Lettering my way through lockdown

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One of my goals for the year is to improve my lettering technique and I’ve already come such a long way thanks to Blink Lettering (disclosure: I was a Brand Ambassador earlier in the year). Take a look back at some pre-Blink lettering…

In March I completed the drills challenge (basic strokes), then made my way through the alphabet in April, and the difference in my lettering is astounding.

Practise makes progress and I’ve been enjoying trying different techniques throughout the pandemic- it’s my favourite creative outlet. I completed the initial challenges around the same time as National Stationery Week, when I was fortunate to be sent some fab lettering and watercolour products to try. I’ve been working on different styles for the last few months and I hope to keep improving. Here are my first few blends. These were all down with Tombows on Ecoline watercolour paper.

I love using various shades of blue. These next two were done with Tombows and Staedtlers respectively.

I can’t quite remember what I used for some of the following blends. The citrus ‘piece’ (how wanky does that sound?!) was with my Derwent Inktense pencils and I’m pretty sure the others were Staedtler.

I also enjoyed playing with mini watercolour illustrations before moving on to backgrounds. These first few were all made with Tombows. I plan to keep growing my collection.

These next ones were with the Inktense pencils again (except the second which was Staedtler). I usually use my black Pentel Touch to letter over the top as I have more control over it but sometimes branch out a bit with the Tombow Fude.

Watercolour backgrounds are one of my favourite things to do. The first three were made with Staedtlers and the other two with Tombows. The white pen used is my Sakura Gellyroll. I’ve used acetate to varying degrees of success…

This next one is one of my favourites, yet it was so simple! I created a coffee ring with an actual mug and coffee, and the lettering was done by tip-to-tip blending two Pentel Touch pens.

I quite like this one too, although the details are way off. This was a Derwent Inktense watercolour drawing.

I’m constantly inspired by Instagram and Pinterest and enjoyed putting this one together. The trees are made with Staedtlers (I busted out the white Gellyroll again) and the lettering was done with my Pentel Touch pens.

I love being able to see how I’ve come and keep challenging myself to try new things. These were some early ones…

I love playing with colour and would like to try more styles, like this, made with Tombows and my Pentel Pointliners.

I’m also working on sprucing up my bujo with some more illustrations

What creative pursuits have you been focusing on throughout lockdown?

Edit (28/08/21): Milly (Blink Lettering) has updated her resources for 2021 and you can sign up for her new six-week course for a bargain £55!