Maxie Calligraphy
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Maxie Calligraphy
Vancouver Calligrapher

learn calligraphy with me

There’s something really meditative about calligraphy. For me, focusing on how the ink flows out of the nib onto the paper, treating the nib as the extension of my fingers, seeing how my script changes with each tiny movement - it gets so easy for me to forget the world around me and just relax. That’s the reason why I got into calligraphy in 2016. I was looking for a hobby to de-stress from a toxic work environment and the pointed pen had been, and still is, the perfect escape for me.
If you’re looking for a relaxing hobby, I can teach you my style of Engrosser’s Script one stroke at a time. My method of teaching is very detail oriented and I focus on the basics. In the process of executing the strokes, I encourage you to be more present and mindful of your body and to watch the magic that happens when you let your fingers express your inner feelings through the strokes. I want to help you see yourself on paper and to write like you.

 The essentials of engrosser’s script

I hosted a free session on The Essentials of Engrosser’s Script on March 13, 2022 via Zoom. If you’d like to view the recording, please enter your details below. Note that you will be added to my email list - you can unsubscribe anytime!

Background:

I initially wanted to recreate my free private Zanerian Manual sessions from 2021, but as I was preparing the lesson plan, I realized that I didn’t really want to teach this script in one way (The Zanerian Manual way). Engrosser’s script can differ from calligrapher to calligrapher; the celebrated penmen of that era had their own styles and their own ways of teaching even the most basic of strokes - and that’s okay! 

Instead, I want to show you the overarching elements and the main characteristics of this beautiful script that I’ve gleaned from different resources and teachers. I hope that with this lesson, I will be able to train your eyes to see the essence of the script without having to be restricted to copying one penman’s style. 

We’ll do that by tackling the script at its most elementary level and constructing the strokes to form letters that are consistent and still precise to your personal taste.

 TESTIMONIALS

RECEIVE FREE FEEDBACK ON YOUR CALLIGRAPHY 

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One of the best ways to improve your work is to have a teacher review it. For a limited time only, I am offering FREE constructive feedback on your calligraphy practice work. I will analyze and send it back to you with detailed notes and suggestions on what and how to improve.

POINTED PEN calligraphy

(Collaboration with Ray Peña for an October 2021 challenge)

RESOURCES

Here are some free printable guide sheets and exemplars for your calligraphy practice:

Please sign up* to unlock all the resources, which currently include the following:

  • Practice: Basic Strokes

  • Practice: Lowercase Letters

  • Reference: Lowercase Exemplar - Alphabetized

  • Reference: Lowercase Exemplar - Grouped by Stroke

  • Reference: Types of Letter Connections

*Signing up also means you’ll be added to my email list. No spam. Thanks for your support!

 

 

BLOG

My blog is a place for me to document and compile the things I’m learning about calligraphy. I’m hoping it can also be a place for you to learn along with me!

Featured
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My IAMPETH Certificate of Proficiency In Engrosser's Script Application - 2022

I share my personal experience applying for the Certificate of Proficiency in Engrosser's Script under the IAMPETH Certificate Program in 2022.

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3 General Attributes - Script Analysis

I list out the top three overarching qualities that a script generally follows. They are, in my opinion, contrast, harmony and symmetry. I propose that these are the top three key observable features that make one’s script beautiful and visually balanced, no matter which style of script you’re studying.

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Letter Groups - Lowercase

I group the lowercase letters by the basic calligraphy strokes that they have in common.

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Basic Strokes - Lowercase

I go through the step-by-step process of how I personally execute the basic strokes that make up the lowercase alphabet.

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Getting to Know Your Nib

Knowing how your tool works is one of the most fundamental things you need to do before jumping straight to writing words and letters. Let’s talk about how a pointed nib works in creating shades and hairlines. Let’s also go over some nib exercises that will get your muscle memory used to how your nib behaves.

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Cleaning Nibs and Checking for Damage

On this post, we go over how to clean a new nib, how to tell if it’s good to go, and how to tell if it’s time to replace it.

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Pen Holders and Nib Angle

This post takes a closer look at the important angles an oblique pen holder has upon itself and relative to the paper, plus how it usually affects your writing.

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Paper Position and Nib Alignment

On this post, I talk about how to position the paper on the table before and while writing calligraphy. Key points are finding your natural finger movement, aligning your nib to the slant lines, and keeping the range of your hand right on your sweet spot on the paper.

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How to Write Calligraphy on Marble

My tips on how to write pointed pen calligraphy on marble coasters. I talk about the tools I usually use, how to erase mistakes, and how to make sure the ink stays on the marble for longer.

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ABOUT

Hi, I’m Maxie Peña and thanks for being here!

On this website, you will find tips and techniques that I’ve learned and have been continuing to learn about pointed pen calligraphy. My goal is to provide you with the level of detail and the structured direction I wish I had back when I was starting out.

I help students explore who they are on paper with pen and ink. I train your eyes to see room for growth while appreciating areas of beauty in your strokes. I encourage you, your hands, and your mind to be free of self-doubt and judgment when we are writing. We examine together how calligraphy may differ person to person; no two hands are the same! We will explore the different nuances, guiding you to find your own voice. I encourage doing calligraphy for the love of it. You can never do it wrong when you are only being yourself while you are writing with your pen.

I received my Certificate of Proficiency in Engrosser’s Script from IAMPETH in June 2023 and am currently awaiting results on my Certificate of Excellence application for 2024. I teach workshops both online and in person and have experience leading study groups and teaching in calligraphy guilds. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to schedule a class or a session. I’m based in Vancouver, Canada and would love to meet you either in person or online or both!

Send me an email or let’s connect via Instagram at @maxiecalligraphy.