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Home » Calligraphy Made Simple

FAUX CALLIGRAPHY TUTORIAL + FREE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHEET

Jul 25, 2018 by Maira Vial 18 Comments

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Faux Calligraphy Tutorial: How to start making beautiful letters TODAY! A simple and easy-to-follow tutorial to begin creating beautiful letters, aka, doing calligraphy using a regular pen! Plus get access to a FREE calligraphy worksheet so you can start practicing right away!

Calligraphy with a Regular Pen Featured image

I’m sure you have seen gorgeous calligraphy and might be thinking that only the lucky ones born with talent can create those beautiful letters. Well, I have good news for you

You don’t need any expensive tools. Let’s make calligraphy using a regular pen!

The best part, you’ll be able to download a free worksheet to start practicing right away!

Before we get into the tutorial, let’s start by defining Faux Calligraphy.

WHAT IS FAUX CALLIGRAPHY?

“Faux” means made in imitation, false, fake. Basically, Faux Calligraphy is fake calligraphy. You can create it with any standard writing instrument like a pencil, pen, chalk, or marker.

Faux Calligraphy gives you the characteristics of the pointed pen or brush pen calligraphy by imitating the letter shapes and stroke contrast. Fake it till you make it, right?

Faux Calligraphy Ste-By-Step Tutorial by Vial Designs

The truth is, calligraphy can be intimidating. You can become frustrated with it if you don’t learn it the right way. I wish I’d known the proper way to do faux calligraphy before I tried modern calligraphy. It’d have saved me a lot of time and frustration.

There are 3 essential reasons why I recommend you learn this technique first, even before diving into modern calligraphy:

  1. Faux Calligraphy gives you a soft approach to modern calligraphy.
  2. Faux Calligraphy offers an alternative way of doing calligraphy on nearly every surface.
  3. You can practice Faux Calligraphy at any time.

I wrote a blog post explaining these reasons, and you can read more about them here.

Now, onto the best part… learn how to start writing beautiful letters TODAY! 🙂

FAUX CALLIGRAPHY STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO TUTORIAL

UPDATE: 03/06/2019 – I made a video to show you the tutorial! I’m SO excited and equally terrified because this is my FIRST YouTube video EVER. There is much room for improvement with this video. Still, I wanted to have a video option for visual learners like me!

 

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
 

MATERIALS YOU NEED FOR THIS FAUX CALLIGRAPHY TUTORIAL

For this tutorial, the only things you’ll need are:

  • A writing tool. I’m using my favorite pen for everyday writing: a Staedtler Triplus Fineliner. You can use whichever pen you like.
  • A writing surface. I’m using a regular notebook. You can use any type of paper or surface that goes well with the writing tool you chose above.
  • Optional (but highly suggested): a Faux Calligraphy Practice Worksheet. I have a free worksheet you can access from my resource library. Get access to it by filling the form at the bottom of this blog post.

 

Click here to get the worksheet!

Any writing tool will do, a pencil, chalk, or even a crayon. Grab whatever works better for you and the surface you are planning to write on. In this case, I’m using a blue Staedtler triplus fineliner. This pen is my ALL time favorite pen to write daily!

Once you have the tools above, follow the steps below to create start creating calligraphy using a regular pen!

FAUX CALLIGRAPHY STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL

Step 1: Write the letter (s) or word. 

Faux Calligraphy Tutorial Step 1 | Learn How to Make Faux Calligraphy | Step by step calligraphy tutorial by Vial Designs | Easy to follow tutorial to learn calligraphy and hand lettering #moderncalligraphy #lettering #handlettering

Step 2: draw outlines to the downstrokes. 

Faux Calligraphy Tutorial Step 2 | Learn How to Make Faux Calligraphy | Step by step calligraphy tutorial by Vial Designs | Easy to follow tutorial to learn calligraphy and hand lettering #moderncalligraphy #lettering #handlettering

*But, what is a downstroke? A downstroke in calligraphy is when you move your pen downward. The way you determine the downstrokes is by paying attention to how you move the pen as you are making the letters. Every time you move the pen downward, that’s a downstroke.

Pro Tip: There is no rule on which side of the letter you do the outline. I usually like to outline the inside of the letter for the oval part and the outside for the vertical downstrokes. There are occasions where I have to mix it up. Keep in mind; the GOAL is to create consistency with your letters.

Step 3: Fill in the outlines!

Faux Calligraphy Tutorial Step 3 | Learn How to Make Faux Calligraphy | Step by step calligraphy tutorial by Vial Designs | Easy to follow tutorial to learn calligraphy and hand lettering #moderncalligraphy #lettering #handlettering

In this step, you can get creative with your Faux Calligraphy. You can fill in the outlines with different colors, lines, dots, or even leave them blank. It’s entirely up to you!

That’s it! Those are the three easy steps you need to follow to create Faux Calligraphy.

