Jen Wagner - Happy Hand Lettering: Simple Calligraphy Techniques to Bring Your Words to Life

Sign up for our newsletter and receive special offers, access to free content, and information on the latest new releases and must-have art resources! Plus, receive a coupon code to use on your first purchase from NorthLightShop.com for signing up.

or visit us online to sign up at

http://artistsnetwork.com/ebook-promo

IN 2014 my husband and I started doing something every day called 5am Club. We would each wake up at five oclock in the morning and spend the first two hours of the day intentionally learning something new. It was a struggle, at first, to figure out what I wanted to spend the time doing. After all, thats another two hours in the day I could spend working on something more important! E-mails still needed to be responded to, websites still needed updating, dishes still needed to be done... theres always something more! It was, however, our agreement that we would spend that time on something we enjoyed. So, after scrolling mindlessly through Pinterest, wondering what I could possibly want to devote this extra time to, I spotted a lettered quote and thought, Now that could be fun to learn! And so my exploration of hand lettering began.

Lettering throughout the years has become very therapeutic for me. There are some seasons when you feel in control of your life and others when it seems like life is just happening to youand youre not alone! I think thats just the general gist of life: Ups and downs are completely normal and they offer the opportunity to bring us all together as a community.

There are two ultimate goals I have for this book. First, I would love for you to be able to thoroughly enjoy the process of learning something newand learning it for you. Dont learn so you can open an Etsy shop or start selling quote packages on Creative Market. Learn because you deserve to do something for yourself today.

Second, I want written words of encouragement to spread around your community like wildfire as you feel empowered to share beautiful messages of hope. A handwritten note goes a long way and, in my experience, making those notes beautiful gives me incentive to share them more often.

So lets agree through this process that our words are powerful, we are capable of delivering hope to those around us and we refuse to keep our encouraging words bottled up.

Lets get started!

This list includes the basics you will need to complete the lettering exercises on the pages to follow. Ive included my personal preferences, but experiment with different brands and types to find what works for you.

Brushes

• Spotter Brush I love this brush for loopy lettering and pretty styles. I use a Robert Simmons S85 spotter brush size 5/0.
• Flat Shader Brush This brush can create nice contrasting lines in your lettering. Its characterized by its flat (not pointed) bristles. I use a Robert Simmons size 1.
• Round Brush, Large (optional) I love this brush for my watercolor decorative elements. Im using a Royal & Langnickel Z73R round brush size 6.

Calligraphy Ink Speedball India ink works well for nibs if youre looking for an option to buy in-store; however, Sumi Calligraphy Ink has rapidly become my favorite. It writes well, has beautiful depth and comes with a little dispenser.

Ink Bottle, .5 oz This is perfect for when you want to use only a small quantity of ink at a time. The high walls make it easier for dipping than a watercolor pan, although you can use a watercolor pan for your ink.

Nib Holder Many calligraphers use oblique nib holders that hold the nib at an angle; however, I prefer mine to feel more like a pen, so I use a manga cartoonist nib holder. It all depends on what makes you the most comfortable and confident.

Nikko G Nibs Ive found these nibs are the easiest for beginners. They are flexible enough to create beautiful shapes but not so flexible that the ink gives you trouble.

Paper Well be using practice paper, tracing paper and 110-lb. (231gsm) cardstock.

Pencil and Eraser Use what works for you, in addition to a 4H. White erasers will not leave color behind on your paper.

Pens

• Brush Pens These pens are amazing for practicing brushstrokes. They feel slightly different from a watercolor bristle brush and the style ends up being a little different, so I prefer to use them for practice.
• Gel Pens Wonderful for writing on dark colors or to use for embellishment.
• Krylon Gold Leafing Pen I use this pen for most of my personal projects. It writes beautifully over watercolor and has the perfect amount of shine.
• Sakura Pigma Graphic Marker This marker is one of my favorite tools for envelopes and creating a quick, simple calligraphy look. Its completely opaque, waterproof and writes easily so you can use it in conjunction with watercolors.
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pens These pens are waterproof, very dark and super versatile. Ive found them to be the easiest to create modern lettering with.

Tools

• Scissors
• Straight Edge

Watercolor Paints I prefer condensed liquid watercolor paints; theyre much easier to mix.

Watercolor Palette Mix your watercolor paints in a watercolor palette for a clean option that keeps your actual colors from mixing (especially if youre using solid watercolors).