Calligraphy, derived from the Greek words kallos (“beauty”) and graphein (“to write”), is the art of beautiful handwriting. This ancient art form continues to captivate people today who wish to infuse written works with elegance and visual interest. With the proliferation of free online learning platforms, calligraphy enthusiasts now have their pick of excellent introductory classes to guide them in mastering this satisfying craft.
From video tutorials breaking down letterforms to interactive courses offering feedback on techniques, these online classes make learning calligraphy accessible and enjoyable. So whether you’re looking to address wedding invitations in flowing script or create a visually striking logo for your small business, read on for our top recommendations for the best free online calligraphy classes to launch your journey with this timeless art form.
Why Learn Calligraphy Online?
Learning calligraphy online offers numerous advantages over in-person instruction. Online courses provide flexibility to learn at your own pace and rewatch lessons as needed. They also tend to cost less than in-person workshops. Additionally, online platforms allow access to calligraphy instruction regardless of geographic limitations. This removes barriers for those enthusiastic about learning calligraphy but without local options.
Online courses also enable connection to global communities of practice for continued growth. So whether seeking a relaxing hobby, creative outlet, or professional skill, online calligraphy classes make this elegant artform accessible to all. Core benefits include flexibility, affordability, accessibility, and community. With quality video tutorials, downloadable resources, and options for all levels, online platforms empower beginners to confidently start their calligraphy journey.
Top 10 Best Free Online Calligraphy Classes
Here is a list of 10 best Online Calligraphy Classes
| Name of the course | USP |
|---|---|
| Skillshare – Modern Calligraphy: 4 Easy Steps | Condensed format covering supplies, strokes, upper and lowercase alphabets in just 34 minutes |
| Happy Ever Crafter – Basic Calligraphy Strokes for Beginners | Explains difference between cursive and calligraphy with real-time stroke demonstrations |
| Domestika – 10 Calligraphy Classes for Beginners | Variety of styles (Italic, Gothic, Brush) in 4 languages (English, Spanish, German, Portuguese) |
| CreativeLive – Introduction to Calligraphy | Small class size for individual attention from experienced calligraphy teacher |
| Loveleigh Loops – Brush Lettering Bootcamp | Focuses on brush pens with free downloadable practice sheets |
| Mashaplans – Free Brush Lettering Courses | Curated list of top YouTube brush lettering tutorials from popular channels |
| Calligrascape – Gothic Calligraphy Tutorials | This course offers free Gothic calligraphy practice sheets that can be downloaded and printed. It provides video tutorials for learners to follow along and improve their skills. |
| Simply Jessica Marie – Intro to Brush Calligraphy | This course is designed to help learners master brush calligraphy, even without naturally good handwriting. It includes lessons on basic upstrokes and downstrokes, key shapes, and letters. |
| Smithsonian Associates – Foundational Hand Lettering | This course provides an introduction to the basic calligraphic strokes that make up the Foundational hand, which is the starting point for learning other hands such as Italic and Black Letter. |
| Udemy – Modern Calligraphy for Beginners | This course provides a comprehensive introduction to modern calligraphy, covering the 8 basic strokes, lowercase and uppercase letters, and practice words and numbers. |
1. Skillshare – Modern Calligraphy: 4 Easy Steps
This condensed course breaks down modern calligraphy into four key steps from basic strokes to flourishing. Taught by Emma Witte, a calligraphy artist with 50k Instagram followers, it’s perfect for beginners seeking a simplified approach.
The course covers the supplies you need, how to hold the pen properly, basic strokes like thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes, and how to connect letters. You’ll learn both lowercase and uppercase modern calligraphy alphabets step-by-step.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | Emma Witte | Straightforward 4-step method Focus on modern style | Limited guidance |
2. Happy Ever Crafter – Basic Calligraphy Strokes for Beginners
This detailed beginner course covers the 9 foundational strokes of calligraphy. Led by calligraphy teacher Stacey, it includes free downloadable practice sheets. Stacey explains the difference between cursive handwriting and calligraphy, focusing specifically on a calligraphy style called Foundational.
The lessons teach you how to form all the letters using basic strokes like diagonals, curves, and loops. Stacey provides real-time demonstrations so you can follow along before practicing yourself with the free printable worksheets.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 hours | Stacey | Covers all basic strokes Free practice sheets | Does not cover full lettering |
3. Domestika – 10 Calligraphy Classes for Beginners
This series has 10 classes covering the full process from tools to flourishing. Taught by an experienced calligraphy artist, it’s completely free with unlimited access. The classes are available in four languages – English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. You’ll learn a variety of styles like Italic, Gothic, Brush, and more.
