english calligraphy practice sheets pdf

9 Free Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Stacy Fisher is an expert on crafting, sewing, and frugal finds, sharing her knowledge of hands-on DIY creations, finding freebies, and budgeting. Stacy was a guest on "The Dr. Oz Show" and featured in Woman's World Magazine. She has nearly two decades of writing and editing experience.

Cavan Images/Getty Images

These free calligraphy practice sheets will teach you the basics of modern calligraphy. There are practice worksheets that teach you brushstrokes, help you relax your breathing, and even teach you a few different styles of the alphabet.

Modern calligraphy, sometimes referred to as faux calligraphy, doesn't require any special tools. All you need is an everyday writing utensil and some paper.

Being able to write using modern calligraphy means that you can write beautiful notes and letters impressing all your friends and family. It's really perfect for someone who is looking to improve their handwriting, whether you want to make it decorative at not. You'll learn some great techniques that you'll be able to use in your everyday handwriting. It's also great for the beginner, who may want to get into traditional calligraphy or brush lettering in the future.

If you find that you enjoy these free calligraphy practice sheets, you may want to consider taking a calligraphy class .

Breathing Drills Traceable Worksheet

Crooked Calligraphy

Breathing in a relaxed manner while you're writing is how you get smooth letters that flow one into another. Breathing this way can be more challenging than you may think. This free calligraphy worksheet will help you regulate your breath while learning some basic calligraphy strokes.

There are more calligraphy freebies here including guideline sheets, envelope addressing templates, and a wide variety of tracing worksheets. You'll get these for free too, when you download the breathing drills worksheet. There are even some seasonal worksheets that will help when you're addressing those Christmas cards and sending your holiday letters.

Breathing Drills Traceable Worksheet from Crooked Calligraphy

Printable Pencil Calligraphy Worksheet

This calligraphy worksheet was made especially for regular pencils. It has practice areas for downstrokes, upstrokes, horizontal strokes, and an uppercase and lowercase alphabet tracing guide.

Before you get started, check out this Beginner's Guide to Pencil Calligraphy so you can be readily prepared for pencil calligraphy. You'll learn all about choosing a pencil, holding the pencil, achieving stroke variation, using a lightbox, and waterproofing your paper to avoid smudges.

Printable Pencil Calligraphy Worksheet from TPK

How to Do Faux Calligraphy Worksheet

The Happy Ever Crafter

Before you download this worksheet, be sure to check out the written and video directions. It will teach you a ton about faux calligraphy.

The free calligraphy worksheet teaches you the basics of downstrokes and then asks you to try out your new skills on a copy of the alphabet.

How to Do Faux Calligraphy Worksheet from The Happy Ever Crafter

Faux Calligraphy Alphabet Worksheet

Scribbling Grace

This Faux Calligraphy 101 worksheet teaches you how to write pretty script letters and then fill in the downstrokes. It will take you through each step and then give you room to practice on your own. There's also a video that goes along with this worksheet if you need some extra help.

Faux Calligraphy Alphabet Worksheet from Scribbling Grace

Calligraphy Practice Sheet

Small Brown Writes

Grab a pencil and a pen, as well as a ruler and an eraser, for this calligraphy practice sheet. You'll be learning how to write the letters and add downstrokes. An emphasis is placed on making letters uniformly slanted.

Calligraphy Practice Sheet from Small Brown Writes

Basic Faux Calligraphy Exemplar

A micron ink pen is recommended for this worksheet but really any writing utensil will do. Using the "Kaitlin" style of calligraphy, you can trace this lowercase alphabet and then fill in your downstrokes.

Basic Faux Calligraphy Exemplar from TPK

Faux Calligraphy Alphabet Worksheets

Smiling Colors

There are two faux calligraphy worksheets here, an uppercase alphabet and a lowercase alphabet. Simply print the worksheets and then use a writing utensil (like a gel pen) to trace the letters and add the downstrokes.

There are lots of other free worksheets here on brush lettering and other writing techniques.

Faux Calligraphy Alphabet Worksheets from Smiling Colors

Faux Calligraphy Practice

Teachers Pay Teachers

This free calligraphy worksheet is great for the beginner who wants to practice the alphabet. It's an uppercase and lowercase alphabet that you can trace and then add downstrokes to. There's also a page of some words that you can practice.

Faux Calligraphy Practice from Teachers Pay Teachers

Free Faux Calligraphy Worksheet

Vial Designs

This set of modern calligraphy worksheets is a great way to wrap up your practice. It has a great overview of downstrokes and then has room to practice the alphabet: first by tracing, and then by writing it yourself. There's a blank page at the end that you can use to practice your new skills.

Free Faux Calligraphy Worksheet from Vial Designs

More from The Spruce Crafts

• 55 Free Connect the Dots Worksheets
• Make Your Own Word Search Puzzle
• 12 Free Hand Lettering Worksheets for Practice
• 14 Free Monogram Fonts
• Make Custom Craft Projects with Our Free Printable Uppercase Letters Template
• The 7 Best Online Calligraphy Classes of 2024
• Free Online Connect the Dots Games
• 10 Sets of Printable Alphabet Flashcards
• 9 Best Places for Free Easter Egg Coloring Pages
• Free Printable Activities for Kids
• Free, Printable Summer Coloring Pages
• Free, Printable Earth Day Coloring Pages
• Free, Printable Highlights Hidden Pictures
• 49 Free Color by Numbers Worksheets
• Free Valentine's Day Printables
• 15 DIYs That Are Mentally Soothing

Copperplate Calligraphy For Beginners – Basic Strokes & Practice Sheets

To learn copperplate calligraphy (also known as Engrosser’s script) is not an easy task. For those of us learning, it has a very steep learning curve and can be quite frustrating. But fear not! There are resources that can get you where you want to be. Of course it takes a lot of practice, but learning copperplate calligraphy can be sped up with the proper tips, tricks, and teachings. Below I’ve listed 3 different online learning resources to choose from, depending on what kind of calligrapher you are. But first you need to know what calligraphy tools to use for copperplate calligraphy.

Calligrascape’s Copperplate Course

Check out the one-stop-shop for learning Copperplate Calligraphy.

Table of Contents

Tools You Will Need For Copperplate Calligraphy

Regardless of what kind of calligrapher you are, you will need the right tools to learn copperplate calligraphy. I have used a lot of calligraphy tools while I was learning, some worked, some didn’t and below are my favourites that make it easier for me to learn copperplate calligraphy. If you already have the tools please skip this section and go right to basic strokes. If you aren’t planning on getting any tools try my video Copperplate with a Pencil video .

1. Oblique Pen Holder

An oblique pen holder makes it much easier to write the letters at the 55 degree slant without putting extra stress on the wrist or holding the paper at a very different angle. Oblique Pen: PaperInkArts.com

2. A Beginner Friendly Nib

A calligraphy nib is incredibly important, as only the pressure sensitive tines of the nib can create the beautiful contrast of thick and this strokes. The Zebra G Nib is incredibly beginner friendly as its pressure sensitivity is low so you don’t need to have to have incredibly accurate pressure to succeed at making letters. This does sacrifice a little bit of line contrast, but once you feel practiced enough I would suggest getting a more sensitive nib. Also make sure you properly prepare and care for your nib, you can find out how to do that here . Calligraphy Nib: Zebra G Nib

3. Calligraphy Ink

Most calligraphy ink should do the job here, but in my experience the viscosity of India ink works perfectly with the Zebra G nib. Calligraphy Ink: Speedball Super Black

4. Bleed Proof Paper

Finding paper worthy of calligraphy is hard as there are just so many types. If you ask me about any specific paper, I cannot answer for sure that the paper will cooperate with ink. However, we have one metric to measure to help make sure the paper you use should work is weight, which is measured in lbs or gsm (grams per square metre). I recommend 32lb or 120gsm for the best chance that your paper won’t bleed. If you want to learn more, I go into more depth on calligraphy paper in my other post here if you are interested Bleed Proof Paper: HP Premium 32 Paper

Three Ways to Learn Copperplate Calligraphy Online

Disclaimer: If you have never learned any style of pointed pen calligraphy, I suggest getting the basics down with Modern Calligraphy . It is the perfect introductory script to learn the basic strokes , the tools of the trade , and troubleshooting any problems you may be facing with the pointed pen. There are less rules to adhere to when learning, making pointed pen calligraphy easier to pick up. However, with option 1, you can learn all the basics step-by-step at your own pace.

