Istanbul-based graphic designer Tolga Girgin experiments with 3D calligraphy, by using pencil shading and perspective to amazing effect. For more, you can follow his Instagram. Tolga was born in Simav, Kütahya, Turkey in 1981, and not only works as a calligrapher and a graphic designer, but also as an electrical and electronics engineer.
Modern Calligraphy
Calligraphy’s been entering a sort of popular renaissance these past few years, from works like Niels Shoe Meulman’s Calligraffiti gaining prominence to the occasional treats you can find on Monotype’s Seb Lester’s Instagram. Beginner guides are everywhere, but if you have the time and a bit of cash to spend, Melbourne has regular workshops at the Calligraphy Society of Victoria, which runs classes that span the range from beginners to advanced. It meets monthly, and, along with conducting workshops, often also conducts exhibitions and publishes work. It’s a fun, therapeutic visual art hobby that’s easy and cheap to get into: you really only need maybe some special pens, that you can (if you want to) make yourself – or buy for cheap from most art shops. Note however that if you’re leaning to get into classical calligraphy, there are different pens for right and left handed people. You can also learn Chinese calligraphy in workshops around Melbourne.