If you want to up your hand lettering game, or just try a new hobby- Watercolor Lettering gives all the joys of beautiful letters with the fluidity of watercolors.
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What is Watercolor Lettering?
Watercolor Lettering is Hand Lettering using a Paintbrush and a Watercolor paint.
Watercolor lettering is hand lettering using watercolors and a round brush. You need to keep reloading your paintbrush with the paint and water and letter your words.
Unlike brush pen lettering, you create blended colorful look as the colors can move and blend easily. You have a soft watercolor look to the lettering that is very attractive.
Watercolor Lettering Alphabet:
Start with the alphabets and practice. The paintbrush is different to hold and starting with something small like the alphabets will build your confidence.
Watch the YouTube Video Tutorial Watercolor Lettering Alphabet
Supplies I’ve used here: Sketchbook | Paintbrush| Watercolors
- Pick up your first color of watercolor pigment onto your brush, and paint your letter with upstrokes and downstrokes. Add a few drops of water and a second color of watercolor into the alphabet if desired. This adds texture and interest to your letters.
- Using smooth cold press like student grade canson xl or strathmore paper will give good results for beginners.
- You can use a pencil to lightly sketch your alphabet script styles and placement if desired.
- What brush you use wont matter- you can use water brushes, liner brushes or any kind of brush you might have. Each brush will give a unique watercolor calligraphy.
- I love using liquid watercolors as the pigment is so rich and the thin strokes are easier to draw.
I chose to make my alphabets colorful and used a different color for each alphabet. But you can easily just use a black watercolor and start.
TIP: Go slow and apply pressure on your downstrokes but apply very little pressure on your upstrokes to achieve a nice thin upstroke.
Watercolor Lettering a Quote
Once you’ve practiced the alphabet, try Watercolor Lettering a Quote. I have a ton of quotes if you need inspiration 366 Positive Quotes
These Gansai Tambi watercolor cakes are one of the first watercolor sets I bought myself years ago- and they are still my favorite. The colors are vibrant and beautiful and today I’ll show you how I use them to do Watercolor Lettering
Watch my YouTube Video Tutorial: Hand lettering with Watercolors
Supplies I’ve used here: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors | Canson Watercolor paper 11 by 15 inches | Princeton Round 6 script paintbrush | MONO Sand Eraser |White Magnetic frame
MY Tips for watercolor lettering:
- Pick up your watercolor paint onto your paintbrush, but make sure that you already have some water or moistness on your paintbrush. A dry paint brush makes it difficult to create downstrokes, lettering wet is better.
- Stop often, rest your wrist, and refill your paintbrush. Your paintbrush will not be able to create a thick downstroke if it is dry.
- While bringing a loaded paintbrush towards your paper- move slowly and be careful. The water on the paintbrush can easily drip onto the paper
Hi I’m Smitha! I live in Minnesota with my husband and two daughters. You’ll always find me painting florals in my sketchbook. And I love the sheer joy of making something with just my hands! But my bigger love is capturing it all on camera Read more.
Thanks for stopping by today! If you learnt something from this tutorial, do share this post with a friend or on social media! Tag me @smithakatti #smithakatti I’d love to see what you create!
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Today I am marrying two of my favorite art techniques- Watercoloring and lettering. Brush Lettering is so relaxing, it makes you slow down and be intentional. When you create Watercoloring Lettering the results you will get are even more astounding!
Today I’ll share the basics, how to hand letter the alphabets, a quote, and many more ideas to inspire you!
I enjoy Watercolor lettering- you move your paintbrush super slow and the whole process is satisfying and soothing.
Watercolor Lettering looks beautiful on handmade cards, as wall art pieces, and also just as a quote in your sketchbook. There are many different font styles you can use for your lettering and make them special.
