[This post is sponsored by Staedtler as part of our National Stationery Week 2019 collaboration and features an affiliate link]
As you all know, I’m a massive stationery nerd, and this year I’ve been exploring my creative side with hand lettering. It’s something I’ve been dipping in and out of over the last few months and, when I get a chance to practice, I find it really therapeutic. Plus I love learning new things.
I’d like to get to the level where I can make my own cards and prints (not to sell, just for my own use), and to jazz up my bullet journal a smidge. I think what will help me get there is a bit of structure and a community, so I was excited to read about the launch of Simply Lettering, which already has a Facebook community of fellow stationery nerds eager to learn.
Simply Lettering is the UK’s first magazine dedicated to hand lettering and modern calligraphy, covering everything from beautiful cards and home décor to journaling and planners. To celebrate the launch (issue 1 is released on Thursday 18 July), Simply Lettering have teamed up with a plethora of hand lettering and journaling bloggers to take you on a week-long blog hop and giveaway, and to inspire you to take a little time out of your busy schedules and try your hand at modern calligraphy.
Today it’s Staedtler’s turn and I’ve teamed up with them to update you on my lettering journey and share a few tips.
1. Treat yo’self to some new pens
I’ve been using my STAEDTLER lettering pens since April and I’m pleased to be able to see some progress. They’re double-ended, with a fine tip at one end and brush at the other, which varies from 1mm to 6mm.
2. Find something you like the look of and have a go
I’m still working on free-handing so like to find quotes online to copy.
3. Practice makes perfect
I find some letters trickier than others so have been practicing the letter p and trying to find a style that works for me.
4. Develop your own style
My practice book doesn’t have a dot grid, so I’m probably making it harder for myself when it comes to getting the hang of sizing and spacing. I was reminded of Christine’s comment about embracing this and finding a way to incorporate this in my own style.
I quite like practicing the same letter combinations over and over. I’m hoping that, if I keep at it, it will become a bit of a reflex thing and won’t require much thought. Wish me luck!
5. Try new things
I’m also working on blending colours. If you touch the brush tips of two different colours together, you can get a lovely blend effect. It takes a while to get the hang of the timing but it’s really fun.
Rainbow writing might be my new favourite thing! When I’ve built my confidence, I’d love to make some artwork for Jenson’s walls.
I’ve had so much fun with these pens and I’m looking forward to trying new techniques with them as I work through the first issue of the magazine.
Giveaway
I’m so excited about the launch of Simply Lettering and really impressed with their rather epic giveaway. Here’s a look at what you could get your mitts on:
- 3 Annual Subscriptions to Simply Lettering Magazine worth over £50 each
- Luxury Calligraphy Kit from Kirsten Burke worth £35
- 2 sets of TomBow pens from CraftStash worth over £40
- 3 sets of Nuvo Aquaflow pens worth £11.99 each
- 1 Subscription to Simply Cards & Papercraft worth over £60
- A set of Karin Markers from Lou Collins worth over £20
- Colour Happy Box from Edding UK worth £20
- A selection of Papercraft Magazines from Die-cutting Essentials, Papercraft Essentials and Creative Stamping – worth over £20
- 2 packs of Double Ended Calligraphy Pens from Staedtler worth over £23
- Lamy Safari and a 30ml bottle of Diamine ink from Leanne Cork worth over £20
- A set of four Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens – For the Love of Letters from Sue Smith!
- A set of 5 pens from Chameleon pens worth over £20!
To be in with a chance of winning one of these fabulous gifts, simply comment on the www.simplylettering.co.uk blog hop post and add a comment each day to the featured bloggers and brands (details below) who are sharing inspiring projects and advice as we countdown to the launch.
Who’s on the blog hop?
Thursday 11th July
Friday 12th July
Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine
Saturday 13th July
Sunday 14th July
Journal With Purpose – Helen Colebrook
Monday 15th July
Tuesday 16th July (you are here!)
Wednesday 17th July (your next stop on the blog hop)
LAUNCH DAY! Thursday 18th July
What can you expect from the mag?
Every issue of Simply Lettering comes with at least 15 step-by-step projects to inspire and delight, and includes practice sheets to help readers master each script and style. The magazine also features pens and project kits, so readers can start creating right away.
