Use a Sketchbook to Explore Letterforms

The biggest challenge you might face after you get accustomed to creating lettering layouts may be what lettering styles to use where… Victorian, faux calligraphy, serif, sans serif, etc.

I believe that between creating lettering layouts, the process of letterform exploration should be ongoing. I recommend designating a sketchbook JUST for this task.

This is my sketchbook that is restricted ONLY to explore letters… No layouts, no drawings, just letters and letter decoration…

This sketchbook will give you an opportunity to do three things:

1. Help your hand/eye coordination as it pertains to letter construction.

2. Take lettering inspiration that you find and create alphabet exemplars from them. The more you do it, the better you’ll become.

3. Have a library of lettering styles to refer to where you can go for inspiration as you pull together lettering layouts/compositions.

I’ll see you guys next time, happy lettering!

—ct

Fox Themed First Birthday Chalkboard

I did my first birthday chalkboard! I really, really wanted to do one of these, they are so adorable every time I see one. This job was referred to me because the calligrapher that was slated to do it wasn’t into illustration. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do so I started looking up fox photos and came up with some “lockup” logo options that I would use as a focal point for the board.

The client wanted a “Foxy One” theme…

After the client selected the lockup she liked, I got all of Gabriel’s information… All his “firsts”. I’ve seen boards PACKED with this info but you have to be careful that each block of type/info is neat and legible or it can quickly turn into a mess!

I do it with powder chalk and there is a LOT of erasing involved!

After this I ink the board with Posca chalk markers. There are a ton out there and I can say I like Bistro brand as well but Posca’s are absolutely perfect for chalkboard surfaces. I’ve yet to try some of the newer brands but I would say that I’ve tried Versa Chalk and Chalk Ink brands and they dry out much too quickly. If there is a remedy to this, I’d love to know, let me know in the comments!

The thing with Posca brand markers is that they dry quickly so you need water and a small roundhand brush if you’d like to blend the inks like I did with the leaves. You can really get some nice effects with this method.

…And this is the final. I was pretty proud of this one since it was my first of this kind! Hope to do more of these!

Chalkboard Layout Demo

I’m getting the LLBYCT channel going! Check out my video showing how I tackled a 24” x 24” client supplied chalkboard! From sketch to layout in powder chalk I discuss how to approach the blank space, breaking it up spatially to create a visually pleasing board.

I did some sketches and the client was happy with one of my design solutions out of the gate so I had clear direction on what I needed to do.

Please like and subscribe and there is plenty more to come!

—ct

Faux Calligraphy / For Beginners / Instant Download / Calligraphy eBook

This was a fun little title I penned. “Faux” or fake calligraphy is one of my “go tos”as far “coupling” letter styles. Also a lot of flexibility available when constructing faux calligraphy letterforms so it a chance for you to “level up” if you already employ this style! Treat yourself to this little indulgence!

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5 Actionable Ways to Improve Your Hand Lettering / Lettering Tips / Lettering by Hand

Is your lettering feeling a bit stale? In a rut? Feel like you are NOT improving? I hear you. Lettering can be tricky and depending on what you are doing, your process can feel stagnant.

I want to share with you FIVE WAYS to improve your hand lettering. You can incorporate these actionable steps TODAY.

GO SLOWER
This is one of the most obvious steps but its true. A lot of times we want to hurry up and get done, fill up our feeds, move on to the next prompt in our challenge, etc. Good lettering requires a significant time commitment. If you have a simple quote, a one word design, or a two word phrase, ok you should be able to get that done more quickly than a longer quote with 2-3 different lettering styles and multiple design elements. Just make sure that you are not rushing through the process because whatever bugs you in the pencil phase will make you sick once you’ve finalized your piece in ink/paint/etc.

BE READY TO ERASE
Hand lettering can be brutal as you will more often than not have to do things more than once. Even the most seasoned letterers have to go back over what they’ve done. If this bugs you think about your finished product. Your finished piece will be much better because you committed to taking these extra steps during the construction phase.

USE TOOLS
Free handing it is fine for preliminary sketches, thumbnails, etc. However as you are finalizing your sketch, pull out some tools in order to really refine it. Your lettering/design solution will look more professional and if you are posting on social media, it’ll have a better chance of being re-posted by lettering accounts that curate strong pieces.

LOOK AT YOUR LETTERING IN UNCONVENTIONAL WAYS
Turn your layouts upside down and critically review them. Its amazing how different they appear. Things that your brain would normally organize all of a sudden turn into independent shapes and if something is off it will SCREAM at you. Anything that is not really symmetrical or off balance will be crystallized especially… Another hack is to take a pic with your phone and review your lettering that way. This is another method that will indicate more clearly than a normal review where problem areas lie…

SPEND AS MUCH TIME STUDYING AS YOU DO LETTERING
Even though everyone is always saying, “letter more, letter daily, every time you letter you learn something, etc.” While ALL this is true, you STILL need to make sure that you are studying. You should be able to name a lettering reference that you are getting through right now. Studying books by letterers you admire as well as ephemera and old school references will only give you a larger frame of reference when you are doing your own pieces. I snagged a GREAT tip on a quicker way to letter victorian style letters while studying a book about another topic. You seriously never know what hacks/shortcuts/visual stimulants you will find. Find the time to STUDY YOUR CRAFT!

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Handwriting Worksheets / Practice Sheets / Instant Download

Hi guys,

Wanted to share a quick printable that I did for adults to practice their handwriting. GREAT worksheets in case you’d like to get a better feel for writing prior to graduating to calligraphy and hand lettering worksheets.

You’ll receive a 14 page multi-page pdf document with 11 practice pages.
11 practice pages are also included as jpegs in a zipped file in case you'd like to download to use on the iPad...

ETSY LISTING

Check it out when you can and I’ll be back soon!

—ct

How to Hand Letter / Ebooks / Beginning Lettering

Wow, what a different landscape we are in now huh? I have been super busy however as there were so many pet projects that I had before we had to shelter in place here in Chicago.

I’m offering a free brush lettering class hosted on my YouTube (more on that later) and I also managed to create a great resource on lettering! Hand Lettering 101…

This eBook was a labor of LOVE! I taught a hand lettering class and this little digital companion was based off of the physical classroom text. I thought it would be friendlier to someone learning at home. Its got the basics, terminology, an equipment list and more! Great for the beginner and there is no excuse not to get started after this one! Check it out!

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Mirror Lettering: A How To Guide

I've recently penned an e-book that you can purchase and download on this site or from my Etsy shop! Its a compilation of my favorite supplies, lettering how-tos and shipping tips.

Writing on mirrors has become very popular and while they are often referred to as "calligraphy mirrors" they are really hand lettered beauties. Hash tags to search: #mirrorseatingchart #mirrorlettering #mirrorsignage 

Check out some excerpts below!

Hope you will try this resource! Take care til' next time.

--ct