Modern Calligraphy: 3 Things You’re Doing Totally Wrong

In this video, I’m sharing the 3 things beginners typically get wrong when starting out with modern calligraphy.
Want to improve your modern calligraphy skills? Then join me in my FREE course, Show Me Your Drills. Sign up here: www.showmeyourdrills.com/
You’ll learn:
✔️What pens NOT to use for modern calligraphy
✔️What modern calligraphy is not 🙅🏻‍♀️
✔️How to make your calligraphy look cleaner
✔️The ONE resource you need to improve your calligraphy as a beginner
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👉🏻 Get my 50-page guide of ALL the supplies I use in my calligraphy work: www.thehappyevercrafter.com/s...
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The links below may be affiliate links where appropriate. This means that your purchase through these links may result in a few cents in payment to me, to support creating further resources like this one! That being said, I will never suggest supplies that I do not personally use and fully recommend.
Tools mentioned in this video:
✔️Elegant Writer: amzn.to/2P7BzBI
✔️Sharpie Marker: amzn.to/2OJ5hfY
✔️Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen: amzn.to/2pLMCX9
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About The Happy Ever Crafter:
Welcome to my channel! I'm Becca and I do & teach modern calligraphy. On this channel, you'll find all my most requested modern calligraphy tutorials, tips & tricks!.
✍🏻 Want my free 50-page guide of ALL the supplies I use in my calligraphy work? Find that here: www.thehappyevercrafter.com/s...
😯 Sign up for my FREE calligraphy course:
www.showmeyourdrills.com/
🤷🏻‍♀️ Want to learn even more about calligraphy? Check out my website!
www.thehappyevercrafter.com
👋🏻 Stay in touch with me:
Instagram: / thehappyevercrafter
E-mail: [e-mail]

[@whatever.1765]

Just a tip I’ve learned as an art enthusiast, you should store all markers/pens lying down! This way the ink stays fluid and won’t clog in one end. :)❤️

[@SaraHinata]

whatever. I do that with my whiteboard markers haha

[@mswebb3529]

So glad you mention that here!

[@johnjacob688]

I don't know why but the way your markers are organized behind you is so calming.

[@thingsretiredpeopledo3060]

I've never done calligraphy in my life but now I know I'm going to do it right I will sign up for your course! Thank the randomness of KZbin for placing this video in my feed, lol

[@laurablanco9323]

I love how fun and candid your newer posts have been. :) The editing is very clean, but the sound effects and graphics you add make it fun and attention grabbing. (Not that your older uploads weren't! But I'm just noticing and appreciating the extra effort you've been putting into the details lately.)

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

Thank you so much Lauren!!! I appreciate this more than you know!

[@VivianUang]

Totally agree with all your points!! So glad you make this video!

[@Jancass5]

Bahaha! Loved the “loud muffler” comment! Glad you kept it in the video. I do appreciate all of time you spend to film, edit and post your videos. Time is a commodity; you’re donating yours for our education. Too cool!

[@ericakauffman5786]

I love your classes EVERYONE should join; I love your sense of humor! ❤😂

[@TheTinyrobot]

the calligraphy VS cursive was actually i struggle for me, but after i realised that a while ago it's been easier to get it right and neat, when i was a kid they taught cursive in school and i remember how important it was to not lift the pen so that kind of messed with me and it was really frustrating.

[@bettyvordahl5824]

So glad I found your videos way back when! Your advice and tips have been priceless this past year! Happy Friday!

[@jessicawomeldorf8356]

Love your tips! I can't wait to start your course in January!

[@teresastorms3774]

That was a very informative and funny video. Your sense of humor cracks me up! I am really looking forward to the free course, YAY!

[@Mimi0505]

Thanks to you, I’m doing it right 🤸🏿‍♀️

[@angelar5017]

Very informative! Thank you. I love your workbooks!

