Resources
Links to articles and videos about: How-To, Professionals, Software, Supplies, Education, Workshops, Conferences, Literature, Videos & Interviews
How-to
These are resources for the practice of calligraphy and hand-lettering.
How to Learn Lettering: 50 Free Tutorials and Pro Tips — Creative Market
Detailed intro to lettering, with links to 20 tutorials on specific topics.
Ink and Quill: Learn About Calligraphy — Ian Cowley
Overview of calligraphy history and practice, including getting started and a section for kids.
Infographic: Hand Lettering Basics — Creative Market
A visual guide to the basics of lettering.
How to Lay Out Your Hand‑Lettering Composition — Erik Marinovich (Skillshare)
Video on layout, composition, and grid lines for a large‑scale envelope.
Hand Lettering: 4 Easy Steps to Modern Calligraphy — Peggy Dean (Skillshare)
Seven video lessons on modern calligraphy.
Adjusting Your Pen and Paper — IAMPETH
Short video on how to adjust your pen and paper when writing Copperplate Script.
Lessons in Engraver’s Script — W.A. Baird
Very basic lessons in engraver’s script.
Lessons from E.L. Brown
Instructional pages “from an old American Penman magazine.”
Ornamental Script Lessons
Learn ornamental script from “Lessons in Ornamental Penmanship” by P.Z. Bloser, with links to individual letters.
C.P. Zaner Lessons in Engrosser’s Script
Scans of the original Zanerian Manual, published in 1900.
Drawing Versus Writing — Dr. Joseph Vitolo (IAMPETH)
Short video on the difference between writing letters and drawing them.
How to Use the Guidelines — Dr. Joseph Vitolo (IAMPETH)
Short video on using guidelines in hand lettering.
Ruling Pen Love — Iskra Johnson
Very short tutorial on using a ruling pen.
Left handed lettering with Lauren Fitzmaurice — Jennie Garcia
Tips for left‑handed lettering.
Left-handed Calligraphy and Lettering with Brush Pens — Matt Vergotis
Advice for left‑handed calligraphers and lettering artists.
Professionals
These are just a few of the professional calligraphers and lettering artists working today.
Harvest Crittenden
Website of longtime lettering artist and founder of Acorn Arts.
Brody Neuenschwander
Blog of calligrapher Brody Neuenschwander, whose lettering has appeared in several films by Peter Greenaway.
Elmo van Slingerland
Blog post by Joy Deneen: a conversation with the Dutch calligrapher.
From the Collection: Thomas Ingmire, Susan Skarsgard, Suzanne Moore — Letterform Archive
Article highlighting the work of three respected calligraphers in the Letterform Archive collection.
What does a calligrapher do in the 21st century?
Short Eye magazine article about calligraphers Carl Kurtz and Susan Skarsgard.
Iskra Johnson
Personal website of a renowned calligrapher and lettering artist.
Susan Skarsgard
Artist page for internationally known artist, designer, and teacher.
Jessica Hische
Work by noted contemporary lettering artist Jessica Hische.
Timothy Donaldson – “World’s Biggest Hamburgefonts”
Video from the 1997 ATypI conference where Donaldson creates letters larger than himself.
Software
A couple of videos on using Procreate for lettering on an iPad Pro.
Procreate Lettering for Beginners – iPad Pro Tutorial — Will Paterson
Short tutorial on lettering design using Procreate.
iPad Lettering for Beginners – Procreate Tips + Tricks — How to Hand Letter
Video on changing color and other tips for using Procreate on iPad Pro.
Supplies
Some sources for supplies needed for hand‑lettering.
The Best Markers, Pens, and Tools for Hand Lettering — Igor Ovsyannykov
Overview of pens, paper, and equipment for calligraphy and lettering.
John Neal Bookseller
Catalog of a well‑known vendor of calligraphy supplies and books on lettering and typography.
Paper & Ink Arts
Supplier of calligraphy books and supplies, from inks to custom pen holders.
Jake Weidmann penholders
Ergonomic oblique penholders by Jake Weidmann.
Dick Blick Calligraphy Supplies
Calligraphy supplies from a major art‑supply retailer.
52 Degree Guide Sheets
IAMPETH guide sheets for Spencerian Script.
55 Degree Guide Sheets
IAMPETH guide sheets for Engrosser’s Script.