1. For the Eager Beginner – Online Copperplate Calligraphy Course

If you have never really used a pointed pen or written calligraphy before, an instructional online course for beginners is what you need. I have developed a course on Udemy.com that allows someone who has never used a pointed pen before to learn the basic strokes then all the way to calligraphy compositions. You can find it and all it’s details here: Learn Copperplate Calligraphy Course

2. For the Motivated Self Learner – Practice Sheets

If you are persistent on learning copperplate calligraphy, and you are a self learner, practice sheets are what you need. This isn’t any old copybook though. They have all the tips and tricks to fast track you to learning the skill you want:

• The Tools You’ll Need
• Basic Strokes & Letter Construction
• 3 Methods of Flat Tops and Bottoms
• The 5 Guidelines of Flourishing
• Common problems and Probable Solutions page (to help solve annoying blobbing/pointed pen problems)

You can find the practice sheets and all it’s details here:

3. For the Careful Spender – Instructional Tutorial Blogpost

As someone who did learn copperplate calligraphy from online resources, I understand this selection. When you are first starting, you may not want to spend anything until you know you like it. The only thing I can say is that it took me quite a while to get where I wanted to be with the copperplate script. A lot of problems were from things I didn’t know about ink, paper and proper method. These hurdles could have been avoided if I attended a course or bought a book. That said, I will try to outline as much as I can in this tutorial blogpost. Read on!

But First: An Ultra-Brief History of Copperplate

Copperplate calligraphy is an contemporary synonym for 3 fancy looking pointed pen scripts: Engrosser’s Script, Engraver’s Script, and English Roundhand. It is a calligraphic style that is based on shaded letters which have been developed over hundreds of years starting around 1650. During it’s standardization, it was engraved onto copper plates for printing, thus granting the scripts’ name. It was also popularized by many calligraphers such as George Bickham, George Shelley and Charles Snell through copybooks, printmaking and writing manuals. Now onto the learning!

Download Free Basic Practice Sheet with 55° Slant

If you didn’t already know I have a basic copperplate practice sheet available to download on my website. It’s 55 degree guideline with some letters to copy. My other sheets teach everything you need to know from stroke order to flourishing.

• For the Free Practice sheet:
• If you need more info on the premium practice book on sale now:

What are the Basic Strokes of Copperplate Calligraphy?

Before we get to the basic strokes, we need to know the fundamentals of pointed pen calligraphy: (1) Upstrokes and (2) Downstrokes.

Upstrokes are typically made every time a new lowercase letter is started and are created by applying light nib pressure onto the page while swinging in an upward (away from you) motion. This will make a thin evenly-weighted line that will connect each letter.

Downstrokes are typically made every time you need to make the thick lines that create the identifiable part of each letter. Downstrokes are done by applying medium nib pressure onto the page while pulling the pen downwards (towards yourself). This will create a thicker strokes that contrast well with your upstrokes.

In the image above there are 7 basic strokes: (1) the entrance stroke, (2) oval, (3) underturn, (4) overturn, (5) compound, (6) ascender, and (7) descender. All 7 of these strokes are made up of transitioning between downstrokes and upstrokes.

PROTIP:While practicing these strokes make sure you are applying that 55 degree angle that we mentioned earlier. I suggest having the paper at that angle (or as close as you can) so that when you are making downstroke you will be pulling straight towards yourself.

Once you’ve gotten familiar with the basic strokes for copperplate calligraphy, try piecing together the practice strokes into letters! (6) Ascender + (5) compound = “h” and so forth. Don’t forget to always start a lowercase letter with an entrance stroke!

Check out the other combinations:

• (2) Oval + (7) Descender = “g”
• (4) Overturn + (4) Overturn + (5) Compound = “m”
• (5) Compound + (3) Underturn = “u”

Additional Strokes

There are a few more strokes that help make up the lowercase alphabet: the dot (found in c, i, j, s, and x), flat tops (found in a, d, i, j, m, n, p, q, t, u, w,& y) and the small underturn (found in b, o, v, & w).

These additional strokes really bring home the unique elegance of copperplate. The dot is easy, but the flat tops and small underturn are difficult to master. Try to practice these calligraphic strokes with the free basic practice sheet below:

Differences Between Modern Calligraphy, Spencerian and Copperplate Calligraphy

Copperplate calligraphy can easily be identified in one word as I said in the Complete Beginners Guide as “fancy.” It has a strict 55 degree slant, flat tops and feet and perfect oval flourishes. Modern calligraphy , ( Congrats and Saluations scripts below) has a certain flow to it and has no consistent size, spacing or connections. You can see the difference in style and tone between modern calligraphy and copperplate calligraphy below. Spencerian calligraphy is characterized by an elegant light script with minimal pressure strokes.

Below is a comparison of individual letters to greater compare each script.

If you would like to learn any and all these scripts, I have a worksheet package for each of them, or a bundle at a lower price. Check them out below!

• All 4 Pointed Pen Scripts Bundle (122 Pages)
• Master Class Modern Calligraphy Practice Sheets
• Master Class Spencerian Calligraphy Practice Sheets
• Master Class Copperplate Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Now get practicing, so you can learn copperplate calligraphy! If I missed something in this post please leave a comment and let me know! Thank you for reading all the way until the end. 🙂 Richard

14 thoughts on “Copperplate Calligraphy For Beginners – Basic Strokes & Practice Sheets”

Dear Richard, I bought the copperplate practice booklet and I find it very helpful. Unfortunately I am a little confused by the part on stroke movement. It feels so unnatural to move my hole arm instead of my fingers and I can’t imagine you could get the same precision with that. Could you perhaps write an more elaborate article about the right ways of using finger, elbow and shoulder movements. I’m curious if I’m doing it right and how long it will to take to feel less weird.

Hi Anouk! It is definitely weird at first. It is the ideal way of doing calligraphy to minimize repetitive strain injuries. It is really hard to overwrite the writing motion we have all done for many years. I would say start slowly and repeat your practice. It will take a while, and will be much harder at first than if you were just writing the conventional way. However, there are many calligraphers that get by with the normal writing motion. So it is really up to you, just be aware that this can cause repetitive strain injury (repetitive fine motor strain and pressure). I still catch myself writing conventionally, it’s not the end of the world. I hope this helps.

Very nice and well explained Article

Thanks Pooja!

Thank you so much for the detailed post! I am practicing brush lettering and my teacher recommended us to use tracing paper. It’s smooth, you can put your practice sheets underneath and don’t need to print them over and over. Do you think it would work for learning Copperplate calligraphy?

Hi Natalia!

Copperplate calligraphy would usually use a pointed pen and ink and tracing paper is to low a density for ink. It would bleed everywhere! If you are learning with a brush pen it should work. Though I do not have copperplate brush sheets yet…. yet.

Thanks, Richard

Do you have any instructions that would help lefties with the various strokes? When I was learning calligraphy in general I had to actually begin at the end of a line of words and work from right to left, and often the downstrokes were up and upstrokes were down

I personally do not have a left-handed friendly tutorials. Below are some lefty calligraphers that may help you:

– Connie Chen – Logos Calligraphy

At some point I would like to make resources for lefties, but I think I would need to partner up with a lefty.

Hi Richard, I ordered your Copperplate Master Class and found it very helpful and well-written. For some reason I can print everythng except the practice sheets. Very odd. Can you help, please? Regards, Linda Porter

I would love to help you get practicing. I just need a bit more info on the issue. Please email [email protected] more details about your printing issue.

Hi Richard Thank you for responding. I purchased and downloaded the Copperplate Masterclass. It is really excellent and a huge help to me. The problem is the blank guideline sheets just didn’t print with everything else. I also tried printing just those pages with no luck. I have printed multiple calligraphy guidelines from other sources with no issues. I want to be able to print yours though because I like the size and detail! Thanks, Linda

Hi there, I bought the pack (it is amazing!), do you have this as a font (preferably with the guide lines)? I would love to print some documents to practice in a fun way. Many thanks! Kym

As of now, I do not have Copperplate as a font. However, it is in the works.

The article discusses essential tools for learning copperplate calligraphy. It provides useful recommendations for beginners, including an oblique pen holder, a beginner-friendly nib, calligraphy ink, and bleed-proof paper.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Sign up to our newsletter!

79 Pages of Free A to Z Calligraphy Practice Sheets for Perfecting Your Skills

• Download file

If you're looking to improve your calligraphy skills, these free printable worksheets are a great place to start. With 79 pages of A to Z practice sheets, you'll have plenty of opportunities to perfect your lettering and create beautiful works of art. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced calligrapher, these worksheets are a valuable resource for honing your skills.

What is calligraphy?

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. It involves using a variety of tools, such as pens, brushes, and markers, to create elegant and decorative lettering. Calligraphy has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations like China and Greece, and has been used for everything from religious texts to wedding invitations. Today, calligraphy is still a popular art form and is often used in graphic design, typography, and other creative fields.

Why practice calligraphy?

Practicing calligraphy can have many benefits, both practical and personal. For one, it can improve your handwriting and make it more legible and attractive. It can also help you develop patience, focus, and attention to detail. Additionally, calligraphy can be a relaxing and meditative activity, providing a creative outlet and a way to de-stress. Finally, if you're interested in pursuing a career in design or typography, calligraphy skills can be a valuable asset.

How to use the practice sheets.

To use the free calligraphy practice sheets, simply download and print them out. Each page includes a letter of the alphabet in both uppercase and lowercase, as well as a space for you to practice writing the letter yourself. Start by tracing the letter with a pencil, then try writing it on your own. Repeat this process for each letter until you feel comfortable with the strokes and shapes. As you progress, you can experiment with different pens and inks to create your own unique style. Happy practicing!

