Homework Hashtag: #kcamonolineitalic

Have you ever wondered which Calligraphy script is the easiest to learn without the overwhelm of calligraphy pen, inks and supplies? In this class you will learn:

• Writing monoline Italic script using a pencil or any regular pen!
• A brief history of origin of this script
• Basic strokes and lowercase and uppercase letters (minuscule and majuscule)
• Create a project at the end of this lesson

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only Class:

• Go to www.kallicampacademy.com
• Log in to your account
• Click on Classroom
• Click on Tier 2 -- Class Archive
• Click on Different Calligraphy Scripts
• Click on Monoline Italic

Enroll

Materials Needed

• Graph Paper
• Pencil, any pencil like 2HB will do (I will use Blackwing...

"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." Louis L'Amour

Advice for beginners, tips on flourishing, being a lefty calligrapher, and more...

We had the most enlightening conversation with an inspiring mama calligrapher, and couldn't fit everything into one post. Here is Part 2 of our Q & A session with Younghae Chung of Logos Calligraphy and Design. 

"It's important to think your way through calligraphy so that it all looks beautiful". Those are wise words spoken by Younghae Chung of Logos Calligraphy during our live Q&A session with her.  From the start of her journey to publishing her first book, Younghae chatted with Heather McKelvey and turned the pages of her journey from an anxious mama to becoming a fearless flourishing artist!

Enter the world of Kalli Camp Academy, a community to learn, flourish, and grow in the art of calligraphy...

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." William Woodsworth

Sharing the beauty of calligraphy...

We had the most inspiring conversation with a beautiful mama calligrapher a few days ago, and if you missed it, there are so many gold nuggets you'll be delighted to find sprinkled throughout. This is Part One, where we get to know Younghae. Stay tuned for Part Two, where we dive into what she does, tips for lefties, favorite nibs and why, flourishing, and more.

"Calligraphy is a gift you get to experience as well as pass on". Those are the exact words spoken by Younghae Chung of Logos Calligraphy during our live Q & A session with her on Friday, May 26th.  From the start of her journey to publishing her first book, Younghae chatted with Heather McKelvey and turned the pages of her journey from anxious mama to becoming a fearless flourishing artist!

Enter the world of Kalli Camp Academy, a community to learn, flourish, and...

Do you ever feel like you practice for hours and don't see any improvement? It could be that you aren't narrowing your focus enough. While it may seem counterintuitive, slowing down your practice and breaking it into smaller parts may help you speed your way to better calligraphy.

When I practice the foundational strokes, I don't practice them whole. I break them into the smallest parts possible and practice one piece at a time until I see improvement. 

Looking at the big picture of the whole alphabet or a long calligraphy piece can feel overwhelming. But that big picture is made up of many tiny pieces, and most of them are so similar that if you conquered just a few improvements, it would make a noticeable difference.

What is your weakest letter? Take that letter, break it down into strokes, and then break those strokes into smaller practiceable pieces and practice just those strokes for the next week. Then compare a before and after and see what you think.

Join our...

Have you ever seen something written in calligraphy and became instantly smitten with the beauty and elegance of it all? Perhaps you were at a wedding or baby shower and beautiful place cards or signage caught your eye, to the point where you said to yourself "I wish I could do that".

Here's where we come in. Enter the world of Kalli Camp Academy, a community to learn, flourish, and grow in the art of calligraphy. We aim to make it possible for artists at every skill level and culture to grow in their craft and connect with others on a deeper level through true friendships centered around shared passions. We also aim to support each other and help grow our small businesses as a result of this collaborative endeavor.

If you're just starting out or planning to start, here are helpful tips we recommend for beginners. 

Choose the right pen holder

Jane Matsumoto, who teaches our Introduction to Copperplate Calligraphy course, recommends a pen holder that can...

Hello and welcome to the Kalli Camp Academy blog, where we share educational and inspirational tips on being a calligraphy artist. It is our hope that this blog will become a resource for you as you navigate your creative journey. 

We aim to make it possible for artists at every skill level and culture to grow in their craft and connect with others on a deeper level through true friendships centered around shared passions. We also aim to support each other and help grow our small businesses as a result of this collaborative endeavor.

In our live interview on April 29th with KCA student, Tico Kanzaki, she shared her Copperplate frustrations and how she overcame them, her recommendations for focused practicing, and what to do if you're heavy handed.

Who is Tico Kanzaki?

Tico is a graphic designer by day and calligrapher by night from Japan, now living in the U.S. Her calligraphy journey began in 2019 using the Tombow Fudenosoke brush pen. When the pandemic hit, she found...

Copperplate calligraphy is a beautiful script, but for a beginner, it can be quite challenging. In this final class of our Copperplate critiquing series, you will learn how to micro-critique the invisible triangular space that occurs within the script. You'll begin improving your skills and calligrapher's eye.

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only Class:

• Go to www.kallicampacademy.com
• Log in to your account
• Click on Classroom
• Click on Tier 2 -- Class Archive
• Click on Calligraphy Critique and Layout
  

Enroll

Topics Covered

• Micro-critiquing Copperplate script
• Self-awareness tips

 Materials Needed

• Your choice of nib and nib holder
• Ink of your choice
• Pen to critique (different color than your calligraphy ink) 
• Your preferred set of guidelines...

Class Intro

Now that you have designed your wedding invitations, it’s time to get them ready to submit for the printer. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. This class by Allison McClanahan @wildwoodcalligraphyandpost takes you through setting up your artwork for the printer using Adobe Photoshop.

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only Class:

• Go to www.kallicampacademy.com
• Log in to your account
• Click on Classroom
• Click on Tier 2
• Scroll to Current Classes

Enroll

Topics Covered

• Create and work within a Photoshop file
• Margins
• Safe Zones
• Changing the color of calligraphy
• Saving the file so it is printer ready

Plus:

• Shortcuts for those who don't do artwork or calligraphy, or both!

Supplies

• Calligraphy invitation...

No more turning down wedding invitation jobs because they seem over your head!

We are taking the mystery out of stationery design and giving you all the tools you need for quick and easy design and production. Join us for our 3-part Invitation Suite Design Series taught by Allison McClanahan, a bespoke stationery designer and calligrapher.

Our first class started with designing a watercolor crest, teaching you how to create stationery artwork and digitize it for printing. In Part 2 you will learn all the ins and outs of the wedding invitation suite.

We’re talking paper sizes, paper types and colors, printing methods, wording and etiquette, layouts and artwork ideas, and all the bells and whistles to add. Did someone say ribbons and wax seals? Allison takes you in to her tried-and-true design process and walks you step by step through how to work with wedding clients from start to finish.

You’ll learn about creating look books, what to use for design...

Designing wedding invitations has never been more fun! This class is kicking off a 3-month series on designing a wedding invitation suite. We are starting with learning to design a watercolor crest, and in this class we will be making artwork to use throughout the entire suite. Over the next three months, look forward to learning about the different parts of the wedding invitation suite, how to design them, and what to do to get them from your pen or brush to the printer.

Design a Watercolor Crest is chock-full of new techniques for you to learn, from design and painting techniques to working in Photoshop. You will be inspired to dream and amazed at your new abilities. This class will provide you with grins, whoa’s and “Aha!” moments. The watercolor crest you will create can be used not just for wedding invitations, but for personal stationery, wall-hangings in baby nurseries, and no shortage of creative custom artwork. Take a look at the topics that will be...