Calligraphy and Rock n Roll
A course by Ivan Castro, Graphic designer specialized in calligraphy and lettering
Joined February 2014
Make a logo for that band you hate with a clear brush stroke
Joined February 2014
In this course you will learn techniques of calligraphy with a brush by Ivan Castro. You will make the logo of a group that is not necessarily your favorite, exploring the possibilities and the expressivity of the calligraphic brush to adapt it to the aesthetic language of the musician you choose for your project.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 23 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (241)
- 3,516 students
- 15 lessons (2h 1m)
- 23 additional resources (17 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe IllustratorWhat is this course's project?
Make a logo of a music group that we do not like too much by calligraphy with a brush.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
The course is aimed at people interested in calligraphy as a method of expression and applied to graphic design.
Requirements and materials
It is not necessary to have previous experience in calligraphy. Basic knowledge of typography and digital retouching are appreciated.
Basic materials: Pentel Aquash rechargeable brush, ink for fountain pen, paper. Photoshop, Illustrator, scanner.
Reviews
Ivan Castro
A course by Ivan Castro
Ivan Castro's interest in the forms of letters manifests as a child; a passion that has become his work through calligraphy, typography and lettering. On this subject he has recently published the manual The ABC of Lettering , in which he explains the concepts and techniques necessary to master this discipline.
From his studio near Barcelona he works for clients from all over the world, an occupation that is compatible with teaching in schools like Elisava, BAU or Visions and conferences and workshops in different places.
Content
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U1
Introduction, history and materials
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Introduction
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Historic context
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Description of materials
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U2
Development of the formal basic alphabet
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Basic strokes and first exercises
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First letters. Families of the ny the a
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More families of letters, round and diagonal
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Linked writing and alternative forms
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Capital letters
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U3
Variations
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Variations
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Alternative Materials
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Exploration of Expressiveness
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U4
Development of the logo
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Project Statement
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First Proposals
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Development of the Final Logo
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Digitization and cleaning of the logo
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FP
Final project
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Calligraphy and Rock'n'Roll
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set 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
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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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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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
You’ll master brush calligraphy techniques—from basic strokes, pressure, and angle, to composing italic cursive letters, designing logos, and digitizing your work.
This course is aimed at those with basic calligraphy knowledge, covering everything from fundamental to advanced techniques—perfect for intermediate learners.
You’ll need a brush, calligraphy-friendly ink, suitable paper, calligraphy guidelines, and ideally a fiber-tip pen or refillable brush pen. Traditional Chinese ink is not recommended.
A flat nib pen creates thick and thin strokes depending on the angle, while a brush lets you vary thickness by applying pressure, offering more expressiveness and style variety.
Yes, the course teaches creative techniques to design calligraphic logos tailored to musical groups, blending expressive and visual principles.
By adjusting brush pressure: light pressure makes thin lines, heavier pressure produces thick strokes, allowing for dynamic, expressive effects.
Use paper with good absorbency and a smooth surface, designed for calligraphy or watercolor. This helps control ink flow and prevents smudging or bleeding.
Adobe Illustrator
A unique and inspiring course! I learned how to use brush calligraphy more expressively and transform lettering into a visual identity project. Ivan Castro’s teaching style is clear, practical, and encourages experimentation.
Great course! I also have his other course on Domestika and his book "The ABC of Custom Lettering". Follow his instructions, show up and practice! No way around the latter no matter who is teaching you.
And I do like Ivan's sense of humour.
Directo al grano. Un maestro en la materia, vale la pena escuchar y aprender de su enfoque sobre la caligrafía.
Excelente curso!
I recommend this course a lot, we can learn from this brush technique that is absolutely great! and the teacher is very eloquent