Buzz
Gothic calligraphy, also known as blackletter, is an elegant style of handwritten script that has its origins in the Middle Ages. Referred to as “blackletter,” this form of calligraphy boasts a rich history and a variety of intricate styles. Whether you're embellishing wedding invitations or delving into a new creative pursuit, mastering blackletter calligraphy promises to be both enjoyable and challenging!
Steps
Choosing the Right Tools
Opt for a sloped surface if available. Writing on a slanted surface enhances your arm movement and reduces strain on your neck and shoulders. With blackletter calligraphy, which requires significant wrist and arm movement, a sloped desk facilitates smoother lettering.
- If you lack a slanted desk, consider placing a piece of wood atop a thick book on your desk to create a 45° angle.
- In the absence of a slanted surface, improvisation works too! However, using a prop to create a slope may aid in prolonged calligraphy sessions.
Select a dip pen and ink bottle for a traditional approach. Although calligraphy can be practiced with various tools, original hand-lettering utilized a pen equipped with a nib. This nib is dipped into an ink bottle, typically India ink, where the ink flows through a small chamber called the vent. India ink, renowned for its thickness and darkness, is commonly employed in hand-lettering. Look for a dip pen with a nib holder around 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in), akin to the length of a standard ink pen.
Opt for a 2mm-3mm round nib with moderate flexibility. When selecting a nib, avoid excessive flexibility, which hampers the creation of smooth, straight lines. Additionally, opting for a nib that's too small may obscure serifs, the decorative flourishes at the letter's top and bottom. A 2mm-3mm nib with rounded tip and moderate flexibility offers optimal control. Seek packages labeled “rounded” for appropriate nibs, characterized by a rounded tip despite appearing pointed at first glance.
Utilize heavyweight printer paper or cardstock for practice. Conventional copy or notebook paper proves too thin for liquid ink. To mitigate ink bleeding, practice on paper weighing at least 120 gsm (32-lb). Alternatively, stack 3-4 sheets of thin paper to prevent ink seepage. For finished projects, consider employing heavy cardstock or dedicated calligraphy practice notebooks available at stationery or craft stores.
Refer to printed alphabet samples during practice. Blackletter calligraphy encompasses various styles such as Textualis, Rotunda, Schwabacher, and Fraktur. Print alphabet sheets corresponding to your preferred style for reference during practice sessions. Textualis, distinguished by its ornate and square appearance, proves an ideal starting point due to its minimal curved lines.
Maintain tissues, paper towels, or cloth for ink cleanup. Working with a dip pen can be messy, resulting in ink stains on fingers, desks, or requiring the removal of excess ink from the nib. Preparing tissues or cloth at your workstation facilitates efficient cleanup. While a small bowl of water aids cleanup, it's optional.
Create guidelines on your paper if it's unlined. Begin by drawing short, horizontal nib marks near the top of the paper. From each mark's bottom right corner, draw a line down to create a pixelated diagonal line. Then, using a ruler and pencil, draw 4 horizontal lines across the paper. The first line starts above the first nib mark, the second between marks 2 and 3, the third between marks 6 and 7, and the last line below the 8th nib mark.
- Upon completion, you'll have a middle row 4 nib-widths high, with top and bottom rows each spanning 2 nib-widths.
- The middle row, termed the x-height, is where most lines are drawn, encompassing letters like “c,” “m,” and “o.”
- The top row represents ascenders (e.g., “b,” “d,” and “h”), while the bottom row is for descenders (e.g., “g,” “p,” and “y”).
Fun Fact: The second line, marking the top of the x-height, is sometimes referred to as the waist line, while the third line, marking the bottom of the x-height, is known as the baseline.
Mastering the Alphabet
Prepare the pen nib by dipping it in ink and giving it a firm shake. Before commencing writing, dip the nib into the ink to fill the vent. Next, holding the pen just inside the ink bottle, give it a quick downward shake to remove any excess ink accumulated on the tip.
Position the pen at approximately a 40° angle to the paper. While exact precision isn't necessary, ensure you hold the pen correctly. Adopt a regular pen grip and position the pen perpendicular to the paper, then adjust until it's angled nearly halfway between parallel and perpendicular.
- This angle enhances pen control, facilitating smoother strokes.
Commence by executing a straightforward downward stroke. Position the nib's tip at the top of your x-height, or the middle row on lined paper. Apply consistent pressure as you draw the nib straight down, forming a vertical line.
- Repeat this process several times, aiming for consistent spacing between each line.
