Artistic hand lettering has the power to say more than just the words themselves. This month’s Premium exemplar features Peruvian-inspired letterforms that reflect Andean culture through rich, playful detail.
I’m in the early stages of planning TPK’s next online course: Hand Lettering 101. As I’ve been designing the lessons, one theme keeps coming up—lettering is deeply tied to creativity and context. The goal of artistic lettering isn’t just to spell out words; it’s to highlight an idea or a feeling. In that way, lettering can say much more than the words themselves.
For this month’s worksheet, I wanted to explore how hand lettering can celebrate place and culture. I chose Peru as my inspiration—a country rich in vibrant motifs and beautiful design traditions. As I developed the alphabet, I made sure each character included a subtle nod to Peruvian heritage. In some cases, that took the form of a Nazca Lines-style spiral. In others, you’ll find elements like corn or a pan flute woven into the design. Because the entire set is so rooted in Peruvian influence, I decided to call it “Brillo Andino,” or Andean Shine.
Depending on your preferences, there are two ways to approach this exemplar. The first is literal: follow the step-by-step letter formation guide to recreate the Brillo Andino alphabet exactly as shown. It’s a great fit for envelope art, sketchbook lettering, or writing someone’s name.
The second is more imaginative: use the exemplar as a starting point. If this specific style isn’t quite your thing, let it inspire you to design your own place-based alphabet. To do that, think about a location that’s close to your heart—for example, New York City. Then, design your own letterforms that incorporate location-specific elements like:
In short, you don’t have to copy the exemplar exactly. Let it spark your imagination, then you can shape the concept into something that reflects a place you love.
To use Brillo Andino lettering for real-life projects, begin by keeping the Brillo Andino Hand Lettering Exemplar close at hand. You can pull it up on your computer or iPad screen or print out a copy. Then, draw two horizontal pencil guidelines as directed in the exemplar. If you want to, you can include several vertical guidelines to help you achieve a consistent letter slant.
Next, use a permanent fine-tipped pen or marker to draw your letters. Note that you can make a pencil draft of the letters first. However, this lettering style is quite forgiving, so I often just go for it without a draft!
Once you’ve drawn all the letters, erase any pencil guidelines. Then, use a very fine-tipped pen or a different ink color to draw embellishments. These embellishments serve to tie the letters together and add interest to the word.
When you finish, the result will be a word that encourages the viewer to take a closer look.
Creating this exemplar reminded me why I love lettering in the first place. It helps you slow down, notice the details, and think creatively. Maybe the Brillo Andino Hand Lettering Exemplar will become your go-to for playful projects—like envelopes, sketchbook pages, or signs. Or maybe it will give you inspiration and a reason to play with your pen. No matter how you use it, I hope it brings you a sense of calm and joy. If it makes you think about places you love, even better!
Happy creating, and thank for being part of this special community!
Warmly,
Fuel your inspiration and creativity with TPK Premium Plus! Members enjoy three free worksheets or learning resources every month, unlimited video course access, member-exclusive tutorials, and a 10% discount on all Supplies Shop orders.
inspiration in your inbox
TPK’s innovative newsletters are an artistic treat. Join the 125K+ subscribers who have already discovered The Postman’s Knock, and receive 10% off your first Digital Catalog order.
