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Learn MoreLearn Copperplate Calligraphy
Rating: 4.2 out of 54.2(141 ratings)
950 students
Learn Copperplate Calligraphy
From Basic Strokes to Compositions
Created byRichard Wideman
Last updated 2/2022
English
What you'll learn
- Learn the basic strokes which make up all Copperplate letters
- Uppercase and lowercase alphabets (& Numbers 0-9)
- How to properly connect letters and correct spacing
- The recommended tools for Copperplate Calligraphy
- The 5 Guidelines of flourishing, letter flourishes and abstract flourishes
- Common problems and probable solutions to get you past the most frustrating obstacles of learning this craft
Explore related topics
Course content
7 sections • 28 lectures • 2h 43m total length
- Welcome! and Course Overview2:46
Welcome! Glad you could make it! In this lecture we just introduce what we will be covering and how you should complete the course. Please download the "Master Class Copperplate Practice Sheets" under Resources.
UPDATE: Download the new highly requested "Copperplate Numbers 0-9" PDF to practice as well.
Calligrascape
Website - https://calligrascape.com/
Discord - https://discord.gg/C3pjkqsryb
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/calligrascape/ (What is a #calligrascape)
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Calligrascape/ - Tools You'll Need3:25
Page 3 of 40 the workbook.
The tools you will need:
Pointed Pen Holder - My Recommendation:
Paper Ink & Arts Holder (Metal) - https://www.paperinkarts.com/pointobl.htmlCalligraphy nib - My Recommendations:
Zebra G Nib - https://amzn.to/2yUhY2f
Nikko G Nib - https://amzn.to/2WeXlph
Hunt 101 Nib - https://amzn.to/2VRPL52Ink - My Recommendations:
Speedball Super Black Ink - https://amzn.to/2VR2TY7
Windsor and Newton Calligraphy Ink - https://amzn.to/2KSXIAxPaper - My Recommendations:
HP Premium Choice (Density: 32lbs/120gsm) - https://amzn.to/3fgORXA
Southworth Business Paper (Density: 32 lbs/120gsm) - https://amzn.to/2YgL9qO
You can get by with other tools but these are the ones used in this video series to minimize problems with incompatible ink/paper combos.
- Troubleshooting6:49
Page 40 of 40 the workbook.
NOTE: As the video states, you may skip this until you are having problems with your writing. If you haven't written yet then this video can't diagnose and solve difficulties you are having. Just remember it and come back here when if you have any problems
- Introduction to Pointed Pen and the Rules of Copperplate Calligraphy8:51
Pages 4 to 6 the workbook.
This first half of this video (up til 6:46) covers the basics of pointed pen writing. These tips will get you ready to start making your basic strokes.
The second half is learning all the characteristics of what makes copperplate distinct and unique.
Protip: Preparing your nib for writing and periodic cleaning of the nib are both super important. If it is not behaving correctly, clean your nib with some soap water like in the video. Also, don't forget to clean it before you finish writing for the day. It may be hard to clean off the next time you want to write/practice.
- The 7 Basic Strokes + 2 Additional Strokes16:45
The 7 basic strokes are:
Entrance stroke - Will lead into every lowercase letter
Oval - Used in the letters: a, d, g, o, and q. (Partially ovals in letters c, e, and x)
Overturn - Used in the letters: m, n, and r.
Underturn - Used in the letters: a, d, i, t, u, and w.
Compound - Used in the letters: h, k, m, n, p, and y.
Ascender - Used in the letters: b, f, h, k, l,
Descender - Used in the letters: g, j, p, q, y, and z.
The 2 additional strokes are:
Dot - Used as an ornamental piece on many capital letters and some lowercase letters like "c" and "k."
Small Underturn - Used as the connecting stroke for the letters: b, o, r, v, and w.
- 3 Methods to Achieve Flat Tops and Bottoms on Your Letters6:34
Page 8 of workbook.
Follow along to the video or use the diagrams on page 8.
Protip: Remember the tines of the nib do not have to be flexed to their maximum.
- Common Copperplate Drills8:57
Page 9 of the workbook.
These drills are tough but they are meant to be rigorously practiced. So do not be hard on yourself. Maybe print off a couple copies of this page for future practice or for warming up to write.
BONUS: After many requests, I have added an oval drill page to be downloaded under "Resources". Practice the angled oval and form letters.
- Lowercase Letters: a, b, c, & d7:04
Page 10 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "a":
Entrance stroke
Oval
Underturn
Letter "b":
Entrance stroke
Ascender loop
Small underturn
Letter "c":
Entrance stroke
Partial Oval
Dot
Letter "d":
Entrance stroke
Oval
Extended underturn
Protip: When crossing a previously made stroke try barely touching it or be quick.
- Lowercase Letters: e, f, g, & h6:29
Page 11 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "e":
Entrance stroke
Partial oval
Underturn
Letter "f":
Entrance stroke
Extended ascender loop
Entrance stroke
Dot
Letter "g":
Entrance stroke
Oval
Descender loop
Letter "h":
Entrance stroke
Ascender loop
Compound stroke
Protip: When crossing a previously made stroke try barely touching it or be quick.
- Lowercase Letters: i, j, k, & l5:08
Page 12 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "i":
Entrance stroke
Underturn
Dot
Letter "j":
Entrance stroke
Descender loop
Dot
Letter "k":
Entrance stroke
Ascender loop
Compound stroke
Entrance stroke
Dot
Letter "l":
Entrance stroke
Ascender loop into underturn
Protip: When crossing a previously made stroke try barely touching it or be quick.
