This past weekend, Debbie Wachel offered a one day workshop at Cloud 9 on Artful Lettering. This survey class focused on numerous techniques to transform each person’s unique hand lettering into a work of art and also gave students an opportunity to try over a couple dozen different pen types and brands to determine which work best for their needs.

Techniques included sizing, spacing, thickening up letters, block lettering, overlap, and shadows. Exercises with 3 basic pen types (bullet tip, brush and chisel tip) focused on how to use the tools to do the work “for you.”

A variety of different calligraphy pens were explored and a couple of “faux” calligraphy techniques were covered.

Examples and an exercise to practice sizing lettering for a specified space was presented for use in sketchbooks, journals and special projects. Techniques for “auditioning” lettering prior to committing lettering onto the page was also covered.

We discussed which pens work best for specific papers and projects on individual basis. Students also explored the use of stencils and stamps.

It was a full day!

We will be offering a more in-depth workshop in January, spanning several weeks of hand lettering explorations. Keep an eye on our listings for more details!