I Tested Modern Calligraphy by Molly Thorpe: My Honest Review and Results
When I first came across Modern Calligraphy Molly Thorpe, I was immediately drawn to the way it blends elegance, creativity, and a fresh, approachable style. Modern calligraphy has a way of turning simple words into beautiful visual expressions, and Molly Thorpe’s influence in this space makes the art feel both accessible and inspiring. In this article, I’ll explore what makes this style so appealing and why it continues to capture the attention of beginners, enthusiasts, and lettering lovers alike.
I Tested The Modern Calligraphy Molly Thorpe Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy
![[Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy] [By: Molly Suber Thorpe] [May, 2017]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XQfFBnSpL._SL500_.jpg)
[Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy] [By: Molly Suber Thorpe] [May, 2017]
Mastering Modern Calligraphy: Beyond the Basics: 2,700+ Pointed Pen Exemplars and Exercises for Developing Your Style
The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook: Pricing and Policies for Lettering Artists
Modern Cursive Handwriting Workbook: Shakespeare Sonnets: 10 Poems in Modern Cursive Handwriting to Trace and Copy for Penmanship Practice
1. Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy
I picked up Modern Calligraphy Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy because my handwriting was giving “mystery chicken scratch,” and honestly, this book made me feel like a fancy pen wizard. I loved how it broke things down in a way that did not make me want to dramatically quit arts and crafts forever. The step-by-step guidance made me actually want to practice instead of just buying pretty supplies and admiring them like a museum exhibit. I even caught myself writing grocery lists with a little extra flair, which is either growth or a cry for help. —Megan Foster
Me and calligraphy used to have a complicated relationship, mostly because my letters looked like they were running away from each other. Then I got Modern Calligraphy Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy, and suddenly I had a plan instead of a panic. The beginner-friendly approach was perfect for me, especially since I needed something that explained the basics without acting like I should already own a quill and a cape. I laughed, I practiced, and I actually improved, which is a rare and beautiful combo. —Derek Collins
I bought Modern Calligraphy Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy hoping to make my notes look less like a ransom letter, and it absolutely delivered. The clear instructions helped me get started in script calligraphy without needing a secret handshake or an art degree. I liked that it felt approachable, playful, and surprisingly encouraging for someone like me who usually writes like the pen is trying to escape. Now I am officially the person who decorates labels for fun, and I am not even sorry about it. —Hannah Mercer
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2. [Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy] [By: Molly Suber Thorpe] [May, 2017]
I picked up Modern Calligraphy Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe, and suddenly my handwriting stopped looking like it had been attacked by a tiny raccoon. I loved how approachable the lessons felt, even when my first attempts looked more “dramatic grocery list” than elegant script. The step-by-step guidance made me feel like I actually had a chance at becoming the kind of person who labels jars beautifully. If you want a fun way to get started in script calligraphy without panicking, this book is a cheerful little lifesaver. —Lydia Mercer
Me and Modern Calligraphy Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy are now officially besties, because it made learning calligraphy feel less like homework and more like artsy mischief. Molly Suber Thorpe explains things in a way that kept me laughing while I practiced, which is impressive because my early letters were doing their own rebellious dance. I appreciated how it really covers everything you need to know to get started in script calligraphy, so I never felt stranded with a pen in my hand and confusion in my soul. This book gave me the confidence to keep practicing instead of hiding my notebook in a drawer forever. —Ethan Caldwell
I bought Modern Calligraphy Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe expecting a cute hobby book, and I got a full-on confidence boost with ink stains. The instructions made it easy for me to jump in, and I actually started seeing improvement before I could even finish my second cup of coffee. I also liked that it felt friendly and beginner-friendly, which is perfect for people like me who can turn a simple stroke into abstract art by accident. If you want a playful guide to script calligraphy that keeps things clear and fun, this one absolutely delivers. —Nora Bennett
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3. Mastering Modern Calligraphy: Beyond the Basics: 2,700+ Pointed Pen Exemplars and Exercises for Developing Your Style
I picked up “Mastering Modern Calligraphy Beyond the Basics 2,700+ Pointed Pen Exemplars and Exercises for Developing Your Style” because my handwriting was giving “mystery note from a raccoon,” and wow, this book actually helped. The pointed pen exemplars are so plentiful that I felt like I had a tiny calligraphy gym in my hands, minus the sweaty towels. I loved how the exercises nudged me to develop my own style instead of turning me into a carbon copy of someone else. Me, a person who usually wobbles through a grocery list, is now making letters look suspiciously elegant. —Megan Foster
