Happy Monday all. (Trying to have a better attitude about Mondays!)
I lettered this quote from "Harry Potter" specifically from one of my favorite characters, Hermione Granger.
I was Hermione as a child. My nose always in a book and in love with libraries and and bookstores, and my parents sent me to the dictionary and encyclopedia when I had questions.
I've been practicing "bounce" lettering which basically brings the lower parts of the letter down lower so when you start the next letter it looks higher and "bounces" ( this is completely MY very simple explanation!).
Here are some explanations of bounce lettering from more expert sources.
Another of my favorite HP characters, Mad Eye Moody, sums it up when it comes to lettering: "Constant Vigilance" which translates for me to Practice Practice Practice.
Yesterday was National Handwriting Day. I've always been obsessed with handwriting, calligraphy, and now hand lettering which I would describe as a combination of handwriting, drawing, and doodling. My Mom has beautiful handwriting and my Dad did too.
I went to Catholic school as a child and the rumors about Nuns and handwriting (at least up through my era) are 100% true. Add to that a Dad who went to Catholic school before me and who was equally adamant about penmanship including practice sessions with him. I mean it was a thing. Without sounding too old, it does make me sad that cursive and penmanship are pretty much not taught anymore.
I've tried self taught calligraphy with OK results. Still want to take an in person clasee.
When I started seeing "Hand Lettering" all over the place I knew I'd found my people ! This combination of drawing, doodling, etc. drew me like a moth to a flame and I am learning and practicing every day.
I thought I'd share some of the resources I've found helpful in case anyone else has been bitten by this bug. A huge thank you to all the people who share their talent and tutorials , mostly for FREE!
In no particular order:
One Artsy Mama: Amy Latta ( who loves lattes) doesn't probably know it, but she's the first person who made me feel like I could learn this. She had a series on her blog that was so easy to follow and got me to dip my toes in the water ( er um ink in the well?). Easy to follow tutorials on lettering , accents, banners, etc.
Checking out her series led me to other amazing places like:
Dawn Nicole Designs: Amazing tutorials, free practice sheets, extras if you sign up for her newsletter,. Her You Tube channel, FB page , Instagram....all of her places offer something to learn from. INSPIRING!
Kristina Werner: Droolworthy ! I especially love her creation of backgrounds she uses for her lettering.
The Postman's Knock: Lindsey Bugbee. Stunning calligraphy and Lindsey provides worksheets and tutorials like this one she shared today:
Llamas Love Lettering: Cindy Guentert Baldo. Wonderful, easy to follow You Tube tutorials. Cindy is irreverent and funny. She's unfiltered and uncensored so you've been warned!
Zensipirations: Joanne Fink: I adore her dangle lettering which she makes look completely effortless. Joanne works with Sakura America and is featured on their website as well as her own.
This is by NO means an exhaustive list ( and none of these folks know I'm doing this so there's nothing in it for me). There are tons of resources online. These are the ones I continue to go back to again and again so thought I'd share.
If you've been at all interested in learning about Hand Lettering but have been intimidated, STOP IT!
Sure it will take practice and you will erase some things and tear up some practice sheets . It's a journey and like every journey begins with the first step!
