The Art of Whimsical Lettering (5 page)

Even professional lettering artists don’t always have the most perfect handwriting!

If you’re going to play with, learn, and explore new lettering techniques, you must start with your very own personal printing and cursive writing. Allow it to evolve into an artful expression. Here are a few tips to get you on the path to creating whimsical lettering every day.

Shake your hands and arms and loosen up before you place a writing utensil in your hand.

Let go of your inhibitions and fear of failure. This isn’t formal calligraphy. This is whimsical lettering—creative expressions and exploration of letterforms—using the writing you have harbored and evolved since childhood.

Forget about the excuse, “But I hate my own handwriting.” Put that thought right out of your mind. Be confident with your own skills and that you have the power to make wonderful works of inspirational and meaningful art from your own handwriting. You can do this!

Try using unfamiliar supplies, such as brand-new pens, pencils, markers, paintbrushes, etc.

Step out of your comfort zone and experiment with altering your handwriting, leaning your letters to the left if you normally lean right, and vice versa.

Get into a “pen Zen” or “pen trance” and just write! Pick a favorite pen and write in a designated practice journal for 15 or 20 minutes, in cursive or print, as a warm-up exercise before you begin your lettering art. Write words continuously without picking the pen up off the page. Letter your thoughts without stopping.

Treat yourself to a fountain pen and practice the art of handwriting every day. Fountain pens are not disposable, and you actually have to fill them with real ink. That makes fountain pens hip, happening, and very green.

There are several techniques I call my “artful basics,” which I incorporate into my own personal lettering art and teaching. My “artful lettering” theory revolves around the concept of designing handmade, stylized writing and expressions that extend from an individual’s knowledge of basic print and cursive writing.

The foundation of this type of lettering art is built on manipulating simple letters and basic alphabets with assorted art materials and creative design techniques. You have to start with the basics to discover and inspire your direction. Like any new craft, hobby, or activity that you choose to explore, you will best succeed with much practice, consistency, and more practice. Remember, the secret to success in developing your own signature lettering style is “Play, Practice, Write, Repeat!”

A pencil is always a safe tool, lending confidence to creative endeavors. Write out the words of a favorite quote, using your own handwriting and watch it evolve by following these steps. Can you see how you designed a new font with your very own style?

Starting with your own style of lettering, write out some words, then creatively thicken the letters, adding weight to the letter shape to create a completely new style. Use this technique to make your own “pumped up” alphabet.

Get off the straight and narrow by creating pages of wavy repeating lines to use as decorative lettering guides.

1. Draw “stacked” freeform horizontal lines on a page.
   
2. Try varying the shapes and dips in your stacked lines.
   
3. Vary the heights of each line, creating tall and short spaces for handwritten text.
   
4. Write your phrase or words on each line, creating a fun composition.
   

Give movement to the message on a journal page by loosely writing words on a wavy grid.

Use a good old-fashioned compass or stencil to make concentric circles that create spaces for words and lettering.

1. Make concentric circles with a compass to create a round grid for lettering and words.
   
2. Add a phrase or quote by writing around the inside of the circles.
   
3. Fill in the negative space around the letters for added interest.
   

Use graph-paper pages to practice altering the heights and widths of letters.

1. Use the blocks or squares on graph-paper grids to design alphabets with consistent design elements and pattern.
   
2. Vary the height and width of alphabets by counting out assorted patterns using the graph squares as a measurement.
   
3. Practice size variation and composition on the grids to gain confidence in your freehand attempts.
   

Create a whimsical word box by adding lines and patterns around letters that are composed in a geometric shape.