When I set out to learn calligraphy, I could not figure out for the life of me how artists achieved opaque metallic lettering! I tried out a few different gold and silver inks, but the metallic particles always sunk to the bottom of the jar, resulting in transparent calligraphy with a couple of glittery spots. It wasn’t ideal.
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When I first came across the concept of watercolor calligraphy in Molly Suber Thorpe’s Modern Calligraphy, I couldn’t wait to try it out myself! The prospect of writing with practically any color I wanted — without having to buy ink — totally appealed to me, and I loved the idea of ombré writing.
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I used to snub printables because “back in the day”, you could always tell when something was printed on a home printer. Telltale ink streaks, flimsy paper, and lackluster colors always gave it away! Now, though, printers have come a long way. Not only are they cheap, but many produce high-quality pieces.
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There are people out there who have a wonderful minimalistic approach to storage. Go to my mother’s house, for example, open up any closet, and you’ll see a sparse, neat, and effective organization system. I so admire that dedication to simplicity! In my own home, however, closed doors and drawers hold a little bit too much temptation. I cram it all in! This weekend, though, I resolved to go through (some of) the clutter.
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Every Monday, I’ve been sending out a brief newsletter to TPK subscribers. It’s something I have really enjoyed because a newsletter isn’t nearly as formal as a blog post; instead, it feels more like a conversation. In the last newsletter, I asked for blog post topic feedback — in short, what do readers want more of (or less of)? A theme appeared throughout several of the feedback emails: more watercolor tutorials! So, today, I want to show you how to make this simple twig watercolor thank you card. It features a blending/salting technique that I promise you can do, and I’ll teach you how in a video toward the end of the post!
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Every year, Hernán and I go on a trip to explore somewhere new. This year’s trip was to Naples, Barcelona, and Paris — and we wanted to pack extra light. We only took “under the seat” bags so there wouldn’t be any luggage to check (and no extra fees on budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet). Of course, taking a small-ish bag meant traveling with only the bare necessities; the only “creative supply” I took was a Pilot G2 pen! When I found myself wanting to make some art and calligraphy while in Paris, the idea for this blog post was born. In it, you’ll learn seven tips for making calligraphy and art on the go with minimal supplies!
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Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up, and no one loves handmade gifts more than moms and dads. In this post, you’ll find eight handmade gift ideas that are artistic, thoughtful, and will be cherished for years to come! All of the suggestions below are wonderful to give to any loved one, parent or not.
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Today’s tutorial isn’t for the faint of heart — but I promise that you can do it! An illustrated watercolor map usually takes a couple of days to make, and it requires some artistic judgment calls. Still: the creation process is so enjoyable, and the unique results justify any time and effort spent to make it.
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Every time I make a tutorial like this watercolor cactus + quote artwork, I wonder why I don’t make more watercolor pieces. There’s a certain satisfaction in watching a blank piece of paper transform into a vibrant, eye-catching work of art! I know that many people find watercolors to be intimidating, but there’s a secret to using them: embrace mistakes and run with them! Watercolor seems to have a mind of its own, and that’s the basis of its beauty. Understand that, and you’ll enjoy making artwork like this. Here’s how to do it:
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If you’re new to watercolor, this vivid thank you card is the perfect project to teach you about blending! To make it, you’ll start by drawing a series of simple shapes in pencil, fill them in with watercolor, and end with some calligraphy on the bottom. Keep reading for more detailed instructions!
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