[@jasbhogal832]

THINGS YOU'RE DOING WRONG 1. USING SOMETHING NON FLEXIBLE: for modern calligraphy, you need something flexible like brush pens. 2. YOU'RE JUST DOING CURSIVE WITH PRESSURE: Cursive has one stroke while calligraphy has multiple strokes with different pressures. 3. WRITING TOO QUICKLY: Slowwwwwwwwww dowwwwwwnnnnnnnnnn. Calligraphy takes time. 4. YOU'RE DOING WRONG IF YOU'RE NOT DOING HER COURSE PLS DO WATCH HER VIDEOS Hope that helps 😊

[@thatstotallythea]

Your tips ar super helpful and I love your teaching style, positive and intentional. :)

[@GPMG25]

I have just found you. This video, excellent. Looking forward to starting your free course. Thank you, thank you.

[@LucidMakesVideos]

I'm a calligrapher on YT too, and I was just wanting to thank you for all the work you put in to make calligraphy for the average person. We should work together sometime!

[@fancyandwonder]

I was doing it wrong before I took Becca's course lols Thank You Becca!! Everyone should take this FREE course ;D

[@Singer75]

Thanks so much!👍

[@tangledsoul]

I was totally doing it wrong! 😂 I was using my normal cursive writing. No wonder it looks off! Thank you 💕

[@brandymcintosh6687]

I genuinely loved this video. I'm on the more "right" spectrum than the "wrong" spectrum, but the problems I do have can be contributed in some way to these tips and rules... (Mostly the too fast thing, and a little of putting my own cursive into my strokes).

[@angelaxxa]

Thank you ♡

[@eugenenciu227]

Thank you!

[@TeamFish15]

Free is good! You rock!😀

[@Buzzinga248]

I would just like to say that you are doing it wrong, to use the elegant pen you need to turn the nib of the pen on an angle to get the thick thin lines.

[@tonightsbigloser5678]

Yes but if you want a curved thin line it would be near impossible

[@TheYahn]

tonight's big loser not if you tip it on it’s corner ;)

[@BlackRose-et2mf]

@@tonightsbigloser5678 nope...you can use the very side tip of the pen so that you can have a thin line

[@tristadunbar5330]

True for traditional calligraphy. She stated at the beginning these are mistakes for modern calligraphy. She also stated the calligraphy pen is for other styles of traditional calligraphy, however not modern or brush lettering.

[@raffaelahusner6922]

Join! It's a great course!!!!!

[@cherie1204]

Hey! Heads up.. I just ordered a lot of the supplies you listed on your supply guidelines for beginners and your links aren’t working!

[@vgv317]

Can't figure out how to get the FREE course. I see the paid ones but not the free one. Please help.

[@joanjm3342]

Becca is already roasting us😂

[@aimewww]

Thanks buddy 🌸🌸

[@gandharajprasadverma4391]

Ur explanation is really good which make it every viewer to understand easily

[@ahadrandhawa1646]

my teacher... love .... respect from deserts

[@indiangirl2947]

Your course link is not working. Is it available now?

[@jeanniebelew]

Doing it right!!!

[@rubinadabs3230]

I really love the starting... 😁😁

[@ynao.o]

ummm hi! i love your vids. Bit i try to go to showmeyourdrills.com but is said that that site cant be reached . is there any other way?

[@Dreblueskies]

How many types of calligraphy are there? When I was in elementary school in the 80s it looked much different than this. Thanks for the video!

[@andrewwong6899]

That's "cursive writting" , not to be confused with "calligraphy" . Calligraphy is all about aesthetics and the beauty of art while cursive is about speed when taking down notes to be read easily although it's sticking together and jumbled together . But to be honest , both of them are just a form of writting , there are actually no right or wrong , if it suits you , it is your handwritting and style . Calligraphy shouldn't have right or wrong because the beauty of calligraphy art is in the eyes of the beholder .

