I Took the Courage to Write Words

This past week, I dedicated my practice to refining my calligraphy skills, focusing specifically on achieving a consistent 52-degree slant. While I have been practicing both uppercase and lowercase letters for a while, I realized I still needed more precision and control.

Setting Up for Success

To maintain a steady slant, I first drew guideline sheets at exactly 52 degrees. This helped me align my strokes correctly and build muscle memory. It took patience and plenty of trial and error, but over time, I began to see improvement. Consistency in slant is crucial for achieving that elegant, flowing look in cursive script.

Moving Beyond Letters

After gaining more confidence with individual letters, I finally took the next step—writing full words and phrases. This was both exciting and challenging, as it required smooth transitions between letters while maintaining the slant. At first, some words looked uneven, but with persistence, I started to see noticeable progress.

Exploring Online Resources

While searching for additional guidance, I explored various online calligraphy resources. However, I found that many of them focus primarily on individual letters rather than full sentences, making it harder to practice fluid writing. Additionally, some tutorials did not resonate with me visually or stylistically.

Fortunately, I discovered a YouTube channel called @iamariamontes owned by Maria Montes, which stood out from the rest. Her approach to calligraphy is both artistic and technical, offering valuable insights into stroke techniques, slant control, and writing in full compositions. Her detailed demonstrations have been a great inspiration for refining my own style.

 

Lessons Learned

1. Guidelines Matter – Having pre-drawn lines made all the difference in keeping my slant consistent.
2. Patience is Key – Calligraphy is about precision and flow; rushing the process only leads to inconsistency.
3. Small Adjustments Go a Long Way – Even slight changes in pen angle and pressure made a significant impact on my results.

Looking Ahead

Now that I feel more comfortable with the 52-degree slant, I plan to refine my spacing and letter connections even further. I’m also considering incorporating these exercises into my interactive calligraphy tool so others can practice slanted script more easily.

I’d love to hear from fellow calligraphy enthusiasts—do you have any tips or techniques for maintaining a steady slant? Let’s share our experiences and keep improving together!

Stay tuned for more updates, and happy lettering!