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This topic is super easy for me to talk about, because it literally changed my life! I remember the first time I saw hand lettering. I thought there is just no way that someone could do that without a font. And now that I know more about font making, I realize there’s no way you could make it with a font!
The more that I researched and got into, I quickly realized how amazingly talented people are. And that yes indeed it was just someone’s artistry!
Seriously check out some hastags #handletter #handlettering and you will see some true art before your eyes!
For me it was something that just spoke to me. Something I knew I wanted to be good at. I struggled to figure out things on my own. And made lots of mistakes and spent lots of money along the way. So I’m going to help you avoid some of those mistakes by giving you some advice. Let’s get to it!
Don't Buy Expensive Materials
Don’t spend a ton of money on expensive pens in the beginning! When I first started lettering there were so so many people I looked at and admired. They were all so skilled in so many different pens and nibs, and markers, the list goes on and on!
It was overwhelming to feel like I had to figure it all out all at once. But that is usually how I am, do something big, or not at all! I wasted a lot of money, and ruined a lot of supplies and pens because I just didn’t know how to use them. And my lettering wasn’t good enough to even use them correctly!
Let me recommend my two favorite lettering pens for a beginner that are low cost, and easy to learn with. They are the Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip and Crayola Broad Tip Markers (yes those things you used as a kid, that maybe you already have laying around your house!)
Once you figure these two out, you can move on and try to figure out some of the more difficult markers like the Tombow Dual Brush Markers. You’ll thank me later!
Start with Drills
I always thought drills were really lame and a waste of my time. But the further I got into lettering the more I realized how helpful they would have been.
Hand lettering is all about applying pressure. You want to have a heavy down stroke and a thin up stroke. Trying to figure that out by only doing letter forms is way trickier than just doing some drills. After all the goal is to teach your hand that when you’re going down you press harder. My practice sheets have a page of drills to help you practice thick and thin strokes, and trust me, it’s worth your time!
Practice Everyday
Lettering consumed my mind when I first started because wanted to be good at it! I spent hours practicing, and it took about 4 months of lettering EVERY DAY before I felt like I was writing and it was looking decent.
Realize that it’s going to take time to get better, and that you need to train your hands how to write with the pressure! It is definitely different than just writing.
It’s one of the reasons I love the Crayola broad tip markers. It’s very obvious it you’re using enough pressure on the downstroke. And once you’ve got it you can add the brush element!
Once you figure out the pressure the real fun begins and you can start adding in swashes, elements, and really having fun with your letters! If you want to have some practice sheets to trace and learn from we offer a basic version and a flourished version.
Best of luck as you begin your hand lettering journey! It’s a great skill to have, and so rewarding to be able to look at your progress! Don’t get frustrated if your progress isn’t as quick as you want it to be! Just keep going! If you want to learn but don’t feel like you have time for a hobby, check out this post! Comment below and tell me why you want to start lettering! And if you want more lettering tips, and inspiration check out our lettering page!
5 Comments
Yas I so agree! 🤩💛 I love your style so much, so thank you for doing all the work to become a letterer because it’s like a gift to the world when you show your artwork. Keep creating! 🙏🌟
Thank you, what a kind compliment! 🙂
Amazing Content!
Thanks so much!
Looking Forward for your next article