Coming up in issue 1:
Inside your 68-page magazine they will show you how to master hand lettering, with 21 step-by-projects for you to try.
- Colour-blending masterclass with Lou Collins
- Interviews with Kirsten Burke, Paul Antonio, James Lewis & Ian Barnard
- Gift wrap and tags featuring faux calligraphy
- How to set up the perfect journaling page with resident expert Helen Colebrook
- How to add shadows to your lettering
- Chalkboard effects explained
- Fountain pen basics
- Quilled typography
- Brush lettering starter set featuring two dual-tipped brush pens
- 32-page pack featuring practice sheets, alphabets and templates
My first subscriber issue arrived yesterday and I had a quick flick through before scheduling this post. It’s pretty impressive, let me tell ya! I’ve shared some sneaky flip-throughs over on my Stories and I’ll also be sharing plenty of updates of my progress over the next month. Here’s a brief look at the inside of the mag and workbook.
Who’s excited?
Developing my own style is my biggest hurdle to overcome at the moment – it’s the same when I tried drawing, I never seem to have the confidence to strike out in a style that isn’t an imitation of someone else’s!
Maybe I just need a lot more practise!
Developing my own style is my biggest hurdle to overcome at the moment – it’s the same when I tried drawing, I never seem to have the confidence to strike out in a style that isn’t an imitation of someone else’s!
Maybe I just need a lot more practise!
I think/hope that’s it. It’s learning the strokes and then having a play. I imagine it’s a lot like when I learned shorthand – it’s one thing to learn the alphabet but it’s so different when you put all the pieces together. Good luck on your lettering journey 😊
Excited!
I think the rainbow look is going to be my favourite too. Looking forward to launch day only one more sleep!
Oh how fantastic I can’t wait to have a play. Loooove the rainbow 😆
I think the rainbow look is going to be my favourite too. Looking forward to launch day only one more sleep!
I really like the look of the rainbow lettering. I think it might just be my favourite too. Am so looking forward to release day. 🌈
Yes I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing your practice pieces.
Those colours are so wonderfully vibrant! I love them!
Love these vibrant colours!
I like the blended colours and am at the stage of copying although I have experimented a little
Oh and I am also Cornish
You legend ❤
Just starting to think about rainbow lettering too! Although I do keep getting carried away with one colour and forgetting to swap 😂
Haha I’m a colour fiend too. I much prefer shades of blue.
love the lettering in different colours looks so pretty but stick to black whilst I learn my letters!
I really like being able to blend colours the variability in tip size is also useful.
Thank you for the hints and tips those pens look great ❤️
Great to see how your lettering has progressed since you started out!
I am confident to start practising this awesome technique 🙂 The blog hop rules and these pens look perfect for the job.
Thanks for the inspiration, loving this blog hop x
Yes, loving these blogs!
Thanks for sharing. I’m inspired to keep going, work does seem to get in the way! Look forward to the journey with my fellow stationary nerds! ❤
Loving the colours, I too love stationary and these pens look fabulous. Lovely to see you finding your own style, as this is something I struggle with.
Really like the look of these pens for the ideas I have. Looking forward to getting lettering!
I got them too and looking forward to try them 🙂
Ahhhh I need these now! I’m a bit of a staedtler junkie!
More expence thanks blog hop
Lol no actually thanks great to see someone properly practicing and still loving the inspiration
Haha that’s the problem with stationery blogs. I want all of the things!
It’s really inspiring to see someone’s journey and to know you’re not alone!
It’s inspiring to see someone’s journey into lettering and to know that you’re not alone!
Thanks ❤ That’s what I’m trying to do on the blog. I know it’s so easy to feel discouraged when you see perfect lettering. Hopefully seeing someone start from scratch is somewhat reassuring and inspiring 😊
I like the suggestion and encouragement of plaalying with your own style!
I love your practice pages that you have shared. It looks amazing. I particularly like the rainbow “rainbow” writing. I also love the colours of the pens, they look so good.
Thanks so much ❤
Thanks for sharing your lettering journey with us. It’s a great incentive to get started!
😊 I hope that sharing my journey from the beginning will encourage more people to give it a go rather than risk falling into the comparison trap and just seeing end results on Instagram.