Writing in Style: Top 12 Online Calligraphy Courses

Have you ever seen handwriting that left you amazed? Calligraphy is a notable skill, one that you can use for wedding invitations, poster presentations, and creating great front covers for movie posters or books!

Believe it or not, calligraphy does not take years of painstaking work! An online calligraphy course can help you write in style and embellish written designs that will leave your friends, family, and colleagues in awe.

Here we describe a number of online calligraphy courses to join for a unique experience from the comfort of your home:

1. Intro to Digital Calligraphy in Procreate on Skillshare

Since the digital world came into place, virtual art is the next big thing; where this course, led by Lyndsay Hubley, introduces and familiarizes beginners with how to use Procreate for digital calligraphy.

Modules:

1. Intro to Digital Calligraphy in Procreate
2. Procreate Overview
3. Layers
4. Layer Adjustments
5. Brushes + Properties
6. Importing
7. Basic Strokes
8. Ascenders + Descenders
9. Connecting + Bouncing
10. Exporting
11. Bonus – Recoloring Your Work
12. Class Project

Pros: Trending and current skills, business potential and entrepreneurship opportunity, a class project for practical experience, on-the-go device availability

Cons: iPad/electronic requirements must be met, short course duration

Hours: 1 hour 13 minutes (12 lessons)

Cost: Paid

2. Calligraphy.org

Taught by Melissa Esplin, this website offers not only access to a course but a network of calligraphers across the world who will read and respond to any feedback requests from students and learners seeking a critique.

Modules:

1. Modern Calligraphy – It is a pointed-pen course for classic writing using the traditional alphabet. Line quality is more precise and consistent, ideal for writing envelopes, cards, wedding invitations, and place cards for events.
2. Brush Calligraphy – Suitable for beginners and intermediate learners, this course is meant for calligraphy in different settings, using alternate letter patterns that can still be read; it is meant for informal signs and posts, casual labeling, and larger projections that can be created.
3. Spencerian Calligraphy – With hairline strokes, this course also requires no prerequisites and takes designs to the next level.
4. Chalk Lettering – With a simple chalkboard and chalk, this course helps create stylish 2D and 3D designs using chalk.

Pros: Individual feedback system with instructors for challenges, lifetime access to course material, personal contact with instructors, unlimited feedback availability, IOS and Android compatible website, course return policy, video subtitles available, designed for beginners and advanced learners, self-directed course

Cons: Supplies may take time for delivery if not self-sourced

Hours: 2-4 hours per week for 30 days (Lifetime access)

Cost: Paid

3. Calligraphy Diploma Course on Centre of Excellence

With over 8,000 enrolled learners, this course is a great catch for those looking for a certified online course with accreditation. The course is designed for beginners and those intrigued by calligraphy as an art form. It is also professionally accredited by the Quality Licence Scheme and CPD (Continued Professional Development), based on which 2 certificates will be awarded to those completing the course assessments.

Modules:

1. What is Calligraphy?
2. Tools and Materials
3. Getting Started
4. Modern Calligraphy
5. Foundational Hand
6. Roman Script
7. Italic Script
8. Gothic Script
9. Flourishes
10. Turning Your Calligraphy Skills into a Business

Pros: Several certificates available for career development, 24/7 accessibility on any device for on-the-go learners, lifetime access, application-based course, study group access

Cons: Additional costs for optional certificates

Hours: 8 videos

Cost: Paid

4. Calligrascape

With different types of calligraphy videos, Richard Wideman definitely guides beginners in a great direction by offering free videos with minimal tools in several series.

Modules:

1. Pencil and Pen Calligraphy – Intro to Gothic Calligraphy, Full Gothic Alphabet, Uncial Blackletter Script, Brush Calligraphy with Pencils, Copperplate Calligraphy with a Pencil, Monoline Calligraphy with a Fountain Pen
2. Blackletter Calligraphy – Simple Gothic Lowercase, Gothic Capitals, Foundational Calligraphy with a Highlighter
3. Pointed Pen Calligraphy – Modern Calligraphy, Modern Calligraphy Capitals,
4. Brush Calligraphy – Modern Brush Calligraphy (With a Crayola Marker), “Casual” Alphabet Brush Calligraphy, Master Modern Brush Calligraphy
5. Lettering – Serif Script with a Sharpie

Pros: Practice sheets, self-paced, on-the-go availability of videos, difficulty levels noted

Cons: No certificate

Hours: Depends on Learner and Course

Cost: Free

5. Calligraphy for Beginners 1 – The Foundational Styles of Calligraphy on Skillshare

The course focuses on fundamental calligraphy for beginners and how to utilize it using a humanist script, where handmade calligraphy is made simple and easy.

Modules:

1. Making your handmade calligraphy pen
2. Preparing Your Surface
3. Using Your Pen for the First Time
4. Warming up exercises
5. Basic Strokes
6. Writing Lowercase
7. Writing Uppercase
8. Writing Numbers
9. Writing Words
10. Basic Swashes
11. Using pencils to make calligraphy
12. Conclusion
13. Next Steps!

Pros: Hands-on project

Cons: Lesser one-to-one contact, brief duration

Hours: 1 hour 42 minutes (14 lessons)

Cost: Paid

6. Modern Calligraphy: Pointed Pen Basics on Skillshare

Known as the Staff Pick and taught by Audrey Ra, a watercolorist and modern calligrapher, the course teaches 8 basic strokes and modified strokes, as well as lowercase and uppercase letters.  Words, numbers, and punctuation will be practiced using downloadable guidesheets, which will help fresh learners and experts as well.