You can follow these same steps to complete the whole alphabet, any word or phrase you’d like to write. Below is the lowercase alphabet I did. 

Faux Calligraphy Tutorial Step 1 | Learn How to Make Faux Calligraphy | Step by step calligraphy tutorial by Vial Designs | Easy to follow tutorial to learn calligraphy and hand lettering #moderncalligraphy #lettering #handlettering

Access the Free Faux Calligraphy Practice Worksheet I created for you by filling out the form below and start practicing right away!

Remember that learning calligraphy is part of a process. You are acquiring a new skill. Learning Faux Calligraphy first will help you make that process better. But you do need to practice to become better at it!

The next step in your calligraphy journey is to get the tools you need to get started.

In this blog post, I share everything you need to get started with pointed pen calligraphy. In this other blog post, I go over the best calligraphy brush pens to get started with brush pen calligraphy.

Ready to keep diving into the world of making beautiful letters using a regular pen?

I’ve received a lot of requests for a more in-depth way to learn how to create calligraphy with a pen. So I created a step-by-step guide full of instructions and practice for you to learn faux calligraphy.

Faux Calligraphy Printable Workbook displayed

I hope you find this tutorial helpful and you start creating calligraphy today! I’d love to see what you create and how you use your Faux Calligraphy Practice Worksheet. 

I have a full Faux Calligraphy Lettering Series. Check these other 2 tutorials to keep learning Faux Calligraphy:

  • Faux Calligraphy Uppercase Letters
  • Faux Calligraphy Numbers and symbols

Use the hashtag #vd_tutorialsLe. Tag me on @VialDesigns (on Instagram) so I can see your work.

Come over to the Facebook Group and share your work with like-minded lettering lovers!

Maira Vial Signature

WANT TO REMEMBER THIS FOR LATER? SAVE THIS FAUX CALLIGRAPHY TUTORIAL TO YOUR FAVORITE DIY PINTEREST BOARD!

how-to-create-calligraphy-using-a-regular-pen

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca Gupta

    November 16, 2018 at 1:20 am

    This is a great way of learning hand lettering Maira! Simple and easy to follow for any beginner. Love the post, am going to try it out today!

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      November 17, 2018 at 2:28 am

      Thank you so much, Rebecca! I’m so happy you found this tutorial helpful! Xo,

      Reply
  2. Tammy

    May 08, 2019 at 12:20 am

    Wow! You are so talented. Your tutorial with the worksheets are awesome. You did a great job on your first video.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      June 25, 2019 at 12:03 am

      Thank you SO much, Tammy!

      Reply
  3. Laura Noelle

    May 09, 2019 at 4:40 pm

    Wow, I’m impressed! Years ago I tried to learn calligraphy by I didn’t really have the patience for practicing. This looks like something I could actually try! Such a great resource.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      June 25, 2019 at 12:04 am

      So happy to hear that! Hope you give it a try again 🙂

      Reply
  4. Delia

    May 10, 2019 at 4:28 am

    The video turned out great! And now that I’m seeing your posts more, I really need to start making time to learn how to do all this pretty writing. I love it!!! I had no idea there was such a thing as faux calligraphy before. It seems like a great start for inexperienced people.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      June 25, 2019 at 12:05 am

      Thank you, Delia! I appreciate it 🙂 Hope you give it a try soon!

      Reply
  5. Stacy Zant

    May 12, 2019 at 3:44 am

    Loved your video tutorial and accompanying worksheets Maira! Truly a gift, thank you for taking the time to show and share how to implement the techniques necessary to practice this art. Also, beautiful photos to compliment.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      June 25, 2019 at 12:05 am

      Thanks so much, Stacy! I appreciate your kind comment!!!

      Reply
  6. Jennifer Duerksen

    July 24, 2019 at 12:08 am

    Thank you Maira for the tutorial and providing your free resource library so I can print free faux calligraphy worksheets. I appreciate it so much.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      July 24, 2019 at 11:53 pm

      Happy to hear these have been useful for you Jennifer! Thank you for your kind words.

      Reply
  7. Sheila Smith

    September 27, 2019 at 9:17 am

    Where do I find the resource library since I joined. I want to get the other practice sheets.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      September 27, 2019 at 12:08 pm

      Hi Sheila, Once you join, you should receive an email with the password and the link to the resource library. Make sure you look for that email with the information. Xo, Maira

      Reply
  8. Debanjali Sarkar

    June 21, 2020 at 10:41 am

    i’ve been looking for a proper way of getting into a hobby….. i love this… and this is try much useful…. and so descriptive

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      June 22, 2020 at 11:59 pm

      So happy to hear that Debankali!!:)

      Reply
  9. Shambhavi Prakash

    December 20, 2020 at 11:34 am

    I was looking for a easy and proper calligraphy…Now I found it…Loved your creativity.

    Reply
    • Maira Vial

      December 20, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      So happy you found my blog and you enjoyed the tutorial! thank you for your kind words!!

      Reply

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