3 Top Tips for Learning Brush Lettering (Calligraphy)

[@carolmelancon]

I've studied calligraphy for over 30 years and I think this is one of the best instructions in brush lettering I've ever seen. I started with Edward Johnston's "Writing & Illuminating & Lettering" in my early teens. I understand letterforms and counters, I've cut my own quill pens and made my own ground for illuminating with gold leaf. My brain knows what should happen, BUT this tutorial brings it all into focus with great visuals. My brush lettering was improving the last couple of months with my desire to finally master it, but you've helped me to make a huge leap forward. TFS!

[@kellycreates]

Carol, I can't thank you enough for your wonderful comment. You made my day! wow.

[@evacocinarosa]

Carol Melancon is

[@Gayleeeeful]

@kellycreates, I’m not sure you will ever see this, but I must comment. I am new to brush lettering & have been diligently practicing for several weeks. I watched this video at least SIX times today. After the 2nd viewing, something clicked! My transitions have improved by 90% in 1 day! 🎉 THANK YOU!!

[@kellycreates]

Your comment made my day. Thank you.

[@piyusarkar3065]

I'm just starting with calligraphy, it recently caught my interest. This is the most helpful video I came across so far ❤️

[@kellycreates]

love hearing this. thanks!

[@michellesscrapbits]

It totally amazes me how you are able to break down your movements so that you can "teach" how to do this. You are so good at explaining things Kelly...always the teacher in you coming out my friend! :) I also realize now that I was holding my marker too much like a regular writing utensil.

[@kellycreates]

And I wish I had YOUR skills Michelle :)

[@shelleymccurdy549]

I have done calligraphy and thought I would try this. I have studied and practiced for days and couldn't get it correct. The brush would not cooperate. Within five minutes of this video, I was doing it!!! Thanks!!!

[@kellycreates]

Wow! Thanks so much for the kind feedback. You made my day :)

[@ariellehale8832]

Thank you so much! I purchased all of your sheets and they're really amazing. I knew I wasn't holding the pen correctly and this tutorial helped me so much. I see an immediate and drastic improvement.

[@kellycreates]

Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@ThePlannerChannel]

Thank you! I just purchased the giant brush lettering kit and I’m learning how to letter!

[@donnadavis8697]

Thank you is just not enough but you really share your talent with us!!! Can't wait to get started!!!

[@kellycreates]

Thanks so much Donna! I'm excited for you to get started too! :)

[@PennyThompson618]

Just starting to learn this type of writing and this is the first video that has really helped. Thanks so much.

[@kellycreates]

I'm so happy to hear this Penny!

[@mona5155]

I like your Voice and your Videos! Thanks for Sharing your experiences how to learn brushlettering and your professionell advices. I‘m from Germany and sometimes It’s hard for me to start lettering with you during the Video cause the barriere of Language. But its possible because you are speeking slowly and clearly….and looking your Videos is always interesting, with learning effect and your Videos are Not to Long/ Not to short and Speed in normal time. Thanks

[@angelaem205]

Excellent tips, I really found these useful. I do follow your routine with drills first, I find it impossible to write if I don't warm up. And all the letters with loops are my nightmare, but not as much as the letters k and f. I really need to get the hang of those. Thank you so much for a very useful tutorial! 😀🤗🥰🖌🧾📏

[@kellycreates]

Loops are tricky.....did you watch my ascender loop video?

[@angelaem205]

@@kellycreates I will need to find that and watch it, I think I have but I am not so sure. My time is quite limited these days and I watch bits and pieces of instructive videos, whenever my time allows me. Thank you for pointing that out for me, I am making a note!

[@FJolly86]

I am slowly but surely purchasing every one of your workbooks and am so excited to do so!! I was worried because I purchased Tombows to learn (both dual tips and fudenosuke) but you said you tailored them to duals so that makes be feel better lol

[@justenuffjustenuff]

I went to michaels this morning at 10am and already Kelly creates is all sold out, lol good for you Kelly! I have to say tho I did get the last large brush pad of worksheets they did have in store and I’ve been practicing since I got home and hours have already passed by I just love it😀 I. Ant wait to try the stamps and the journals out as well... GREaT PRODUCT,!

[@mariahutagalung2624]

This is my first day learning brush pen......you help me a lot ....thanks a million....

[@kellycreates]

You're so sweet! thank you Maria!

[@mariahutagalung2624]

But I cannot download your free worksheet ... :(

[@kellycreates]

Here is the link to the free worksheets: www.kellycreates.ca/free-worksheets/

[@mariahutagalung2624]

Thank you....Kelly...

[@loribabineaux2945]

This was all so very helpful. Thank you for your videos :)

[@ummsumayyah5137]

i adore your worksheets

[@helendiaz3359]

Thoroughly enjoyed your tutorial 😊

[@kellycreates]

I'm so glad!

