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Hand Lettering for Relaxation: An Inspirational Workbook for Creating Beautiful Lettered Art
A Fun & Inspiring Introduction to t he Art of Hand Lettering
Hand Lettering for Relaxation is the perfect way to cultivate calmness and joy while creating beautiful works of art. While hand lettering can look intimidating, artist and blogger Amy Latta has a friendly and down-to-earth approach that will give you the confidence to draw impressive designs with ease. Learn how to create a lovely brush-lettered look with easy, no-fail faux calligraphy. Then add pretty embellishments such as vines, roses, banners, ribbons, swirls and feathers that take your designs to the next level. You’ll also get a beginner’s guide to real brush lettering, plus fun print fonts and ways to highlight, shadow or emboss your words. With 46 unique workshops, each with a featured motivational design, you will gain enough proficiency to proudly share your lettered art on social media, make personalized gifts and even decorate your home.
In this interactive workbook, doodling on the high-quality art paper is highly encouraged! Use it to letter the featured design with the new technique you learned, create your own design or simply enjoy some meditative practice. No matter how you use it, this book is sure to help you relax, enjoy your creative journey and make your life more beautiful wherever you are.
Keep the relaxation flowing with these other books in Amy Latta's bestselling hand lettering workbook
- Hand Lettering for Laughter
- Hand Lettering for Faith
- Express A Hand Lettering Workbook for Kids
Hand Lettering for Relaxation is the perfect way to cultivate calmness and joy while creating beautiful works of art. While hand lettering can look intimidating, artist and blogger Amy Latta has a friendly and down-to-earth approach that will give you the confidence to draw impressive designs with ease. Learn how to create a lovely brush-lettered look with easy, no-fail faux calligraphy. Then add pretty embellishments such as vines, roses, banners, ribbons, swirls and feathers that take your designs to the next level. You’ll also get a beginner’s guide to real brush lettering, plus fun print fonts and ways to highlight, shadow or emboss your words. With 46 unique workshops, each with a featured motivational design, you will gain enough proficiency to proudly share your lettered art on social media, make personalized gifts and even decorate your home.
In this interactive workbook, doodling on the high-quality art paper is highly encouraged! Use it to letter the featured design with the new technique you learned, create your own design or simply enjoy some meditative practice. No matter how you use it, this book is sure to help you relax, enjoy your creative journey and make your life more beautiful wherever you are.
Keep the relaxation flowing with these other books in Amy Latta's bestselling hand lettering workbook
- Hand Lettering for Laughter
- Hand Lettering for Faith
- Express A Hand Lettering Workbook for Kids
208 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2017
298 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Amy Latta
13 books72 followersI’m a wife, a mother, and an artist…which means I’m always busy and sometimes messy! I have a B.A. in English from McDaniel College, and in April of 2013, I published my first e-book, Crochet 101. Here at One Artsy Mama, I share a variety of project types including home decor, fashion, kids’ crafts, sewing, jewelry, crochet and more. My favorite topic, though, is hand lettering. On July 11, 2017, my book Hand Lettering for Relaxation was released and in the following year it went to print four more times. Since then, a Portugese version, Calagrafia para Relaxar has made waves in Brazil, and I’ve written a lettering book for kids that was released in October 2018. My next book, Hand Lettering for Laughter, will release in April of 2019.
In December 2015, one of my hand lettered gift tags was featured in a Christmas wrapping kit for sale in GAP stores across the United States. I am also honored to be the recipient of The Craftys’ 2015 “Best Craft Blogger” award, as well as being voted the top Crafty Blogger of 2015 in the SwayyEm community. In 2016, one of my coffee cup designs appeared in a nationwide Starbucks holiday commercial, and I signed on with Page Street Publishing Company. In 2017, though, I experienced the adventure of a lifetime as our family expanded through international adoption.
I am happiest when creating something and enjoy making all kinds of projects with my 10 year old “Little Crafter” and my 11 year old “Scout.” In my spare time {if there ever is any!}, I am a professional ballroom, latin, and swing dancer. When not on the dance floor or crafting, you can probably find me at Starbucks.
To contact me, feel free to email me at amylattacreations{at}gmail{dot}com.
In December 2015, one of my hand lettered gift tags was featured in a Christmas wrapping kit for sale in GAP stores across the United States. I am also honored to be the recipient of The Craftys’ 2015 “Best Craft Blogger” award, as well as being voted the top Crafty Blogger of 2015 in the SwayyEm community. In 2016, one of my coffee cup designs appeared in a nationwide Starbucks holiday commercial, and I signed on with Page Street Publishing Company. In 2017, though, I experienced the adventure of a lifetime as our family expanded through international adoption.
I am happiest when creating something and enjoy making all kinds of projects with my 10 year old “Little Crafter” and my 11 year old “Scout.” In my spare time {if there ever is any!}, I am a professional ballroom, latin, and swing dancer. When not on the dance floor or crafting, you can probably find me at Starbucks.
