So, you've seen handlettering everywhere, and you've got that creative itch of your own to give it a try. But where to start? Well, you've come to the right place.
Faux calligraphy is a style of handwriting / cursive that allows you to mimic the calligraphy style without having to invest in any fancy brush pens. That's right, all you need is your favourite pen / pencil and some paper!
Section 1: The Basics
First, let's analyse the composition of some letters.
Think about where you made your upwards and downwards motions:
In handlettering and calligraphy, the downstrokes are emphasized and thick, while the upstrokes are thin. We're going to mimic that with our faux calligraphy.
In the places identified as downstrokes, add a parallel stroke evenly spaced next to the existing one. In general, make your additional stroke to the right of your downstroke. (There are some exceptions though, see the photo further down this post for more!) Be sure to keep all of your downstrokes the same width. Uniform lettering goes a long way!
Now that we have this lettering "shell", shade it in and voila! Here are your first faux calligraphy letters!
I've also created an annotated faux calligraphy alphabet sheet for you to reference whenever you embark on lettering projects!
Section 2: Skills in Action
Let's create a fun piece of your own! This is a "thank you" card lettered with faux calligraphy.
Step 0: Get your supplies ready! I'm using a blank card and Sakura gelly roll stardust pens (green, blue, purple)
Step 1: Letter the word "thank you" in the centre of the card.
Step 2: Add the extra thickness to your downstrokes.
Step 3: Fill them in! You can shade completely, or add patterns.
Step 4: If you like, add some patterns or details around your lettering to make it look more exciting!
Comments