Peggy Dean - The Ultimate Brush Lettering Guide: A Complete Step-By-Step Creative Workbook

acknowledgments

First, I want to thank the amazing art community that exists on many social media platforms. Social media has allowed connections like never before, and Im thrilled that so many of you have chosen to have me as part of your learning journey.

Id like to thank my wife, Laura Dean. Without her, I would have never taken the incredibly scary leap into what is now such a rewarding career by doing what I love every single day.

I want to thank the team at Skillshare for opening the first door for me. Ive always been passionate about teaching, and teaching on a platform that values keeping creativity accessible is my jam.

I want to thank my agent, Carrie Howland, for convincing me that I could be bigger than the box I didnt realize I was trying to keep myself inside of.

Lastly, I want to thank the team at Ten Speed Press for being such a staple in building my book into something even greater than I envisioned.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

about the author

Peggy is a self-taught artist who is proud to offer a non-conventional method of accessible education to anyone who wants to thrive in the art scene. She believes that more than anything art is about empowering oneself and being proud of something youve created with your hands. She is an award-winning educator, and her unique approach has landed her an interview on the Today Show , amongst several other news outlets. Living her passion has allowed her to spend more time with her family in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by the most beautiful nature in the world.

conclusion

Look at how far youve come! Youve jumped into lettering and are now in full swing and ready to create projects of your very own with your newfound knowledge in base shapes, fundamentals of balance and weight lines, brush pens, bounce lettering, and additional enhancements to make your letters pop. Not only that, but youve dabbled in adding in some special effects to take your work to the next level. Youre basically a pro. Thank you for choosing to include this book as part of your journey.

further reading

My Skillshare classes channel: skillshare.com/r/thepigeonletters

Noteworthy blogs:

www.thepigeonletters.com

blog.tombowusa.com

www.theinkyhand.com

Shop: www.thepigeonletters.etsy.com

You Tube: youtube.com/c/thepigeonletters

Instagram: @thepigeonletters

tools to get started

Having the right tools and materials is essential to your success in your brush lettering journey. Your pens matter. Your paper matters. There are so many options to choose from, so Ive created a comprehensive guide of some of my favorite go-to supplies. Supplies can be found in local art stores and online. Amazon is a great resource if you dont have a store nearby thats loaded up on lettering s upplies.

Its important to understand the differences that brush pens offer, such as their tips, flexibility, and control. Paper matters because you want to ensure youre not damaging your pen tips. Allow me to el aborate.

brush pens

Brush pens range in flexibility, which is the main thing youll notice as you use them. For more control, youll want tips with less flexibility because your upstrokes wont get away from you as youre learning, meaning the transition between adding and releasing pressure will be easier. The more comfortable you get, the more youll be able to confidently use brush pens with more flexibility.

Prismacolor Premier Marker

Small brush tip4

Flexibility9

Control5

Small to medium lettering

Tombow Fudenosuke Hard and Soft Tip

Small brush tip3

Flexibility3, 4

Control7, 8

Small to medium lettering

Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen

Small brush tip4

Flexibillity6

Control6

Small to medium lettering

Pentel Aquash Water Brush

Small, medium & bold5, 8, 10

Flexibility10

Control5

Medium to large lettering

Tombow Dual Brush Pen

Large brush tip9

Flexibility5

Control7

Large lettering

fine tip pens

These pens are great for work with consistent line thickness. Its what youll use to practice building consistent alphabets, learning faux calligraphy, and creating hand lettered illustrations.

Micron Pigma Ink Pens

Fade resistant

Several colors

Many size options

Doesnt bleed

Papermate Flair

Point guard felt tip

Doesnt bleed

Twenty-six colors

Uni-Ball Gel Impact

Visible ink supply

Opaque

Writes on most materials

Zebra Sakura Gel

Fast drying

Smudge proof

Fourteen vibrant colors

Many sizes

Gelly Roll by Sakura

Fine and medium points

Several color sets and finishes

paper

What most folks dont know is that a lot of paper can ruin brush pens. Copy or printer paper, for example, contains micro fibers that will shred the tips of brush pens, causing them to fray and rendering them useless. You can grab quality paper from art stores and online. Expect to pay for quality because you get what you pay for. That said, there are some more accessible price points than others, and Id always opt for the best value. Colored paper can even be incorporated if its smooth enough. Id stay away from construction paper though; for now, lets stick to the basics of getting started.