Italic Script with a Brush Pen
A course by Bego Viñuela GalarragaCalligrapher
A course by Bego Viñuela Galarraga, Calligrapher
Learn how to master the paintbrush and create letters filled with emotion and style
Historically, italic calligraphy is one of the most beautiful for its elegant and decorative strokes. Its refined and elegant curves are full of expression, and the emotion of each letter can be reinforced by the shape, composition, and colors chosen. Calligrapher Bego Viñuela is an expert in this discipline with over eight years of experience. Her personal style and mastery of the brush have led her to work with Montblanc, San Miguel, and the Guggenheim Museum, in Bilbao (Spain).
In her first course, English Calligraphy from A to Z, Bego teaches how to work with the Copperplate calligraphy and how to rediscover the value of the handmade letter, and in this one, she will teach you to create italic calligraphy with a brush pen. You will learn to work the ductus, you will understand the shapes and counterforms, you will see how to use the brush and the possibilities it offers. You will combine forms of other alphabets and at the end of the course, you will be able to create full-of-strength visually attractive pieces. Finally, you will experiment with different techniques such as watercolor or masking ink.
What will you learn in this online course?
24 lessons & 8 downloads
What is the brush pen
4 minutes, 37 seconds
Let's start with the pencil
9 minutes, 35 seconds
Basic brush strokes
6 minutes, 53 seconds
Ductus with brush: Lowercase
15 minutes, 39 seconds
First lowercase words
14 minutes, 47 seconds
Ductus with brush: Uppercase
11 minutes, 21 seconds
What's included in this course?
You will start the course knowing Bego, who will tell you about his career as a professional calligrapher, his work and his influences. He will briefly explain what you will do during the course.
You will make an introduction to italic calligraphy and its origins. You will see the necessary materials for the course and you will get to work: you will begin to work the basic forms first with the pencil and then with the brush pen or brush.
Then, you will begin to make calligraphy with the pencil to understand well what is the ductus of the letter and you will internalize its forms to move to the brush. You will see a demonstration of the alphabet and Bego will explain the letters in groups. Then, you will practice with the brush until you get fluent, you will work on the basic features and strengthen concepts such as pressure, inclination, speed and contrasts.
You will trace the first letters with a brush starting with the lowercase letters, working them by families and also in isolation, and identifying the spaces and unions to make your first words. You will make the alphabet in capital letters and write a simple phrase that contains all the letters (pangram), which will help you practice. Then you will explore the numbers and diacritical signs.
You will experiment with the strokes playing with thicknesses and contrasts, and you will perform some inclination and movement exercises to achieve dynamism. You will see how to use watercolors to create gradients and color transitions, getting visually striking finishes.
Ready! You already have all the knowledge for your final project. Bego will advise you to create the sketch of your phrase in italic letters, the choice of support, colors, composition and techniques; Finally, he will talk about how to photograph your work to show it on social networks and teach you how to pack and prepare your work to send it by mail.
What is this course's project?
You’ll develop a sheet that collects all the knowledge about italic calligraphy learned in the course.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
All those who want to create using letters. Anyone interested in calligraphy—with or without previous experience—will find this to be a great introductory course.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge on the subject is necessary since Bego will teach you from the beginning how to do this type of calligraphy. You’ll just need a tip brush, paper, ink, and watercolors.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Es un curso con mucha delicadeza y con detalle, las explicaciones y tips son muy buenos.
- 4 months ago
Excelente curso, Bego transmite com muita simplicidade e delicadeza.
- 6 months ago
This is an excellent course from an expert with real artistic talent!
- 7 months ago
Una delicia de curso, Bego realmente transmite su pasión por la letra escrita.
- 8 months ago
Decisamente un corso molto bello, lo consiglio!
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
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What will we do in the course
- U2
Introduction to italic calligraphy and brush pen
- What is italic calligraphy
- What is the brush pen
- Necessary materials
- U3
First steps
- Let's start with the pencil
- Basic brush strokes
- Ductus with brush: Lowercase
- First lowercase words
- Ductus with brush: Uppercase
- First sentence / Pangram
- Diacritical numbers and signs
- U4
Looking for our stroke
- Thicknesses and contrasts
- Tilt and movement
- Everything is going
- Finishes and effects with watercolor 1
- Finishes and effects with watercolor 2
- U5
Draft
- Phrase choice and sketch
- Choice of support and colors
- Composition
- U6
Last touches
- Tool maintenance tips
- Prepare content for networks
- Prepare the project to send
- FP
Final project
- Italic calligraphy with brush pen
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
Italic calligraphy is an elegant handwritten style. In this course, you’ll explore its history, stroke techniques, how to use brushes and brush pens, calligraphic composition, and how to create personal pieces with a professional finish.
The course is designed for those with basic calligraphy knowledge but is also accessible to motivated beginners eager to learn intermediate techniques and experiment with various tools and styles.
You’ll need brushes, brush pens, a soft pencil, watercolor paper, inks or liquid watercolors, masking fluid, and calligraphy templates. A mixing palette and rice paper are also recommended for some techniques.
You’ll learn to control ductus, connect letters, create curves and ovals, blend colors, use masking fluid, and experiment with different brushes and papers to achieve artistic effects.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to create original calligraphic compositions, handle various tools and materials, apply color and texture techniques, and present a final piece that showcases your style and creativity.
Yes, the course provides downloadable templates and visual resources to support your practice and learning of letters and calligraphic layouts.
Brushes offer greater versatility in strokes and textures, while brush pens provide easier control and cleaner lines. The course teaches you how to choose and combine both depending on the effect you want.