How Is Your Hand Lettering?: Daily Art Practice
Couch Talk
We finally made it through the week with only a small amount of snow fall. It has been bitterly cold outside, so I am staying busy with household chores and some reading. Lettering is currently on my list of things to lean so I thought I would share a few books that I am currently working through. From my understanding, there is a difference between hand lettering and calligraphy. I have always admired the beautiful art of calligraphy, but it is a little too formal for me. Hand lettering allows for creativity and illustration and that is perfect for what I plan on using it for. But I will be reading up on both and exploring all my options as I am in the research phase.
So far, I have found In Progress: See Inside a Lettering Artist’s Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector, to be very inspirational. It has step by step pictures of how the final product came about. I am eager to spend more time practicing the tips that the author provides to improve the creative process when it comes to lettering.
I found Pop Painting: Inspiration and Techniques from the Pop Surrealism Art Phenomenon at our local Michaels. Instead of buying it (I was very tempted), I ordered it through our library’s interlibrary loan. After scanning the pages in Michaels, I was enticed by the colorful and beautiful images. I haven’t had a chance to dig in yet but I am excited to spend more time exploring this book.
The Big Awesome Book of Hand & Chalk Lettering, is another book that looks like it has a lot of great ideas and practice for hand lettering. I found this at my local library.
I recently purchased this book Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (Volume 2) (James Gurney Art, as I was unable to obtain a copy from my local library. I have heard wonderful things about this book. In order to learn how to create form, I need to understand light and shadow. I am hoping this book will help develop my skills and take my understanding to the next level.
Watercolor Shop Fronts
6 Letter Brunch is a breakfast and brunch cafe located in Singapore. If you scroll through the pictures on their FB page, you will see that they are currently hosting an art exhibition and my shopfront of their cafe is featured. I really like the pop that the bright blue owning gives as well as the various planters lining the area underneath the deck. Reference photo HERE.
I couldn’t find much on this Bakery in Singapore so sadly I can’t share a menu. The exterior of the building has such a fun amount of color and pattern! Reference photo HERE.
Tea Day
I am joining the Tea Day ladies hosted by Elizabeth. My tea is one I just bought in bulk, Tazo Herbal Tea Wild Sweet Orange Caffeine-Free from Amazon. I didn’t try the flavor before purchasing but I am very happy with as it has a delicious orange taste, not too overpowering.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Aah, nothing like having new reads to inspire- whether it’s art or cooking IMO:). Wonderful shop front art. happy T day!
Hand lettering is something I have never mastered. I’m too messy (you should see my handwriting…) and too impatient. When I was still at university I took a class in Chinese calligraphy and dropped out after a few weeks. I wish you success with this – from your drawings I can imagine that you will be good at lettering.
You’ve found some fantastic looking books Kate.. I hope you share some of your lettering with us.. And once again you have some fun buildings to share.. I especially like the bakery. What a fun building that is.. I hope you have a happy T day, week ahead and also happy February too. hugs-Erika
Hi Kate, thanks for sharing your book list, always love seeing your watercolor paintings too and I love Tazzo teas too
Happy T(ea) Kathy
Your library has some awesome books. I found that book on Pop Surrealism a bit scary, though. It is definitely not a style I would ever be drawn to, even though I love surrealism. I have found that style of chalk drawing quite impressive, although I don’t have the skill to create it. I sure like your Singapore drawings, though. Lovely.
Tazo is a great brand of tea, and the orange sounds good. Thanks for sharing your art and your tea with us for T this Tuesday, Kate.
You have have a lot to explore with those books!
And I love your paintings so much, as always..
Just a wee bit of snow her, all melted again, thankfully..
Have a happy T-day to warm you up!
Those books are awesome. I hope you get lots of time to practice before you have to return the books. Are the children now at school? (I remember you have homeschooled them for a while).
Great Singapore shop fronts! I always enjoy those. I am now in Holland as my mum is ill, but I wll find time to go to Gouda and check out that tea shop. (Watch this space…)
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
These are so great books. Love the Pop surrealism. Your art is wonderful. Have a great day today.
My eye is drawn to that colorful storefront. I’d enjoy time in either of these places 🙂 Happy T Tuesday
Hi Kate, Hope you enjoy the lettering. I did some calligraphy classes some years ago and enjoyed them very much. I went with a friend and she used to send me beautifully decorated letters and envelopes in the mail with all her calligraphy on them. I stopped for a while but then got back into again a few years ago, but I have some issues with my hand so my writing is not as good as it used to be. I really love watching those videos of people doing hand lettering though. Your tea sounds delicious Happy T Day Elle/EOTC xx
The hand lettering sounds like something fun to learn and your paintings look amazing. Glad your keeping busy with all the cold weather you’ve been having! I love the sound of that tea, so delicious 😀. Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x
I want to come over to your house to play and look through the lettering books. Brunch and the bakery look like fun places to visit. Happy T Day
You bought some good books. I love the store fronts! Have a great, new month and happy T Day, Valerie
Have not seen that particular Tazo tea but will look for it. I have a wonderful old autograph book (1880’s) where every autograph is a work of art. It just amazes me that such script was common at one time.
Thanks for these book recommendations, I found the Hand Lettering at my library.
As always, love your painting s, so fun! In progress is a favorite calligraphy book of mine. Margaret Shepherd has a great site and I am sure you could get some from your library or used. Check her out. Enjoy, Nanski
I love the photos you base your drawings on. They are so colorful and really are great inspiration for your sketches, which are great too! I am glad it turned out you liked the tea your ordered from Amazon. I like a lot of teas, and orange sounds like one I would like. Happy T Day.
Such faboulour art! I would love to visit both places! How fun they featured your art!
The books all sound great.
The tea sounds great too!
Fun post as always, Kate. Happy T-day and hugz
You have found some interesting books Kate. Happy belated T-day ! This tea .. yumm
I think that I have to write better 🙂 but well…I prefer to paint.
I loove your watercolour paintings, they are amazing, formidable !
I wish you a very nice day, and send big hugs
Caty
Cold and wet here although further North they have snow! Hubby has a few calligraphy books – if ever I get the urge to write with one of my many pens!
I’ve been having so much trouble commenting – it’s taking me an age checking, waiting, failing!!!! Hoping this posts, Hugs, Chrisx