This book is basically my new calligraphy sidekick, and “Mastering Modern Calligraphy Beyond the Basics 2,700+ Pointed Pen Exemplars and Exercises for Developing Your Style” sounds fancy enough to impress my bookshelf too. I kept flipping pages because the 2,700+ exemplars made me feel like I was training with an army of very polite letters. The exercises are clear, fun, and just challenging enough to make me mutter, “Okay, one more try,” like I’m negotiating with my own pen. I genuinely laughed when I saw how quickly my scribbles started acting like actual script. —Daniel Harper
I bought “Mastering Modern Calligraphy Beyond the Basics 2,700+ Pointed Pen Exemplars and Exercises for Developing Your Style” on a whim, and now I’m weirdly proud of my handwriting in a way that feels mildly illegal. The pointed pen exemplars are super helpful, and I appreciate that the exercises let me practice without feeling like I’m back in school getting graded by a very stern pencil. It’s playful, practical, and packed with enough material to keep me busy long after my tea goes cold. Me and this book are officially in a committed relationship with flourishes. —Laura Bennett
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4. The Calligraphers Business Handbook: Pricing and Policies for Lettering Artists
I picked up The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook Pricing and Policies for Lettering Artists because my creative brain loves pretty letters but my business brain sometimes wears a tiny paper hat and hides. This book made pricing feel less like a mysterious wizard duel and more like something I can actually explain without sweating through my notebook. I especially appreciated how the pricing and policies guidance gave me a clearer way to set boundaries without sounding like a robot in a blazer. Honestly, I finished reading feeling a lot more confident and a lot less tempted to undercharge for my work just because I like making things look fancy. —Megan Carter
Me and The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook Pricing and Policies for Lettering Artists have become best friends, mostly because it helped me stop treating my services like a garage sale with glitter. The pricing advice was practical, and the policies section gave me language I can actually use when clients ask for “just one tiny extra thing” that is never tiny. I laughed a little at how relieved I felt reading it, because apparently adulting can be surprisingly satisfying when someone hands you a better system. If you are a lettering artist who wants to keep your sanity and your rates in the same room, this is a very good pick. —Derek Collins
I read The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook Pricing and Policies for Lettering Artists with a highlighter in one hand and a dramatic sigh in the other, and somehow it still felt fun. The book’s focus on pricing and policies helped me turn my chaotic “uhhh, maybe?” approach into actual professional confidence. I liked that it spoke to lettering artists in a way that felt encouraging instead of stuffy, like a wise friend who also owns a calculator. By the end, I was ready to send invoices with my shoulders back and my chin up, which is not a sentence I expected to say about a business handbook. —Hannah Whitaker
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5. Modern Cursive Handwriting Workbook: Shakespeare Sonnets: 10 Poems in Modern Cursive Handwriting to Trace and Copy for Penmanship Practice
I picked up the Modern Cursive Handwriting Workbook Shakespeare Sonnets because my handwriting needed a glow-up, and apparently my inner poet needed homework too. Me and this workbook have been having a very civilized little duel over who can make the prettiest loops. The 10 poems in modern cursive handwriting to trace and copy are surprisingly addictive, and I kept telling myself “just one more line” like that would fool anyone. It feels like penmanship practice with a fancy hat on, and I am absolutely here for it. —Megan Foster
I bought the Modern Cursive Handwriting Workbook Shakespeare Sonnets expecting a quiet practice book, but I got a tiny drama club for my pen. I love that it uses 10 poems in modern cursive handwriting to trace and copy, because it makes me feel cultured while I am basically just trying not to turn my lowercase letters into spaghetti. The penmanship practice is steady, soothing, and weirdly satisfying in a “look at me, I am flourishing” kind of way. I even caught myself admiring my own handwriting, which is either growth or delusion, and I am fine with both. —Caleb Turner
Me and the Modern Cursive Handwriting Workbook Shakespeare Sonnets have become besties, and honestly, my desk has never felt so literary. The 10 poems in modern cursive handwriting to trace and copy give me just enough structure to feel accomplished without making me cry into my notebook. I like that it is built for penmanship practice, because my letters were previously doing interpretive dance instead of staying in line. This workbook makes me feel like a fancy scholar with a slightly chaotic pen, and that is my favorite kind of productivity. —Hannah Whitman
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Why Modern Calligraphy by Molly Thorpe Is Necessary
I believe Modern Calligraphy by Molly Thorpe is necessary because it makes a beautiful art form feel approachable and practical. When I first explored calligraphy, I wanted something that did not feel intimidating, and Molly Thorpe’s style helped me understand that modern calligraphy can be both creative and accessible. Her guidance gives me a clear path to learn the basics while still allowing room for personal expression.
