Joanne Sharpe - The Art of Whimsical Lettering

Copic marker and Pan Pastel background with black Micron pen lettering

In this book, I share the techniques and approaches I use consistently in my lettering art. Practice them, play with them, and then let your own inner font emerge to make the art you have always had the power to create.

W hat are the best pens, inks, markers, papers, journals, and substrates for lettering? Ill share my favorites with you and show you how they contribute to the look and style of my lettering art. Of course Im sure you can dig into your own stash to find comparable items. There are so many supplies to choose from, but the magic of lettering really comes from deep inside you.

Lets be honest, pens are like shoes. You can never have enough pens, or shoes! One really never needs another pen or more shoes, but when the perfect specimen appears, one must indulge.

When lettering is used as creative expression, its logical to use a variety of pens that create specific effects and letter looks. Be in constant pursuit of the perfect pen. I might suggest a certain pen that I love, but you have to decide for yourself what youre most comfortable with and what works for you and your budget. There are hundreds of pens and writing tools to choose from, each with a specific promise of performance. Different effects are achieved with specific tools.

An absolute necessity and the most basic lettering tool is the waterproof pen. With a waterproof pen, you can letter, doodle, draw, and add paints and water media without worrying about the ink bleeding. There are many styles and many brands, and any are fine as long as they dont bleed or smear when water media is added near them. Microns, Pitt, and Uniball Vision pens are waterproof, permanent pens and are ideal for fine writing and lettering. They come in various colors, but black pens in particular are my favorites for lettering and adding doodled embellishments. I always have an assortment of black pens at my fingertips that will function perfectly for specific techniques. Its important to build a personal pen collection that includes a variety of tip styles, such as broad, fine, chisel, calligraphy, brush, etc., so you always have the perfect pen to achieve a certain letter look.

There are dozens of types of markers in hundreds of colors and styles for writing and lettering techniques. There are alcohol ink markers that are permanent and waterproof, such as Copic, Prismacolor, Sharpie, and Spectrum Noir. Dye-based Tombow markers create intense watercolor effects. These markers have nylon or felt tips in bullet, chisel, and brush styles and are great for creating assorted thicknesses and letter variations.