Jackson Alves Interview: Mastering Digital Calligraphy and Procreate

1. Give us a quick intro for those who don’t know you.

I’m Jackson Alves, a Brazilian calligrapher, lettering artist, and designer based in Orlando, FL. My passion for letters began about 15 years ago, and since then, I’ve been blending traditional calligraphy with modern digital techniques to create unique letterforms.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with global brands like Apple, Coca-Cola, Montblanc, and others. Beyond client work, I love sharing my knowledge through workshops and developing digital products—such as fonts and brushes—that help other artists bring their lettering to life.

2. What inspired you to transition from traditional calligraphy to digital tools like Procreate?

My foundation is in traditional calligraphy, and I’ve always loved the tactile experience of ink on paper. However, as technology evolved, I saw an opportunity to expand my creative possibilities—I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with new techniques.

Procreate became a game-changer because it allows me to replicate the organic feel of traditional tools while adding speed, flexibility, and precision to my workflow. It also made my work more accessible, enabling me to easily make adjustments and explore new styles. Rather than replacing traditional calligraphy, digital tools have become an extension of my creativity, helping me push the boundaries of lettering.

3. Do you think someone should learn traditional calligraphy (at least the basics) before moving to digital, or can they start directly with digital tools?

I believe people should experience both—calligraphy on paper with ink and digital calligraphy, especially with Procreate. The order doesn’t matter, but it’s important to try both. You can start as I did, on paper, and then transition to digital, but you can also begin with digital if that’s more accessible.

What I do think is essential, though, is that at some point, everyone should also experience calligraphy in the physical world because it’s a unique and valuable experience.

4. What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about digital calligraphy?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about digital calligraphy is that it’s easier or requires less skill than traditional calligraphy. Many people assume that digital tools do all the work, but in reality, the same principles of letterforms, spacing, and stroke control apply. Mastering digital calligraphy still demands practice, discipline, and a deep understanding of letter structure.

Another common misconception is that once you go digital, there’s no need for traditional calligraphy. However, I see digital tools as an extension rather than a replacement—both mediums offer unique advantages, and combining them can enhance an artist’s skill set and creative possibilities.

5. Besides Procreate, what other apps or software do you use for digital calligraphy?

Nowadays, my favorite apps for digital calligraphy are Procreate and Fontself. The latest version of Fontself is truly impressive—it seamlessly blends the fluidity of calligraphy with the precision and flexibility of vector editing.

This combination allows for a more natural lettering experience while still taking advantage of the scalability and refinement that vectors offer.

6. Can you walk us through your typical digital calligraphy workflow—from sketch to final piece?

I usually start by creating sketches in Procreate, and from there, it depends on the project. If the final delivery needs to be in vector format, I take the sketch from Procreate directly to Illustrator for vectorization.

Sometimes, if a vector version isn’t necessary, I can finalize everything in Procreate using my own brushes.

7. What are your must-have Procreate brushes for calligraphy, and do you customize them yourself?

I might be biased when talking about this because I had tested several calligraphy brushes before, but I was only able to fully transition to digital calligraphy when I created my own brushes.

That’s why I say I’m biased—because, of course, I would recommend my own brush pack! I designed them to replicate the most natural experience of calligraphy on paper, and they are what truly make digital calligraphy enjoyable for me.

8. Do you use a specific iPad model or stylus that you think makes a big difference?

I recently released a Reels video on my Instagram where I recommend seven products for starting digital calligraphy in style. What I highlight there is, without a doubt, what makes the biggest difference for me—the 13-inch iPad Pro along with the Apple Pencil Pro.

I also like to use a screen protector, a drawing glove, and a declinable iPad stand, specifically the SketchBoard Pro. This is the basic kit I recommend for anyone who wants to get started like a boss!

9. While Procreate is a fantastic tool, what other apps or digital tools do you use or recommend for calligraphy?

For calligraphy, I believe I’ve already mentioned my favorites—Procreate and Fontself. There aren’t any other apps that I regularly use for digital calligraphy.

