Today, calligraphy is known as a design and execution of lettering that turn basic words into a creative visual of lines, curves, and strokes.

Not only is calligraphy now a passion for many art lovers but it is also an income opportunity for many. With the right execution calligraphic illustrations are a beauty. This art form can be illustrated on practically anything-product packaging, billboards, merchandise, signage, logos, and so much more.

If you love art, then learning calligraphy may come naturally. There are a lot of software that can aid you, there are online video tutorials, and self-study articles to help you get there. Here are a few quick steps to get you started.

Study the art
Like any visual art form, practice makes perfect. There is no degree needed to practice and learn this art. But taking a few formal study courses will definitely help you. Try to get your hands on software tools and even physical equipment like those broad tip pens and brushes and just keep your creativity flowing and practice lettering. In art, there are no boundaries. So just keep doodling, keep scribbling, go online and get inspiration from professional calligraphers, read art magazines, and just have fun with it.

In field of arts much is mastered through self-study and practice. Take the lead from experts, get guidance from professionals and then apply what you’ve learned and keep doing it.

Connect with other artists
Learning from your peers is another great way to improve your calligraphic skills and know-how. Exchange techniques with fellow artists, learn how they do their craft and share how you do yours. Being around people who are passionate about the same stuff as you are will not only inspire you but will also help your creativity flow.

Look up groups and clubs of calligraphers and connect with them. This is another great way to make sure you are updated on the latest styles, techniques, software, and tools on calligraphy. By joining clubs and groups you will also be able to more easily get possible job opportunities and income generating projects.

Set up your portfolio
Now that you’ve gained enough knowledge about calligraphy, and are well acquainted with other artists and calligraphers, it’s time to create your portfolio. A good portfolio of your best work will be your best ticket to landing projects or even a permanent job. Companies will always ask for your work samples and proof of past experiences in the field. So you need to be sure you have a creatively executed collection of your work.

Seek out job opportunities
With your knowledge, experience, and portfolio in hand you will have more confidence proactively seeking employment opportunities as a calligrapher. While you have a strong network and are a member of a club, it would be good to look out for opportunities to make money out of your skill.

The process is fairly easy; you only need to have basic Adobe software skills and a little patience. If you are more ambitious or have more advanced skills, then by all means use Autodesk Maya or Anime Pro.

No matter what your skill level is, you are capable of making an engaging animation for your website. Use your imagination to make a quick storyboard. The storyboard acts as your blueprint in creating your animation. This step is necessary because it is vital to have a clear plan and timeline. It will likely take a few hours to create a two-minute animation, but the time can vary based on the complexity.

You must then decide whether you want sound, and if so, the type of sound. Do you want the characters to talk? Do you want sound effects? Do you want to sync the sound? Syncing the sound may feel like a chore; however, if you use Anime Pro it is a quick and straightforward process. Adobe After Effects is another good program for syncing the sound. There are plenty of sound-editing software products available ranging in price and capabilities. I recommend Magix Music Maker for animation sound editing because it is user-friendly, with a variety of sound editing tools, and most importantly it is affordable. I suggest you try it out and decide if it is the right software for you.

Character design is significant to the overall animation. There are many great books on the topic of character design and development, and luckily for you I have read most of them. I suggest Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics and Sterling Publishing’s Art of Drawing Manga. Both books are filled with illustrations and useful drawing tips and provide instructions for how to draw characters and position them based on their role in the storyline.

It is important to distinguish a protagonist and antagonist in your animation, and there are a variety of techniques to accomplish this. An obvious method is to make the hero bright and the villain dark; however, this is not the case in the beloved Batman series. In this series, Batman is the protagonist, yet he is very dark. I think most people would agree the Bruce Wayne/Batman figure is so fully developed that it is clear Batman is the hero despite his dark portrayal. If you are creating animation that has a storyline that relies heavily on characters, take the time to develop the characters properly.

If you decide to animate text or shapes, it is important to have a rhythmic soundtrack. In this case, it would be a good time investment to sync the sound because doing so makes it more enjoyable for your audience. You should always consider your audience when creating animation: make sure your animation entertains, informs, and captures your target audience’s interest.