Classic Calligraphy for Beginners

The clearest path into classical pointed pen calligraphy available today. Younghae Chung breaks down both Copperplate and Spencerian scripts into manageable steps, with warm-up exercises, letter exemplars, and 25+ modern projects that give you real reasons to practice.

Why Start Here

Most calligraphy books focus on either modern freeform styles or a single classical script. Chung covers two of the most important classical traditions, Copperplate and Spencerian, in one compact volume. This dual approach lets you understand how the scripts relate to each other and choose the style that fits your hand and personality.

The book opens with an introduction to tools, supplies, and terminology, then moves through basic warm-ups and nib exercises before teaching the essential principles and strokes of each script. Chung provides lowercase and uppercase letter exemplars for both hands, giving you a thorough reference to return to as you practice. The progression is logical and patient: you build from individual strokes to full letters to words and phrases.

What sets this guide apart is Chung’s perspective as a left-handed calligrapher. She understands the frustrations of adapting techniques that were designed for right-handed writers, and her teaching reflects that awareness. The later chapters introduce flourishing, brush pens, and faux calligraphy, expanding your range beyond the pointed nib. The 25+ projects, from addressing envelopes to lettering on wood and glass, keep the learning practical and rewarding.

What to Expect

A focused 144-page guide that values clarity over decoration. You will need a pen holder, pointed nibs, ink, and smooth paper to get started. The difficulty level is genuinely beginner-friendly, but the classical focus means you are building skills that will serve you for years. Readers who want modern, freeform lettering may prefer Molly Suber Thorpe’s “Modern Calligraphy” instead. But if you are drawn to the elegance of Copperplate or the flowing grace of Spencerian, this is the book to start with.