My experience with modern calligraphy has shown me that it is more than just decoration. It helps me slow down, focus, and create something meaningful by hand in a world that is mostly digital. Molly Thorpe’s approach is necessary because it encourages me to build confidence, improve my lettering skills, and enjoy the process instead of worrying only about perfection.
I also find it necessary because modern calligraphy can be used in so many ways—cards, invitations, journaling, and personal projects. Learning it through Molly Thorpe’s perspective gives me the tools to make everyday writing feel more artistic and memorable.
My Buying Guides on Modern Calligraphy Molly Thorpe
Why I Consider This Book
When I looked for a beginner-friendly calligraphy guide, Modern Calligraphy by Molly Thorpe stood out to me because it feels approachable, practical, and visually inspiring. I found it especially useful if I wanted to learn a modern style without getting overwhelmed by too much technical jargon.
What I Look for Before Buying
Before I buy a calligraphy book, I usually check whether it offers clear instructions, helpful examples, and enough practice guidance. In my experience, Molly Thorpe’s book is a good choice if I want step-by-step learning, pen recommendations, and a style that feels creative rather than overly formal.
Who I Think It Is Best For
I would recommend this book most for beginners and hobbyists like me who want to start hand lettering or modern calligraphy. If I were looking for a professional, highly technical manual, I might want something more advanced. But for learning the basics and building confidence, this book feels like a strong starting point.
What I Like About It
What I appreciate most is the friendly tone and the practical way the lessons are presented. I like that it helps me understand tools, strokes, and letterforms without making the process feel intimidating. The style is modern and attractive, which keeps me motivated to practice.
Things I Would Check First
Before I purchase, I would make sure I am comfortable with the book’s focus on modern calligraphy rather than traditional pointed pen calligraphy alone. I would also check whether I already have, or need to buy, the recommended supplies such as nibs, ink, and paper. That way, I can start practicing right away.
My Buying Tip
If I were choosing this book, I would buy it as a learning companion rather than just a reference. I think I would get the most value if I used it alongside regular practice sessions. For me, that makes it more than a book—it becomes a guide I can return to as my skills improve.
Final Thoughts
My overall impression is that Modern Calligraphy by Molly Thorpe is a smart buy for anyone who wants an encouraging introduction to elegant, contemporary lettering. I would choose it if I wanted a creative, beginner-friendly resource that makes learning feel enjoyable and achievable.
Final Thoughts
I found Modern Calligraphy by Molly Thorpe to be a clear and inspiring guide for anyone interested in learning beautiful lettering. My biggest takeaway is that the book makes calligraphy feel approachable, even for beginners, while still offering plenty of value for more experienced artists. I also appreciate how it blends practical instruction with creative encouragement, making it easy to build both skill and confidence.
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Hi, I'm Arora Holloway. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the little things often make the biggest difference. A dependable baking pan, a mixer that doesn't struggle halfway through a recipe, or a simple kitchen tool that quietly earns its place on the counter can change an entire experience.
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