Tips for improving your calligraphy skills.

In addition to using the free calligraphy practice sheets, there are a few tips you can follow to improve your calligraphy skills. First, make sure you are holding your pen correctly and using the right amount of pressure. Practice writing slowly and deliberately, focusing on each stroke and shape. Experiment with different pens and inks to find the ones that work best for you. Finally, don't be afraid to make mistakes - calligraphy is all about practice and experimentation. Keep practicing and you'll be writing beautifully in no time!

Additional resources for learning calligraphy.

In addition to the free calligraphy practice sheets, there are many other resources available for learning calligraphy. Online courses, instructional books, and workshops can all be great ways to improve your skills and learn new techniques. You can also join calligraphy communities and forums to connect with other calligraphers and get feedback on your work. Don't be afraid to explore different resources and find what works best for you.

Calligraphy, the artistic expression of handwriting, has become a popular hobby and skill for many who appreciate the beauty of well-crafted letters. From calligraphy worksheets to various calligraphy pdf resources available online, there is an abundance of materials for those looking to master this elegant art form. Calligraphy fonts, which mimic the style of calligraphy writing, are often sought after for their unique and decorative appearance. These fonts can be used in a variety of contexts, such as wedding invitations, logos, and personalized stationery.

Calligraphy letters form the foundation of this art, with each individual letter showcasing the calligrapher's skill and precision. The calligraphy of alphabets, or the practice of creating each letter in a specific style, is a key aspect of learning calligraphy. The calligraphy alphabet typically includes both uppercase and lowercase letters, with each letter crafted using a set of unique strokes and flourishes. Calligraphy of English, or English calligraphy, is one of the most popular styles, as it encompasses a range of fonts and styles that suit a variety of applications.

Calligraphy English, or the practice of calligraphy in English, has a rich history and numerous meanings. At its core, calligraphy meaning refers to the design and execution of lettering with a broad-tipped instrument, brush, or other writing instruments. One of the most recognizable examples of calligraphy is the capital letter "A" in various styles. The calligrapher meaning, on the other hand, refers to the artist who skillfully creates these beautiful letterforms.

Calligraphy of a and calligraphy of s are just two examples of how individual letters can be transformed into artistic masterpieces. A comprehensive collection of calligraphy fonts, A to Z, can be found online, showcasing various styles and techniques. Calligraphy handwriting, which includes calligraphy A to Z, emphasizes the importance of mastering each letter in a consistent and precise manner.

Calligraphy how to write resources, such as calligraphy letters A to Z tutorials, can be invaluable for beginners. Calligraphy English writing, or the practice of calligraphy writing in English, can be learned through instructional materials, video tutorials, and in-person workshops. Calligraphy for beginners often starts with the calligraphy alphabet A to Z, allowing newcomers to familiarize themselves with the basic letterforms before moving on to more advanced techniques.

Calligraphy capital letters, which include uppercase calligraphy styles, can be more challenging to master due to their intricate and ornate designs. In contrast, lowercase calligraphy tends to be more approachable for beginners, as the letterforms are often simpler and more fluid. Calligraphy easy, or beginner-friendly calligraphy styles, can be a great starting point for those looking to learn this art form.

Calligraphy how to learn resources are abundant, with calligraphy learning materials available in various formats, such as books, websites, and video tutorials. Calligraphy practice sheets, including calligraphy worksheets and calligraphy abcd sheets, offer a structured way for learners to develop their skills. Calligraphy alphabet letters can be practiced using these worksheet for calligraphy materials, which often include traceable templates and guides for proper stroke order.

Handwritten notes pdf resources, which provide examples of calligraphy letter p, calligraphy letter m, and other individual letters, can serve as valuable references for students. Calligraphy handwriting A to Z guides offer a comprehensive overview of the various letterforms, including both uppercase calligraphy and lowercase calligraphy styles.

• Calligraphy
• All CBSE worksheet
• All ENGLISH GRAMMAR worksheet
• All GRADE 6 worksheet

You may like these also

Comparing Size Worksheets for Nursery: Same or Different?

7 Pages Profit and Loss Worksheets for Class 5 with Answer Key

Best Measurement Worksheet for Class 5th with Answer Key

7 Engaging Fun with Numbers Class 3 Worksheets for Math Practice

Teaching resources, test generator, worksheet generator, classroom activities, customize question paper, elearning for students, practice question paper, mock test series, happy parenting, elearning for child, worksheet for child, mock test series for child, activities for development, career guidance, counselling, witknowlearn, privacy policy, terms and condition, refund/cancellation policy.

Or login with Google

Notification

Upgrade to better learning opportunities.

20+ Calligraphy Exercises Books for Free! [PDF]

* If you have doubts about how to download free books from InfoBooks, visit our guide to downloading books .

Calligraphy is a type of writing that is characterized by its artistic and correctly formed style, but it can also be considered as the different elements that characterize the way a person writes. In this section you will find the most effective calligraphy exercises to improve your handwriting and enhance your manual skills.

Although we live in a world where handwriting has been replaced by the keyboards of smartphones, computers and other electronic devices, calligraphy is still an act that is more than necessary for the development of fine motor skills during childhood, in addition to favoring communication at this stage.

The act of picking up a pencil correctly and moving it along the page should not be underestimated, since there are certain motor skills that reach a better point of development when the brain sends its signal to the hands and fingers. 

Science has shown that, thanks to the increased use of tactile devices such as tablets, today’s children are less likely to develop the skills needed to perform routine everyday acts, such as tying their shoes or buttoning their shirts. Calligraphy can help reduce this statistic.

Calligraphy provides clarity of thought and gives a natural structure to our movement. When we write by hand, it stimulates the reticular activating system , a region of the brain that filters perceived information and prioritizes only the elements we are most actively focused on. This means that the brain pays more attention to what we write than to what is going on around us.

By writing, you stimulate your neural connections and slow down aging, as you activate your cognitive, visual, mental and motor skills. Practicing calligraphy exercises is an excellent way to obtain these benefits, and that’s why we offer you more than 20 calligraphy exercises in PDF format.

Here we present our complete selection of Calligraphy Exercises Books

Script in the Copperplate Style

Joseph M. Vitolo

Cursive Writing: Lower Case

PrintNPractice Printable Worksheets

Beth Style Calligraphy

The Postman’s Knock

Lettering Practice Worksheet

Dual Brush Pens

Number worksheets

Have Fun Teaching

Lettering Practice Worksheet (Article)

Kelly Sugar Crafts

Cursive Writing: Lower Case (Article)

Lettering Practice Worksheets (Article)

Cursive Writing: Upper Case (Article)

Handwriting Practice Booklet (Article)

Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy

Palmer Cursive Practice Worksheet (Article)

Page Flutter

Color Chart

Faux Calligraphy Worksheet (Article)

Lower Case Cursive Letter Practice (Article)

Brush Calligraphy Practice - Fall Phrases (Article)

kelly Sugar Crafts

Handwriting Practice Sheet for Adult (Article)

Number Dyslexia

Cursive Writing Worksheets (Article)

K5 Learning

Lower case Alphabet Practice Sheet (Article)

Bostitch Office Products

Cursive Writing Worksheet (Article)

Alphabet Practice Sheet (Article)

Cursive Alphabet - Lower-case Letters (Article)

Super Teacher Worksheets

Handwriting fluency and legibility

Mason Joanne

Here ends our selection of free Calligraphy Exercises books in PDF format. We hope you liked it and already have your next book!

If you found this list useful, do not forget to share it on your social networks. Remember that “Sharing is Caring” .

Do you want more Art and Photography books in PDF format ?

Art & Photography Books

| Acting Books

| Architecture Books

| Books about Colors

| Calligraphy Books

| Cartoon Books

| Cinematography Books

| Colorimetry Books

| Coloring Books

| Creativity Books

| Dance Books

| Diagramming Books

| Drawing Books

| Drawing Exercise Books

| Fashion Books

| Furniture Design Books

| Graphic Design Books

| Industrial Design Books

| Interior Decorating Books

| Mandalas Books

| Music Books

| Music Theory Books

| Origami Books

| Painting Books

| Photography Books

| Plastic Arts Books

| Sculpture Books

| Theater Books

| Typography Books

| Urban Design Books

| Visual Arts Books

Alternative Therapy

Art & Photography

Children's

Computer Science

Engineering

Esotericism

Food & Drinks

French Books

Mystery and Thriller

Portuguese Books

Self Improvement

Short Stories

Spanish Books

HELP US SPREAD THE HABIT OF READING!

InfoBooks is a website to download free books legally.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

• Learning Blackletter Alphabets (Free Downloadable Guides)

It was actually blackletter script that got me into hand-lettering years back. No matter what style I would pursue, I would always find myself coming back to the “gothic” school of letterforms. You might not think of this classic script style when you think of calligraphy or hand-lettering. But believe it or not, it’s incredibly popular and its rich history predates scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian by centuries.

