Hello my friends!
One of the questions I get asked the most is "Which online course should I start with?" There are so many lettering and calligraphy classes out there, and when you're brand new it's hard to tell which one will actually get you from shaky first attempts to letters you're proud of.
I've been teaching lettering for years, and I've watched thousands of beginners get started. So I want to give you an honest guide: what to look for in a beginner course, which style to learn first, and the exact path I recommend through my own classes.
The quick answer
- Brand new and don't own special pens? Start with Intro to Hand-Lettering & Faux Calligraphy. You can do it with any pen or marker you already have.
- Already have brush pens and they're frustrating you? Go to Beginning with Brush Pens.
- Want to try several styles (brush pen, iPad, chalk, cards)? Lisa's Lettering Library gives you every course for one monthly price.
What to look for in a beginner calligraphy course
Whether you take a class from me or someone else, here's what makes a beginner course worth your time:
- It teaches letter shapes before fancy tools. Beautiful calligraphy comes from consistent letterforms. A good course starts with the anatomy of letters and basic strokes, not a $40 pen haul.
- It includes printable practice sheets. Watching isn't enough. You need guide sheets you can trace and practice on over and over.
- You can see the pen up close, in real time. So much of lettering is how you move. Close-up video of the actual strokes makes a huge difference.
- It shows you how to connect letters. This is where most self-taught beginners get stuck. Make sure the course covers joining letters into words, not just individual alphabets.
- There's a clear next step. Once you have the basics, you'll want to learn brush pens, flourishing and layout. A course that's part of a bigger path saves you from starting over somewhere new.
Which style should you learn first?
Faux calligraphy is my favorite starting point. You write a letter with a regular pen or marker, then thicken the downstrokes by hand. It teaches you where thick and thin strokes go, which is the whole secret of modern calligraphy, without fighting a tricky tool. (Here's more on using markers for faux calligraphy.)
Brush pen calligraphy comes next. Once you know where the thick strokes go, a brush pen lets you make them with pressure in a single motion. It's so satisfying when it clicks! If you're struggling with your grip, start with how to hold your brush pen.
iPad lettering is wonderful if you already have an iPad and Apple Pencil. It's very forgiving because you can undo and adjust. Chalk art is perfect if you have a chalkboard (or chalkboard wall!) you've been dying to make beautiful.
Are you a lefty? You can absolutely learn calligraphy. Check out my tips for lefty lettering before you start.
My online lettering courses, compared
The learning path I recommend
- Intro to Hand-Lettering & Faux Calligraphy to learn letter shapes, connections and where thick strokes go.
- Beginning with Brush Pens to turn that knowledge into real brush calligraphy.
- Intermediate Lettering: Flourishing & Layout to create finished designs you'll want to frame or gift.
- Then branch out into iPad lettering, chalk art or greeting cards, whatever sparks joy for you!
One course or the full library?
If you only want to learn one style, buy that course. It's the simplest way to start.
If you think you'll follow the whole path, here's the math: buying all six core courses separately is $246. Lisa's Lettering Library is $27 a month for all of them, so membership comes out ahead unless you'd keep it more than about nine months. And you get new tutorials and the community along the way.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really learn calligraphy online?
Yes! Online video is actually ideal, because you can pause, rewatch the hard strokes up close, and practice at your own pace with printable sheets.
Do I need expensive supplies to start?
Not at all. For faux calligraphy, any pen or marker works. When you're ready to upgrade, here's my guide to the best pens, paper and supplies for hand lettering.
How much should I practice?
A little every day beats a long session once a week. Even 10 to 15 minutes of consistent practice adds up quickly.
What's the difference between hand lettering and calligraphy?
Calligraphy is writing letters in a flowing stroke-by-stroke way, while hand lettering is more like drawing letters. Modern lettering blends both, and my courses teach you each.
Is there a workbook I can practice with alongside the courses?
Yes! My Daily Mindful Lettering hand lettering workbook gives you 30 days of guided tracing in 5 styles, so a few minutes of practice a day adds up.
I can't wait to see what you create!
Ready to start? Begin with Intro to Hand-Lettering & Faux Calligraphy or explore the full Lettering Library.
Xo -Lisa
