Is Brush Lettering The Same As Calligraphy

So you are wondering is brush lettering the same as calligraphy? Well, it is quite hard to explain so I am doing a whole entire article on this.

You might be wondering this since you either want to learn brush lettering or calligraphy. Maby you have no idea what these things are at all. Well, I am here to help you out.

So let me just give you the quick and short answer so we could just move on.

No Brush Lettering is not the same as traditional calligraphy. But brush lettering is considered a type of modern calligraphy because it is more of an art than a form of writing.

Ok you have the short answer now you are going to want to understand what I mean.

Here is a short brief summary of what I am going to be talking about today

• Is Brush Lettering Considered Modern Calligraphy or Traditional Calligraphy
• What is the difference between Brush Lettering and Calligraphy
• Should You Learn Brush Lettering Or Calligraphy
• Getting Started in Brush Lettering

Let’s Get Started…

Is Brush Lettering Considered Modern Calligraphy or Traditional Calligraphy

So is brush lettering considered Modern Calligraphy or Traditional Calligraphy? 

Brush Lettering is only considered modern calligraphy, not traditional calligraphy because of different materials and different formats. 

Basically traditional calligraphy is formatted in a specific way leading for brush lettering to not making that cut. 

Also, we are using different tools than we would with traditional calligraphy. While in modern calligraphy you could honestly use any writing utensils especially when talking about hand lettering. 

So basically modern calligraphy is seen more as illustrating letters than traditional calligraphy as writing letters in a very specific format to create beautiful letters.

Since traditional calligraphy is formatted in such a way while brush lettering is not they are not the same thing.

Brush lettering is more of the side of modern calligraphy because it is more of the art of illustrating letters. 

What Is The Difference Between Brush Lettering and Calligraphy

Ok, you have just learned that brush lettering is not considered traditional calligraphy.

But you haven’t exactly learned the differences.

The main differences between brush lettering and calligraphy are the type of materials they use and their different formats and how much freedom when it comes to making your own letters. 

MATERIALS

In brush lettering, we are using flexible tip pens like brush pens and regular Crayola markers.

While in traditional calligraphy you would use calligraphy pen with ink.

Again modern calligraphy is not traditional calligraphy but can be used with any utensil which includes traditional calligraphy supplies and brush pens.

DIFFERENT FORMATS

With brush lettering, you are able to gain more freedom when illustrating your letters once you learn the basic rules and fundamentals. 

Leading for everyone to be able to have their very unique style (same thing with modern calligraphy).

While Traditional calligraphy is very well-formatted and precise leading for you not to have that much freedom when writing down your letters.

Should You Learn Brush Lettering Or Calligraphy 

Here I just going to be giving you a chart on what are going to be the differences between brush lettering or calligraphy.

This will help you learn if calligraphy or brush lettering is right for you. 

Here is a chart. 

Now you are able to take in this chart and understand if you should do calligraphy or brush lettering when starting out in this hobby. 

Brush lettering I would recommend more for beginners in my opinion because you will find it easier to learn and if you are looking for a cheaper alternative that is great.

If you really want to learn brush lettering but still don’t think you will be able to afford it here is my link to how to do lettering with Crayola marker for beginners.

Now if you want to start out lettering keep on reading because I am going to be going over the basics in this tutorial. 

Starting Out Brush Lettering For Beginners

Very quickly I am just going to be going over the basics of brush lettering and what you are going to need to know for beginners.

Let’s get started.

MATERIALS

First things first you are going to need to know what materials you are going to need to start out brush lettering.

Here is a list:

• Brush Pens
• Pencil 
• Eraser
• Smooth Paper (VERY IMPORTANT)

It is going to be quite important that you use smooth paper because if you don’t then your brush pens are going to fray leading for the pen to get ruined.

Here is a link to an article to understand what are fraying brush pens.

HOLDING A BRUSH PEN

So how do you hold a brush pen?

Well, you should hold it always at a 45-degree angle to your paper. 

You should never be holding your brush pen like a regular pencil with c is something that you are going to need to get used to. 

Let me show you what I mean

WHAT ARE THE BASIC STROKES OF BRUSH LETTERING?

I am glad you asked. 

Starting out as a beginner the very first things you should learn are how to hold the brush pen and the basic strokes of lettering.

The basic strokes are basically the very base of creating letters, words, or phrases for your lettering. 

Let me show you them so you can start practicing them on your own.

Now after practicing them you are going to want to start forming your letters.

Let me show you what I mean.

Final Thoughts

So you have just learned the difference between brush lettering and calligraphy and if they are truly the same.

Throughout the article, you were able to understand if brush lettering or traditional calligraphy is right for you and how in the world you are going to be able to get started.

Again remember brush lettering is a type of modern calligraphy leading for it not to be considered traditional calligraphy.

This then concludes brush lettering is not considered traditional calligraphy but is considered modern calligraphy.