Kim Shelly - Digital Hand Lettering and Modern Calligraphy

I am so, so excited for you to join me on this fun lettering journey! I remember when I first wanted to learn. I was so overwhelmed and intimidated by all the brands, materials, and just getting started with the process of lettering. I totally understand the challenges and struggles you might be facing or have already faced. I am here for you and excited to share everything I know about getting started with the lettering process, from using brush pens and digitizing to lettering on the iPad Pro. This book contains a lot of information, but lets take a deep breath and do this together, step by step, and, most important, take the time to reflect and enjoy the learning process.

Heres a quick backstory on how I came across the beautiful art of modern calligraphy. When I was working full-time, I was so involved with work that I forgot to appreciate the little things in life. I saw myself always stressed-out and dedicating all my time and energy to work. Basically, all I knew in life was to work, and I realized how unhealthy my life-work balance was. One day, I was scrolling on social media and searched positive quotes, positive affirmations, positive vibes, and thats how I came across the beautiful art of typography and hand lettering. This is when I discovered modern calligraphy using brush pens. My life changed in that moment because my new purpose in life was to hand letter positive messages to friends, family, and myself. Shortly after I discovered this beautiful art, I absolutely loved the journey and wanted to create on a daily basis. My life has been so much happier since discovering this beautiful art because my life has comprised of spreading positive vibes, creating daily, and sharing my positive messages on social media.

My message to you is modern brush letteringsimilar to modern calligraphy (depending on the type of medium [pens]) usedis so beautiful and unique that anyone can totally achieve it! (Yes, you can too!) The amazing thing about lettering is how each letter has its own style and can be made different with the use of embellishments and flourishes.

My advice in getting started in this beautiful art of lettering is to focus on your lettering journey only! This art form can look intimidating, but let me assure you, its not! I can only speak to my experience, but I mean it when I say that anyone can learn lettering! Remember that everyone starts somewhere, and your journey will be different from others because we all learn and process information differently. To give you some insight, it took me months to finally find my favorite brush pen and understand there was a technique to calligraphy because I really had no idea what I was doing in the beginning. But I am excited to have this opportunity to share with you everything I wish I knew about lettering when I first started this journey.

When you think about it, lettering, brush lettering, and modern calligraphy make up an art form. This is the reason why muscle memory plays a crucial role in letteringyour day one compared to day thirty into lettering will feel totally different. Keep in mind, with practice and patience anything is totally possible! During your journey, take joy in exploring and let lettering bring out your creative side.

Remember, I am always here for you, and I would love to be a part of your learning process. Feel free to reach out to me anytime via Instagram or email at . I would love to be your support system throughout this lettering journey!

With love,

#letscreateletters

My own lettering journey

Year 1: January

Year 2: January

Year 1: November

Year 3: November

lettering essentials

Why begin with hand lettering? To create beautiful digital lettering, its absolutely critical to know its fundamentals, whether youre using a brush pen on paper or a stylus on a tablet screen. And while there are important differencesfor example, a stylus is far more responsive to pressure than a brush pen tipworking with a brush pen on paper will help you build the skills needed to understand the essential strokes and forms of hand lettering and modern calligraphy.

The main style of brush lettering presented in this book is modern calligraphy. We also explore several creative modifications to it, including bounce and flourishes, as well as some other lettering styles.

Getting Started with Brush Lettering

BEFORE WE BEGIN, I want to share something with you that I share with all my workshop students: When I picked up the brush pen for the first time, I had no idea where to start. Not only did modern calligraphy appear intimidating, but there were so many supplies out there. I also didnt understand that there was a technique to using brush pens. During the first couple of months, I literally applied one degree of pressureheavyto every brush pen I used and wondered why the result didnt look like modern calligraphy. Essentially, I didnt acknowledge that there was a specific way to achieve the desired strokes when using brush pens, completely ignoring the fundamentals of calligraphy. After months of frustration, I came to realize that the basics are the fundamentals of modern calligraphy. Without the understanding and knowledge of the basics and common drills, using brush pens to create modern calligraphy will be very challenging. Together, lets understand the basics, drills, and the tools to help you become more familiar with your brush pen.

Theres definitely a learning curve when comparing a brush pen to an Apple Pencil for the iPad. When using brush pens, there are specific ways to hold the pen to achieve specific strokes and to ensure the brush tip does not get frayed or ruined. However, when using the Apple Pencil for the iPad, theres more flexibility when holding the pencil at different angles to achieve desired strokes.