my signature calligraphy styles
An introduction to my five signature styles, what they are best used for, and some examples of previous work.
poppy style: elegant + formal
Poppy was the first calligraphy style I taught myself and takes on classic modern calligraphy letterforms and flourishes. She has been my most popular style so far - full to the brim with elegant, looping, italic strokes - and perfect for special occasions and keepsakes such as poetry and vows. Left: In a custom-mixed, dusty grey/green ink this poem ‘Canticle of Love’ is a popular wedding reading. Right: In swirling deep blue ink on pillowy watercolour paper, this poem “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg was read at Lucy and Tim's wedding, and made for the perfect first anniversary gift.
magnolia style: organic + serene
Magnolia is a new calligraphy style that launched along with my website and online shop. Organic, swirling, delicate - in my opinion, she’s my most romantic style, perfect for luxurious place names, heartfelt wedding vows, or the lyrics to your first dance song. Left: This commission shows my magnolia calligraphy style in all her glory - in the design stage for this pair of wedding vows we decided to remove all the line breaks and take the continuous text right up to the edge of the paper. I love the romantic, whimsical feel it creates - reminding me of a long lost love letter scrawled on old parchment. Right: I love this short and simple poem - ‘Because I am a romantic this poem is not about love, but about long green hills and what we’ll find beyond them. - WSG’ written in royal blue ink in my magnolia style.
blossom style: informal + modern
Blossom is an informal, modern brush lettering style created with the smallest paintbrush. She’s a firm favourite for watercolour quotes in rich colours, as you can see the individual brush strokes and a great range of light to dark tones. Some examples will follow so you can see blossom in action! Left: this commission was extra special to me as this book (Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney) was one of my favourites as a child. Blossom gives the piece a relaxed feel which is perfect for a nursery - and the thickness of the brush strokes mean you get a lovely variation in tone in the paint as it mixes with the water. Right: the poem High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr in smoke blue ink. Carefree blossom style suits this piece, which celebrates the joys of flight.
bluebell style: simple + classic
Bluebell was created as a slightly simpler, more modern take on my original poppy style. So there’s less of the traditional cursive flourishes and loops, and more spacing between each letter - the result is a simple contemporary calligraphy style that is really versatile for lots of different pieces - anything from place names and envelope addressing, to long wedding readings, song lyrics, and speeches. Left: A favourite commission in my bluebell calligraphy style which featured in this first anniversary commission. Bluebell's modern and simple aesthetic made her the perfect style to pair with the floral blooms surrounding this piece. We chose to keep the ink colour black for the writing - but as I use all water-based inks for my work, there are some lovely deep grey tones in there as well as the ink mixes with the water and flows onto the paper. Right: The poem ‘Living in the Body’ by Joyce Sutphen is featured here in bluebell style and smoke blue ink.
wild rose style: natural + free
Wild rose is my latest calligraphy style to join the collection - she’s a loose and free flowing style, and she doesn’t always stick to the lines. She’s great for paragraphs of text like a witty wedding speech, or a passage from your favourite book. Left: a passage from Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass which is very close to my heart. Written here onto torn edged paper in my my popular shade - smoke blue - using a fine paintbrush instead of a calligraphy nib. Right: A close up of a nursery commission reading "do you suppose she is a Wildflower?", from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, written here in terra cotta ink in wild rose style.