[@mona5155]

Very good Video about holding the pen and how to start

[@elizabethtyler8839]

Hi Kelly, your videos are so helpful and informative, also good news for us in the UK hobbycraft are stocking some of Kelly creates products 😀

[@kellycreates]

I'm SO happy that my products are in HobbyCraft UK :)

[@OGAprilFlowers]

Kelly, I just took your class from Michaels last night. Unfortunately the instructor didn’t know how to do it herself. So, I am hoping you wouldn’t mind helping! I started with the large tip (from your 3 piece black pen set) and for the life of me- no matter how softly I stroked, the lines were all thick. I am holding my hand exactly like you explained in this video, which is awkward for me still, but I know it takes time. I just feel like maybe the marker is hitting in the wrong part of the tip (if that makes sense). At the end of class we had some extra time left so I started experimenting with the medium tip and omg, so much easier!!! I was able to get the thin and thick lines. Should I practice with my medium pen from now on and then move up to the large, or is it better to start large and move down to small? Thank you so much!!! Also, thank you for making your product line so affordable, I’m on a tight budget but I can afford your products! You can’t beat the price of your stamps. Xoxo off to buy more!

[@kellycreates]

You can practice with whichever tip you like. The large tip on the Dream pen is super stiff so you have to flex it a lot to get it to soften up and achieve thick and thin lines.

[@paulasandoval950]

I’m can’t wait till I can buy your workbook I have no way to make copies.

[@kellycreates]

The workbooks are awesome!

[@krischengreen1496]

miss Kelly I love what you are doing, I wanted to know if u had any tips for left handed writers?

[@kellycreates]

I know lots of talented lefties in the world of lettering. Check out Lauren at Renmade Calligraphy and also search the Tombow USA blog for a lefties brush lettering blog post www.tombowusa.com

[@krischengreen1496]

thank you for the help!

[@ilonavangalen8268]

Hi kelly, thanx for your videos, I have difficulty with the up (light strokes) when writing a letter with both thick and thin strokes....the down strokes are easy but going up I shake and I can't do it in one stroke all together.....The thin strokes look really shaky (lol) I have the practice sheets but I can't seem to get the hang of it....Any tips?

[@kellycreates]

Ilona, for beginners the upstrokes are very shaky. It takes a very long time to master. Sometimes it helps to imagine reaching the top of the upstroke and not worrying about the way up, if that makes sense. Like put a dot at the top where you are drawing your upstroke, and pretend like you are connecting the dots. Then you have a destination to aim for and your shaky lines should improve.

[@zynzane9680]

I saw your video so grabbed one of my new Faber Castell Big Brush pens thinking it would be perfect. But it really doesn't seem to give me a thick line. I don't want to ruin the tip. Are you applying pressure to the side of the pen to get that thick line?

[@Dee-ur9zq]

Chelsea Donovan the Faber castel pit brush pen is not ideal for calligraphy..it's creates a uniform thick line...tombows are better for calligraphy

[@kellycreates]

Sorry Chelsea, I just saw this comment. Deepthi (comment below) is right...the FC Big Brush pens are not ideal for calligraphy. Their brush tips do not have the elasticity and flexibility of other pens I use. I avoid them.

[@mona5155]

Very good!

[@glorita8988]

Awesome! Thank you so much!

[@kellycreates]

I'm glad you enjoyed this.

[@grandma.p]

Thanks for these good tips.

[@kellycreates]

You're welcome Pam!

[@shewhoisaudacious]

I tried looking for them on your website but did not find them. Do you mind sending the direct link for these sheets? I am a beginner and these look amazing. Thank you for your content.

[@kellycreates]

The worksheets are sold as printables in my online shop at this link www.kellycreates.ca/shop/ and also you can download FREE worksheets on my website too www.kellycreates.ca/free-worksheets/

[@ohsap123]

Great tutorial...subscribing and love how you give us the downloads!

[@kellycreates]

Thanks so much!

[@srb852601]

Great tutorial.

[@kellycreates]

Thank you Sarah!

[@ClassicAkai]

Hi I would like to know if it's possible to do lettering when yoy are lefthanded,??regars

[@kellycreates]

Andrea, there are lots of talented lefties who do lettering. And lots of lefties learn with my worksheets too.

[@umairplays2292]

your voice is awsome nice tutorial

[@umairplays2292]

can i subscribe your channel

[@kellycreates]

Thank you! (hope you didn't fall asleep again)

[@omkarkumbhar299]

mam....... yours teaching scheme is excellent.......... without any doubt...... but how can i download "Bouncy Lettering Drills & Basic Strokes" please help

[@liz3bet]

So are these worksheets in this video FREE? And if so, how do I get them? I went to the Website and couldn't find out how to download &/or print them off. Thanks! : )

[@kellycreates]

Hi Beth, I answered your question on the Bouncy video, There are some free Drills worksheets and here is the link. The alphabet worksheets are in my online shop:www.kellycreates.ca/product/free-bouncy-lettering-drills-basic-strokes/

[@ronaeee]

This was helpful! Did you use tracing paper in this?

[@kellycreates]

No, I didn't but you can use tracing paper definitely! I secure mine with washi tape or removable painters tape

[@crab3696]

Appreciate the intro.

