern calligraphers write without a slant, so don't get too hung up on that :)

[@abbyheath9598]

Hi Elisa, thank you for your videos. I tried mixing the gum arabic and ink after watching your other video and I'm having trouble because the mixture is sort of watery and separated, and doesn't write very nicely. I shook it vigorously to combine but that hasn't helped. Has this happened to you, and do you have any advice? Thank you!

[@Smokdeel]

I’m left handed too and am just about to start so thank you for sharing. Very much appreciated

[@elisaanne]

You're welcome!

[@reginaldwelkin]

I tried calligraphy and became frustrated by poor nibs, expensive paper, and not knowing how to write well with my left hand. Ended up writing backwards most of the time until I packed my nibs somewhere. Thanks for the video! You and another calligrapher have encouraged me to try again.

[@KatCap]

laaaave 💕 this beginning calligraphy video for lefties! wasn't sure where to start! 😸

[@elisaanne]

yay, you're welcome!

[@shaunnamyers8878]

I've just really started putting a lot of time into calligraphy and I'm finding as a lefty that my print looks better if I work right to left. I think because I feel less drag when I pull from the right instead of pushing from the left. I'm really hoping I can get better the traditional way as well! Practice makes perfect!

[@Emaretta]

Thank you for this great video! I look forward to watching more and trying calligraphy myself.

[@bessinbrosplumbing7995]

"Left Handy" has me dying. You are making us southpaws very happy to have this video. Thank you

[@ovoovie5910]

You are so good with left hand so good i am so happy

[@catcollins2284]

Beautiful! Thank you so much!!!

[@lauriep3334]

Thank you for your tips. I just found your channel. I tried calligraphy before, but I got frustrated as a lefty. Going to start again.

[@dylanu6695]

Thank you! left handed here in Maine. and I love the art of writing

[@Daniel-hz2gg]

Thanks for the advice! Lefties understand each other's pain...

[@lizzvid]

Yay! I'm starting to teach myself and was a bit nervous as a lefty

[@davidjean5075]

I just started getting into this but I also right upside down and sideways so I think I might be good.

[@ultimategamer8139]

This just blew my mind. I grew up thinking calligraphy was impossible for me.

[@kozaGROZY]

Nice videos. What about calligraphy for lefties using stub nibs ? For ex Pilot Plumix or Parallel pen?

[@hnkjg0]

Thank you for making this video for lefthanders 🙂

[@jobernhardt6531]

Thanks. Hubby and I are both Southpaws. I found an old set of 30 Speedball nibs and 3 wood handles for $5. This is exactly what I needed. 😀

[@elisaanne]

Yay! So great to hear!

[@GeefeAlba]

you are awesome! im new to calligraphy and im so happy i found a leftie! :) thank you so much for this.im learning along. cheers!

[@PureBlood-du6wv]

You are absolutely precious 💖 I'm from Georgia too! Born and raised.

[@fandangofandango2022]

Wish I could write like that / I us to get the cane at school because I was Lefted Handed and could not produce Nice Writing at 65 I really still can not Write. I Think You Video is Wonderful.

[@Vtrest]

Thank you. Excellent video.

[@betsy1947]

Thank you for the video! I just started a class last night and there were only 2 of us lefties. This is so informative.

[@elisaanne]

Did the instructor give you a straight holder to use instead of an oblique??

[@betsy1947]

Yes, we got straight holders. :)

[@Panic_Pickle]

I've had the awful issue of "mirroring" over the diagonal in writing style versus a right handed, so I angle the paper so rather than writing below with the paper tilted 45° left I write above with the same tilt. Works great for biro but doesn't make for good calligraphy. So cool to see comprehensive left-handed guides to dip pen writing!

[@elisaanne]

I'm glad they have been helpful! I hope to make even better videos soon!

[@MorenoBison]

GRAZIE Elisa, GRAZIE Ancora, Stavo per arrendermi quando ho trovato il tuo video. Ho scritto finalmente con il pennino e l'inchiostro!!!!! Vorrei Abbracciarti Tanto sono contento.....è il mio sogno di quando ero bambino.....GRAZIE

[@vgdeshmukh74]

Hi Elisa , nice video , I am lefty but I feel comfortable writing with obliqe pen holder rather than straight holder. It took long for me to get used to obliqe holder.

[@elisaanne]

Whatever works best for you is great!

[@mvrana869]

I have a question. I write with my right hand and I can write calligraphy with brush-marker. Now I'm trying to learn to write calligraphy with pen-feather. Can you tell me advice how to hold pen, how to move my hand? (Sorry if I have mistakes, English isn't my first language.)

[@AlexPanda92]

Thanks for the inspiration as a lefty. I'm off to Beverly's to gear up! 😁

[@elisaanne]

Yay! You're welcome!

[@julieottaway177]

thanks I am new to it but loving to learn it

[@spencergeller2236]

You are a Saint.

[@americannotamericant1773]

God bless you dear, the struggle for left handiness in writing together is difficult but the art of calligraphy and being left handiness must be hardline. As a lefty I have mostly given up on writing on paper because of the constant smudges and constant hand staining. I may try to write with the techniques you recommended.

[@psychocowthree]

How do you get started as a lefty? How should I be practicing and with what tools?

