I've been doing calligraphy for over 30 years, both as a practitioner and a teacher. My suggestion is to go to a local crafts store and pick up a beginning book, the ones by Ken Brown are adequate for a beginner. His books teach a simple italic hand which is an excellent start. After all you must learn to walk before you run!

I tried to teach myself calligraphy from a book all those years ago, but to be honest I found it impossible. The craft store or local community college should offer a calligraphy class, invest in that experience. Calligraphy is a visual art but many of the concepts become crystal clear with an instructor. The class was invaluable to me.

I went on to do some study under Tim Botts, who is a well-known calligrapher who has made a career with a religious publishing company. His work is spectacular.

It's alot of fun and has provided me with many hours of enjoyment and at points in my life it also provided an income.

The secret is practice, practice, practice. All the shapes and strokes will become second nature after awhile. The felt tip calligraphy pens are good for practice but nothing can beat the old pen and ink for drama and crispness.

Good luck. Let us know how you do.

suzanne, this is one of my interests, too. What kind of pen do you recommend? Is cost a factor?

I use a simple pen holder and separate nibs that I buy at an art supply store. I do have a fountain pen with interchangable nibs, it's a Schaeffer I believe and nothing fancy.

The pen holder, nibs and bottled ink produce the best result for me. It's tedious because you have to offload some of the ink on a scratch pad. Do you have a favorite pen?

Years ago, when I first started to teach myself, I used a wonderful Parker 45 pen. Then it wore out and I found, to my chagrin, that it was no longer available. Since then, I have never yet found a decent pen that I could afford. So I have been using the felt tips, which I don't like.

Where did you buy your Schaeffer and about what did it cost you, if I may ask?

I got the Schaeffer at Michael's craft store. It was under $12 if I remember correctly and it included 4 or 5 interchangable nibs. If you get their flyer they usually have a 40% off coupon.

Thanks, suzanne. I will look for it.

suzanne, thanks for the advice. I'll check around my area for classes.

Are any of you calligraphers following the St John's Bible project? It is the first completely hand written (quill on parchment, multiple illuminations, gold leaf work ) in 500 years. It is an astonishing undertaking, and should be finished in 2008, I believe.

this may no longer be available, but years ago, I received a kit as a gift. In it was a well written and illustrated how-to book, ink, a couple of pens and nibs,and some other stuff. I had a lot of fun with it. I think that if you can find something like that, you might decide whether or not you want to go further. I found that I simply didn't have what it took to be neat!! LOL!