Hand lettering: How to master the art of letters

No nice writing? Anyway, you don’t need it for handlettering! We explain why – and above all, how it works!

What are calligraphy, lettering & handlettering? The basics

calligraphy

Calligraphy (or calligraphy) is derived from the ancient Greek “kalos” for “beauty” and from the ancient Greek “graphein” for “to write” and describes the art of beautiful writing. It is usually done with pen and ink. In contrast to this is typography, which designates printed writing (i.e. not by hand).

lettering

The term lettering generally means the art of beautiful letters, the focus is on drawing letters as opposed to writing like calligraphy.

These types exist in lettering

1. Hand lettering

Different types of pens are suitable for drawing the letters in hand lettering.

2. Brush lettering

The English term “brush” means “brush” and so brushes or brush pens, so-called brush pens, are used in brush lettering.

3. Faux calligraphy

In the “False Calligraphy” you use a normal pen and create a calligraphy effect! You can do this in three simple steps.

4. Bounce lettering

From the English “to bounce” for jumping, hitting or springing, the name describes the effect of bounce lettering quite well: the letters are not all in a straight line, but some appear as if they are out of line… Ideally you use this stylistic device when you have a lot of space available. Challenge: Staying horizontal. So that your letters, words and lettering don’t go crooked, you can draw a center line as a guide.

Material for hand lettering & Co.

The right paper

Normal printer paper (80 grams) is sufficient for practicing and trying out. If you want to refine your technique, special paper for hand lettering or brush lettering is a good choice because it has a smooth and closed surface (“coated paper”). Otherwise, the colors could bleed, i.e. the ink runs ugly, and the leads could fray. Also pay attention to the thickness of the paper, if it is too thin the color could bleed through. Watercolor paper makes sense if you want to combine a watercolor motif with hand lettering. In this case you need a pen with a robust, i.e. hard tip!

The colorful world of pens

  • brush pens: The name says it all: you use brush pens for brush lettering. They have a flexible tip and are suitable for both thin and thicker lines.
  • fineliner: You create fine lines with them and therefore they are suitable for different fonts and paper types and also for faux calligraphy.
  • felt pens: They are also suitable for hand lettering, but have a firm tip that can be used to create straight lines and colored areas.
  • gel pen: They are usually very easy to recognize on dark backgrounds and can be used on smooth or rough paper.
  • pencil: You can also do hand lettering with a pencil, e.g. B. on dark paper board. Depending on the hardness of the pen, you can use it to draw thin, fine, or gray, blurry lines.

You should keep that in mind with the pens

  • Some colors are waterproof, while others are washable.
  • Water-based paint can e.g. B. be used for watercolor effects.
  • Pencils are ideal for sketching.
  • The wider the tip, the bigger the font!

fonts

Countless fonts are waiting to form beautiful words and lettering. Thick, thin, fine, coarse, curved or straight block letters – the choice is overwhelming. Tip: Different types combined create a particularly beautiful contrast. Here you will find a nice selection:

handlettering: lettering merry christmas

© memej / Shutterstock

handlettering: bold curved font

© Paper Wings / Shutterstock

handlettering: accent font

© Undrey / Shutterstock

handlettering: Lettering Yes you can

© Senpo / Shutterstock

ornaments

handlettering: starburst

Little effort, big effect: The Starburst skilfully sets the scene for writing.

© pa3x / Shutterstock

Embellishments are not a must. If it suits your motif, it can be further prettied up in various ways with decorative elements. This can be:

  • Points
  • banner
  • arrows
  • Stars
  • starburst
  • tendrils
  • Flower
  • Anything that comes to your mind!

Doodles (small drawings) are also good in some cases! Here we show you how to draw doodles.

handlettering: notepad with drawings

Small drawings can enrich your hand lettering.

© Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Learn hand lettering – tips for beginners

You’ll need a lot of practice before you can shake the perfect letters off your wrist! And you’ll quickly notice that they don’t have to be perfect. We will show you step by step how to get started.

how to start Very easy…

At the beginning you need suitable material. Your starter kit should include:

To start with, it is useful to draw with a pen whose tip is not as flexible. Before you start painting, it also makes sense to paint auxiliary lines. You draw this with the pencil and the ruler. When you’re done with your work, you can erase the lines.

Simple instructions for hand lettering

1. Practice ups and downs

In the first step, it is advisable to first practice the up-bow and down-bow and master both slowly but surely:

  • smear: from top to bottom with (more) pressure
  • spread: from bottom to top with little pressure

This may sound complicated at first, but it’s actually very simple: If you draw an “A”, start with the first (left) side and gently guide the tip from bottom to top. If the “A” goes down the other side, you’re putting more pressure on the tip. This takes more practice with some letters and less practice with others. Orient yourself to the desired font and hold the pen at about a 45-degree angle as you draw.

2. Practice the letters with guidelines

The letters are divided into different areas:

  • ascender
  • mid-length
  • descender

You may remember this from your elementary school days… Examples: A small “a” fits into the x-height, a “p” into the descender and x-height or a “k” into the ascender and x-height. The small “f” even includes all three areas. You can also practice handlettering numbers in this way.

Tip! The areas can be varied in size, for example a larger x-height and narrower ascenders and descenders create a completely different typeface than if they are all the same height.

3. Use stylistic devices

When you feel more confident, try different stylistic devices, such as:

  • Set letters farther apart
  • The different lengths vary
  • write in italics
  • Combine straight and italic letters
  • Set loops, arches and curves

exercise plan for you

  1. practice the up and down and then move on to drawing the little curves after the smear that you can use later to connect the letters together.
  2. practice the letters of the alphabet until you get the hang of it. Use the ascenders, middle and descenders for practice.
  3. It may be easier for you at first big letters to draw. Others find it easier to practice with little ones. Find out what works better for you.
  4. After some training you can Letters with a more flexible tip try out.
  5. Test different fonts and find your own style over time.
  6. To get a feeling for certain fonts, you can also use a trick and trace the letters with tracing paper and practice them.
  7. If the letters are so slow, play along different colors and other style elements and decorative elements.
  8. If you feel safer, you can only go with the baseline work and omit the ascender and descender. Or even draw completely free…

What can you handletter?

In short: everything you want! Classic areas of application are:

You can play with different colors, create color gradients, paint shadows, add gold elements or combine your hand lettering with watercolor. Check out Bullet Journal Ideas for more inspiration and learn more about watercolor painting here.

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