Years back, I posted a series of posts that dove into learning Blackletter (specifically in Textura and Fraktur styles). Since then, I’ve written many posts on blackletter technique. I’ve also published a series of workbooks dedicated to learning each style of the four styles of blackletter. Upon revisiting those posts, I realized the content was lacking in regards to what I’m now able to offer instructionally. As a result, I decided to compile all of those posts into this single big one. And that’s what you’re reading right now.

Blackletter 101: A Primer

First off, let’s get our vocabulary straight. You’ve probably heard the terms “Old English” or “gothic” in reference to blackletter. All of this terminology is interchangeable and over centuries, has become common slang to describe the style.

The style itself originated in Northern Europe during the 11th century. It evolved as it spread throughout Europe until the early 1900s. Interestingly enough, the rigid vertical structure was written to mimic the architecture of gothic cathedrals (hence the name “gothic”). This style of architecture is not meant to be confused with the actual Gothic tribes from or the Gothic alphabet. This particular alphabet was used by bishops and missionaries in bible translation many centuries earlier.

In regards to the “Old English”, it was believed the Old English language was written in blackletter style. It was later disproved, but the name stuck, at least in our modern era. This was arguably due to a blackletter font called “Old English Text”, which is often found in newspaper headline text.

I could go on about the history and evolution of blackletter, but it’s well beyond the scope of this article.

Different Styles of Blackletter

Blackletter is simply a reference to a variety, or school, of gothic calligraphy styles. But to distill things down for the sake of simplicity, you accurately categorize the main classic varieties of blackletter into to the following four styles:

• Textura (also known as Textualis)
• Bastarda (also known as Batarde)

This tends to confuse or overwhelm people when they first attempt to learn blackletter because it becomes tough to understand the differences and why there are so many variations of each of these four core styles. Why? Well, simply because it evolved over time, across lands under different rule, through the instruction of people that were all trained differently, and with access to different tools and materials.

But don’t overthink it. Here’s a simple and roughly loose way of explaining:

Textura, a rigid and vertically structured form of blackletter started in the 11th century in Northern Europe. Shortly thereafter, Rotunda emerged in Southern Europe. Rotunda is inspired by Textura, but features many round forms. Over the centuries when it became more common for the everyday person to learn to write, Bastarda. Hence the name, it’s truly a bastardized version of Textura and Rotunda, often written quickly (which results in more flow of gesture and expression). In the 1800 and 1900s, German blackletter evolved into Fraktur (from a hand called Schwabacher), a more formalized and rhythmic rendition of Bastarda hands. This was the font used by Hitler and the Third Reich. Those assholes inevitably tarnished the hand’s reputation.

Once again, it’s hard to sum up centuries of history in just a couple of paragraphs, but hopefully this gives you a high-level understanding of blackletter’s origins and it’s four core styles. Let’s get to the fun part.

Blackletter Tools of the Trade

In this day and age, writing blackletter is much easier than it used to be. There are many tools at our disposal and what works best for one person might not work best for the next. You could use brushes, pens, markers, or even classic quills. However, the key factor is that your writing utensil is “broad edged”. Also referred to as a “flat”, this style of edge is simply one which can produce thick and thin lines, depending on the direction it is moved.

I have an entire post on broad edge calligraphy resources. If you want to dive deep, it contains everything you need to know.

However, if you’re just getting your feet wet or experimenting and are unsure of where to start, look no further than the Pilot Parallel . This pen comes in four sizes (I recommend the 3.8MM ). It is incredibly versatile, easy to maintain, and inexpensive. With just a little care, it will last you for many years.

What about paper? Don’t go crazy with paper when you’re just starting out. If you’re using basic ink, almost anything will do. If you notice some bleeding, use a thicker paper (bristol or any kind of mixed media marker pad will work just fine).

Blackletter Guide Preparation

Working with a guide is not cheating. For most, it’s a crucial aspect of enabling the execution of consistent letterforms. Without going too far into details and the philosophies behind guide creation, just know there are no hard and fast rules.

When it comes to broad edged calligraphy, guides are measured in “units”, where one unit represents the width of your writing utensil. For blackletter calligraphy, a 2:4:2 ratio guide is appropriate, particularly for what we’re doing. A 2:4:2 ratio means your x-height is 4 units while your ascender and descender heights are 2 units. Your letters will sit on the baseline.

Lowercase (minuscule) letters will be as tall as the x-height, unless they have an ascender, in which case the letterform will reach the ascender line. Likewise, if they have a descender, that descender will reach the descender line. Uppercase (majuscule) letters sit on the baseline and extend all the way up to the ascender.

You can certainly make these guides yourself and even experiment with different ratios of your choosing, but I’ve also created a 2:4:2 guide sheet that you can print out to save time. This guide sheet is based on a 3.8MM unit, which is the width of the second largest in the Pilot Parallel pen series. This is the tool that I recommended in the previous section.

Download free blank Blackletter guide

Before We Begin

You’re primed and prepped to get started. This is where most people experience paralysis. What style of blackletter are you supposed to learn first? Should you copy an alphabet? How do you know if you’re practicing the best technique? These are all questions I asked when I first started. And after many years of practice, the best answer is simply to just start.

To give you a good understanding of how to approach every style or variation you come across, we’re going to build towards learning two drastically different alphabets. This might seem like a lot — and it is! You’re going to be learning the extent of what your pen is capable of when it comes to composing strokes. However, this is the fastest way to develop your pen skills and gain an understanding and appreciation of the nuanced differences that make each rendition of a blackletter alphabet unique.

Before we jump in, just remember: calligraphy is hard. It is essential that you remind yourself of this when you get frustrated or fatigued. You can learn the basics in a matter of hours. However, mastering the execution and developing the muscles takes countless hours of practice. There’s no silver bullet. Just a whole lot of practice. Practice, practice, practice.

Blackletter Minuscule (Lowercase) Strokes

Hold your pen (or the blackletter tool of your choice), at an angle of 40º to 50º. With a few exceptions, this is the angle at which you will create most of your letters from. Holding the pen in this manner allows you to achieve different line widths depending on the direction in which you move your pen.

So simple, yet so important! You’ll find a quad (a diamond shape) of some sort in many letterforms, so make sure you get comfortable, as it is also the basic for many horizontal stroke variations. There are two varieties of diamonds; regular and elongated.

These diamond shapes are simple, but they take a little bit of practice. The key to making a perfect diamonds is to ensure that the left and right points are horizontally aligned. To create one, place your pen on the paper while making note of where the left edge of your nib is touching the paper.

Picture a line that goes horizontally across your paper right through that point. Now slowly pull down and to the right (at the same angle your pen is tilted) until the right edge of your nib is at that imaginary line. Elongated diamonds follow the exact same technique, but when you pull down, you do so at an angle that is less than that of your tilted pen. In other words, move it further to the right than you are moving it down.

Down Strokes

As a general rule of thumb, downstrokes are always thick. A large majority of the Textura style is made up by different combinations of these strokes, particularly the lowercase alphabet.

To achieve these strokes, firmly hold your pen and pull in the appropriate direction (very rarely will you push a stroke in blackletter). Be sure not to twist your pen. Maintaining a consistent angle is the most important part of a down stroke.

Once you’re comfortable with a basic downstroke, try mixing diamonds into them.

To begin with a diamond, follow the diamond technique, but when you finish with the diamond, don’t lift your pen. Instead, pull straight downwards.

To end with a diamond, pull your stroke down, but don’t pull it all the way to the baseline. Instead, stop about a diamond’s height shorter and pull your diamond out to the right.

Now let’s try some more advanced downstrokes. At first glance, these look pretty easy (and maybe the will be for you), but up until this point, the strokes you’ve practiced have been rigidly straight. Those straight strokes are common Textura, but in later iterations of blackletter (like Fraktur), the strokes bend much more.

These vertical strokes are all achieved by moving your pen down straight (or at a slight bend like the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th example in the above image). The last stroke in the above image is by far the hardest. Notice how it tapers off to a point as it gets towards the bottom? This technique requires hours of practice before it becomes natural. It can be achieved by applying more pressure on the left of the nib and less pressure on the right side of the nib as you finish off the stroke. It can also be done by gradually rotating your pen counter-clockwise as the stroke progresses, ending in a vertical point.

Horizontal Strokes

Horizontal strokes in Textura are relatively easy. To perform a basic horizontal stroke, place your pen and pull it horizontally in a straight line. As always, make sure you’re holding your pen at a consistent angle. To make a curved horizontal stroke, adjust the direction you’re pulling ever so slightly so that you can achieve the curve.

When it comes to giving strokes more of an expressive and sharp Fraktur-style edge, you’ll need to finesse the pen a little more. In the following diagram, the first stroke move the is similar to the straight horizontal Textura stroke, but nib is moved upward at the beginning and end of the stroke to give it those sharp points.

The second stroke in the image above is executed much in the same way as the first, it’s just more of a fluid motion. As soon as you begin the stroke, move the pen up, over, down, then back up, finishing with a sharp point at the same angle in which the stroke began.