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

There might as well be as many kinds of Calligraphy as there are artists interested in pursuing it. Okay, the particular "Calligraphy" she was working in the video is a more recent form, not quite cursive, but a "flourishing script", more like cursive's slightly older fashioned, overtly refined cousin... than "Classical Calligraphy". There are dozens of older "more Classical" styles and scripts to base your particular "Alphabet" on, and then you can branch outward into the flourishes and designs... perhaps expounding on the Capital First letters of each paragraph with designs, motifs, and decorations the way some older "hand copied" books used to do... OR filling the last partial page with flourishes and swirls to frame a hand-drawn rose, religious symbol, or just a sketch of someone in profile to demonstrate your skill with the particular variety of pens you use. Even with a specific "guide book" to follow as you practice, you will develop your own special techniques, personal touches, and a bit of style to your letters that you didn't get from the book. You can mimic a 12th century Anglo' Script and it's not going to be quite the same as whatever ancient tome you found it. It'll have your hands' involved and implicitly a slight deviation from exactly how it was done those centuries ago. SO it really doesn't matter how many types of Calligraphy there are. You'll add if you engage. You can't help it. You can also find "inspiration" for developing your repertoire of "Fonts" and "Styles" by checking out old signs, movie titles, and posters to take note of how each variation still imminently creates familiar letters, but offers wildly ranging techniques for making them seem truly unique and fascinating. I'm a "dip pen" aficionado, myself. Give me an antique handle into which I jam a small metal nib, and I'll dally for days! I like them because the FORCE me to slow down, dip between strokes most of the time, and take greater care with my letters. I have nothing particularly against the more modern pens, of course. I can say, however, that taking the time and care shows to the person you send or give the results to, and they appreciate it. ;o)

[@myraaaa8432]

your handwriting is amazing

[@ShivsPositivevibes]

Thank you soo nice of you from India thank you much.

[@robynolfert4779]

Too funny - I was trying to heed your advice and slow down while I wrote out a quote in pencil for practice. Apparently, I was going so slowly that I lost track of where I was when writing the word professional-I wrote professiossional instead. So, that’s going to be a new word in my spoken vocabulary. Good thing it was just practice! It doesn’t look very professional, but it does look pretty!

[@one_smol_duck]

So, question about the chisel tip (from someone who knows very little about calligraphy): can't you get varying thickness by adjusting the angle you hold the pen, rather than the pressure you're exerting? Is there a reason why that wouldn't work with modern calligraphy?

[@maryelizabethtait9435]

Yes. You hold it at a 45 degree angle normally. That tool is mostly used for italics or blackletter fonts, which aren't modern styles. There are more modern styles that you can do with the straight edge like that, but what we tend to think of as modern calligraphy is made using mainly brush pens and flexible dip nibs. I think that's what she's trying to get at in the video. Hope that helps!

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

@@maryelizabethtait9435 nailed it! :)

[@wanderingcreativity]

A right way and wrong way? Ouch 😱 helpful with calligraphy thanks again

[@anikasinghal9510]

Which pen r u using

[@mayadwivedi3165]

Yehhh!!First view, first Like 😀😀

[@ir9618]

I would love to join your course, but I am going on vacation and won't be back until the 9th of January. Should I wait until the next course starts?

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

Nope - you should still start on January 6th! You'll be able to catch up! :)

[@rhinoadavid9227]

You are so beautiful and talented! ❤

[@haphuongle2920]

I had to learn fountain pen calligraphy with that cursive like alphabet when I was an elementary student. It was obligated in Vietnam to write like that in elementary schools. Then I turned to write in cursive for speed and modified some letters to make it easier to see. It's funny that it seems like the school system here has also mix between calligraphy and cursive. I had to write an entire 1.5 page essay using that fountain pen using a mix of calligraphy and cursive. I did not finish it in time and got 3/10. Now I know why it took so much time.

[@Kimber_Lee_Enlow]

You are hilarious with that whip sound! ROFL You just cheered the heck out of me up LOL - my grammer! SNAP ca CHING! Do you do live streams? Maybe on Facebook? Thanks

[@charlieB69]

Do you have a PayPal or Patreon account I can send a little "tip" to you for all your hard work for free classes. Thanks!

[@jyothyg8820]

mam i tried to join but its not working :(

[@ozkanozer83]

❤ so beautiful.

