Hand Lettering Inspiration: Part One. I’m sharing all my lettering challenge work from this month, along with some lettering tips and my color palettes!
Hand Lettering Inspiration: Part One
Hey, creative friend! Are you working on leveling up your lettering game this year? Me too!
I’ve been working on the 2020 Lettering Challenge right along with many of you. I thought it might be helpful for me to post summaries of my work each month on the blog, along with notes on my process, some lettering tips, and the color palettes I used for each piece.
Insta-Inspo + Procreate Tips
On my Instagram, almost all of my posts include a “Swipe to watch the process video,” which shows you how I take things from a sketch to a final piece.
You can check out my iPad Lettering in Procreate tips over on this page on the blog. I used a lot of the tutorials I’ve shared on that page in my lettering pieces below.
I hope that you’ll use the palettes and my work to inspire your own. Just remember, there’s a fine line between being inspired by someone else’s work and being a copycat, so be sure to create your own work!
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Using the Color Palettes
- Right-click or screenshot the photos in the blog post to save each lettering example and color palette.
- Learn How to set up Custom Color Palettes in Procreate here.
- Use them in design programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Match your physical art supplies (markers, color pencils, watercolors, etc.) to the palette and work the old school way!
Hand Lettering Inspiration: Part One | January Prompts
Here are my four pieces from the January Challenge Prompts.
Piece One: Black and White Lettering
Prompt: “And things are ’bout to get real good.” – Gwen Stefani
For this prompt, I wanted to challenge myself to use only black and white for the lettering.
On my Instagram, you’ll see I usually use a lot of colors.
With being limited to just black and white, I had to really think about my lettering shadows and details.
Level Up Your Lettering
- If you use a lot of colors, challenge yourself to try just black and white. If you tend to stick to neutrals, challenge yourself to create a piece with a ton of color.
- Try showing off your work using a mockup! Get the mockup I used for this piece here.
- Check out my mixed lettering style tips and then try creating some mixed lettering of your own.
✒️ I used the DND Basic Brush, DND Monoline Brushes, and various stamps from my Procreate Brush Bundles for this piece.
Piece Two: Adding a Little Illustration
Prompt: “You should see me in a crown.” – Billie Eilish
For this prompt, I wanted to challenge myself to use illustrations that complement the lyrics and to NOT used mixed lettering.
If you head to my IG and swipe to watch the process video for this one, you’ll see the final piece is nothing like my original sketch.
Level Up Your Lettering
- Add some illustrations to your work. Even small details can have a huge impact.
- If you’re using Procreate, try sketching your ideas out on paper first. I almost always start my lettering process using analog tools (paper and pencil) and then move to my iPad. While I love lettering in Procreate, the sketching process comes more easily to me on paper!
✒️ I used the DND Monoline Brushes, DND Gradient brush, and various stamps from my Procreate Brush Bundles for this piece.
Piece THREE: Adding Texture
Prompt: “When the bones are good, the rest don’t matter.” – Maren Morris
For this prompt, I wanted to challenge myself to use two types of serif lettering styles and adding textures to the piece.
✒️ I used the DND Celestial Block and DND Monoline and Gradient Brushes from my Procreate Brush Bundles for this piece.
Level Up Your Lettering
- Style your own mockup photo! For the main styled photo for this piece, I printed out our house plans and used them as part of my flat lay to complement the song lyrics.
- Trying adding various textures to your piece.
- I used a gradient brush to add shading to the lettering.
- I overlayed a texture on the whole piece. A while back, I shared a little how-to for this process in Procreate on my IG, and I’ve put it below for easy reference.
Piece Four: Lettering a Longer Phrase
Prompt: “Sometimes the only way is jumping. I hope you’re not afraid of heights.” – Gavin DeGraw
For this prompt, I wanted to challenge myself to try a “Notebook Doodling” style of lettering. I thought it would be a great style for a longer phrase.
Level Up Your Lettering
- Try lettering a longer phrase than you usually would! It’s much harder to create a layout for a longer phrase which makes it the perfect way to push yourself and grow your skills.
✒️ I used the DND Monoline Brushes, the DND Basic Brush, and various stamps from my Procreate Brush Bundles for this piece.
Share your Challenge Work!
Your turn! I can’t wait to see what you create.
Use hashtag #DNDlettering when you post your work on Instagram.
I regularly check that hashtag and pick people to feature on my social media (with full credit and a link to your account).
Hand Lettering Inspiration: Part One
I hope you picked up a few helpful lettering tips in this post.
Stay tuned for part two next month.
Happy creating!
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