The third stroke (labelled “fill”) is something I refer to as a “flare”. These flares can be achieved in a single pen stroke if you flick the nib at the right angle while flexing it with the right amount of pressure. Again, this takes a a great deal of practice. Even after years of writing blackletter, it’s still a skill I’m personally refining. But you can always fake your flares by drawing them in with the edge of your nib. Don’t worry, it’s not cheating!

Learning Blackletter Minuscule Alphabets

If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back. Learning basic strokes individually is not a particularly enjoyable or rewarding process, but it’s crucial to being able to develop letterforms. The good news is you’ve learned all of the strokes you need to create a variety of different styles of styles of blackletter. And to put your hard work to use, let’s do so right now.

Throughout these exercises, we spoke of Textura and Fraktur alphabets. The earlier exercises of each stroke category (strokes with more rigidness) are more pertinent to the Textura alphabet, whereas the the more expressive strokes are geared towards Fraktur.

I’ve created guide sheets for both of these alphabets that you can download and print out to aid in your practice. These guides are also based on a 3.8MM unit, so if you’re using the green Pilot Parallel, these should match up exactly with your pen nib. But if you’re using something else, these guides can still be a a helpful reference.

Here’s an example of what one of the guide pages look like:

Note : I created each of these alphabet guides at two different points in time, so the guide structure might look a little different at first glance, but the mechanics are identical.

Download the Textura minuscule guides as well as the Fraktur minuscule guide . Or download blank blackletter guides .

Yes, there are 26 letters here, but once you know a couple of them, you know all of them. Nearly every letter is a combination of downstrokes and diagonal strokes. You’ll notice many of the letters in the textura minuscule (lowercase) alphabet follow the exact same pattern. For example, a, c, e, g, o, and q all start with the same vertical stroke and their second stroke is the short horizontal “diamond” that meets the top of the stroke at its edge. These repetitive patterns are extremely helpful in learning the alphabet quickly.

Here’s how I would recommend practicing:

Step 1: Start by Tracing

Don’t be afraid to trace — it’s not cheating, okay? This is how you learned to write when you were a child. There’s no quicker way to get comfortable with these letters.

I’ve set the guide sheet up in a way that allows you to start by tracing. Like the minuscule guide, each line slowly gradates from black to completely transparent. Begin by tracing and as you start to familiarize yourself with the feel of each letterform, you can rely on the guides less and less.

Step 2: Draw from Reference

When you feel comfortable enough to draw the letters without tracing them, get a fresh practice sheet and use it to draw your own letters. But keep the other guide sheet in front of you. Reference those letters as your draw yours.

You’ll need to draw each letter many times before you’re able to memorize them. Then you’ll need to draw them each many more times to get them perfect.

Step 3. Draw from Memory

When you’ve engrained each letter into memory, print more practice sheets and put the reference guide away. Draw the entire alphabet and then go back and check the guide to see how accurate you were.

At this point, you can start introducing minuscules and writing words and sentences. Here’s a couple sentences that utilize all of the different letters of the alphabet:

• Jaded zombies acted quaintly but kept driving their oxen forward.
• A mad boxer shot a quick, gloved jab to the jaw of his dizzy opponent.
• The job requires extra pluck and zeal from every young wage earner.
• A quart jar of oil mixed with zinc oxide makes a very bright paint.

Blackletter Majuscule (Uppercase) Strokes

Majuscule alphabets are substantially more complex. While they share similar repetition (here and there) to their minuscule counterparts, there are considerably more variations. As a result, they’re much harder to learn and master. However, if you’ve spent some quality time with with the minuscule alphabets and are feeling ready to advance on to the majuscules, let’s do it. If not, don’t worry. This section isn’t going anywhere!

Vertical Strokes

These strokes should be pretty straightforward, given your practice. The tapered strokes here, which you’ll see often in the Textura majuscules are actually quite similar to the vertical strokes in the minuscule Fraktur alphabet.

The tapered stroke begins and ends in a point. To perform this stroke, begin slightly off to the right of where you want the body of your down stroke to be. As always, be sure to maintain a consistent angle. Starting with a point, pull inwards towards the body of your stroke, and then down. As you reach the end of the stroke, end in a point by pulling out and to the left.

Downward “strokes” with serifs are actually multi-stroke pieces of a letter… and you already know how to do them! They’re just combinations of vertical and horizontal strokes from the previous lesson. Start with the top chiseled horizontal. Release. Perform the downstroke. Release. Finally, perform the bottom chiseled horizontal.

Here are some common contexts in which you’ll see these strokes:

Diagonal Strokes

Diagonals follow a similar form to basic downward strokes, except they’re done at an angle. If you’ve been practicing, you shouldn’t have any trouble recreating these. However, getting the angle just right will require some trial and error.

Some common contexts in which you’ll see these strokes:

Rounded Strokes

It’s important to get a feel for creating varying line-widths with a single pull stroke. Crescents are a great way to master that feeling. You got a little taste of this with some of the horizontal strokes.

Hold the pen firmly, and starting from the top, pull out to the left towards the bottom of the stroke while maintaining a consistent angle. As you round the thick part of the stroke, pull towards the end of the crescent. If you did everything right, you should have a sliver with two tapered ends and a thick middle.

The full circle is done in two strokes. The strokes are actually identical if you were to flip the second stroke upside down. To create the second stroke, start at the top with your nib touching where the first stroke begins. Pull downward and to the right, rounding out the stroke and pulling into the left where the first stroke ends.

Again, here are some common contexts in which you’ll see these strokes:

In the previous image, you can see these strokes in the context of Textura letterforms, but they’re also just as common Fraktur letterforms:

Hairlines & Other Miscellaneous Strokes

Abstracting majuscule alphabets is a little more difficult than with the minuscules. The fact is many of the majuscule letterforms are comprised of their own unique strokes. Or, even if they reuse a stroke from another letterform, it might appear in a different placement or at a different size. The good news is you’ve really gotten solid look into what your pen can do, so anything else you see should be relatively easy to figure out for yourself. But here are a couple more common stroke exercises to help get you warmed up even more.

Hairlines often appear as little decorations or filigrees, but are occasionally used as structural lines in letters such as “N” or “X” in the Textura alphabet. They’re also quite frequent in the Fraktur majuscules and while they might not be structurally integral, the letters wouldn’t be the same without them.

The best way to achieve hair lines is to tilt your pen nib on its side, drawing with one of the two corners.

And finally, a couple of odd, yet common stroke combinations that you’ll find in the Fraktur majuscules.

Start from the left of the below image. The first stroke looks a bit odd on it’s own, but you’ll see how it comes together in several different letter shortly. Start with the long vertical (labelled “1”). Position your pen’s nib at a 40º slightly below the ascender line. Move upwards and to the right briefly, but then quickly loop around and bring it down a single unit about the baseline.

The second stroke begins directly to the left (about 1.5 units) of where the first stroke ends. It’s one of those “squiggle” strokes, so move the pen slightly upward at 40º and loop back down, continuing down through where the top of this stroke meets the previous stroke until the bottom of this stroke meets the baseline. Then finish it off with that upward curl at 40º.

The second exercise from the left should look familiar to you. It’s comprised of two of the basic strokes from the minuscule alphabet. You’ll also find this series of strokes throughout the majuscule alphabet as well.

The third and fourth exercises are pretty self explanatory. Begin with a hairline stroke moving straight upwards until you get towards the ascender line. Finish off the stroke with the respective horizontal (third exercise) or diagonal (fourth exercise).

The diamond is optional, but it certainly adds to the visual complexity of your letter.

Here are some examples of letters using these miscellaneous strokes. That unique combination are pretty prevalent, right?

Learning Blackletter Majuscule Alphabets

You must be pretty sick of practicing strokes. If so, I don’t blame you. But you’ve made it to the fun part. Now it’s time to put it all together.

Just like the minuscules, Ive also prepared majuscule guides for a Textura alphabet and Fraktur alphabet.

Download the Textura majuscule guides as well as the Fraktur majuscule guide . Or download blank blackletter guides .

Begin by printing out the guide sheets. As you go through, focus diligently on the angles of the strokes as well as the negative space. Maintaining consistency with the negative space will help your letters look uniform when you begin putting them together.

Just as you did before, trace the guides carefully, and as they fade out, reference them visually until you’re comfortable creating each letterform from memory.

Practice. I really can’t express this enough. It takes an incredibly long time (10,000 hours?) to master something. But it should also be fun.

Look for opportunities to practice regularly. Your brain and hands will grow quicker if you develop a routine rather than picking up the pen a couple of times a month when it feels convenient.

But after considerable practice, you’ll be looking for ways to take your work to the next level. And there are so many opportunities to do so. Different letter variations, stroke techniques, compositions, etc. Check out the Resources section for all of this content and more. I’ve spent years writing this stuff and it’s helped thousands of aspiring calligraphers.

Finally, if you’re taking this seriously and are really looking to fast-track your learning, consider checking out my printable e-books. There are a total of four (one for each style of Blackletter; Textura, Rotunda, Bastarda, and Fraktur). They go much further into depth than this tutorial and even though you’ve learned a basic Textura and Fraktur alphabet in this article, the Textura and Fraktur alphabets in these books are considerably different and far more advanced. Those two in particular are great next steps.

