Artful. Festive. Special. Of all the DIY skills to take on, calligraphy has always seemed just out of reach. I’ve searched high and low for classes (to no avail). And up until now, instruction books have centered on old-school calligraphy: think illuminated manuscript-esque gothic lettering. Not exactly the style du jour when it comes to contemporary design.
Thankfully, designer Molly Suber Thorpe’s new book puts a glorious, swirly capital “M” on the title’s keyword. Modern Calligraphy is precisely that: a learning guide to today’s freewheeling approach to elegant hand lettering.
The early chapters take you through the, ahem, ABCs of this contemporary craft, from the supplies you need to holding the pen correctly and taking those first baby steps as you learn upstrokes, down strokes, then move on to actual letters and words. There’s even a section devoted to left-handed calligraphy. There are practice exercises and photos galore, each and every detail clearly explained and illustrated.
Once the basics are mastered, you can put your mad skills to use as you see fit: addressing invitations, perhaps, or crafting escort or table cards. Or how about taking on these lovely place cards — a particularly wedding-worthy project that combines two major trends, hand calligraphy and watercolor wash?
Fear not, this is a beginner level project — though you’ll want to consult the book for a head start on materials and techniques.
Watercolor Wash Place Cards
Guest Blogger: Jessica Hochstadt, MS, Nutritionist and owner of 