Modules:

1. Welcome!
2. What is Modern Calligraphy?
3. Tips & Troubleshooting
4. Letter Anatomy and Guidesheet
5. Supplies overview
6. 8 Basic Strokes
7. Modified Strokes
8. Lowercase, a-m
9. Lowercase, n-z
10. Connecting, a-e
11. Connecting, f-l
12. Connecting, m-z
13. Lowercase words
14. Uppercase, A-M
15. Uppercase, N-Z
16. Uppercase Words
17. Numbers & Punctuation
18. Project time!
19. Manipulating Letters and Exploring Styles
20. Final Thoughts

Pros: Intermediate time duration, detailed and thorough modules, rated highly for clarity and organization, device availability

Cons: Self-pacing may not be suitable for all students

Hours: 3 hours 43 min (20 lessons)

Cost: Paid

7. Hand Lettering and Beyond: Negative Space 3D Lettering with Watercolors on Skillshare

Instructed by Vinitha Mammen, the course has been known to put both hands to the test and is designed for any skill level, including advanced learners who may receive insight into negative spacing and how to carry it out efficiently.

Modules:

1. Introduction
2. Class Overview
3. Your Class Project
4. Materials
5. Negative Space And Its Use In Art
6. Lettering Essentials
7. Scaling Up Your Lettering
8. 3D Lettering
9. Paint Consistency
10. Brush Control
11. Finding Inspiration
12. Creative Soul Name Generator
13. Concept And Sketching
14. Painting With Watercolors
15. Final Thoughts

Pros: Clear instruction, engaging instruction, on-the-go lessons

Cons: Self-pacing may not be suitable for all students

Hours: 2 hours 10 min (15 lessons)

Cost: Paid

8. Brush Pen Modern Calligraphy on Udemy

Instructed by Vivian Uang, the course goes through all brush-related techniques aimed to make the learner a pro at flourishes in calligraphy and expert strokes without any prior knowledge needed.

Modules:

1. Introduction and Preparation
2. Basic Strokes
3. Lowercase Letters
4. Uppercase Letters
5. Advance Techniques and Class Project
6. Thank you!

Pros: Beginner level, basic tools needed, step-by-step instruction, highly rated, 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons: Short-term courses may not suit all learners

Hours: 1 hour 25 min (10 lessons)

Cost: Paid

9. Modern Pointed-Pen Calligraphy on Craftsy.com

Artist Laura Lavender provides hand lettering and modern calligraphy lessons where learners get experience in creating and connecting letters, spotting similar shape and stroke formations, and getting a grip on letter and line anatomy.

Modules:

1. Intro, Tools, and Setup
2. Essential Exercises
3. Minuscules and Variations
4. Majuscules and Numbers

Pros: Beginner-level, on-demand access 24/7 to videos

Cons: Short

Hours: 2 hours minimum (4 lessons)

Cost: Paid

10. Modern Calligraphy: 4 Easy Steps to Go From Beginner to Brush Lettering Pro on Skillshare

Taught by Peggy Dean and with free resources included, this course goes through common mistakes in first-time calligraphy, as well as thorough step-by-step methods for bringing the writing to life using helpful examples and actionable steps.

Modules:

1. Welcome to Modern Calligraphy
2. Materials & Supplies
3. Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid
4. Foolproof Letter Structure – PART 1
5. Foolproof Letter Structure – PART 2
6. Use Proper Spacing to Create the Vibe You Want
7. Where to Add Weight Lines
8. Introduction to Brush Pens & Their Basic Strokes
9. Apply Brush Pen Strokes to Your Letter Forms
10. Time to Break the Rules: Bounce Lettering
11. How to Create Compositions
12. Create Your Final Piece
13. Your Class Project + Flourishing

Pros: Detailed modules, troubleshooting methods included, on-the-go lessons

Cons: Reviewed as fast by some learners

Hours: 1 hour 49 minutes (13 lessons)

Cost: Paid

11. Creative Calligraphy: Find Your Style with a Sketchbook on Domestika

Using traditional calligraphy, instructor Varela teaches traditional calligraphy ranging from geometric strokes to complex letters, through creative lettering exercises.

Modules:

1. Introduction
2. Creative Calligraphy: Let’s Get Started!
3. Expression and Tools
4. Bringing It All Together
5. Final Project

Pros: Professional instructors, self-set pace, custom certificates, connections with a global community

Cons: Brief duration

Hours: 2 hours, 37 minutes (15 lessons)

Cost: Paid

12. Finding a Teacher on Superprof

Superprof is a platform on which individuals are able to bring their skills for hire and can be hired to teach anyone interested in a particular skill, e.g., calligraphy, similar to personal tutoring.

Modules: Vary

Pros: One-to-one personal lessons, availability at student convenience, the pace can be adjusted to student needs, range of reviews are available for selection, class schedules agreed upon by teacher and student

Cons: Trial and error may be needed to find a suitable teacher and course

Hours: Student-Based

Cost: Paid

Conclusion

From the above courses, it is obvious that there are a number of great courses out there for getting familiar and experienced with calligraphy through practice. 

On the whole, the course selection is best made after a learner decides their desired pace and how much individual support they need, as Skillshare courses offer great hands-on projects and lifetime access to class material, whereas Calligraphy.org features access to a worldwide expert network. 

Some learners may want exposure to digital calligraphy skills, a budding skill for a number of e-commerce platforms and entrepreneurs to put to use. 

Online calligraphy courses are a great skill to invest in for any career path and will amaze both family and colleagues alike.