Bad Handwriting? That Might Actually Make You Better at Calligraphy. Here's Why…

Nov 10

Think your handwriting is too messy for calligraphy? I have good news: you don’t need perfect penmanship to create beautiful letters.

“I’m interested in calligraphy, but my handwriting is terrible.”

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not out of luck.

The truth is, calligraphy isn't handwriting. It’s not about cursive or penmanship or whether your grocery list looks like a ransom note. It’s about the basic strokes, consistency, and showing yourself grace along the way. Calligraphy is closer to drawing than scribbling notes in a planner. And that means your “bad handwriting” doesn’t disqualify you from giving it a go.

Let’s break that down.

Calligraphy Is More Like Drawing Than Writing in Cursive

When you practice calligraphy, you're not writing letters the way you were taught in school. You're building them stroke by stroke. Think of it like sketching little works of art. You’re training your muscles to make those motions smooth and fluid over time. That’s called muscle memory, and it’s something anyone can develop with a little practice and a lot of patience.

Start with Simple Strokes, Not Fancy Flourishes

Every calligraphy alphabet is built from just a few basic strokes. These are the building blocks or the “alphabet before the alphabet,” if you will.

You’ll start with:

Upstrokes: thin, light lines
Downstrokes: thicker, intentional lines
Underturn
Overturn
Compound Curve
Oval
Ascender
Descender

Once you learn these basics, you’ll start to see how they fit together like puzzle pieces to form letters. You don’t need to be an artist. You just need curiosity and a willingness to try.

You Don’t Need Fancy Tools to Start

Here’s one of the best-kept secrets: you don’t need a special brush pen to begin. You can use whatever pen or pencil you have on hand. Have a cup stuffed with your kid’s old markers? Those work too!

This is where faux calligraphy comes in. Faux calligraphy is a technique where you draw your letters and then go back to thicken the downstrokes. It’s beginner-friendly, low-pressure, and surprisingly satisfying.

Of course, if you’re curious about brush pens, go for it! But you don’t have to buy anything fancy to see if you enjoy the process. This is about permission, not perfection.

The Secret Sauce? Muscle Memory.

At first, your lines may wobble. Your hand might feel unsure. That’s okay. That’s actually how it’s supposed to feel.

Just like learning to ride a bike, calligraphy starts wobbly and ends up smooth. Your hand learns, your eyes adjust, and suddenly it all begins to flow.

That’s why at Lettered by Lola, we start with just one word at a time. One brush pen. One moment of quiet creativity. No pressure, just practice.

And Actually, Your “Bad Handwriting” Might Be a Blessing in Disguise

Yes, really. If you’ve never loved your handwriting, you might actually have an advantage. Why? Because you’re not trapped by old habits from cursive class. You’re coming in with fresh eyes and a blank slate, which means you’re free to experiment and create something that’s entirely your own.

So the next time you hesitate because your writing looks more like chicken scratch than script, remember that this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being expressive. It’s about giving yourself a gentle moment of joy, flow, and creativity.

Pick up the pen. Begin again.

Want to try it for yourself?
Download your free Everyday Lettering Quickstart Guide, complete with a beginner brush pen tutorial, printable practice sheet, and your first mini project.

Because your life is your greatest work of art and every stroke counts.