David Allan, SHA, FSA Scot
Heraldic Artist & Calligrapher
Heralidic Artist & Calligrapher
Heralidic Artist & Calligrapher
Practical and digital calligraphy, each shaped by the same disciplined eye — honouring tradition while embracing modern technique.
Calligraphy in Two Forms
With decades of experience as a Heraldic Artist and Calligrapher at the Court of the Lord Lyon, my work spans both practical and digital forms. Whether inscribed by hand or created on screen, each piece is guided by historical knowledge, careful craftsmanship, and a lifelong study of letterforms.
Practical Calligraphy
Created using quill, ink, vellum, and handmade paper, practical calligraphy brings a tactile richness that can only come from the hand of the artist. From 6th-century Celtic scripts to formal charters in Secretary Hand, each commission is executed with historical accuracy and visual clarity. These works are produced to the standards required of official heraldic documents — precise, deliberate, and enduring.
Converting the Hand
Rather than relying on pre-made fonts, I have developed digital versions of my own calligraphic hands — each letterform carefully redrawn to preserve the proportions and character of the originals. This process allows the unique personality of my lettering to carry over into digital work, ensuring that even on screen, the calligraphy remains recognisably my own. It is a continuation of the same practice, adapted for new contexts.
Digital Calligraphy
Digital calligraphy combines the strength of historic letterforms with the efficiency and adaptability of modern tools. It allows for seamless integration with heraldry, illustration, and photography, making it ideal for use in certificates, signage, publications, and web design. Styles such as 6th-century Celtic and Secretary Hand are revitalised for contemporary audiences with clarity and care.
Artwork can be supplied as high-resolution digital files or printed on museum-grade art paper using archival inks — rated by the manufacturer to remain lightfast for up to 300 years.
Whether practical or digital, each piece is shaped by the same commitment to clarity, authenticity, and lasting craft. My approach balances respect for historical tradition with the needs of modern design — ensuring that every commission, whatever its form, is both functional and beautiful.
Digital and Practical Calligraphy Gallery
Contemporary heraldic artwork created digitally gives clear crisp lines which makes it ideal for large or small prints, stationery and bookplates, It also works well for Flags & Banners, table banners, jewellery and tableware design (including coasters) and gives excellent results when used for commercial printing.
Traditional heraldic artwork is painted on velum. This is how I prefer to draw animals and figures.
Gallery
I use two methods to create my Heraldic Artwork
Contemporary heraldic artwork created digitally gives clear crisp lines which makes it ideal for large or small prints, stationery and bookplates, It also works well for Flags & Banners, table banners, jewellery and tableware design (including coasters) and gives excellent results when used for commercial printing.
Traditional heraldic artwork is painted on velum. This is how I prefer to draw animals and figures.