Drawing our letters consistently helps increase the overall visual harmony. If the letters in a word are the same size, it is more pleasing to the eye than if all the letters are different sizes. No matter how imperfect our letters may be at first, if their height and angle match, we get a uniform image and feeling.
And how can this consistency be mastered and practiced? All you need is a pencil and a ruler to make the letters “more consistent”:
- Use the ruler and pencil to create the baseline and center line (to create the x-height).
- Add the ascending, descending, and slanting lines that define the angle of the letters.
Is there a universal rule for sizes? There isn’t. You can freely determine the height, size, and angle of your letters, the main thing is to keep them consistent in the given composition. Keeping the proper distance between the letters helps with good readability, and this also makes our calligraphy really eye-catching. If the letters are too compressed or spread out unreasonably, or if they “let go of each other’s hands here and there” – the design will be inconsistent.
In order to maintain good and consistent spacing, you should proceed more slowly while writing, raise your pen between each stroke, and pay attention to the spacing of the previous pair of letters. With time and practice, this will become automatic.
To practice, get to know, and fill in the ZEBRA calligraphy practice sheet for beginners!