[@priyamuthukumar7450]

Wow😮

[@suchatimeasthis1958]

Looks like site is down or link not working! Thanks for sharing these tips 😁

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

Which link, Louise? For the free course? You can find it at www.showmeyourdrills.com :)

[@TheYahn]

It’s just one style among many others. to say anyone is doing all of calligraphy wrong because they are trying to use a tool for a different style is what’s wrong, calligraphy is so much more than one single brush style. Oversimplifying here doesn’t do it justice imo.

[@janinacooper4199]

I want to get into calligraphy, but my handwriting is the worst so I need all the help I can get. Lol, your reaction and comment about the car was so funny!

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

You can get into it. Calligraphy takes "handwriting" and focuses on making it an art form. It's no longer about getting words onto a page for communication, but about making those words look truly remarkable. Each word is a hand crafted artwork of its own. Ordinarily, my handwriting (unless it's a log or something formal, and I use "block lettering") is absolutely atrocious. However, when I get the dip pens out, set up the work, and proceed to make something I want to send to somebody as a work of art as much as a message of any kind, it always gets compliments. Part of that is their utter shock I'd go to such expense and effort for them, and part of it comes as they realize I'm the same guy that scrawled something absolutely garbage right in front of them so many times before, who actually wrote the thing I sent... down to every flourish and detail. As she said in the video, "Your cursive doesn't mean anything." and that extends to your otherwise hand writing, too. None of that means anything. This Calligraphy thing isn't just writing. It's art! Explore and enjoy! ;o)

[@janinacooper4199]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment and for your encouraging words.:-) I will definitely work on it, it looks like such an awesome thing to be able to do.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@janinacooper4199 Always welcome! I just can't stand it when I had to learn Calligraphy with my right hand, as I was a lefty... Now, I'm ambi' (yay!)... BUT with all the aggravation, there is no "can't". There is "It's just not worth it to me." but no "can't". I don't jump on every little excuse to put Calligraphy to work, but when I do, everyone really enjoys and appreciates it. You might not always enjoy the trials and struggles, but you'll enjoy the reactions when you "get there". AND just for the record, because I do have books (yes, plural) about different styles, how to flourish, all new and advanced strokes, etc... I can open to an appropriate page and use a regular .5 or .7 mm pencil to "sketch" each letter and then color them in with whatever I want (paint, ink, colored pencil, pastels, whatever) to make stuff that's completely unique... SO just because you get started without "the proper tools for the craft" doesn't mean it's impossible to do it "right"... It just makes it a bit more tedious, longer, and occasionally more frustrating. You can find a perfectly decent Calligraphy set at Wal Mart (or similar chain/dep't Store) in the craft aisle, along with ink "cartridges" for reasonably cheap (about $20)... so with a bit of saving up, that's not out of reach either. Above all, patience with yourself. It's a great hobby. Take the time to enjoy building on what you learn. I believe in you with chisel-tips, brush tips, carpenter's pencils (they work surprisingly well) or whatever. ;o)

[@janinacooper4199]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 that is super cool! :-o

[@GroooviChick]

Can you do more calligraphy for beginners

[@arcfide]

The implied historical narrative here is misleading. It's also not really accurate to say that modern calligraphy is just written with a flexible implement, as many forms of modern calligraphy are done with a stub, chiseled, or other flat edged nib. While I think the overall advice here is sound, it is disappointing that so many people doing calligraphy today are unaware of the American and British traditions of calligraphy throughout the 1500's to the 1900's, and how they relate to the current visual trends in flexible pen styles of today. Check out IAMPATH (iampeth.com) that discusses the modern tradition of penmanship and its historical methodology and connections. Flexible nib penmanship has been an active and in some cases, distinctly American style of penmanship and calligraphy for nearly the past 200 years. The style that you showcase here is essentially the Engrosser's Script, which was an mid-19th century evolution of the English Roundhand of artistically applying the Copperplate aesthetic with the use of a steel flex nib. (Joseph Vitolo, "Script in the Copperplate Style: Engrosser's Script, iampeth.com) I think that a study of the older manuals is of a great service to the improvement of current calligraphic practice.

