r/Calligraphy

Someone asked me to create a Latin version of the Nicene Creed in 2021. At first, the client and I had a good conversation. But as time went on, I realized that it was not easy to do—especially the capital “C.” I asked the client if we could increase the fee, but she accused me of cheating because, according to her, I did not follow through on our original agreement. I received many harsh words from her, and in the end, she decided not to buy the piece from me.

In 2024, I posted it in my Facebook group and told everyone the full story behind it. Eventually, I was able to sell it for the price I truly wanted.

(eagle-eyed viewers will note that the photo is aligned with the lines of text rather than the actual horizontals and verticals of the page, which I am still not good at following)

edit: Argh. Title should be “Symbolum Nicaenum.” Blame autocorrect.

More practice on Roman Capitals. Osmiroid 65 with italic medium straight nib.

Pen: pilot parallel pen 3.8 mm
Ink: Diamine zeugma

😭 Just came across this as I pack up to move. The pandemic really sucked.

#calligraphy #majuscules

Nightwish - The Crow, the Owl and the Dove

Walnut inks, Leonardt round hand nibs, on parchment paper

This paper has been very poorly behaved in the past, with a lot of feathering. This time, I treated it with some gum sandarac, and it seems to have done the job.

Created this set of four artworks, to go together, with an intention of framing them and hanging them exactly like this. Still unsure if the fourth artwork goes with the other three, probably not, but happy with the fact that individually each piece looks good and these can be placed in different combinations. Let me know what you think!

Ink used: Dr PH Martin’s bleed proof white
Paper used: Fabriano Black Black

Pilot parallel pen 3.8 mm + ink

Look closer and it's not just an ornament — the runes spell out a compressed retelling of our campaign: an island, a tiefling prince, the Storm Veil and the awakening of Laroktu, the dragon of the mirror abyss, our clash with Duke Hawkmoth, and the final battle against the Veil mages where we sealed the portal in the dragon's lair.

The main text runs in a spiral from the center — the same way the story itself unspooled from a single point and gradually wrapped around the whole island. Everything woven into one continuous line.

Since we're a Russian-speaking party, the body of the text is written in Wendish runes (also known as Slavic runes). The character names, however, are in the Elder Futhark — they were already in English/Latin, so it felt natural to use a Germanic system for them: Ace (fighter), Horo (druid), Ashes of Dawn (bard), Bayazur (warlock, that's me), and our DM Ingvar. A small circle that went through all of us — the guitar first belonged to Ashes of Dawn, then was bought by Ace, I covered it in runes, and now it hangs on Horo's wall.

Materials: Molotow acrylic paint markers on the guitar body. Took several evenings, plenty of test runs on paper first.

None of this would have happened if Ingvar hadn't gathered us around the same table. Thanks for the adventure.

From Friday to today I put all the pages I used for calligraphy/penmanship practice together, and we’re sitting at over 20 pages of me writing mostly stream-of-consciousness. Yes, foundational drills are super important as well, but sometimes you need to write what makes you happy instead.

How much daily practice do you try to get in? What kind of practice drills do you usually do? Do you focus on one or two aspects each time you sit down to practice?

Pilot parallel pen 3,8 mm
Pilot parallel ink - Orange

Hello! I just bought a calligraphy pen set to try it out. I successfully assembled the pen, but I can't seem to make broad strokes with it. I'm trying to learn from a book, and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Would you be able to provide any guidance?

Some noodling in a notebook, plus Hebrews 13:4.

My brother name is Tony. He gave the friend's shop a calligraphy piece as a gift. May his "June Tea & Coffee" shop be filled with people sitting there every night, each cup fragrant with the aroma of wine.