Manuscript calligraphy is a type of artistic lettering that is frequently used for formal invitations, decrees, and other official documents. It’s a type of writing that features angled, flowing letters with a calculated uniformity. Many people consider manuscript calligraphy to be an art form, even though it differs from more art-focused design calligraphy. Design calligraphy focuses on how to make fancy lettering serve as art in and of itself, and frequently includes colors, shapes, and outside illustrations to complement the lettering.
Manuscript calligraphy is typically used to give a document a more formal appearance. Calligraphy is most commonly associated with wedding invitations and diplomas, but the writing style can be applied to almost anything. Calligraphy takes a long time to write because each letter must be carefully formed and rounded. This means that, if only to save the writer’s hand, most projects are short.
When writing, calligraphers use special pens. The most traditional writing instruments are fountain pens with metal nibs. Either an ink well or internal ink cartridges must be used to feed the nib. Changing the pressure on and angling of the nib to strike the paper with either the thick or thin end of the edge is common when shaping letters. Less expensive calligraphy pens try to replicate this angling using tapered felt tips that can write in a variety of thicknesses depending on how they’re held.
Manuscript calligraphy typically uses a set of stroke movements to ensure that all letters are uniform in appearance. One of the most common goals of fancy writing is to imitate the appearance of professionally printed words. Calligraphers frequently devote a significant amount of time to practicing and perfecting their skills, whether on their own or using templates and training guides.
Nonetheless, some stylistic differences between calligraphers are quite common. A perfect letter can be written in a variety of ways, just like handwriting. Individual style almost always creeps into manuscript calligraphy, which tends to look more similar than most other forms of penmanship.
In manuscript calligraphy, letter formations, pen strokes, and general technique are usually the same as in related design calligraphy. However, the goal of design calligraphy is to transform artistic writing into a form of visual art in its own right, rather than to showcase uniform and formal writing. Words can be arranged into shapes or added to paintings and watercolors to add a written element. The form and function of manuscript calligraphy, on the other hand, are usually much more constrained. The art is characterized straight lines and defined spaces.