Do you want to know the big secret about learning calligraphy?
Most people think they’ll love writing fancy letters after they learn all the “right techniques.”
They tell themselves, “If I get the angles perfect and master every stroke, I’ll finally enjoy calligraphy.”
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t work that way.
If you really want to master calligraphy—and stick with it long enough to become amazing at it—you need to flip the script. Why?
Because focusing on technique first kills your motivation before it even starts. Instead of being fun and creative, calligraphy becomes just another chore.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Today, I’m going to share a method that changes everything. It’s a way to not only improve your lettering but also to love every single minute with a pen in your hand.
This method, the HeartFlow™ Method, took me from a small-time hobbyist in 2020 to building a global movement.
I have over 3.3M Instagram followers and 3M YouTube subscribers. Recently, The New York Times recognized me as helping drive the revival of calligraphy as an art form.
Keep reading to find out how …
At first, I was like everyone else: a beginner, unsure and overwhelmed.
Instead of grinding through perfect strokes right away, I did the opposite.
I played around. I wrote random words and loops. I hung out with supportive communities. I practiced more because I wanted to, not because I felt “obligated.”
I eventually got serious about honing my skills. I tackled the basic strokes and refined my letterforms.
And guess what? I actually looked forward to practicing. That’s when I decided to share my journey with the world.
On June 28, 2021, I posted my very first video on the Nhuan Dao Calligraphy YouTube channel.
The early results? Let’s just say they were nothing to brag about.
17 months and 28 days later, on December 25, 2022, I finally hit my first 10,000 subscribers.
Nothing earth-shattering, but I kept at it. I stayed focused on the art, not the numbers.
Then things got interesting.
By June 5, 2023—just 4½ months later—I hit 100,000 subscribers. That’s a 10x leap in a fraction of the time.
Not bad, right? Fast forward to October 3, 2023. After 5 months, I hit 1,000,000 subscribers. Another 10x jump, this time earning the YouTube Gold Button.
I’m telling you: without the HeartFlow™ Method, there’s no way I would’ve stuck around long enough to see that day.
And I’m not the only one. As I shared the HeartFlow™ Method, I saw the same change happen again and again.
Students didn’t just improve their calligraphy. They got more excited, practiced more, and got better results.
The best part?
You can also apply it to yourself.
… Even if you’ve given up many times or studied calligraphy in many places, then stopped.
The HeartFlow™ Method boils down to three simple phases:
Before I break them down, here’s why this approach works so well:
Most calligraphy courses start at Step 10.
They teach posture, pen angles, and letterforms. But they never give you a reason to be there. It’s like forcing yourself to run a marathon before you’ve ever learned to enjoy a simple walk.
The HeartFlow™ Method is the opposite.
The HeartFlow Method: a technique that connects your heart (passion and love) with the flow of your pen.
It’s a 3-step system.
It will first grow your love for calligraphy. Then, it will guide you to develop your skills. Finally, it will teach you to improve on your own.
Suddenly, YOU have a system.
It improves your calligraphy. It makes you fall in love with the whole journey.
No one quits a hobby they love.
The real problem?
Most newbies never get a chance to love calligraphy in the first place. They’re too busy freaking out about pen angles, line thickness, and nib pressure.
The HeartFlow™ Method starts at zero. There, the pressure is gone and the fun is front and center.
Start simple: just grab your pen.
Turn feeling good into a habit:
A daily writing habit is key to a lasting love for calligraphy.
Here’s how you can start:
For example:
On July 27, 2020, I started my own 66-day daily writing challenge. I called it Series A.
Once that was done, I started Series B.
Each series made writing a daily routine. It turned calligraphy into a fun habit.
I remember posting my work on Facebook 5 years ago. Few people noticed it back then.
But my sister? She always did. She liked, left hearts, and wrote kind comments every time.
Now, in our Mindful Calligraphy Skool community, I do my best to pass on that support.
Whenever a member shares their work, I’m there, cheering them on—just like my sister did for me.
Add a little structure to the fun:
Need more inspiration? I’ve created a weekly challenge that anyone can join:
For example:
View this post on Instagram
Extra Support in the Community:
In the Mindful Calligraphy Skool, we take it a step further.
Each week, I create a new worksheet for members to practice the prompts.
The worksheets aim to make lettering easy, even for beginners.
It’s like having a gentle guide by your side as you explore calligraphy.
Why This Works:
When you start with fun, you build an emotional bond with calligraphy.
It shifts from “something I should do” to “something I can’t wait to do.”
You’ll pick up your pen each day because you want to, not because you feel obligated.
This excitement fuels steady improvement.
Before you know it, calligraphy becomes your favorite escape. It’s a creative way to relax and recharge.