[@miukimaccara2236]

How i can print those templates out? I visit in your website but i can't find them:)

[@kellycreates]

All my free worksheets are in my monthly newsletters, and you can find November and the other Past Issues when you click on the box on the right side bar where it says "November Newsletter" or email me if you have trouble finding them.

[@miukimaccara2236]

kellycreates OK Thank you for information .

[@arnoldwijoyo2028]

for your small brush lettering, is the Pigma micron brush pen good?

[@kellycreates]

The Pigma micron brush pen is more suitable for the large brush lettering. It is an excellent brush pen but it is more difficult to use because it has a true 'brush' tip made of filaments, which is very soft and harder to control. If you were very skillful, you could write 'smaller' letters with it though.

[@barbtemplin7864]

I can't find the free practice sheet download, how do I get this? Thanks

[@kellycreates]

Barb, the worksheets are actually sold in sets in my Shop website kellycreates.ca but there are free monthly sheets in my newsletter. You can see the newsletter on the right sidebar on my website and the November download is the word 'hope' for large brush pens. The link is www.bit.ly/hopeisfree

[@shariparrilla7610]

To pay for ur worksheets is it just paypal

[@kellycreates]

Yes but you don't have to have a PayPal account

[@shonathakur]

How to print my own practice sheets. Pls help

[@kellycreates]

Hi! These practice tracing guide worksheets are available in my website shop. Here is the link: www.kellycreates.ca/shop

[@shonathakur]

kellycreates but if I need to print my own font.. Where can we make it

[@shonathakur]

I want to make my font into practice sheets

[@kellycreates]

You can use Photoshop or Illustrator. I use Photoshop.

[@shonathakur]

kellycreates thank you :)

[@vanessaholgado7853]

tips if I´m left-handed?

[@kellycreates]

Here's a good blog post to read www.kellycreates.ca/2017/07/04/lettering-for-left-handed-artists/

[@HarrietWatts96]

What's the name of the Tombow pen you are using here?

[@kellycreates]

This is a Tombow Dual Brush Pen. The affiliate Amazon shopping link for this pen is up in the description :)

[@HarrietWatts96]

+kellycreates yeah I noticed as soon I put the comment sorry but thanks for responding! X

[@jahrule73]

What if you are left handed?

[@kellycreates]

You can adjust the angle of your paper and the push and pull on the pen will be different. But use the tracing worksheets or workbooks and you will learn.

[@berthacatalina1]

hola , no puedo descargar, las hojas para practicar, no sale nada, gracias

[@kellycreates]

Hi Bertha, can you email me please in English? [e-mail]

[@barbarabastos4162]

Do you offer these molds?

[@kellycreates]

Hi Barbara, yes, these 'molds' are called tracing worksheets or guides and they are in my website shop www.kellycreates.ca/shop. I also offer free worksheets in my monthly newsletters. You can sign up on my website or email me if you have questions.

[@mariahutagalung2624]

Hi Kelly....I have a question....I often damage my brush pen when I practice ....may I know why ? and how to prevent this from happening?

[@kellycreates]

Hi Maria! All brush tips wear down and soften or fray with a lot of use. How do you prevent this? First make sure you are holding the pen at the right angle. So you are gripping the pen high up on the barrel and creating a nice angle so the tip is not upright on the paper but on a slant. Second, use very very smooth paper, like premium laserjet or Rhodia pads or similar. You can also use tracing paper, but regular copy/printer paper is too rough.

[@mariahutagalung2624]

noted

[@kellyfranca7355]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@roxanaaranibardesoria546]

I am lefty, please do you have a tip for me? Thank you!

[@subramanianharitham9754]

My calligraphy I stitute starting immeditly

[@haticefara2997]

Hi kelly! İ found you finally :) @frh_judah. Thx 4d clear guidance. Pls share 4more. May Allah Bless you and all

[@kellycreates]

Thank you so much!

[@beatrizcasas41]

Kelly this is bundle one? ... uhmmm i am interesting ....

[@kellycreates]

Yes, start with Bundle 1 (for the large brush pens). That is best for beginners. If you want to use a small brush pen, then start with Bundle 2.

[@beatrizcasas41]

Thank you Kelly i love love your classes.... I think tombow pens are great!!!

[@kellycreates]

Thank you so much Beatriz :)

[@susanmartin3762]

God you make your up stroke look so easy😢.. I'm trying so hard..grrrrrr.

[@carolineharding5831]

and if you are a left hander it is even harder :(

[@kellycreates]

Caroline, there are so many talented lefties who do calligraphy. And lots of lefties learn with my worksheets. I have free sheets once a month if you'd like to give it a try.

[@carolineharding5831]

Thanks Kelly, I am determined to give it my best shot, and I am not doing too bad a job two weeks in, thanks for your offer, yes I would like to give your worksheets a try :0)

[@JuJu-ro7gu]

I know you were thinking of me when you forgot to dot your J's. Haha!

[@kellycreates]

Yep. I WAS!!!!!!!!! lol