Creative Lettering: Techniques & Tips from Top Artists

by Jenny Doh

Hand-lettering techniques are a popular and visually dynamic way to add textual elements to crafts, from journals to mixed-media art. Sixteen accomplished contributors—including calligraphers, painters, collagists, card makers, fiber artists, and graphic designers—give their personal perspectives on lettering. They all offer their favorite tools, how they use them, their signature technique with step-by-step instructions and photos, and an alphabet sampler of their own font. Gorgeous gallery images of each contributors work are also included.   Contributors include :
Andy Ainger   •   Francois Begnez   •   Flora Chang   •   Barbara Close   •   Philippe Debongnie   •  Karyn Denten   •   Aimee Dolich   •   Lisa Engelbrecht   •   Pam Garrison  •   Stine Kaasa   •   Rhianna Lederman   •   Martha Lever   •   Linda Schneider   •   Jessica Swift   •   Madeline Tomkins   •   Lori Vilegen   •  

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Design, Drawing, Crafts, Art Design, Creative

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2013

Reviews

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures on my blog)

Creative Lettering is a really fun book to look at if you're lettering or calligraphy work.

16 artists and their wonderfully handwritten and designed letterings are featured. Author Jenny Doh has done a great job seeking these artists out and showcasing their work.

The letterings are very beautiful and since they are hand drawn, they have lots of personality. Some have designed the whole set of alphabets. Others use letters as a design element for their illustrations. There's a good variety to look at.

Each artist also explains how they created their letters and also provide a list of materials to get started. They use the standard pens, paper, markers and other stationery. This means you can start with whatever you have on hand.

It's a great book for inspiration. If you use sketchbooks, you can spice up your pages with some creative lettering.

- See more at: http://www.parkablogs.com/content/boo...

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of really beautiful lettering work in this book, although much of it is beyond my skills. Even the hard stuff is good for ideas, though. Some of the artists provided step by step instructions for their work as well as variations and other ideas. One went so far as to have a photograph for each step. Others had only the barest of instructions. The focus was definitely more on examples than on how to do them which means that some art skill is a good idea, too.

The designs are quite interesting and/or pretty, and I got a lot out of the book. It reminded me of the days when we used to make a picture of our friends names for a gift, or our own to put on a notebook or wall. One artist even mentioned how doing that had inspired her. With this book, you could definitely top anything we made in school.

I would have liked this book to be a little more accessible for the average user so some of my, um, artistically impaired kids could use it. It's great for me, though, as I think I can do the majority if not most of the stuff. We'll see though. My ego might be bigger than my skill set. :)

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems good for those who are already good at lettering, but not so much for a newbie like me!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine, but not as good as its sequel, More Creative Lettering.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book and it’s other edition are probably great exercises if you’re already artistic or dabbling in hand lettering. I wanted to sort of know where to start and the books’ notion that if you can write the alphabet you can do hand lettering is maybe over-selling a tad. There were beautiful, colorful examples and stories from artists, nearly every one said some version of “I started doodling letters in 2nd grade and have been doing it since!”
Well, I didn’t doodle or create my own alphabets at any point in my life but I wanted some basic instructions for basic hand lettering but I didn’t find it in these books unfortunately.
3/5 stars because there is good information and lots to look at as examples but not a good book for someone who has zero previous artistic lettering skill.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked out several books on lettering from my library and this was the best one. It contains a spotlight on sixteen lettering artist who briefly share their history, their favorite writing instruments, favorite letter, some of their work, and then give detailed instructions to the reader for a project with a lettering style they invented. This is not a book of alphabets written in different fonts, but shows how creative lettering can happen for each of us.

I read every page and when I came to the end had a forest of sticky tabs marking ideas or styles I wanted to try.

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has tons of fun ideas for lettering. Many of the samples come with instructions, but I mainly read it for inspiration and copied a few letters here and there for practice. I’ve read a few other lettering books recently, but this one seemed to have the broadest range of styles and tools, so it would be a handy reference guide to have around in the future.

[Emmy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little art book. I’ve read a lot of books on hand lettering. This book had more than one artist and lots of various examples. If I were going to buy one book on hand lettering it probably would be this one.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had lots of different lettering styles and projects that the reader could follow along with.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Examples of various artists' work, with full alphabets and helpful tips. Not so much a "how to" as inspiration.

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was fun. I’m hoping to improve my lettering (just for me!) and this was a great idea book that I can refer to and redraw again and again.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome resource!

[Mycala · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like letters and creative ideas, just do yourself a favor and go out and get everything Jenny Doh does because you won't be disappointed. I have absolutely no affiliation, just a great admiration and something of a fangirl artist-crush.

