Katherine Rinewalt

Calligrapher

Katherine Rinewalt is a Calligrapher based in Orlando, Florida. Katherine owns Rosebud Calligraphy and has over 6 years of experience. Rosebud Calligraphy is a calligraphy and stationery design studio offering invitations, handwritten pieces, and signage for weddings and special events. Katherine is passionate about helping others elevate their weddings and events with her personalized touch.

wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Q&A Comments (6)

How do I properly hold a calligraphy pen?
Start by holding the calligraphy pen between your thumb and index finger, letting it rest on your middle finger. Most calligraphy pens have a divot near the nib, which helps your fingers find a comfortable and stable position. Also, make sure that your fingers are close to the nib because this enhances your overall control and precision. 
Should I start at the middle or at the bottom when drawing an ampersand?
It's generally best to start at the bottom since both the entry and exit points of your drawing start at the bottom, making it the best starting place. However, the exact starting point can depend on the style of your ampersand. For some styles, starting more towards the bottom works well. If you want the heavier downstrokes to appear on the outside, you can consider starting from the middle instead. So in general, starting at the bottom is a reliable choice for most ampersands, but you can adjust based on where you want your heaviest strokes to appear.
How can I deal with finger-cramping when drawing for long periods?
Focus on using your wrist and arm rather than just your fingers to move the pen. First, practice with your wrist to create smaller letters and details. For larger letters, loops, and flourishes, use your shoulder and upper arm to move the pen, which allows your entire arm to guide the strokes. Doing this helps prevent finger strain and provides smoother, more fluid motions. Also, avoid gripping the pen too tightly, as this can lead to discomfort and cramping. Instead, maintain a relaxed grip and practice using your wrist and arm when moving your strokes.
See more comments

Co-authored Articles (10)

How to

Sign a Cool Signature

Need advice on how to design your own signature? Whether you want your signature style to be ornate or minimalist, we're here to help you choose one that perfectly expresses your personality. Read on for our complete gui...

How to Write the English Alphabet: From A to Z

Simple visual steps to master the written alphabet Writing all 26 letters of the English alphabet can seem like a challenge. But if you are going to master the English language on the page, you will need to be able to us...

How to

Have a Nice Signature

Signatures are important both for legal identification and personal expression. What form your signature takes may send a message about your attitude, personality and position. Improving your signature can be a valuabl...

How to Write Olde English Letters

Everything you need to know to practice this fun fontWhether you want to create a document or address some wedding invitations, Old English lettering will add a flourish to your writing. With the right tools and a littl...

How to Improve Your Handwriting

Learn warm-up & practice techniques that make handwriting easierHas anyone ever told you your handwriting looks like chicken scratch? Are you frustrated and embarrassed that your notes look like a child's writing rather ...

How to

Improve Your Cursive

Although cursive isn't used as often as it once was, it's still an important skill to have, especially for times where you'll need to write your signature. If your cursive needs improvement, don't worry! This wikiHow wil...

How to

Make Handmade Greeting Cards

Sure, you can go out and buy a greeting card, but nothing says love like the time and care it takes to make something homemade. Give your greeting cards a truly personal touch by making them yourself! Friends and family ...

How to

Draw Fancy Letters

Elaborate penmanship has been used to document important events throughout history. Today, there are hundreds of computer fonts that use fancy letters, and the art of drawing them has largely been lost. Fancy letters suc...

How to

Use a Chinese Calligraphy Brush

Have you ever wondered how to properly hold a Chinese brush pen? Using this technique, you will be prepared to write beautiful Chinese characters in the traditional manner.

How to

Develop Your Own Handwriting Style

Get your writing noticed by having your own unique handwriting style. Perhaps you want to clean up your writing because it is sloppy or hard to read, or maybe you are looking to develop a unique and memorable writing sty...