- Lowercase Letters: m, n, o, & p5:49
Page 13 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "m":
Overturn
Compound
Compound
Letter "n":
Overturn
Compound
Letter "o":
Entrance stroke
Oval
Small underturn
Letter "p":
Entrance stroke
Extended downstroke
Compound
Protip: Avoid writing p's as they are the worst.
- Lowercase Letters: q, r, s, & t4:49
Page 14 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "q":
Entrance stroke
Oval
Descender loop into entrance stroke
Letter "r":
Overturn
Ascender loop
Small underturn
OR
Entrance stroke
Modified underturn
Letter "s":
Entrance stroke
Modified underturn
Dot
Entrance stroke
Letter "t":
Entrance stroke
Extended underturn
Crossbar
Protip: When crossing a previously made stroke try barely touching it or be quick.
- Lowercase Letters: u, v, w, & x3:55
Page 15 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "u":
Entrance stroke
Underturn
Underturn
Letter "v":
Compound
Small underturn
Letter "w":
Entrance stroke
Underturn
Underturn
Small underturn
Letter "x":
Partial reverse oval
Dot
Partial oval
Dot
Protip: When crossing a previously made stroke try barely touching it or be quick.
- Lowercase Letters: y & z2:38
Page 16 of workbook.
If you are having problems or the ink is not cooperating check out Lecture 3: Troubleshooting. It should help with the common problems and give you probable solutions.
Stroke Order
----------------Letter "y":
Compound
Descender loop
Letter "z":
Overturn into ascender loop
Protip: When crossing a previously made stroke try barely touching it or be quick.
- Uppercase Letters: A, B, & C4:50
A, B & C
Page 17 of workbook.Capital letters have different strokes than the lowercase alphabet. After completing the lowercase alphabet, hopefully your knowledge of pen pressure combined with the practice sheets and demonstration can help you complete these challenging letters.
Some find the ovals more confusing when first learning. You can ignore them, however it is important to know the structure of letters and what makes them look beautiful.
- Uppercase Letters: D, E, & F2:42
D, E, & F
Page 18 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: G, H, & I4:11
G, H, & I
Page 19 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: J, K, & L2:59
J, K, & L
Page 20 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: M, N, & O3:00
M, N, & O
Page 21 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: P, Q, & R3:14
P, Q, & R
Page 22 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: S, T, & U3:21
S, T, & U
Page 23 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: V, W, & X3:51
V, W, & X
Page 24 of workbook. - Uppercase Letters: Y & Z3:01
Y & Z
Page 25 of workbook.The end of this video also mentions that for a few of the capital letters: H, K, V, W, & Z you can use a different kind of ornamental stroke. Use whatever one you like more.
- Letter Connections (Simple to Tricky)10:06
Page 26 and 27 of workbook.
Type "A" Connection:Where your upstroke will intersect with your next downstroke.
Type "B" Connection:
Where your upstroke will lead into the next letter.
- How to make Words.12:52
Page 28-30 of workbook.
Try to complete all the words on page 28 and 29 with and without tracing. At the bottom of page 29 write your first and last name. (My apologies if the space is too small)
On page 30, with all the space, write a sentence you always say or a quote that you like.
Consistent letter spacing is key to making copperplate calligraphy look good. If you don't exactly space the letters like the parallel lines provided. Just try to eyeball the spacing the best that you can.
- What are the Rules of Flourishing? (with Abstract and Letter Flourish Examples)9:34
Page 31 to 34 of the workbook.
This video answers the following questions:
What are flourishes?
Where do I flourish?
What are the rules?
Letter flourishes: an ornamental stroke that extends from a letter
Abstract flourish: an ornamental stroke that is independent from the letters
- Composition Practice Example2:53
Page 35 to 36 of workbook.
I go through some pointers on how I would create a composition given a short quote.
Designing your composition:
Pick a quote or short sentence 1-5 words
Find the ascenders, descenders and capitals and plan some flourishes
Think of creative abstract flourishes or accents to add to the composition
Try a few different designs, then pick your favourite to make a good copy
- Creating a Calligraphy Composition.7:16
Page 37 to 38 of the workbook.
With your composition design with you, try making a good copy of what you proposed on page 37. Take your time as a mistake here is more of a pain. There is always more paper to print off.Congrats on completing "Learning Copperplate Calligraphy" course on page 38 write your name and date in your new learned script.
Thank you so much for your support and I hope you learned a lot from this course.
Requirements
- No prior knowledge required. Great for beginners.
- Tools required: Pointed pen & nib, ink and paper to print the course material to practice on
Description
In this course you will learn how to properly write and flourish Copperplate calligraphy. Copperplate calligraphy (also known as Engrosser's Script) is the fancy script you see everywhere and is commonly used in weddings or premium brands. We start assuming no knowledge of the subject matter and slowly work our way up to basic strokes, to letters, to words, onto flourishes and finally into calligraphy compositions.
Completion of this course will teach you a new skill to help create homemade cards, wedding calligraphy, tattoos, your own products and more.
Master Class Copperplate Practice sheets Included. (40 Page Practice PDF)
Who this course is for:
- Beginner Calligraphers
- Calligraphers that know modern calligraphy but want to learn copperplate script