Introduce a serif stroke to the bottom of the line. Once proficient with vertical strokes, embellish with a flourish. Draw a vertical line as before, then halt approximately 1 nib-width above the baseline and extend the pen to the right.
- The serif should span approximately 1 nib-width horizontally. If lifting the pen before creating the serif, ensure seamless connection with the previous stroke.
- Rehearse this maneuver multiple times.
Craft a serif stroke at the line's summit. Many letters feature a top serif. Commence at the waist line, or the second line on your ruled paper, and draw a horizontal stroke approximately 1 nib-width to the right. Without lifting the pen, draw a straight line down to the baseline.
- Experiment with initiating the serif from the top line instead of the waist line.
Exercise a line with serifs at both ends. Now that serifs adorn both top and bottom of letters, consolidate your skills. Draw a top serif at the waist line, followed by a downward line, stopping around 1 nib-width above the baseline. Conclude with a bottom serif.
- Continue practicing until top and bottom serifs are consistently sized.
- This forms a basic lowercase “i,” or “l” when initiated from the top line.
Experiment with tracing letters before independent drawing. Tracing can aid in understanding letter construction. Upon mastering line drawing with a serif, place printer paper over a sample alphabet. Trace the letter with your calligraphy pen, striving to replicate serifs and embellishments accurately.
- Focus on practicing individual letters before progressing to subsequent ones.
Initiate practice with letters fitting within your x-height. Progress from tracing to freehand writing. Start with letters fully contained within the x-height, such as “i,” “m,” “n,” and “w,” which consist of straight lines, making them ideal for initial learning.
- Having practiced “i” and “l,” attempt “m” next, as it comprises 3 straight lines and 2 serifs as connectors.
- Letters including “a,” “c,” “e,” “i,” “m,” “n,” “o,” “r,” “s,” “u,” “v,” “w,” “x,” and “z” all fit within the x-height.
Extend ascenders above the x-height. Utilize the row above the x-height for ascenders, seen in letters like “b” and “h.” The top serif of “t” also enters the ascender row, albeit slightly shorter than other ascenders.
- Additional letters with ascenders include “d,” “f,” “k,” and “l.”
Place descenders below the x-height. Letters descending below the baseline, such as “g” or “j,” extend lines below the baseline, reaching the bottom row. Occasionally, decorative flourishes may also descend into the descender row.
- Other letters with descenders are “p,” “q,” and “y.”
Dot “i” and “j” with a delicate hairline stroke. For “i” and “j,” a dot appears too small, while a full nib-mark is too wide. Instead, utilize the pen tip to create a thin, angled stroke atop these letters.
- Usually, the stroke angles upward from left to right, though experimentation with different angles is encouraged for a creative touch.
Enhancing Your Skill
Maintain proper posture and relax your arm muscles. Ensure good posture with a straight back and shoulders pulled back for better pen control and consistent lettering. Keep your arm relaxed to avoid messy letters and achieve the artistic flair typical of this style.
- Keep both feet on the floor while writing.
- If you feel stiff or tired, take a few minutes to stand up and stretch.
Engage your entire hand and wrist while writing. Use broad strokes by involving your entire hand, including the wrist, rather than just moving the pen with your fingers. This approach provides better letter control and improves with practice.
- Despite initial perceptions, this method enhances letter precision and becomes easier with practice.
Lift the pen between strokes. Lift the pen after each stroke to ensure visibility of serifs and precision in each line, a common practice in calligraphy. You can choose to create lines and serifs without lifting the pen if desired.
- Creating lines and serifs without lifting the pen is acceptable.
Begin with lowercase letters before tackling uppercase. Lowercase Gothic calligraphy is simpler than uppercase, featuring fewer ornate elements. Master lowercase letters first, then progress to uppercase for a smoother learning experience.
Analyze negative space within letters for errors. Identify mistakes by examining the empty space within letters, such as the interior of an “o” or the gaps in an “m.” Compare the negative spaces to sample letters to pinpoint errors and refine your technique.
- For example, inconsistencies in space distribution within an “m” or improper serif placement on an “o” can be identified by studying negative space.
Exemplary Alphabets
Exemplary Gothic Calligraphy Alphabet
Exemplary Simple Calligraphy AlphabetEssential Supplies
- Sloped writing surface
- Nib holder (15–20 cm or 5.9–7.9 in)
- 2mm-3mm pen nib
- India ink and ink bottle
- 120 gsm (32-lb) printer paper or calligraphy notebook
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Tissues, paper towels, or cloth
- Sample alphabet
- Small bowl of water (optional)
Pointers
-
If you require more space, consider extending your x-height to 4.5 or 5 nib widths.