To contact me, feel free to email me at amylattacreations{at}gmail{dot}com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 29, 2017
I am nowhere near a competent hand letterer and want to be. So I've got a couple of books on the subject and before now I might have suggested you try Creative Lettering and Beyond: Inspiring tips, techniques, and ideas for hand lettering your way to beautiful works of art to help get you started with the hobby. Now I think I would put that book at #2 and this at #1.
I feel like with arts and crafts books it is really difficult for authors to balance step by step instructions of the basics and yet still lead you forward into more complicated aspects of the craft. This book is not afraid to break down the steps. Things common in hand lettering projects like arrows and banners are explained line by line. If you're thinking that is too basic, I have actually seen a person or two online recently asking how to make those items look good so I know that there is a need for those things. Having simple steps for those things is a bonus to me. But I also like how the same book that is explaining those initial "easy" steps is also exploring things like layout, shading, adding patterns to your letters, adding frames, simple floral elements, etc.
There is a nice balance between the text and images for the instructional sections.
Every section has a mostly empty but pre-bordered page to practice what you have learned in that section. If you are the type of person who beats yourself up if something isn't perfect, I would probably recommend photocopying those pages instead of writing in the book. You know, if you do want hand lettering to be for relaxation. Besides those pre-bordered pages there is usually about a half a page of wasted space as additional practice space. For me personally, I am not a fan of all of the extra empty space but I won't knock the score for that, since this is meant to be a workbook and that's just my personal preference (again because practicing right in the book isn't my thing).
Within a few pages you will learn how to at least write a word or three in a faux-caligraphy style without using a brush pen. I copied their word from the example "time" in a color pencil and got decent results. So you don't need a bunch of fancy supplies to do most of what is in this book. As someone who really struggles to get the strokes right when using a water brush or brush pen, I really appreciate the detailed instructions for accomplishing a pretty letter without a brush tip. But for those who prefer using brush tips, this book covers that.
This book may not give you a step by step of each and every letter but it does at least give you a sample alphabet to show you what the letters should look like. That combined with the clear instructions is definitely a good way of doing things. So many other books may show you a step by step of a letter or two then don't even give you the example of what the rest of the alphabet would look like. That tends to be a pet peeve of mine. Just because you can finish a letter "A" doesn't mean the same style in a letter "Q" will be easy for you to figure out. I am so glad this author understands the importance of at least letting us see the direction to go in if we want to try the whole alphabet in the presented style.
No real complaints. This is my new fave lettering book.
I feel like with arts and crafts books it is really difficult for authors to balance step by step instructions of the basics and yet still lead you forward into more complicated aspects of the craft. This book is not afraid to break down the steps. Things common in hand lettering projects like arrows and banners are explained line by line. If you're thinking that is too basic, I have actually seen a person or two online recently asking how to make those items look good so I know that there is a need for those things. Having simple steps for those things is a bonus to me. But I also like how the same book that is explaining those initial "easy" steps is also exploring things like layout, shading, adding patterns to your letters, adding frames, simple floral elements, etc.
There is a nice balance between the text and images for the instructional sections.
Every section has a mostly empty but pre-bordered page to practice what you have learned in that section. If you are the type of person who beats yourself up if something isn't perfect, I would probably recommend photocopying those pages instead of writing in the book. You know, if you do want hand lettering to be for relaxation. Besides those pre-bordered pages there is usually about a half a page of wasted space as additional practice space. For me personally, I am not a fan of all of the extra empty space but I won't knock the score for that, since this is meant to be a workbook and that's just my personal preference (again because practicing right in the book isn't my thing).
Within a few pages you will learn how to at least write a word or three in a faux-caligraphy style without using a brush pen. I copied their word from the example "time" in a color pencil and got decent results. So you don't need a bunch of fancy supplies to do most of what is in this book. As someone who really struggles to get the strokes right when using a water brush or brush pen, I really appreciate the detailed instructions for accomplishing a pretty letter without a brush tip. But for those who prefer using brush tips, this book covers that.
This book may not give you a step by step of each and every letter but it does at least give you a sample alphabet to show you what the letters should look like. That combined with the clear instructions is definitely a good way of doing things. So many other books may show you a step by step of a letter or two then don't even give you the example of what the rest of the alphabet would look like. That tends to be a pet peeve of mine. Just because you can finish a letter "A" doesn't mean the same style in a letter "Q" will be easy for you to figure out. I am so glad this author understands the importance of at least letting us see the direction to go in if we want to try the whole alphabet in the presented style.
No real complaints. This is my new fave lettering book.
February 14, 2019
Great hand lettering workbook. I like the variety of techniques and samples included. I will revisit this resource often.
I didn't do the embossing or digitizing due to lack of supplies but I love that those workshops are in there to try in the future.
I didn't do the embossing or digitizing due to lack of supplies but I love that those workshops are in there to try in the future.
February 24, 2018
I've wanted to learn hand lettering and found Latta's to be a great guide. Each workshop is easy to complete and takes you through not just lettering but the decorative designs and elements that make for a great lettered project. Each workshop also includes a short, inspirational and encouraging story that goes with the method and inspiring quite the workshop has you create. The book includes space to draw in. I do wish the paper was a little thicker as some of my marker work bleeds through. But I recommend this as a great learning book!
