What is calligraphy?
(Hint: the answer isn’t that straightforward.)
This blogpost will look at examples of calligraphy, and what’s not calligraphy.
The art of beautiful writing?
The roots of the word “calligraphy” are two Greek words:
/Kalli/ meaning beautiful; and
/graphy/ meaning writing.
Put together, it makes sense that calligraphy is defined as beautiful writing. Dictionary definitions include “artistic, stylised, or elegant handwriting or lettering”, or “beautiful handwriting that you do with a special pen or brush“.
But if you haven’t already realised, calligraphy isn’t exactly handwriting or lettering. Let’s see why!
Calligraphy is not handwriting.
Possibly the most common misconception is that calligraphy is simply beautiful handwriting. But that’s not true!
In every beginner’s lesson, students learn how letters are made up of standard basic strokes. It’s akin to drawing simple shapes, and your handwriting doesn’t matter at all. That’s why anyone can learn and practise calligraphy, even if you think your handwriting is horrible.
See how the word “calligraphy” is made up of basic strokes pieced together?
Another difference between calligraphy and handwriting is speed. Being able to write quickly is possibly the most important for handwriting. You don’t want to spend a lot of time writing your grocery list or to-do list.
(Some say that speed and clarity are the most important for handwriting. But I can’t attest to that since I have problems reading my own handwriting. 🙈)
Calligraphy, on the other hand, is written slowly and with intention. There are a lot more precise details to take note of. Are the letters on the correct slant? Are the strokes consistent? Are the strokes of the correct height? Is the spacing within and between each letter consistent? (Yup, consistency is key in calligraphy.)
Hence, it’s technically not calligraphy even if you use special tools (like pointed nibs or brush pens) to write in your usual handwriting!
Calligraphy is not hand lettering.
Calligraphy and lettering are sometimes used interchangeable, so it gets a little confusing. Strictly speaking, calligraphy is writing letters while hand lettering is sketching / illustrating letters.
See how the letter “a” is created differently in calligraphy and lettering?
Letters are sketched using a pencil before being inked, and you don’t need special tools for lettering. Letters can be drawn to look like calligraphy scripts, but again – that’s technically not calligraphy.
I don’t practise hand lettering, so I can only explain the basic difference between calligraphy and hand lettering. But Lettering Daily has a great post here to explain hand lettering in greater detail.
A quick note – calligraphy is also not a font. Fonts (like Times New Roman and Arial) are used in printing presses and computers, while calligraphy is written by hand. Instead of using “fonts”, we use “scripts” or “hands” to describe the different types/styles of calligraphy.
So what is calligraphy?
So we’ve seen how the dictionary definitions are not entirely accurate. Here’s another definition that I think better explains what calligraphy is.
“Calligraphy is the art of forming beautiful symbols by hand and arranging them well. It’s a set of skills and techniques for positioning and inscribing words so they show integrity, harmony, some sort of ancestry, rhythm and creative fire. ” — Calligraphy Skills
To me, this means that calligraphy is writing that adheres to rules and principles, which stem from a rich and long history. On a deeper level, calligraphy is an art. There is more thought put into a calligraphy piece beyond just focusing on the words. For example, does it look cohesive, balanced and harmonious?
With that in mind, let’s look at some types of calligraphy. I won’t run through the history and lineages of Western calligraphy scripts (there’s a great blogpost on that, which I’ve linked down below). Instead, what I find most useful for beginners is to understand that there are two main types of Western calligraphy scripts:
Pointed pen scripts
Broad-edge scripts
“Beautiful” written using a pointed pen (above) and broad-edge pen (below)
A quick note – there are other types of calligraphy in different languages including Oriental or Eastern Asian calligraphy, Southern Asian calligraphy and Islamic calligraphy. I’m focusing only on Western calligraphy here!
Pointed pen scripts
Pointed pen calligraphy uses a flexible pointed nib, which has two tines that split apart when you apply pressure. Variations in strokes depend on pressure – create thin strokes by applying light pressure; create thick strokes by applying heavy pressure.
Some calligraphers use flexible brush pens instead of a pointed pen. The same theory applies – create thin strokes by applying light pressure; create thick strokes by applying heavy pressure.
(from left) Copperplate, Spencerian, Modern Calligraphy
Some traditional scripts that use pointed pen include Copperplate / English Roundhand, Engrosser’s Script, Spencerian, Ornamental Penmanship and Italian Hand. The pointed pen can also be used for modern calligraphy scripts. Modern calligraphy deviates slightly from the rules of traditional scripts and is hence typically more free-flowing and expressive.
Broad-edge scripts
Broad-edge calligraphy uses a flat-edged nib. Some calligraphers use flat brushes too. Variations in strokes depend on the angle – create thin strokes by holding the nib at a steeper angle; create thick strokes by holding the nib at a flatter angle.
(from left) Italic, Gothicized Italic
Examples of broad-edge scripts include Italic, Roman Capitals, Uncial and Gothic scripts (including Textura, Fraktur, Gothicized Italic).
Wrapping Up
I hope you now know that calligraphy is not handwriting nor hand lettering, and that different scripts in Western calligraphy are written using different tools. So if you want to learn Copperplate or modern calligraphy, don’t rush to buy a flat-tipped marker just because it says “calligraphy” on the side! (Yes, I’m speaking from experience here. 😛)
Meanwhile, here are some other great resources that I found helpful during my own research and study!