Education
These links point to tutorials and programs/courses in lettering and calligraphy.
Lettering and Calligraphy: How to Tell the Difference
Interview with Martina Flor and Giuseppe Salerno, creators of “Lettering vs. Calligraphy.”
Illustrative Stylings: Lettering and More with Photoshop — Chris Piascik
Trailer for a class on making attention‑getting letterforms in Photoshop.
Type@Cooper Extended Program
Certificate program at Cooper Union (NYC) on history of letterforms and digital type design.
Dancing Letters Scholarship Fund
Provides financial assistance to those studying calligraphy and related arts.
IAMPETH Scholarship
Scholarships for attending the annual IAMPETH convention.
Lessons in Engraver’s Script — W.A. Baird
Very basic lessons in engraver’s script (also listed in How‑to).
Workshops
These are workshops for letterers and calligraphers.
Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners — Mary Kate McDevitt (Skillshare)
Intro video to a beginner hand‑lettering class.
Type@Cooper Workshops
Ongoing series of public workshops offered by Cooper Union in New York City.
Conferences
Conferences for letterers and calligraphers.
Typism Conference
Three‑day type and lettering festival on Australia’s Gold Coast.
IAMPETH Conferences
“A wonderful week spent learning the pen arts with some of the best penmen and calligraphic artists in the country.”
Literature
Sources of books and writing on calligraphy and hand‑lettering.
Gems and Penmanship — J.S. Duncan
Scan of an 1858 book of penmanship, via IAMPETH.
Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering — Lisa Engelbrecht
A mark‑making workbook for crafters, cardmakers, and journal artists.
Calligrapher’s Corner: Consulting with the Experts, Volume 13 – Carl Rohrs
Interview with calligrapher Carl Rohrs.
Script in the Copperplate Style — Dr. Joseph M. Vitolo
Interactive Apple iBook for Copperplate calligraphy.
Brush Lettering — Marilyn Reaves & Eliza Schulte
Instructional manual of Western brush lettering.
Modern Calligraphy — Molly Suber Thorpe
Guide to modern pointed‑pen calligraphy.
Universal Penman — George Bickham
Classic collection of master penmen from the golden age of penmanship.
Foundations of Calligraphy — Sheila Waters
Essential guide to broad‑edge pen styles and exemplars.
Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy — Eleanor Winters
Definitive guide to Copperplate pointed‑pen styles.
Calligraphy — Denise Lach
Explores texture, line, and stroke; contemporary inspiration rather than a traditional manual.
Mastering Calligraphy — Gayle Godfrey‑Nicholls
Comprehensive guide covering several styles of calligraphy.
Letter Arts Review
Leading journal of letter arts; highly recommended.
Videos & Interviews
Videos on practitioners of the lettering arts.
How Jessica Hische Shaped Her Freelance Career
Skillshare “The Independents” episode; first‑person narrative of Jessica Hische’s life and career.
The Creative Spark: Title Case, Typographic Artisans — Jessica Hische & Erik Marinovich
Lynda.com preview focused on type and lettering.
Creative Inspirations: Marian Bantjes, Graphic Artist
Visit Marian Bantjes’s home and workspace and tour her one‑woman show.
Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship in America — Dr. Joseph Vitolo (IAMPETH)
Historical overview with original art and script by Jake Weidmann.
Pointed Pen Basics — Harvest Crittenden
Important basics for pointed‑pen calligraphy.
Tattoo Style Lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht — Sakura of America
Short music‑backed video showing tattoo‑style lettering.
Carl Rohrs, pointed brush calligraphy
Short video showing different effects based on how you hold the brush.
Adjusting the flange on your oblique penholder — Dr. Joseph Vitolo (IAMPETH)
Adjusting your Pen and Paper — Dr. Joseph Vitolo (IAMPETH)
Video on adjusting pen and paper while composing Copperplate script.
Different Styles of Pointed Pen Scripts — John DeCollibus (IAMPETH)
Short video demonstrating different pointed‑pen styles.
IAMPETH Presents: Inside the Penman’s Studio – Harvest Crittenden
Conversation with Harvest Crittenden about her work and career.
3 Ways to Create 3D Lettering in Procreate! — Ian Barnard
How‑to video on creating three‑dimensional lettering in Procreate on iPad.