“Watercolor lettering” can mean a lot of things. In this particular post, I am using the term to describe the effect you get when you write using watercolors and a paintbrush. I have noticed this technique is immensely popular lately, and I think it’s because it’s a one-of-a-kind style. We have access to wonderful script fonts on our computers, but since we can use them any time we want, they can be boring. However, no computer could replicate the spontaneity and energy behind writing with a paintbrush. You can’t write the same word twice almost exactly the same because so much depends on the brush, the amount of paint on it, and the pressure you are exerting.
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Calligraphy
Drawing on Black Paper
If you’ve been following TPK on Facebook or Instagram, you know that I’ve been drawing on black paper for the past two weeks working on my chalk-style illustration booklet/kit for Quarto Publishing. The kit will be available on Amazon and in various brick-and-mortar stores late summer of this year, but I couldn’t wait that long to write a blog post over this — actually, very fun — activity.
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Selling Artwork and Calligraphy
Selling artwork and calligraphy is simultaneously one of the most satisfying and frightening things you will ever do, which is why I think it’s a subject that is worthy of examination. I realized this should be a topic of discussion when I received an email from a designer who had just added calligraphy to her line of services. In her email, she expressed trepidation at this step. She essentially asked: “How do I know if it’s good enough to sell? I am scared people will look down at me because I don’t have a long history as a professional calligrapher.”
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Typography Art Envelope Tutorial
Despite the popularity of minimalistic and modern design, I love the intricacy of vintage typography art. Put something in front of me with handwritten type and flourishes, and I’ll stare at it for hours. I also really enjoy making complicated, vintage-esque pieces {like the Cream with Coffee typography art}. Despite my fondness for typography, it hadn’t occurred to me to use it on an envelope until recently. I created the envelope below in walnut ink and posted it on Instagram — people seemed to like it, so I thought, hey, why not show you how to make your own?
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Learn Calligraphy for a Latté: The Janet Style Worksheet Has Arrived!
The last time we talked {or, rather, the last time you read my ramblings}, I told you about my favorite oblique calligraphy pens. Oh — speaking of which — the giveaway hasn’t ended yet! Visit the post to enter by Saturday evening. Oh, you’ve entered already? Well, then! Let’s talk about my new favorite calligraphy style: the Janet.
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About Oblique Pen Holders
When I first made up my mind to learn calligraphy, I noticed a lot of photos of beautiful envelopes with a very strange-looking calligraphy pen. After a lot of Google Image research, I figured out this tool is called an “oblique pen holder”. However, there didn’t seem to be much information about why it is in existence or how to use it. Nevertheless, after I had used a straight holder for a while, I worked up the courage to try a plastic Speedball oblique pen holder. With the pen holder came a little bit of frustration at first, but eventually I got the hang of it — even going so far as to write this blog post over how to use one. Little did I realize my journey with the oblique pen holder was just beginning at that point!
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