I hope you’re not as frustrated as I was when I started blackletter calligraphy. Unfortunately, I did it all by eye without guides. It was for this reason I decided to create my own, so hopefully they’re helping you out. If you have any hangups or suggestions, I’m all ears. Shoot me an email [email protected] and let me know how they’re working for you. Keep up the good work!

• The History of Blackletter Calligraphy
• Understanding and Creating Blackletter Calligraphy Guides

Signup to receive exclusive content and periodic updates.

A free printable calligraphy worksheet for the Blackletter (Gothic) Script

Table of contents.

• October 8, 2018
• November 24, 2019

Affiliate Disclaimer: Craftknights.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Craftknights.com also participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Craftknights.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

What is in this free printable calligraphy worksheet?

The free printable calligraphy worksheet consists of four different sheets, that will help you learn the Blackletter Script very fast. The First sheet will show you all the general Information about this Script like x-height, the nib to use in the beginning, how to hold the pen and more. This Worksheet will teach you the minuscules (small letters) of the gothic script and the majuscules (capital letters). There will be examples of how to draw some of the letters to help you at the start.

The other three sheets in this Download will have the complete alphabet printed at the top together with baseline, x-height, ascend and descend lines already pre-drawn for you. So you can print the sheet out and start writing straight away no need to prepare your paper or anything. Also as a little help, in the beginning, the letters will be printed on the lines in a lighter tone for you to trace. This will help you to get a feeling for the Script. The last sheet will only have the lines on it for you to practice on.

Do you want to learn calligraphy?

This worksheet is the perfect start for learning the Blackletter script. If you want to learn calligraphy consider checking out my complete beginner’s guide to calligraphy!  This guide will show you the tools and best pens to write calligraphy, I will teach you how to prepare your pens and how to load them with Ink and finally I will teach you to write three different Scripts including this Blackletter Script! So check it out if you are interested, it´s free!

Download the free printable calligraphy worksheets for free here!

3 thoughts on “A free printable calligraphy worksheet for the Blackletter (Gothic) Script”

Thank You so much! This was so helpful!

Glad I could help!

Thank you! This is superb.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

All prices excl. VAT.

All striked out prices refer to prices used to be charged at this shop.

How To Improve Your Handwriting (+FREE Worksheets)

This post and the photos within it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a commission at no extra charge to you.

When someone asks, “How can I improve my handwriting?” they usually look for a few things they can easily implement to make their writing look more legible or presentable.

The problem is that handwriting is a habit deeply ingrained in both the mind and the muscles, so even a tiny change can be difficult to implement.

I’ve always taken a different approach to helping people with their handwriting, one that might require a little more time and commitment but gives the writer all the tools they need to take their handwriting as far as they like.

The approach is to first understand how handwriting works on a basic level, then apply that understanding to improve your own handwriting.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Handwriting

If you don’t understand how handwriting works fundamentally, you will always feel lost when trying to improve your handwriting, even if you are following the advice of a handwriting expert.

When you understand how handwriting works, everything becomes clear. You will know things like:

• Why the letters have different heights
• Why the letters are spaced the way they are
• Why the letters have different forms yet work together to create a cohesive script
• The way to position your body, hold the pen, and position the paper for optimal writing
• Why someone’s handwriting is more legible or visually pleasing than another’s

I hope you can see that if you understand all the above, improving your handwriting will be a walk in the park.

So your first task, if you want to improve your handwriting, is to learn the fundamentals of handwriting.

The best way to do this is to study a proven handwriting system.

Any time-tested system will do. I recommend American Cursive because it is a beautiful, legible script.

I also have a  free course that will teach you everything you need to know  about American Cursive.

Regardless of what script you choose, by studying one, you will learn how handwriting works, and you will be able to apply what you’ve learned to any other script, including your own chicken scratch.

By studying a script like American Cursive, you will learn these important concepts and more:

• Body position ,  pen grip , and  paper position
• The grid , or how the lines printed on the page (and the imaginary ones that aren’t) work with the letters
• How to write across the page
• How a script builds on  fundamental strokes  and repeats those strokes throughout the alphabet

If you want a taste of how important the fundamentals are, I suggest you watch the video below titled “The Cursive Grid,” which is from my  free online cursive course .

What Do You Want Your Handwriting to Look Like?

When you study American Cursive or any other script, you will learn to write in that style, but that doesn’t mean your personal handwriting needs to look exactly like the script you are studying.

That said, traditional scripts like American Cursive were successful for a reason.

They evolved out of the culture in which they were created and have stood the test of time as legible, visually pleasing scripts.

You cannot go wrong by trying to emulate a traditional script, and no matter how hard you try, your script will always have personal quirks that are unique to you.

The great thing about studying a traditional script is that you have a very clear and defined vision to work towards.

Every traditional script has an exemplar, which is the ideal letterforms that comprise the script.

With an exemplar in hand, you know exactly what your goal is, and you can always compare your handwriting to the exemplar to see where you are falling short.

If you want your handwriting to have its own unique flavor, I suggest you at least find a traditional script to use as a base.

That way, you can take the exemplar from a traditional script and modify it to make it your own, which is much easier than creating an exemplar from scratch.

Of course, you can create one from scratch too, but it takes a lot of time to do it right, and the result won’t be as good unless you understand handwriting at a high level.

Let’s be clear, you need an exemplar. Without an image of the ideal letters, you will wander aimlessly and waste a lot of time while making little improvement.

Whether you are studying from the exemplar of a traditional script or your own unique creation, you will be armed with everything you need to improve your handwriting.

You’ve Done the Work, Now Apply It

I know, I know.

You’ve already done a lot of work.

Learning the fundamentals of handwriting is no small task and creating your own exemplar takes time too.

The good news is that your handwriting will already look much better by this point.

That’s because your understanding of handwriting is naturally solving the problems with your handwriting without you having to do anything except pay attention while you write.

Of course, there are more active things you can do to improve your handwriting at this stage.

When you understand the fundamentals, improving your handwriting is a straightforward process –

• identify errors,
• and figure out why you are making the errors.

If you can see an error in your writing and then understand exactly why you are making that error, resolving the error is pretty easy.

Here’s an example.

As you can see, our friend’s handwriting here is very cramped in the horizontal direction.

Fixing this is pretty easy because he’s done the work and understands the basics of handwriting.

Our friend was able to fix this problem because he understands that spacing is controlled by the movement of the hand and that movement is limited by the hand’s range of motion.

He is trying to write too many letters without picking up his hand and moving it to the right.

The problem was easily solved by pausing more often to move the hand and continue writing with proper spacing.

This is just one example of how improving your handwriting works when you have an understanding of the fundamentals.

You have all the tools to identify, analyze, and resolve issues with your handwriting.

How much you want to improve your handwriting is up to you.

As you improve your handwriting, the errors in your writing will become less noticeable to the average person.

However, you will see more and more errors in your writing.

This is because when you are studying handwriting, you are training your eye to see errors, which allows you to see the more subtle errors that previously escaped your eye.

The only way to end this process is to become satisfied with your handwriting or keep working on it for the rest of your life.

Should you become satisfied with your handwriting, writing regularly will maintain it.

Download free handwriting PDF worksheets

In my free online course, Consistent Cursive, you’ll learn all the needed fundamentals to improve your handwriting. In the download section you’ll also be able to download free handwriting worksheets, which include –

• Lowercase letters + variations
• Capital letters + variations
• Numbers & Symbols
• Various blank grids for practice

You can check them out on my site by clicking the button below.

Quick recap + final words on improving your handwriting

There you have it, friends.

If you’re genuinely looking to improve your handwriting, this is the best approach you can take. 

Little tips and tricks may marginally improve the look of your handwriting.

However, learning the fundamentals will allow you to take your handwriting to a new level. 

Here is a quick recap of the whole article – 

• Understand the basics of handwriting
• Pick and study a proven handwriting system, e.g., American Cursive
• Always practice using an existing exemplar
• It’s easier to use an existing exemplar than to create one from scratch
• You’ll be able to apply the knowledge to other writing styles as well (even create your own)
• Once you understand the fundamentals, you’ll be able to correct your mistakes
• The improvement of your handwriting will depend on how much time and effort you put into it

Once again, be sure to check out my free online course that will teach you everything you need to know about American Cursive. 

Now let me ask you something – What has been your biggest struggle with improving your handwriting?

Let me know by dropping a comment below 👇

Thanks for reading!

About the author

David has been studying traditional American penmanship since 2016. He has created over 100 videos about penmanship on  YouTube  and his exemplar for business penmanship was featured in the 25th edition of the Speedball Textbook. You can take his free cursive course online at  consistentcursive.com .

8 thoughts on “How To Improve Your Handwriting (+FREE Worksheets)”

Hi, David. I am left handed, and my great niece (10 years old) has asked me to help her with her penmanship since she is also left handed. We will work together this summer. Do you have any tips for us?

Hi! Would you be so kind to point me in the good direction to find a similar set of tools/courses but for PRINT handwriting?