Each class starts with an introduction to the basic tools and techniques. Then you’ll advance to forming alphabets, designing layouts, and adding embellishments. With so many styles to choose from, it’s a great way to find what you enjoy before committing to a paid course.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 classes, 5+ hours total | Marta Puig | Full beginner progression Unlimited access | Video-only format |
4. CreativeLive – Introduction to Calligraphy
This beginner course covers the basics of letter formation, spacing, and design. The instructor, John Smith, is a renowned calligrapher with over 10 years of experience teaching calligraphy fundamentals. The course focuses on developing proper letter shapes, consistency with letter height and slant, and appropriate spacing between letters and words to improve overall readability.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | John Smith | Comprehensive coverage of basics, Experienced instructor | Limited advanced techniques |
5. Loveleigh Loops – Brush Lettering Bootcamp
This detailed beginner course covers the 9 foundational strokes of calligraphy. Led by calligraphy teacher Stacey, it includes free downloadable practice sheets. Stacey explains the difference between cursive handwriting and calligraphy, focusing specifically on a calligraphy style called Foundational.
The lessons teach you how to form all the letters using the basic strokes like diagonals, curves, and loops. Stacey provides real-time demonstrations so you can follow along before practicing yourself with the printable worksheets included in the course materials.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 hours | Stacey | Covers all basic strokes Free practice sheets | Does not cover full lettering |
6. Mashaplans – Free Brush Lettering Courses
This extensive series has 10 classes covering the full process from tools to flourishing. Taught by an experienced calligraphy artist and instructor, it’s completely free with unlimited access. The classes are available in four languages – English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. You’ll learn a variety of styles like Italic, Gothic, Brush, and more.
Each class starts with an introduction to the basic tools and techniques. Then you’ll advance to forming alphabets, designing layouts, and adding embellishments. With so many styles included, it’s a great way to explore different calligraphy types before committing to a paid course.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ videos, 30+ minutes total | Masha Plans | Free Comprehensive for beginners Popular channel | Can be scattered across videos |
7. Calligrascape – Gothic Calligraphy Tutorials
This course offers free tutorials on Gothic blackletter calligraphy for beginners. It covers the basics of Gothic letterforms including the ascenders, descenders, bowls, and other components. The instructor provides step-by-step guidance on how to form each letter using a broad-edge nib. The course also includes free printable Gothic alphabet practice sheets.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | Calligrascape | Beginner-friendly Includes free resources | Gothic style only |
8. Simply Jessica Marie – Intro to Brush Calligraphy
This paid course is perfect for beginners looking to learn brush calligraphy. It starts with an overview of brush pens and ideal paper types before diving into basic strokes like thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes. The course features detailed video lessons breaking down each letter with clear demonstrations of how to connect letters smoothly.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | Jessica Marie | Comprehensive for beginners Well-structured | Paid course |
9. Smithsonian Associates – Foundational Hand Lettering
This multi-week calligraphy course focuses on the foundational hand. It covers the key principles of broad-edge calligraphy including guidelines, ductus, x-height, ascenders, and descenders. Students learn the foundational alphabet in both minuscule and majuscule forms. The course also teaches basic layout skills to apply calligraphy to projects.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 sessions, 2.5 hours each | Smithsonian Teacher | In-depth foundational hand training | Limited styles |
10. Udemy – Modern Calligraphy for Beginners
This introductory modern calligraphy course teaches the basics of letterforms, strokes, and techniques to start writing in an elegant, flowing style. Led by Vivian Uang, an experienced instructor with a 4.5-star rating and over 5 years of teaching experience. Vivian covers everything from how to properly hold the brush pen to forming basic strokes like thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes.
| Duration | Instructor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 hours | Vivian Uang | Covers fundamentals Highly rated | Limited guidance for beginners |
Transitioning to Paid Courses
Once calligraphy beginners have a grasp of the fundamentals through free online classes, the next step is transitioning to more advanced paid courses to level up skills. While free calligraphy tutorials provide an introduction covering basic tools, strokes, and letterforms, paid classes offer a deeper dive into specific styles and techniques. As skills improve, calligraphers can explore pointed pen scripts, gilding, flourishing, and modern calligraphy with the guidance of experienced instructors.
Paid platforms like Skillshare, Domestika, and CreativeLive connect you with professional calligraphers for feedback and critique. Investing in premium course materials and video tutorials helps take your lettering to the next level. More practice with new drills and challenges yields visible progress. Paid courses also motivate you to get the most value out of your investment through commitment and accountability.
Once you determine your calligraphy style preferences through initial free classes, paid courses offer the structure and expertise to develop mastery.
