Uncial Calligraphy for Beginners
A course by Joaquín SeguíGraphic Designer Specializing in Calligraphy
A course by Joaquín Seguí, Graphic Designer Specializing in Calligraphy
Learn to design modern letters that are full of personality
Every artist or creator has to push themselves to find and test their limits. Designer and calligrapher Joaquín Seguí explores his own in each of his projects, analyzing what he can do by hand—drawing, making letters, or cutting paper—and what he can do digitally. He uses mixed techniques in his work as a calligrapher to approach both the conceptual and the abstract.
In this online course, Joaquín guides you through the ins and outs of the uncial style of calligraphy before helping you apply your knowledge through the creation of a postcard.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 18 downloads
What will we do in the course
1 minute, 49 seconds
Notions about calligraphy
8 minutes, 4 seconds
Tools and materials
14 minutes, 10 seconds
Construction of a calamus
11 minutes, 20 seconds
Practical concepts for making calligraphy
14 minutes, 3 seconds
Brief history of uncial calligraphy
5 minutes, 9 seconds
What's included in this course?
Kick things off by learning more about Joaquín, his influences, his beginnings in calligraphy, and how he applies it to graphic design and other disciplines.
Then, start with the basics of calligraphy, its different types, and the tools that are commonly used for it. Learn how to build an ancient instrument for calligraphy called a calamus and how to hold the pen in the right position to make your first strokes at various angles.
Next, take a brief look at the history of uncial styles and context, the types that exist, and their important contributions to writing. Learn to read a calligraphic model and explore a technique for tracing letters of the alphabet.
Discover how letter and word spacing work and hear tips from Joaquín about modulating and adding gestural endings and flourishes to your strokes.
Once you've got the hang of both the theory and the practice, it's time to start your postcard project! First, search for references to analyze more ways to write and combine letters before preparing an initial sketch of your composition and refining it.
Then, scan your final handmade calligraphy composition and transform it into a postcard with digital touch-ups and modern finishes. To wrap up, Joaquín offers additional information regarding measurements and details for designing your own version and some tips for printing your postcard.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Develop a composition with the name of your own city or one that inspires you. Once your composition is complete, use digital techniques to transform it into a postcard that you can keep as a souvenir or share with someone special.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Illustrators, graphic designers, and any creative person who wants to learn calligraphy and incorporate lettering into their work.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge is required for this course since it starts with the basics. In terms of materials, you need a calligraphy pen holder, flat pens of any size, a ruler, a pencil, a protractor, lots of paper, and India ink. You also need a computer with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
The teacher is absolutely brilliant. So clear and thorough.
I will say that the English translation is completely insane though and really hard to follow - not the artist’s fault.
Despite the weird translation, it’s still a really good course - getting to watch such a skilled craftsperson is so worthwhile.
- 7 months ago
très bien expliqué, un des meilleurs cours. Tout est intéressant
- 9 months ago
I am only on chapter 3 - but it (the course} is exquisitely precise and thought provoking. Still it feels doable. Thank you.
- 11 months ago
Ottimo. Per iniziare fornisce indicazioni semplici e precise.
- 1 year ago
El curso es muy bueno, puedes iniciar sin tener conocimientos previos. Muy bueno.
Joaquín has worked with clients such as Nike, Johnnie Walker, Hyatt, Dior, and Tiffany & Co., among others. He is also a teacher and has taught calligraphy at the university level and through various workshops.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What will we do in the course
- U2
How to do calligraphy, learning the basics
- Notions about calligraphy
- Tools and materials
- Construction of a calamus
- Practical concepts for making calligraphy
- U3
Uncial from A to Z
- Brief history of uncial calligraphy
- Round Letters Ductus
- Ductus of vertical letters and with bow
- Ductus of special letters
- Word and sentence construction
- Stroke modulation and flourishes
- U4
Designing with uncials of this century
- Build your arsenal of letters
- Sketches and composition
- Digitize
- From the old to the modern
- BONUS: Elements and production of a postcard
- FP
Final project
- Uncial calligraphy for beginners
What to expect from a Domestika course
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 valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Get front-row seats
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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
Uncial calligraphy is a historic writing style known for its rounded, uniform letters, originating in ancient Europe. It stands out from other styles due to its broad shapes, structured forms, and modulated strokes—perfect for titles, graphic compositions, and creative projects.
The course is designed for those with basic calligraphy or design knowledge but is also accessible to motivated beginners eager to learn uncial techniques and variations from scratch.
You’ll need a flat nib pen or reed pen (calamus), ink, suitable paper, a scanner or camera, a computer with Photoshop and Illustrator (or equivalents), and basic drawing supplies. Some projects might require special paper or printing tools.
You’ll learn how to draw uncial letters, explore variations, modulate strokes, compose words and phrases, digitize your work, apply modern effects, and prepare files for printing and professional projects.
The course teaches how to scan your letters at 300 dpi, clean backgrounds in Photoshop, vectorize in Illustrator using Image Trace, and fine-tune vectors to preserve the quality and authenticity of your hand-drawn strokes.
Yes, you’ll learn to blend digitized calligraphy with vector and illustrative elements, creating unique designs for postcards, labels, packaging, and other creative projects.
The course explores different letter forms, options for serifs, ligatures, and flourishes, showing you how to incorporate them without losing stylistic coherence or readability.