However, when it comes to vectorizing calligraphy or lettering, I use Adobe Illustrator and Glyphs App. These tools allow me to refine and adapt my lettering into scalable formats, whether for branding, type design, or other professional applications.

10. Can you share a memorable project or collaboration you’ve done using digital calligraphy and what made it special?

One of the most memorable projects I’ve worked on using digital calligraphy was my collaboration with Apple for an Apple Event. Seeing my lettering featured in such a significant launch was an incredible experience.

In fact, I had already been creating my own brushes before, but this particular project for Apple was one of the biggest incentives for me to truly take brush creation seriously. Since I developed all the brushes specifically for this project, it pushed me to dive deeper into the process. That was a major turning point—it motivated me to finally start selling my brushes commercially.

Another interesting aspect of this project is that I illustrated the Apple logo using calligraphic strokes. While there weren’t any actual letters in the design, the brushwork itself was rooted in calligraphy. That’s something I find fascinating—the ability to use calligraphic strokes to create illustrations rather than just letterforms. This is a concept I’ve been exploring for some time now, finding ways to showcase the beauty of calligraphic strokes without necessarily forming traditional letters or words.

11. Do you ever mix digital calligraphy with other art forms, like illustration or graphic design? If so, how does that process work for you?

It would be impossible for me not to mix digital calligraphy with graphic design because, first and foremost, I am a graphic designer. Every piece I create automatically has design at its core. Every calligraphy piece I make always incorporates graphic design in some way.

I started as a graphic designer before diving into calligraphy, so this blend has always been present in my work from the very beginning. As for illustration, even though I’ve been drawing since I was a child, I never specialized in a specific illustration style. It’s something I’ve always thought about exploring further—who knows, maybe sometime soon?

12. What are some things digital calligraphy makes easier compared to traditional calligraphy?

For sure, the ability to undo mistakes instantly is a huge advantage compared to traditional calligraphy, where a single misplaced stroke can mean starting over.

Using layers is also incredibly helpful, allowing for experimentation with compositions, textures, and colors without committing right away. Another major benefit is portability—rather than carrying multiple tools, I can create calligraphy anywhere with just an iPad and Apple Pencil. This flexibility makes digital calligraphy an incredibly powerful creative tool.

13. On the flip side, are there aspects of traditional calligraphy that digital tools still struggle to replicate?

While digital calligraphy offers many advantages, some aspects of traditional calligraphy are hard to replicate. The organic feel of ink on paper—how it spreads, bleeds, and interacts with textures—adds a uniqueness that digital tools struggle to mimic. The tactile experience of a nib or brush on paper also provides sensory feedback that a smooth screen can’t fully replicate.

Additionally, traditional calligraphy demands discipline and precision since there’s no undo button. This pushes artists to develop strong stroke control and rhythm—skills that can sometimes be overlooked in digital work. That’s why I believe experience with both mediums is key to mastering calligraphy.

14. With AI and new tech evolving fast, how do you see digital calligraphy changing in the next few years?

With AI and evolving technology, I see digital calligraphy becoming even more intuitive and powerful in the coming years. However, I believe the human touch will always be essential—calligraphy is about personal expression, rhythm, and creativity, which can’t be fully replicated by AI.

15. Do you think digital calligraphy will ever replace traditional calligraphy, or will they always coexist?

I don’t believe digital calligraphy will ever fully replace traditional calligraphy—they will always coexist. While digital tools offer convenience, flexibility, and new creative possibilities, traditional calligraphy has an irreplaceable tactile quality, history, and craftsmanship that can’t be replicated.

Each medium has its own strengths—digital calligraphy allows for experimentation, quick revisions, and scalability, while traditional calligraphy provides a hands-on experience that deepens an artist’s skill and connection to the craft.

They complement each other rather than compete. Many artists, including myself, use both, taking inspiration from one to enhance the other. Calligraphy isn’t just about the final result—it’s about the process, and that’s something that will always have a place in both the digital and physical worlds.