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

Thanks so much for your valuable input Aaron! My goal is always always always to simplify things for the very beginner, and break down overwhelming barriers to getting started. For me, honestly, that means generally not touching on historical aspects and rather focusing on breaking things down simply and succinctly for people who (like me, honestly!) would rather jump in and play than research the history. I've got mad respect for those who dive deep into the historical aspects, it just isn't something I'm drawn to or that my audience asks for. I love that you provided those resources above for anyone who might be, though! :) Thank you! Every time I put out videos on KZbin RE: "modern" vs. "traditional" calligraphy, though, in trying to simplify, those terms spark debate. I totally agree that "modern" vs "traditional" can be a misleading historical narrative and that the TERMS are debatable when it comes to the tutorials I (and other instructors) are teaching. Perhaps we need to come up with a new term for the current trend of calligraphy rather than calling it "modern".... maybe it's "pop calligraphy"?!

[@arcfide]

@@TheHappyEverCrafter Thanks for taking the time to reply. While I am critical of a lack of historicity, I still greatly appreciate the advice you share here, and I agree that your advice helps to anchor the beginner who is just getting started. I still believe, though that spending time reading the older manuals and the like is a great boon to those who wish to enhance their calligraphy practice, in part because there isn't really that much of a difference between "modern" and "traditional." I sympathize with your dilemma because there isn't, to my knowledge, any well recognized term for the current stylistic forms used today. I might tend to call it "brushed copperplate" or something like that, since I think the use of a brush pen as the "characteristic" device is probably the most defining characteristic, even though you can do the same thing with a pointed flex nib or a slab/chisel nib. I think sometimes people miss that this sort of calligraphy is accessible in a scaled down version to their daily penmanship. Things like Business Penmanship from the Golden Age of Penmanship (Spencerian and Palmer) connects the artistic flourish of the brush style with a practical daily writing. This is the "best part" for me, because now my "calligraphy" doesn't have to be limited to carefully drawn works with a brush pen, but I can still do practical writing long form to people and when taking notes that incorporates beautiful thick and thin lines whenever I want, without requiring separate implements to write. I think a lot of beginners think that Calligraphy is this one thing, and then general penmanship or handwriting is another, when they really do and can be for oneself one and the same.

[@Claudiadevasco]

The Happy Ever Crafter there is a term for what you’re doing! It’s lettering. Lettering in calligraphy style. Modern calligraphy I always understood to still be based in the traditional understanding but plays more loosely with letter form.

[@juliee.campbell3271]

Respectfully Aaron, there are hundreds of other calligraphy teachers who “are” teaching traditional pointed pen/broad edge scripts. Becca @thehappyeverafter actually started her calligraphy journey learning with a steel nib and straight/oblique pen holder. However, her passion is to satisfy the desire of approximately 20,000+ (and always growing with each passing year!) brand-new, international students seeking to learn her renown techniques using brush pens to create “her” style of modern calligraphy! A calligraphy teacher who teaches “every” hand, script and/or font from the dawning of the written word to the current century, coupled with the historical data and every writing tool in-between, simply does “not” exist. If you know of one, I would be very interested in learning who, truly. Becca appeals to hobbyist lettering enthusiasts who want to learn fun lettering techniques, essentially modern brush pen calligraphy, for a variety of mediums: bullet journals, envelopes, gifts, holiday ornaments, etc. Also note, her free course offers instruction using brush pens, PLUS pointed pen and iPad/Procreate options. Please refer to David Grimes @masgrimes if you would like to know what Engrosser’s Script genuinely looks like and/or how to create it. “This” is unequivocally “not” Engrosser’s Script. Lastly, if you are indeed a member of IAMPETH, as am I, please “do” refer to Dr. Vitolo or Mr. Sull since they would both disagree with you that calligraphy hands and business penmanship are “not” one in the same. I appeal to you, please “read the room” before offering criticism that is not only inaccurate, but also is not applicable to the “message” offered in this specific video. ~a lifetime student of Becca Courtice @thehappyevercrafter who later pursued the study of traditional calligraphic scripts, techniques of offhand-flourishing based on the Masters’ of Ornamental Penmanship, and currently learning/studying illumination

[@dharanrx1008]

Can this website be viewed by the people in India?

