Hand Lettering Basics Workshop

I can’t wait to teach it again. We went over how to approach lettering, the passion that you need to have about WHAT you are lettering… Short quotes, longer quotes, design solutions, etc.

I’m supposed to be teaching it again on May 2nd at a local library but with the social distancing that’s going on right now, I’m not sure if that will actually happen. Fingers crossed! I’ll also be releasing some freebies from this resource soon its so jam packed with info!

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Ahhh, a labor of LOVE! I taught my first (well really second) hand lettering class! I taught a holiday hand lettering class right before Christmas last year but it wasn’t laser focused on just lettering it was actually more about the “decor” and design elements that scream “holiday!”

THIS class I really wanted to simply say things that I hadn’t really heard in the classes that I previously audited but thought they should really KNOW! That’s it. That was my goal in putting together the guide and teaching the course.

Lettering Improvement + New Goals

Are you excited to begin a new year of lettering? I didn’t let my busy calligraphy/wedding schedule stand in the way of things I wanted to accomplish with my lettering and as a result I feel like I’m more confident tackling layouts and creative projects that I would have normally shied away from.

Examples of improvements I’ve been seeing (only TIME and being critical of your work can provide these results):

A collage that I did for Chicago’s South Side. It was tentative, kind of all over the place with a weak focal point. I was proud of some of the letter construction and thought I did a good job contrasting styles.

The re-do! I took another stab at it and really thought it came together in a more cohesive manner. Clear focal point, better sections for complimentary type. Better flow. Just an overall more pleasing creative solution.

Another design solution… Superbowl collage…

2018 Superbowl Sunday collage. I was super proud of this at the time and had been exposed to more and more collage design solutions by some of my favorite letterers. Again just some issues that I immediately identify now that I didn’t before. The complimentary words are done a little tentatively. Need better spacing and clearer sections for smaller type. “Touchdown” competes with “Superbowl Sunday” as a focal point… I could go on!

2020!!! What a difference 2 years makes… Again, I think I just PLAN these layouts better now. My “artist’s eye” is developing! Nothing competes. Clear focal point. Complimentary type has a home…

I want to encourage you as a letterer to simply KEEP GOING. Some things just come with time spent working on your craft and you learn something literally EVERY TIME you letter.

Have great years everyone and I will be back updating you on my progress and projects!

—ct

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Holiday Hand Lettering Workshop

I thought it would be fun to teach a course on hand lettering but make it “holiday” themed. Think wreaths, winter florals, ornaments and MORE! Join me: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=73883456407