[@WebCreations88]

Have you tried the obleak nib to try doing right handed calligraphy styles, it was designed for them to write like a left handed person so should work just as well Vice versa?

[@TwistedSoul2002]

For a second I thought you were going to write, “hello, world” like a computer programmer. 😂

[@benhenderson9437]

How do you get the thick and thin lines in your writing when the nib doesn't look like the calligraphy pens I have seen before?

[@narghayfooooo]

Hey ! Thanks for your video :) I'm waiting the next video and tips to progress !

[@investingwithaaron9876]

Thanks for such tips on lefty caligraphy!

[@kristymercer7543]

thanks for the video!! super helpful!

[@elisaanne]

You're welcome!

[@Inxiis]

Do you have to prep the g nibs before use and how?

[@luismorande5789]

Gracias Elissa, tu explicación fue excelente!!! Me gustaria aprender técnicas con Parallel pen , para lefties.

[@nitkabr]

Hi Elissa: My niece is a left hander and trying to learn calligraphy. Can you please tell us if the nibs and holder vary for a left handed vs right handed?

[@elisaanne]

Pointed pen nibs can be used by a left or right handed calligrapher with no problems! Broad edge nibs (for italic style) DO have differences for a lefty vs. righty. I recommend sticking with pointed pen nibs such as the Nikko G.

[@chrisopheroptional7990]

Thank you . You're a rose in a field of daisy's.

[@cc19811104]

I just started Calligraphy yesterday and I have much trouble for doing upward strokes, the nip doesn't go smooth on the paper my teacher asked me not to use too much force on the pen so I ease up a bit but still wouldn't do the work..

[@joanrose9170]

Elisa, can you use regular calligraphy books to learn left-handed calligraphy?

[@animes4ever]

nice video you gave me hope to improve my handwriting. you are also easy on the eyes ;)

[@denfeatherstone3917]

VERY INFORMATIVE - THANK YOU!

[@elisaanne]

You're welcome!

[@drfranke]

Thank you! Goulet pens don't know what they're talking about; you clearly do!!!

[@donnamatoi5256]

thanks! it makes so much more sense now!

[@MC-qr8hh]

Thanks that was helpful.😊 hope to see more videos

[@akshaybhavsar9576]

Are you applying pressure in downward strokes?

[@GoldBold563]

Wonderful video! Would you recommend a microfiber cloth for cleaning? Or should you stick to the more abrasive papaer towels.

[@elisaanne]

I've never had a problem using paper towels :) It's all personal preference!

[@bonecc4061]

Can a left handed use the oblique.

[@unkrautgartenkeinnachname237]

Thank you for that video, it's really hard to find ressources for left handed writers. I've read that you can alternate between a top(over the font) position and an under (the font) position. Any thoughts about that? I'm not sure which is best for me. Thanks!

[@jennyvoss7738]

May you do a series on “regular writing” for lefties? :D

[@caseycoleman394]

First time watching your video. I am a lefty. I would love to learn Calligraphy. I have 4 questions for you: 1) I write with my WHOLE left hand(to where I am "clutching" my pen, pencil etc.). Is that going to be a problem? 2) Can Calligraphy be a new style/form of writing for the person? 3) Since I want to learn Calligraphy, will I have to learn how to write the way you are showing? 4) How much "ink" is needed for the pen? P.S. This was such a wonderful step-by-step video!!.

[@lynnnguyen7815]

thank you for such an informative video! Much appreciated coming from another fellow left-'handy' =)

[@emilyteffer5064]

What paper do you suggest for final print pieces that will be sold ?

[@althaconley]

Hi, I'm left handed also and have always wanted to learn. Could you please do more tutorials for the left handlers out here. It's sort of confusing trying learn from right handlers. Thank you so much for this and hopefully more tutorials.

[@izzy158]

Amazing video! I recently got into calligraphy and myself being a lefty, I find it all confusing in some way or the other. How can I tell the difference between nibs suitable for left-handed opposing to right-handed people and what nibs would be suitable for both? It's kind of mind-boggling...

[@isabelleraposo262]

Thank you!!!

[@Alex-zl5ht]

what style of cursive do you think is the most left-hander friendly?

[@elisaanne]

This is my own style, so each person will have their own!

[@jamtaylor1992]

Love this

[@fbkseanoyaz8669]

hiiii, i just saw your video passed by my recommendations and watched it because of interest and I'm really amazed by your penmanship. Do you have any tips to improve one's penmanship? I'm a left-handed person but my penmanship is really bad (like really really bad) and I want to improve it.

[@vhockada]

Quick question, why do you slant your writing from left to right instead of the opposite direction I find as a lefty when I slant right to left I find it easier with less push and more pull

[@elisaanne]

Probably because I prefer the aesthetic and look of the right to left slant :) It's always how I've written!

[@jkrause365]

Thanks for this video. I'm left handed too.

[@Norwood501]

What is the ratio of ink to arabic gum? Thank you!

[@laylan.5535]

Hi I'm also a leftie and I was wondering if you had any recommendations on either calligraphy workbooks or anything similar for beginners to actually learn how to write the letters it would be so much help if you responded ❤

[@alans.wendelschafer6588]

Yes! Lefties unite! 🤜