[@aaronburge3680]

Practice will make me do it right

[@malayalamwriter]

You are very organized. The background tells that.

[@safanaafrin2484]

Mam I like this can you give me a pdf for calligraphy worksheets ? Please

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

You can enroll for my beginners course at showmeyourdrills.com :)

[@safanaafrin2484]

@@TheHappyEverCrafter No mam so many obstacles mam but I interest in the calligraphy . I like very much mam

[@jayalakshmi2338]

The free course is available for everyone

[@anikasinghal9510]

U did not show the name of the pen

[@DeHeld8]

hard core traditional chisel tip quill calligraphy ONLY club >:3

[@giakingbeauty]

Obvs doing it wrong because i’m not in your free course as long as i’ve been watching you. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

lol! Get on it !! :)

[@markwayne7580]

I honestly clicked on the video because you are cute didn't even read the caption lol but here is a like for good measures

[@shradhaagarwal2670]

me: bought a bunch of calligraphy pens she: for calligraphy we are not supposed to use calligraphy pens

[@198feo]

i want to sign up for showmeyourdrills.com but im just a kid but i love doing callligraphy

[@vasudevadasen]

if i do any of these tips my calligraphy would not look good ,i would send you a pic if i could

[@bensbens6297]

Sister learn me some morden calligraphy

[@ameerasanofer1629]

Can u pls show me how to write with sashes the letter M and S. I want to write it for a wedding card. Like J, centre ♥️and S. In swashes. Can u show me on calligraphy swashes ?

[@LALA-nk8pm]

So, everytime I hear your intro now I think of Starbucks 😂

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

HAHAHA! YES!

[@fizzahandkhuzemahcreativit2409]

I am so early...there r no interesting comments😕

[@barbarabrady4869]

You are an excellent instructor, but when it comes to the traditional calligraphy pen, you are explaining it wrong. It’s not that you can’t get thick and thin from a chisel point pen, it’s that you get the thick and thin in a different way. You do say that that type of pen is for a different style of calligraphy, but you do it an injustice by not demonstrating that it’s simply a different method of getting a thin and thick line for different calligraphic results. It’s fine to be a proponent of modern calligraphy. But it would be nice to also see you be more positive towards all styles of calligraphy. (Unless, of course, your real purpose with these videos is to sell a specific brand of writing utensil, and in order to do that you need to make all the other utensils look less than functional. In which case, you ought to be more transparent about who is paying you.)

[@TheHappyEverCrafter]

Hey Barbara! I certainly don't mean to be negative towards other styles of calligraphy, I apologize if it came off that way! I've got major appreciation for all styles! :) This is absolutely an over-simplification, but purposely so. I simply have so many students come to my classes with broad edged tools, struggling to create the brush-style modern calligraphy they see on social media, so my goal here is to demonstrate the difference quickly and answer that question :) I wish I had the ability to adequately demonstrate how to use broad-edged tools as well, but I promise, I'd do more harm than good trying to show those without any background in it, lol! :P I can assure you the video is not aimed to sell any specific tools!

[@barbarabrady4869]

@@TheHappyEverCrafter Good answer! Thank you!

[@mohdshafie2499]

Ammmm, i dont care cus i learnt from u 💅 Hahaha

[@moderncalligraphy9985]

I am doing right but

[@glasssharron]

I'm doing it right!!! Yayyyyyy! THANK YOU! 🤸🏾‍♀️ @magnolia_avenue_cllgrphy

[@Phrophesy]

Am I doing something totally wrong? :(

[@tjpeemayer]

Your facial expression is funny.

[@wd1534]

3:00 What you wrote is a mix of print and cursive, but definitely not cursive. (m has 4 legs, not 3). All your letters are wrong. No offense, but this is not cursive. I don't think American know cursive writing.