Maybe youtube? Not sure to be honest.

Finally a true web 🕸 All others are like goat at handwriting themselves

I can’t thank you enough; and it’s free! I’ve been struggling with this for some time now and I think you have provided an answer for me.

Sometimes “thank you” is simply too inadequate but right now it’s all I have.

Thank you Jerry

Thank you for the nice comment, Jerry. Super glad to hear you like the article 🙂

I am really happy with the online tutorials and very interesting to see more,learn more.Thanks

Thank you so much for the feedback, Stanley 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Handwriting
• Coloring Pages
• Order Bundles
• Child's Garden
• Kids Coloring
• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Teachers/Tutors

Homeschooling

• Digital Interactive
• Easy Practice
• Math Dictionary
• Blog Updates
• Printable Handwriting Sheets
• Cursive Writing

50+ PDF Cursive Writing Worksheets

Printable cursive writing worksheets help you teach your students how to write in cursive. 

If your students can already write, cursive is the next step.

Cursive writing is easy! 'Just connect the letters with five basic strokes.

• Slant the letters, if you like.
• Add a swoosh or a style, if you like.

Free Cursive Writing Worksheets

Well, some children do not think cursive writing is easy.

If so, encourage them that fancy cursive writing is simple, fun, and actually faster than manuscript.

These free PDF cursive practice sheets are easy to file, print, and use. Jump to oodles of free practice PDF worksheets below:

• Cursive alphabet worksheets , 
• Practicing cursive strokes ,
• Cursive words worksheets ,
• Cursive sentence worksheets ,
• Advanced cursive practice poems and sentences ,
• Reading and grammar sentences , 
• Buy handwriting bundles: for kids and adults .

All of the free printable worksheets on this page use the usual third or fourth grade sized line spacing.

See other handwriting and practice worksheets throughout PrintNPractice.com.

• Writing numbers worksheets.
• Practice math worksheets.
• Combine handwriting and grammar.
• Learn phonics with handwriting and dictation.
• And other handwriting resources.

Be encouraged to stay in touch! Join my free newsletter....

Join To Receive My Free PrintNPractice Newsletters!

Free Online Worksheets For School, Homework, And Homeschool Practice

Free Online Teacher Resources  -  Free Homeschool Curriculum

For teachers and parents:  PrintNPractice free printable worksheets are all copyright-free, digital activities for students . Use in homeschool, interactive notebooks for online classrooms, Google classroom, distance learning, tutoring and learning pods, and hybrid school. 

• No tracking.
• Self learning.
• Copyright free.
• Lifetime license.
• Diverse learners.
• Easy drill-and-kill.
• Interactive worksheets.
• Printable morning work.
• Paperless morning work.
• Go printable or paperless.
• Stay on track. Summer review.
• Easy elementary school curriculum.
• Remote learning packets or homework.
• Most need no answer key or key is included.
• Videos for audio and visual learners. God bless headphones!

See free  teacher ,  homeschool , digital interactive school-at-home learning exercises with no login, no sign-up, no voucher, no account, and no credit card. Loads of digital activities for device-based learning. As seen at  TeachersPayTeachers .

Instructions For Teaching Cursive Writing

Easy cursive writing instructions.

Teaching cursive writing can be easy if you make it an adventure. Basically there are six strokes to connect letters:

• A short upswing,
• A short upswing over to two on the clock,
• A tall upswing,
• A short dip,
• A short dip over to two on the clock,

See more instructions below.

If your elementary school students already know how to write in manuscript, encourage them that writing in cursive is as easy as connecting the letters together. The rest is style.

Write the manuscript alphabet on the board or a piece of paper, or some part of it. Then make the connections both on the board and in their minds by drawing the connecting strokes.

Truly, that's most of writing in cursive.

How To Write Cursive For Beginners

With beginners or those who struggle, another idea for teaching cursive handwriting is to drag your lines on the board as you move to write the next letter in a word. Say the letter or its sound as you write the letters naming the strokes you're using.

Students like seeing that 

• Cursive is smooth and flowing. 
• Cursive is pretty and makes fancy writing.
• Writing in cursive is faster than manuscript writing and doesn't use as many starts and stops.
• Cursive writing helps children see the end of one word and the start of the next word.

What was that? 

Practicing cursive offers an "Aha!" moment for some reluctant readers. When they see the break between the words in their own handwriting, they often make a better association for where words start and where they end in their reading, certainly in their handwriting. :-)

Cursive Writing Instructions For Adults

Cursive writing instructions for adults is the same as for children. A beginner is a beginner.

Learning how to write in cursive as an adult can actually be easier, especiall if you've been printing with an italic hand , meaning your letters already slant as if for cursive script.

Best advice? Long story short?

Connect the letters as you write. 

You can learn style as you practice writing in cursive hand.

For adults who will be using these cursive script sheets print the pages "two-up" so that you can use the smaller font and less paper.

No sense trudging through larger handwriting to learn cursive.

It is the same for basic cursive practice sheets for older kids and high school students.  Keep it short and sweet.

1. The Alphabet In Cursive

Hi! I recommend products that I think will help you and your children. If you buy through my links I may earn ad commissions at  NO  extra cost to you. See my  FTC Disclosure .

Basically, there are five cursive strokes to add to the manuscript letters.

Romalda Spalding has an excellent description in her book at Amazon,   The Writing Road to Reading . In a way, this is my favorite cursive writing book as she makes cursive seem easy.

The whole lesson is only six pages and can be taught in just a few classes. Truly, I've seen even small children learn to write in cursive in just two weeks using what she wrote.

She taught several general rules like "All letters sit on the base line." Then she writes that you should teach the terms for the five strokes as you show how to connect the letters:

• A short upswing from the base line
• A tall upswing from the base line
• A short upswing that curves over to 2 on the clock
• A short dip kept at the mid point.
• A short dip that curves over to two on the clock

You can read more about using her book for teaching reading by teaching writing .

Usually, the capital letters do not connect with the rest of a word, yet these capitals letters can be connected to the rest of a word:

• A, C, E, H, J, L, M, N, R, U, X, Y, Z

Once your students have learned both upper and lower case cursive, they can stay sharp practicing this cursive sentence with all letters present:

• The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

1.A. 26 Printable Cursive Writing Worksheets PDF For the Cursive Alphabet

The first image can be used for crayon or finger tracing "just to get the idea" of the cursive alphabet. Each of the A-Z letters have a dotted cursive writing PDF.

These 26 PDF printable cursive worksheets show the alphabet in cursive with upper and lower case practice for each individual letter of the alphabet.

The instruction guides show the upper and lower case cursive directions for where to start and where to end each letter, A-Z.

Each page has the capital or upper case letter and the lower case letter for each letter of the alphabet.

1.B. Cursive Alphabet: Lower Case ABC Cursive Handwriting Alphabet - 5 Practice Pages

Why put upper case letters first? Children often learn best what they learn first.

Since most cursive letter writing is lower case and since most cursive words practice is lower case, it is a good idea to practice these cursive letters first.

See these worksheets for the lower case alphabet in cursive:

These five worksheets show the lower case cursive handwriting alphabet. 

Print or download five PDF pages of cursive letter writing practice worksheets.

The first letter is solid with a line of practice letters that are dashed and blank space to practice the lower case letters.

Lower case cursive Q?

Demonstrate that the flag is like the manuscript and moves forward "in the direction in which we write". 

1.C. Cursive Alphabet: ABC Cursive Uppercase Alphabet - 5 Printable Capitalization Worksheets

Cursive capital letters are often made just like the lower case alphabet in cursive.  See five free downloads for capital letter writing practice:

Print or download five PDF pages of cursive uppercase writing alphabet practice.

The first capital letter is solid for better visualization and has a line of dashed practice letters. 

The blank space is for practicing the cursive uppercase letters.

Uppercase cursive Q?

Teach the style that you use most or use the big Quaker Oats Q. That's what I do.

Capital Cursive Letters

2. free cursive writing worksheets using difficult cursive strokes.

Enter: The short dip.

Many times it's hardest for children to get the idea of connecting letters that use the short dip or a connecting loop at the midpoint or midline. 

Staying at the mid-line is the trick, and these practice cursive worksheets are the answer. 

Since b and o each end at the mid-line, they are difficult letter combinations. Practicing letter combinations with this stroke makes the letters easier to form in everyday handwriting in a continuous stretch of letters.

Use these free cursive writing worksheets to show your students how to write cursive letters that end with a short dip at the midpoint.

See the individual pages first or download the group of five all at once at the link below the individual pages (2.F.).

2.A. Letter Pairs For Cursive Writing Practice For br, oe, we, ve, oo, on - 1 Page

These letter pairs for mixed cursive writing practice include: br, oe, we, ve, oo, on.

Focus on starting at the midpoint and dipping right back to it.

Take time to demonstrate the short dip and show how it connects the first and second letters.

The better the children can make each letter on this page, the easier the next four pages will be. Allow plenty of time.

Difficult Cursive Letter Combinations In Cursive Writing

2.b. cursive practice for oa, ou, ow, oi, oy, wh.