December 11, 2022
This is really a beautiful lettering book. As a Graphic Designer I really love brush lettering and hand lettering but never tried.
One day I found this book in a thrift books store in our city. I found this book and immediately bought this one.
More practical than reading. This book contains around 47 practical chapters. From brush lettering to serif and san serif lettering.
Banners and flower designs with brushes. Beautiful Whimsical Designs for any event or customized print.
Amy Latta also teaches on youtube channel. This is another beautiful book in my calligraphy collection.
Definitely Recommend.
Dil Nawaz
Karachi, Pakistan
https://ocdil.blog
One day I found this book in a thrift books store in our city. I found this book and immediately bought this one.
More practical than reading. This book contains around 47 practical chapters. From brush lettering to serif and san serif lettering.
Banners and flower designs with brushes. Beautiful Whimsical Designs for any event or customized print.
Amy Latta also teaches on youtube channel. This is another beautiful book in my calligraphy collection.
Definitely Recommend.
Dil Nawaz
Karachi, Pakistan
https://ocdil.blog
November 26, 2017
Easy to follow themes and lots of room to practice. This is a great one to start with if you're new to the hand lettering game. If you have more experience it's a nice way of getting more inspiration.
May 8, 2019
A great introduction into hand lettering. Amy's instructions are easy to follow and allow you to get into the habit of practice. At times a little too "Pinterest"-y for me but overall provides a really good foundation for you to find your own style.
August 24, 2019
One of my favorite lettered art book. I love the exercises, well-explained...step-by-step
April 11, 2021
Very relaxing. Even rackety old n00b like me flourished while following the instructions in this book.
January 16, 2022
When I first started this book I was very unpracticed in drawing guidelines, understanding proportions, and being able to eyeball kerning. At first I was completely overwhelmed with how much work it took to sketch each lesson prompt. So I took a break, read 20+ other books, practiced a bunch on the formal calligraphic hands, and then randomly decided I would sit down and finish this book 3 years after starting it. I was amazed, after all that practice, how quickly I could do each lesson. Instead of struggling with the basics, I could now focus on each technique she was teaching.
I was able to complete 35 lessons in two months. And I can say, my skills flourished. By the end, there was marked improvement and variety in what I can do. I even feel much more confident laying out my own compositions.
Highly recommend for the techniques and composition practice. Only advise one to have a good mastery of the basics first.
♥️ Practice makes progress. ♥️
I was able to complete 35 lessons in two months. And I can say, my skills flourished. By the end, there was marked improvement and variety in what I can do. I even feel much more confident laying out my own compositions.
Highly recommend for the techniques and composition practice. Only advise one to have a good mastery of the basics first.
♥️ Practice makes progress. ♥️
April 28, 2020
Great for book
I loved this book. I’m starting on the world of hand lettering as a hobby, and found this book super easy to follow and very explicit on what you have to do and what steps you need to follow to achieve it. Highly recommend it
I loved this book. I’m starting on the world of hand lettering as a hobby, and found this book super easy to follow and very explicit on what you have to do and what steps you need to follow to achieve it. Highly recommend it
March 6, 2022
Perfect for the beginner! Amy Latta breaks down hand lettering into easy steps that promote success and build confidence. She provides loads of encouragement and tips. Tons of fun!
April 2, 2019
Um livro lindo, com técnicas muito úteis pra quem gosta de caligrafia. A autora nos mostra exemplos desde os materiais que devemos usar, até mesmo alguns tutoriais para praticarmos. Eu, como iniciante, tive bastante dificuldade para fazer algumas atividades, mas vou continuar tentando. Gostei e recomendo!
June 28, 2021
Hand lettering as a craft is HUGE right now! This book focuses mostly on brush lettering (rather than say calligraphy) and as someone who doesn’t manage lettering all that well I would say this shows off the basics well. I’m still not sure it’s an art form I will get into but I will know where to look if I need a further refresher.
December 14, 2020
I like how this book focuses more on lettering styles that work with your current handwriting as is, rather than requiring you to copy their handwriting exactly. I also enjoy the practice designs included in each workshop; that helps me see new ways to use what I’ve learned.
November 4, 2019
Good explanations, work area, and coloring.
Read
April 23, 2020if you like calligraphy and art you will like this.
June 28, 2020
Not sure if I'm relaxing, but I am learning and that's a good thing.
February 13, 2022
As a workbook for hand lettering I give it 5 stars. The review above is as a book describing the process and development of the craft.
May 23, 2022
Fun way to practice letter writing and focus on the small details that make hand lettering so beautiful. Great for graphic designers.
January 3, 2020
I read this while on my annual "treat yo self" trip. I stayed in a gypsy camper and read about hand lettering while practicing the art.
January 11, 2018
i had a great time trying these hand-lettering techniques with my 9 year old neice during the holidays! so many cute ideas, well-explained.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews