My first brush with calligraphy

This month, my 'try something new' adventure took me into the world of brush calligraphy – a skill I’ve admired from afar but never actually attempted myself. I’ve always loved beautifully handwritten notes, menus, and quotes, but I never thought I’d have the patience or the steady hand for calligraphy. When I saw Alina from CreativeFeel's Getting Started with Brush Calligraphy course, I decided this would be the perfect way to give it a try myself. It turned out to be such a rewarding, and surprisingly calming, experience.

Beginning with the basics

The course is designed for absolute beginners, which was exactly what I needed. You receive a package of goodies before the course starts. Alina walks you through the basics step by step – everything from how to hold the brush pen, to making those foundational strokes, to eventually connecting them into letters and words.

What I appreciated most was her teaching style. She has a warm, encouraging approach that made me feel comfortable even when my strokes looked more like wobbly doodles than elegant lines. After the session, she shared the video so I could pause and practice without feeling rushed.

Discoveries along the way

As I worked through the course, I noticed a few unexpected things:

• Patience is key. Brush calligraphy is as much about slowing down as it is about learning technique.

• Slowing down felt good. Calligraphy forced me to be present in a way I didn’t expect.

• It’s meditative. Focusing on the strokes and rhythm became almost like a mindfulness exercise.

• Mistakes were part of the process. My first few strokes were shaky, but they gradually became smoother.

• Progress happens quickly. After just a few practice sheets, I noticed my control and confidence improving.

• Small wins add up. Seeing my letters actually come together was so satisfying!

By the end, I could write simple words in a way that actually looked intentional and not just like my everyday handwriting pretending to be fancy.

Signature finale

I’d recommend this course to anyone curious about calligraphy, even if you’ve never picked up a brush pen before. It’s a great way to try a creative hobby that’s equal parts relaxing and rewarding. I’m going to keep practicing and use calligraphy in my hannahmade christmas creations. For now, I’m just happy I took the leap into something new and found a hobby that feels both creative and calming.

Alina runs a few different courses, take a look.