English Calligraphy from A to Z
A course by Bego Viñuela Galarraga , Calligrapher
Joined December 2014
Explore Copperplate script and revive the power of freehand lettering
Each letter is its own world and has a distinct personality. This is what Bego Viñuela, calligraphy artist and founder of Bilbao Calligraphy, discovered when she began exploring this art form. With more than a decade of experience, she is known for her expertise in English or Copperplate calligraphy and her work has led her to collaborate with brands like Vogue, Mont Blanc, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, among others.
In this course, she teaches you how to master the art of English calligraphy from scratch. Learn how to use the tools and draw upper and lowercase letters until you complete a full Copperplate alphabet.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 7 downloads
- 99% positive reviews (985)
- 32,393 students
- 17 lessons (2h 3m)
- 7 additional resources (4 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, German, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Turkish · Polish · Dutch · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Choose your favorite phrase, poem, or song lyrics and write them in English calligraphy.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who wants to get started in this art form and enjoys creating with their hands, as well as graphic designers and illustrators who use calligraphy as a primary or complementary technique in their projects.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is needed to take this course since Bego teaches you everything from scratch.
As for materials, you need a nib, a nib holder, 80 GSM paper, and ink.
Reviews
Bego Viñuela Galarraga
A course by Bego Viñuela Galarraga
Bego Viñuela studied Fine Arts at the UPV / EHU, where she discovered the world of calligraphy, something that motivated her to take a master's degree in advanced typography at the University of Barcelona (Spain). Passionate about learning, research, and experimentation with calligraphy, she has traveled the world developing her technique and learning from the best national and international teachers.
Since 2013 she teaches all the techniques and possibilities offered by this discipline in her study and school Calligraphy Bilbao. In addition to her work as a teacher, she works for different brands and also makes invitations for weddings and events.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
First steps
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History of English calligraphy
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Materials and tools
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Guidelines and ergonomics
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U3
Lowercase
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Basic lowercase traits
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Lowercase
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Union of lowercase
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U4
Capital letters
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Basic Features Uppercase
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Warming the hand
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Capital letters
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Capitalization
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U5
Alternative letters and composition
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Alternative letters
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Numbers and signs
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Composition
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U6
Techniques: watercolors and gouache
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Write about dark backgrounds
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Write with watercolor
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to English calligraphy or copperplate
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
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Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
English calligraphy, also known as copperplate, is an elegant and decorative writing style perfect for invitations, cards, art projects, and custom designs.
This is an intermediate-level course; it’s recommended to have basic calligraphy knowledge or some experience with nib and ink to get the most out of it.
You’ll need a flexible nib, a pen holder (straight or oblique), paper of at least 80 gsm, ink, a ruler, pencil, and eraser. Optionally, watercolor, gouache, and practice guidelines.
You’ll learn how to form lowercase and uppercase letters, connect them smoothly, use tools and inks, create calligraphic compositions, and apply advanced techniques like flourishes and colored backgrounds.
English calligraphy features slanted strokes, thick-thin contrasts, and flourishes; italic is straighter and more uniform, with a different stroke order and less ornamentation.
Techniques for smooth connections between lowercase letters, optical spacing rules, and fixes for common letter-joining mistakes are taught.
You should clean a new nib with cotton and soapy water or alcohol before use, and regularly clean it during practice to prevent ink buildup.
Excelente curso, fue justo lo que necesitaba para comenzar a escribir.
Muy buen curso, muy inspirador y bien explicado
Clear and thorough information. Low barriers to starting and enjoying calligraphy.
Corso completo, ti spiega passo passo le basi anche per chi non ha mai usato un pennino.
curso maravilhoso!!!