I love the idea of lettering maps, which is why it’s a concept that I return to again (and again and again) for gifts! Today, I wanted to make a special DIY birthday gift for one of my good friends, who is Brazilian. This artwork honors her roots in an eye-catching way, and I suspect she’ll love displaying it in her home in The Hague. In this article, I’ll show you how to make hand-lettered artwork like this piece.
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Whenever I’ve made state- or country-themed art, I’ve focused on places with recognizable outlines like California and Ecuador. But what do you do if the state calligraphy art you’re making is basically a square? In this case of my home state, Kansas, the outline isn’t immediately recognizable to the non-Kansan. But, with a few flourishes and some golden sunflowers, this Kansas-themed art is a delight to behold! In this blog post, I’ll outline how I made this piece and share a free download with you. I hope to inspire all my fellow basic-shaped state dwellers to try their hand at calligraphy state art, too.
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Whenever I think of calligraphy projects, my mind immediately goes to this calligraphy ampersand art. Making it is an act of love and a serious mood booster! As you write down the memories that you and a loved one have shared, it’s hard not to blissfully lose yourself in the project. You can make this ampersand art in your sketchbook, frame it for display in your home, or give it as a gift! (I’ve done all three … seriously, I love making these, and I know that you will, too.)
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Last summer, our beloved Ana wrote a series of tutorials over how to illustrate different flowers. Today, I’m following in her footsteps by showing you how to make a simple lily drawing! I love this project because all you need is a gel pen and some metallic watercolor to make it. A perfect example of how less can be more!
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Last month, I wrote The Cheater’s Illuminated Letter Tutorial, which is a fun project that anyone — with the help of a little bit of patience and precision — can create. I was pleased to see that TPK readers took on the challenge beautifully! Several illuminated letters popped up on Instagram, and a few beauties made their way into my email inbox. The enthusiasm for the first illuminated letters tutorial prompted me to create today’s tutorial. This one is intricate, so it will require a bit of a time investment, for sure! The jaw-dropping payoff, however, will make your efforts more than worth it.
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As the holiday draws near, I’m finding myself in need of gifts — mostly little trinkets. That’s why I decided to create an illuminated letter for today’s tutorial! It’s a gorgeous, totally frame-worthy gift for a friend whose name starts with “S”. Believe it or not, this was pretty easy to make because I used one vital shortcut. I’ll share that shortcut, and the PDF that you need for it, in this post!
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