Top Calligraphy Classes in Singapore

What is calligraphy?

Calligraphy is a visual art that is related to writing. Specifically, it is the design and execution of handwritten lettering with some sort of writing instrument which can be brush pens, watercolour brushes or even a simple pen and pencil can do the job. 

Different types of calligraphy

There are so many different types of calligraphy that exist in the world. Here are the more common types of calligraphy: 

Chinese calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy is known as the art form of writing Chinese characters, which combines visual art and the literary meaning interpretation. Chinese calligraphy is widely practised in China since ancient times and has been held in high esteem across East Asia generally. Chinese calligraphy is typically created using a Chinese brush pen, which is different from the modern brush pen we see today. 

Western calligraphy

Western calligraphy is significantly different from the Chinese calligraphy as it is the art of penmanship and writing using the Latin alphabet. There are different variations of western calligraphy, from fine art pieces to hand-lettered designs and inscriptions. The tools that are typically used for Western calligraphy are modern brush pens and fountain pens. 

Islamic calligraphy

As Islamic calligraphy is based on Arabic letters, sometimes it may be referred to as “Arabic calligraphy”. Islamic calligraphy is associated with Arabesque, also known as geometric Islamic art which can be found on the ceilings and walls of mosques. Arguably, calligraphy has become the most respected Islamic art form as it provides a link between the Islam religion and the Muslims’ languages. 

Here are some calligraphy courses in Singapore to consider:

Why learn calligraphy? 

Calligraphy is a great skill to pick up during leisure time as it trains your patience among all other things. It takes a huge amount of time and dedication to learn a skill, let alone to perfect that skill. 

Is learning calligraphy worth it?

Well, it is up to you to decide if you want to acquire a new skill. Most of the time, it is useful to learn a new skill because you never know when the skill will come in handy. However, what you have to be mentally prepared is the amount of time that is going to be spent on practising the new skill such as calligraphy. Once you have gotten past the initial stage of learning, you will most probably feel that it is worth the effort when you see the progress you have made thus far. 

Who can learn calligraphy?

Any ordinary people like you and me can learn calligraphy. You do not need to be a talented individual to learn calligraphy. As long as you have a heart and desire to learn, you can learn calligraphy. 

How long does it take to learn calligraphy?

It is recommended to give yourself as much time as you need since everyone is different and the learning progress will differ for different individuals. Calligraphy is not only a skill, but an art to master. The general advice is to practice every day for the quickest results and improvement, and most people are able to see significant results after 2 months. 

What you need to get started with calligraphy

Hand-lettering templates

Hand-lettering templates are a great way to start practising calligraphy as a complete beginner as all you need to do is to trace the letter according to the template. It is that simple to get your calligraphy journey started. 

There are plenty of hand-lettering templates you can find over the internet and the best part? Most of them are absolutely free-of-charge! While some websites do charge a small fee for their hand-lettering template, a free template will work just as well as any other paid template.   

Time

You need to set aside a good amount of time to practise on your calligraphy if you want to master the skill and art. Especially at the beginning, your lettering is going to look ugly, and it might bring your self-esteem down. However, suppose you are willing to allocate a huge amount of time to practise on your calligraphy. In that case, it is almost guaranteed that you will see a significant improvement in your lettering. 

Brush pen/pen/pencil

To be honest, you don’t need any fancy brush pens to start learning calligraphy. When you are just starting out, you will be most likely focusing your practice on the strokes rather than the letters. While a brush pen is definitely the ideal tool, you can use a pen or pencil to outline the letters and fill them in. 

Perseverance 

Mastering the art of calligraphy is not going to be an easy journey. Are you up for the challenge? It takes a lot of time and effort even to reach an intermediate level in the world of calligraphy. Nonetheless, it is possible to master the skill if you put your heart and soul and time into practising the skill. 

Types of tools for calligraphy

Brush pens 

The classic brush pen calligraphy is created using brush pens. Brush pen calligraphy is one of the most common calligraphy styles on the internet and also super popular among beginners. 

Highlighters

Did you know that you can create calligraphy using highlighters? While highlighters are not the best tools to use, it is worth the shot if you are feeling adventurous and want to experiment with different calligraphy styles and tools. Highlighters such as the mildliners and stablios are great for highlighter calligraphy. 

Pencil and pen 

While the pencil and pen calligraphy are not truly considered calligraphy because they are simply filling in the letters to imitate brush pen calligraphy, it is great for beginners especially if you are not comfortable using a brush pen yet. 

Watercolour brushes

Watercolour calligraphy is becoming increasingly popular among beginners are the thought of mixing different colours to create an art piece is fascinating. Among the different types of calligraphy, watercolour calligraphy is considered the most difficult to master due to the soft nature of watercolour brushes which are naturally more difficult to control. 

Conclusion: calligraphy courses vs self-learn 

Why spend the money attending calligraphy courses when there are so many free resources out there on the internet like video tutorials on Youtube and free lettering templates on Google? Well, it all depends on individuals’ learning style and preference. If you prefer to be coached one-on-one and get feedback immediately or you are feeling stuck and not making any progress in your calligraphy journey, attending calligraphy courses may be one of the best choices you have ever made. 

Editor’s Note:

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