Whether you prefer classic or whimsical, print or script, black or color, there is a project in here for you. I have hours of fun ahead of me this week as I dive back in here for inspiration and make beautiful words.

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just placed in my hands, thanks to the publisher, and I am really pleased with this well done book! I'm kind of a calligraphy junkie, although truth be told, I have not put in enough practice time to call myself "good" at mark making, lettering and calligraphy, but I love the 'trying' to become good part!

"Creative Lettering" takes you through the basics of course; paper, pens, inks, paints & types of letters, but it goes far beyond the basics with sections written and designed (with accompanying projects and exercises) by some of the biggest names in lettering and calligraphy design today. Featured calligraphers include Andy Ainger, Francois Begnez, Flora Chang, Barbara Close ,Philippe Debongnie, Karyn Denten ,Aimee Dolich, Lisa Engelbrecht , Pam Garrison ,Stine Kaasa, Rhianna Lederman, Martha Lever, Linda Schneider, Jessica Swift ,Madeline Tomkins & Lori Vilegen.

I know that this book will become one of my "go to" books for calligraphic inspiration! It will live on the small bookcase that sits right on my design table, ready to pull out for a creative boost anytime that I feel the need!

If you are a lettering,calligraphy & mark making fan or an artist that just needs some added motivation, grab this book now ! It's a bargain and , yes, it really is that good - no kidding

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of ideas; I like techniques presented by Jenny Doh.

[Janalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I found most valuable in the book was finding out which pens/markers the artists preferred. I'm a pen junkie - always loving, hoarding and using every drop from my basic Pilots back in my teens. I even stoop to loving the cheapest Bic Cristal with it's thick, inky, leaky flow.

As always, I marvel at other's artistic lettering. I delighted in reading what letters were the favorites to write. I always have favorite letters and words that I could write and write all day. Ex: Wool and Roger. So fun.

Pens to try from the book: Sakura Gelly Roll, Parker, Tombow Dual Brush, Pilot Parallel, Letraset pro markers, Micron Pigma, Pit, Mitsubishi Sigma Pen, Pilot Hi-tech v7 grip, Pilot Precise Grip. Way to go Pilot for staying in the game all these years!

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really what I was looking for. This is just a collection of different artists styles of writing, what their favorite letter is & their favorite writing tool to use. No alphabets that really impressed me & only hazy how-to instructions on replicating anything they've done.

For example: Step 1, draw a shoe shape. (The artist claims this is an easy shape to draw and assumes that opinion is unanimous so doesn't bother to break down that shape into smaller steps for someone who may disagree with her assumption.)

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

crafts/hand lettering. Not so much of a primer, but if you've already got the basics of hand lettering, you'll definitely benefit from the mix of perspectives, covering everything from favorite writing instrument to sources of inspiration to different kinds of stylistic choices. My original teacher has a super-perfection style (she is a professional after all) that I don't quite have the patience for, so I am glad to see that there are plenty of others who prefer a 'loose and free' style as well.

[fleegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not really a tutorial, although there are some guides. But it's really lovely to look at the different letter styles. I really enjoyed the short art talks the artists give, as well as their lists of favorite pens/brushes/tools. I see this book as a good starting point for some inspiration if you want to start doing some hand lettered things or doodle or sketch or whatnot.

[Sharon Wildwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection of comments and techniques from different letter artists. I found 7 keepers: letter styles I want to practice and experiment with. Great for anyone who wants to see letters in a lot of different ways.

[Tif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great artist included in this book. Several of my favorites. This is a great book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, unique lettering ideas and techniques in this book. Also fun projects to try for incorporating lettering into artwork. I'm inspired to practice my lettering and use it more in my art.

[Ganeshraj R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned some Techniques and ideas about Creative Lettering

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great look at artists typography and lettering practices and pages. I got some great ideas and it was nice to see how other artists use their hand lettered work.

[Karen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice little book. A lot of it is cutesy scrapbook garbage, but there are also some really lovely letters and ideas. I especially like the instructions to make a soda can pen.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty goofy overall, but a good way to remember some quick techniques if you're stuck in a rut.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so useful I may add it to my permanent collection. Living next to the library is the only thing that prevents me from buying a copy. (I NEVER buy books I can get for free.)

[Jennie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coffee table book! It has a few anecdotes about how they learned or how they were introduced to lettering. The lettering ideas were pretty good and possible for beginners.

[Mary Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked looking at the different styles of lettering. I especially liked Linda Schneider's and went and bought a pen she likes: Pentel brush-tip sign pen. I got it at Michael's.