2.C. Cursive Printable For wr, be, bo, bu, by, ol

2.D. Cursive Handwriting For op, ot, ve, wi, bs, or

2.E. Cursive Writing For os, wr, ws, ee, oc, and wo

2.F. Bundle of 5 Cursive Handwriting Worksheets

See all five of the above cursive handwriting worksheets in one download:

• br, oe, we, ve, oo, on
• oa, ou, ow, oi, oy, wh
• wr, be, bo, bu, by, ol
• op, ot, ve, wi, bs, or
• os, wr, ws - with extra space for your own combinations.

This download is a collection of all five cursive handwriting worksheets above with some space at the end for your choice of difficult letter combinations.

Print all five two sided for fifth and sixth grade review work.

Older students like the elegant look of smaller cursive fonts, so you can print these two-up for a nice effect.

3. Cursive Words Worksheets

This next set uses a larger sized font for first and second grade handwriting. 

3.A.  Buy our bundled  Cursive Spelling Words Lists .  See our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade spelling words worksheets for cursive words.  The words are printed in cursive for your students to practice writing three times each. 

3.B.  See our common and compound  Nouns Lists .  Awesome spelling practice and awesome cursive writing practice.

3.C. Spelling and writing number words in cursive : great practice writing checks .

4. Poems And Cursive Sentences

Four 3rd grade cursive writing worksheets : These worksheets are for cursive writing for grade 3 and higher and have  space for copywork underneath each line.

If you want smaller line spacing for grades 5 and 6, print the sheets two up. High school levels can be printed in multiples of four.

• Furry Bear , by A A Milne - 2 pages
• Little Things , by Julia A. F. Carney - 2 pages (4 extra pages blank)
• The Flag Goes By , by Henry Holcomb Bennett - 6 pages copy underneath
• Preamble to the Constitution , United States Founding Fathers - 2 pages

4.A. Furry Bear Cursive Handwriting Sheets 2 pg.

4.B. Little Things Cursive Worksheets, 2 pages

4.C. The Flag Goes By Cursive Practice Sheets 

4.D.Preamble Constitution Cursive Writing Sheet

5. Advanced Cursive Printable Handwriting Practice - Poems And Cursive Sentences

Moving up through the handwriting skills levels: These worksheets have the text to the left of the writing space.

It takes more thinking to copy the sentences this way.

These cursive writing worksheets may be best as 4th, 5th, and 6th grade cursive writing worksheets rather than 3rd grade. 

• October , by Rose Fyleman - 1 page
• Father Is Coming , by Mary Howitt - 4 pages
• Where's Mother , by Anonymous - 2 pages
• White Snow, Bright Snow , Alvin Tresselt - 2 pages

5.A. Beautiful Cursive Handwriting: October

5.B. Cursive Handwriting Sheets: Father Is Coming

5.C. Kids Cursive Writing: Where's Mother

5.D. Cursive Writing: White Snow, Bright Snow

6. Reading And Grammar Cursive Writing Sentences

See our Robert Louis Stephenson's poems, A Child's Garden of Verses , in four formats, one of which is cursive writing. You'll find 61 cursive writing worksheets with poems and sentences here .

PrintNPractice grammar worksheets are available with cursive sentences for even more cursive writing worksheets using easy sentences for grammar lessons or handwriting practice.

7. More Cursive Writing Worksheets

7.a. cursive and print handwriting for kids.

You'll find many more cursive writing worksheets with our grammar ,   handwriting ,  and   alphabet worksheets here  most of which also have print handwriting worksheets .

• Capitalization Rules and Capitalization Worksheets  has a list with the rules of capitalization.
• Simple cursive sentences for capitalization and punctuation worksheets.
• Robert Louis Stevenson cursive handwriting practice .
• See also our typing practice ideas .
• Printable handwriting paper .

7.B. Cursive And Print Handwriting For Adults

Adults usually need to write smaller. They do not have the time, space, or patience for huge writing font sizes. Well, neither do children; but that's another story.

An idea that works beautifuly to have cursive or print handwriging worksheets for adults and high school level students is to print the bundles as

• booklets or

If there are two handwriting worksheets per page, adults have an easy model that is a grown up size, more mature and even elegant.

Simply change your printer settings to booklet, two-up, or multiples.

The print and cursive worksheets on this page are included in the phonics worksheets bundle .

Buy Print And Cursive Handwriting Worksheets - Digital And Printable PDF

Buy these printable PDF bundles with  manuscript and cursive handwriting worksheets organized in files by topic . Students can practice in remote digital files offline.

Cursive writing worksheets are super helpful when you need something quick to teach how to write in cursive. See our other PrintNPractice worksheets as well. 

• Printable math worksheets.
• Grammar worksheets.
• Phonics worksheets.
• And more handwriting worksheets.

Buy PDF Kids Printable Worksheets Organized By Topic In Complete Digital Bundles  Or Learn More Below.

Mary Fifer, BSBA is webmaster, author, and researcher at PrintNPractice.com. She has created elementary school practice exercises using digital interactive worksheets. Printable and perfect for today's teachers, tutors, homeschoolers, and students!

Thank you for visiting and for sharing. :-)

Get my free newsletter.

For teachers, parents, and tutors. Sign up to join!

Privacy Policy, Copyright, Disclaimer, Disclosure, Terms

Need a website?  This site is powered by Sitesell's SoloBuildit!

We aim for no errors. Double check and let us know .

Copyright © 2009 - 2024

d/b/a PrintNPractice.com, PrintNPractice & A-Z-Worksheets by Mary Fifer

All rights are reserved.

Reading & Math for K-5

• Kindergarten
• Learning numbers
• Comparing numbers
• Place Value
• Roman numerals
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Order of operations
• Drills & practice
• Measurement
• Factoring & prime factors
• Proportions
• Shape & geometry
• Data & graphing
• Word problems
• Children's stories
• Leveled Stories
• Context clues
• Cause & effect
• Compare & contrast
• Fact vs. fiction
• Fact vs. opinion
• Main idea & details
• Story elements
• Conclusions & inferences
• Sounds & phonics
• Words & vocabulary
• Reading comprehension
• Early writing
• Numbers & counting
• Simple math
• Social skills
• Other activities
• Dolch sight words
• Fry sight words
• Multiple meaning words
• Prefixes & suffixes
• Vocabulary cards
• Other parts of speech
• Punctuation
• Capitalization
• Narrative writing
• Opinion writing
• Informative writing
• Cursive alphabet
• Cursive letters
• Cursive letter joins
• Cursive words
• Cursive sentences
• Cursive passages
• Grammar & Writing

Breadcrumbs

• Cursive writing

Download & Print Only $1.79

Cursive Writing Worksheets

Learn handwriting and penmanship with our cursive writing worksheets.

Our free, printable handwriting worksheets provide practice writing cursive letters, words and sentences.  Benefits of handwriting practice include increased brain activation and improved performance across all academic subjects.

Cursive Alphabet

Handwriting individual letters & the cursive alphabet.

Cursive Letters

Practice writing mixed groups of letters .

Cursive Letter Joins

Joining two or three cursive letters.

Cursive Words

Handwriting whole words, organized by letter.

Cursive Sentences

Handwriting whole cursive sentences.

Cursive Passages

Handwriting whole cursive passages.

What is K5?

K5 Learning offers free worksheets , flashcards  and inexpensive  workbooks  for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Become a member  to access additional content and skip ads.

Our members helped us give away millions of worksheets last year.

We provide free educational materials to parents and teachers in over 100 countries. If you can, please consider purchasing a membership ($24/year) to support our efforts.

Members skip ads and access exclusive features.

Learn about member benefits

This content is available to members only.

Join K5 to save time, skip ads and access more content. Learn More

• Forgot Password?

• [email protected]

SuryasCursive.com

Free cursive writing worksheets (pdf).

We have prepared a few important and effective downloadable and printable worksheets in PDF format with dotted cursive letters to practice Cursive Writing. You can use these in Surya’s Cursive Writing Course . You can also use them directly if you need some practice.

[ Offer : Our 7 Cursive Books Combo is available at ₹ 499/- only.]

Lower Case Letters

See  Free A-Z Lowercase Cursive Handwriting Worksheets

Capital Case Letters

See Free A-Z Capital Cursive Handwriting Worksheets

Connecting Cursive Letters

See  Joining Cursive Letters Worksheets (PDF)

Cursive Words

See Cursive Words Worksheets

1-100 Number Spellings

See  Numbers 1 to 100 Spellings in Cursive Writing (Worksheets)

See  Free Cursive Writing Paragraph Worksheets (PDF)

Strokes and Patterns

See  Cursive Strokes Worksheet  

See  Cursive Patterns for Beginners Worksheet

Blank Handwriting Sheets (Ruled)

See Blank Handwriting Worksheets

Slant Guides

See  Printable Slant Guides (52-Deg, 60-Deg,68-Deg) for Cursive Writing

Sandpaper Letters

See  Cursive Sandpaper Letters Printable Template

Miscellaneous

Share this: