This shop for creating Hand Lettering Art has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EraseStress #CollectiveBias
I have been drawing since I can remember. I would come home from school, go in my room and draw. Other kids were playing outside and I was drawing. Seriously, my parents had to drag me out of the house. I get satisfaction from creating, but it’s also therapeutic to me. If I have a rough day, I grab my sketchbook and write a quote. Hand lettering is my very favorite thing to do. I don’t want to say that it doesn’t require talent, because it does…but I think it’s something that anyone can do…because it’s just playing on your own hand writing.
I’m giving you 5 Tips to Make AMAZING Hand Lettering Art and it works even if you don’t think you’re artistic!
1. Get the right drawing tools
If you write really straight, you may not need this…but if you’re like me (the worst chalkboard writer of all time), you need some guidance. I always use graph paper when creating my designs that will be vectorized. I actually print out my own because I don’t like how dark the lines are on the store bought kind. You can download that HERE.
I spend a lot of money every year on design tools. I have a whole office full of craft and art supplies. It’s my job, so I can justify it (sad, right?) but I would recommend starting out with something simple like FriXion erasable pens. I’m telling you people…this is a game changer. I used to write out my quote in pencil, then go over it in ink and these cut my drawing time in half. They’re amazing! I gave my husband one for work and his whole office is going out and buying them. I got mine at Target in the pen aisle, but you can also check the back to school section.
As if I didn’t love these pens enough…Pilot is donating at a minimum $125,000 to STOMP Out Bullying. With your purchase, you’ll help support STOMP Out Bullying programs to ‘erase’ negative bullying behaviors and ‘rewrite’ positive, productive solutions. STOMP Out Bullying id dedicated to educating children, parents and teachers to help prevent bullying. I think art is a great way to spread positive vibes, so this is really a Win/Win!
2. Draw out the alphabet in your own handwriting
I do this every couple of months. If you’re a newbie, this is a must! It’s important to do this so you find your own style. It’s great to get inspiration from others, but the way to make really beautiful handwriting is to be unique. For example, I really love Stephanie Creekmur’s handwriting (from Winnie Jean), and I also love Kristen Ley’s (from Thimblepress). Both have unique styles and I love them, but I can’t write like they do and I shouldn’t try to, either. Find your own style and go with it!
3. Start Simple
I like to use really short quotes, like this “Come What May” quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. It’s to the point and it’s a beautiful saying! I started out doing huge sayings and it’d take me forever to finish (if I did finish). Once I toned things down, I write more and it’s more enjoyable to me…which is really what hand lettering is all about!
4. Draw out rough sketches first
I always fill a page in my sketchbook with different layouts before I start on the final draft. These are usually very rough…I just write it out in my normal handwriting and don’t add any flourishes. After that, I might make another rough draft with ideas for the flourishes and type style.
5. Think of it as Fake Calligraphy
I’m not great at calligraphy….probably that whole not writing straight thing. I can’t thicken the right spots, it’s just a mess. Hand Lettering art is pretty much faux calligraphy. You need to thicken the certain areas to make it look right. The easiest thing to do is to thicken the down stroke. Watch the video below to get an idea:
After I create my print, I open up my Adobe Shape app, take a picture and email it to myself. I then touch it up in Illustrator using some Gold Textures from Creative Market, add a cool gold background and print it out at home! I hung this in my daughter’s room and it looks awesome!
You can download this quote* for free HERE.
If you use this for your home, I’d love to see pictures…tag me on instagram with @printablecrush. Make sure you follow the #handlettering hashtag on instagram, too…there is some GREAT inspiration there!
Carrie @huppiemama says
Everything about this post was awesome – I love your video! I didn’t know about these Adobe apps. Clearly I need them… NOW! Along with the awesome FriXion pens. Thanks for sharing your tips! #client
Kelly B. says
I love this! And I love these pens! I’m a designer and I use these in all my designs because I love the ability to draw with a pen but erase like a pencil-makes all the difference to an art student 😀
Cecelia says
Love this!!! I am just getting into hand lettering. And I would like to know, how do you add the gold background?????
Erin says
Hi Cecelia! I used this set from Creative Market: https://crmrkt.com/zMKax You’ll need Adobe Illustrator to use this file and can learn more about it in my course for Printable Design: printablecrush.teachable.com 🙂
Sarah says
Awesome, informative article. The video was great too! Thanks so much!
Erin says
Thanks so much!! Glad you like it!
Eloise says
How come the Adobe shapes app isn’t available in my App Store? Is it for IOS?
Erin says
Yes, they are for IOS.