Hand lettering, aka fake calligraphy or fauxligraphy, is a great first step into the world of calligraphy. (I usually call it hand lettering.) If you’ve ever thought about trying calligraphy, start here! It’s so simple, and there’s really only a few steps and a couple of supplies required.

 

Supplies: 

A writing utensil – you can use a marker, a pen, a pencil… whatever you have lying around!

The free hand lettering worksheet I created that you can find here.

 

Draw out a letter. 

Yes, draw! Calligraphy and hand lettering is more about drawing letters than it is about handwriting. (I’ve drawn out each letter for you to trace in the printable!) I’ve brought some of the downstrokes below the bottom line (aka the baseline) to add a bouncy effect. Downstrokes are the parts of the letters where your pen goes downwards when you write.

 

Thicken the downstrokes.

Remember, downstrokes of the letters are any part of the letter that is drawn with your pen going downwards. Thicken the downstrokes by drawing a line *near* the area of the letter that you want to thicken. Don’t go directly over top, but bring it over to the side so you can create a nice, thick line. Fill in any white space between the original downstroke and the new one. Check out the example of the letter “a” below!

 

 

Connect letters to draw/write words.

In the printable, I have space for you to practice the phrase “hello sunshine” in hand lettering to give you a concept for how to connect letters.

 

Aaaaand TA-DA! That’s it! You’ve learned hand lettering (or fauxligraphy – whatever you want to call it)!

 

Now you can take your skills and put them into practice. Here are a few of the ways I use hand lettering on a regular basis!

 

• Doodling – I doodle ALL THE TIME. It’s how I keep focused when I’m intently listening to something, and it’s how I release my anxiety when I’m talking on the phone. (Yep. I hate talking on the phone. HUGE introvert over here!) I randomly do some hand lettering of random words on my to-do lists and notepads I have around the house. I used to do it on my notes in college too!
• Hand lettered Signs – This is actually how I started my business! I made signs for people I knew as gifts, and then people wanted to start ordering from me. I even like making signs and prints to use in my own home! I don’t offer these services as a business anymore, but I still occasionally make them for friends and family for gifts. 
• Cards – Whether it’s writing their name on the envelope or writing on the actual card, I love using hand lettering for cards! People feel so special when they receive a card or an envelope that is beautifully written and they know it took time and effort to complete. 

 

Now that you’ve learned hand lettering, what next step are you going to take? 

 

Are you going to take on making a sign to hang in your home?

 

Are you going to hand letter the envelope for your best friend’s birthday card?

 

Or maybe you’re ready to take the leap into pointed pen calligraphy? 

 

Check out some of these pointed pen resources I offer:

Free Essentials Supply Guide

Pointed Pen Course – my signature course and ultimate beginner’s pointed pen course! It’s full of videos, handouts, and homework with instructor feedback for the first 6 months.

 

I also release free calligraphy practice sheets every month that can also work to help develop your hand lettering skills. Check out the one from July here!

 

Have fun hand lettering all the things! 

 

With joy,

Jasmine