This is a growing list of calligraphy terms I regularly use when I’m sharing information. I listed this first on the Learn page so that you would have some understanding as you start to go through the articles. As always, I am open to answering questions and clarifying other calligraphy terms you may come across elsewhere!
| rule up | draw guidelines on a page |
| baseline | line the letters rest on |
| x-height | height of the lower case letters |
| ascending line | strokes that extend above the x-height |
| descending line | stroke that extends below the x-height |
| minuscules | lower case letters |
| majuscules | upper case letters |
| upstroke | a stroke written from the baseline upward |
| downstroke | a stroke written toward the baseline |
| nib | small metal instrument for writing calligraphy |
| tines | the writing edge of a calligraphy nib is divided into sections. These sections are called tines. Ink flows between the sections from the nib to the page. |
| pen angle | the angle to the baseline to hold the writing edge of a broad pen |
| guidelines | lines on a page that regulate letter size and slant |