You are now motivated from within. No forcing. No guilt.
Once you love the process, it’s time to level up.
Now you want to improve. So, learning techniques feel like an opportunity, not an obligation.
We break down calligraphy into 9 small, manageable skills:
1. Basic Foundations: Learn to sit, hold your pen, and choose the right materials.
2. 8 basic strokes.
3. Group similar letters by their shapes. This will speed up improvement.
4. Practice lowercase.
5. Practice uppercase.
6. Practice numbers.
7. Connect letters into words and phrases.
8. Practice words, phrases.
9. Make a small “before-and-after” project that shows you how far you have come.
Your initial enjoyment fuels each new skill.
It builds on your momentum.
Instead of dreading practice, you welcome it! Instead of feeling intimidated by complex letterforms, you’re excited to try them out!
Now: These 9 steps are all laid out in my digital “21 Days Brush Lettering Workbook”. It’s a simple, step-by-step guide. It will help you create stunning brush lettering art. And it will amaze your friends and family.
For members of Mindful Calligraphy Skool:
I’ve taken this workbook to the next level.
Each copy is printed on premium paper, paired with a large brush pen, and thoughtfully packaged in a calligraphy box.
Even better—it’s delivered straight to your door, completely free for members. It makes it easier than ever to start your journey.
Now that you’ve got skills and motivation, it’s time to refine them.
Enter the 5S technique. It’s a simple feedback loop. It lets you self-correct without feeling overwhelmed.
After you finish writing, look at your work and check it on five points:
S1—Shapes: the shape of the letters
With each font, the letters come in a certain shape.
The upstroke and downstroke of the letters create a harmonious rhythm.
When assessing your work, do you see if the word shape is correct or not? Then you may adjust to the correct standard shape.
S2—Slant: the letters slanting
The slant of a letter is how many degrees it makes with the horizontal line.
When you write, keep your lettering at a certain slant.
It should be rhythmic and consistent. If you use a few words with different slants, your work will lose its uniformity and beauty.
You need to check your calligraphy’s slant.
Use paper with ready-to-write lines.
It will help you write with the correct slant when you start learning.
S3—Sizes: the size of your letters
Size is the length, height, and depth of each letter. Every letter has a standard size. It’s vital to be consistent when writing.
The same letters will be written in the same size and style.
Knowing the basic sizes and rules can help your creativity. They will help you make beautiful works.
S4—Spacing
Spacing is the space between letters in a word, between words in a sentence, between sentences and paragraphs in an essay.
Good spacing makes your writing look nice and beautiful. It makes it harmonious and well-proportioned.
Checking the spacing helps you to write a complete, unified work.
Consistency is very important in your writing.
Please keep a reasonable and consistent distance.
S5—Splicing
Splicing is the way letters are joined together.
Please ensure your letters are spliced. They must be even and easy to see.
Each style has a different way of splicing letters.
Joining lowercase to lowercase letters is a different skill to joining uppercase to lowercase letters.
At the first stage of writing, you need to splice the letters so that the letters are unified in a word.
No need to fix everything at once!
The beauty of the 5S Technique is that you don’t have to fix everything at once.
Maybe today you focus on slant, and tomorrow you work on spacing.
By fine-tuning one element at a time, you can control your progress.
You won’t feel judged or discouraged.
Result of Step 3:
You become self-sufficient.
With the 5S technique, you don’t rely on someone else to tell you what’s wrong.
You own your progress. It deepens your commitment. It turns calligraphy into a long-term passion.
Ready to change “Practice makes perfect” to “Practice feels awesome”?
Just pick a pen you like. Write something that makes you smile. Share it with supportive people. Enjoy the moment.
The HeartFlow™ Method will amaze you.
It will quickly make calligraphy a beloved hobby, not a daunting task.
Yes, it takes some work to get better. But unlike traditional methods, you know from the start that you’re going to enjoy the ride.
You’re not tossing ink at a wall and hoping something sticks.
You’re building, step-by-step, on a foundation of love. Soon, you’ll be able to create beautiful lettering.
Ready to ditch the stress and find your flow?
Pick up that pen and try the HeartFlow™ Method today.
3 Responses
Hi this is neela from india.I likes your writing and It is interesting and fun too. In our daily routines, we all need some relaxation time. This can change our lives. Mentally, I will feel happy if I do this.
You don’t know di you help me a lot in .y calligraphy play. I am good in calligraphy. But unfortunately I don’t have materials like brush pen, fountain pen, etc. But I don’t give up and then I find your channel that help me a lot and I think I don’t have to give up so I start with pens and I am very good 👍😊 at calligraphy. Thanks you didi I don’t have word for you . Bye
Ciao buona giornata sono Alessandra sorda piacere grazie mille 😘