Learn calligraphy.
As a hobby, I think learning calligraphy is the absolute best! And here are 5 reasons why it could be right for you.
1. Mindfulness
Calligraphy is relaxing and mindful. It is a slow art so it’s a great way to focus and spend time away from the stresses of everyday life. When you learn calligraphy, you pay attention to each stroke and letter formation. In a digital world, calligraphy is technology free, hands on, and calming.
2. Practicality
Not only is calligraphy a calming hobby, it is also practical and useful. Use calligraphy in your journal or diary, create wall art, or beautify a bookmark. Your friends and family will cherish a beautifully hand written note, a gift tag, or greeting card. It’s also perfect for events such as dinner parties, weddings, or significant anniversaries. Use calligraphy on place cards, menus, and signs.
3. Good Value
Calligraphy is a hobby that doesn’t take a huge start up investment. All you need is a pen, nib, ink, and paper, and some instruction. The basic supplies can be found in local art stores too. It’s a good idea to start with some instruction so you get a good calligraphy foundation and don’t start off with bad habits. Once you have a few supplies, you can start practicing (and the key is to practice!). As you gain confidence you can collect other supplies to try too.
4. Challenging
It’s a fun challenge to learn calligraphy! As I mentioned above, you need to practice a lot. The challenge is to become better and better at lettering. Learning a new skill is good for your mindset and growth. It is also a great way to expand and add to your creative skills. There are lots of different styles of calligraphy so it will keep you amused for years.
5. Beauty
And one of my main reasons is that calligraphy is beautiful. And the world always need more beauty! Using letter forms and turning them into a piece of art is deeply satisfying. It’s a lovely way to create family heirlooms such as writing out family recipes or family trees in a beautiful way.
Learn Calligraphy
If you think calligraphy is the right hobby for you, I have a number of ways to learn calligraphy. You may enjoy a pre-recorded lesson, by Zoom or prefer a face to face lesson in my studio in Three Kings in Auckland. Often I hold workshops with a group of learners too. I teach children to learn calligraphy and have a book especially written for children. You can see the options to learn calligraphy in my shop
Private calligraphy workshops
I also hold custom training workshops for private corporations and leadership courses where employees can learn calligraphy. It is a fun team-building activity and a great way for your team to socialise. I also do private workshops for wedding showers, hen’s parties and other special events. Please email me if you would like any more information about holding a private calligraphy workshop.
About the tutor
I’ve been doing calligraphy for 35 years and am passionate about lettering. Using a variety of nibs and inks, paints and paper, I love bringing language and design together to create bespoke stationery. In a fast-paced world, calligraphy is hand done, perfectly imperfect and every letter and word is unique.
I was taught traditional calligraphy but now I mostly use modern calligraphy lettering styles and methods. This new take on old styles is elegant, classic and magical. These letters are full of flourishes, bounces and swirls. I hope this popular lettering style will kindle the same passion for the timeless art of calligraphy in you.
