If you love how calligraphy looks, but aren't sure if you're ready to invest in a special ink
watercolor calligraphy is a great place to start
It lets you make beautifully artistic writing with virtually unlimited color combinations
And you might already have the supplies you need
You can make watercolor calligraphy with a pointed pen or a brush
We'll use a brush in this video
You will need watercolor paints, water, a paintbrush, and heavy paper
You might also need a palette, but that's up to you
Prepare the paint by adding warm water and letting it sit for a minute or so, so that the colors are more intense
Aim for the consistency of milk
Mix the colors to the hue you want in the lid from your watercolor set or a separate palette
Twist the brush in the pigment to load the paint evenly on the bristles and ensure controlled applying
Now you're ready to write
If you'd like some tips on strokes check out the blog posts in the boxes on the screen
You will run out of paint quickly
When that happens just reload your brush and keep writing
The new paint will blend in seamlessly
To alternate colors, start writing then add a coordinating color to your brush and keep writing
You don't even need to rinse out your brush if the colors go well together
You can also dab colors onto wet writing
Use the heavy paper and tape it down to prevent warping
Then use a brush to write in plain water
When you've finished writing
Load a brush with paint and gently dab it into the writing do the same thing with your other colors
They will naturally meld with the underlying water and each other
For an artistic faded effect use a water brush
Start with plenty of paint and don't reload the brush when it starts to run out
You can also mix watercolors with water soluble ink fill a water brush with a less saturated ink
Using a separate hand dip the brush into the [watercolor] and write the color will come through for a subtle effect
To make negative space watercolor calligraphy, write with masking fluid instead of paint or ink
When it's dry paint the background
When that's dry peel or rub the masking fluid off to finish the piece
If your brush doesn't write well the paint could be too thick or have dried out
Gently touch the brush to some water to get it writing
Try cleaning it or thin your paint out further
If you feel like your brush isn't doing what you want it to try holding it closer to the tip for better control
Do you want to learn more about watercolor calligraphy?
Check out our blog post in the description box below