Hand Lettering.
Single stroke lettering practice – pattern swoon
Last night was my first hand lettering class. I guess I have always been interested in crafting my own font but I didn't realize it until last night. Since my bubble letter days of yore I have made birthday posters, name signs for kids I used to babysit, and created my personal font as i perfected my signature and crafted my handwriting. Often when I doodle I just draw words. I didn't know that could translate into a skill or even a career. It's funny how that realization didn't surface until I was sitting on my stool listening to BT talk about his own path and I was like 'huh, I do that too' and 'duh, of course there is a huge tradition of sign making'.
We focused on the basics. Single stroke pulls, how to hold the brush, and getting used to the paint : water ratio, etc. There is a lot of techniques and I found my self re-learning. For one, how to hold the brush. The whole process makes you slow down and consider you movements. You always have to be present and your intent must be focused. It's a meditative state for sure and by the end of it I found myself just wanting to practice painting lines in my spare time.
So here's to the basics. Thanks for getting me slow down and appreciate all the skill it takes to attempt to paint a not-so-simple straight line.
