Lettering Resources
Links to articles and videos about: How-To, Professionals, Software, Supplies, Education, Workshops, Conferences, Literature, Videos & Interviews
- How-to
These are resources for the practice of calligraphy and hand-lettering.
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- How to Learn Lettering: 50 Free Tutorials and Pro Tips
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How to Learn Lettering: 50 Free Tutorials and Pro Tips
Detailed intro to lettering, with links to 20 tutorials on specific topics.
- Ink and Quill: Learn About Calligraphy
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Ink and Quill: Learn About Calligraphy
Within this article, you will find a plethora of information and resources about calligraphy; from its history to getting started and even a unique section about calligraphy for kids. A special thank you to Kellin for finding this treasure trove of educational insight!
- Infographic: Hand Lettering Basics
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Infographic: Hand Lettering Basics
A visual guide to the basics of lettering.
- How to Lay Out Your Hand-Lettering Composition
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How to Lay Out Your Hand-Lettering Composition
Video on layout, composition, and grid lines in hand-lettering for a large-scale envelope.
- Hand Lettering: 4 Easy Steps to Modern Calligraphy
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Hand Lettering: 4 Easy Steps to Modern Calligraphy
Seven video lessons
- Adjusting Your Pen and Paper
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Adjusting Your Pen and Paper
Short video on how to adjust your pen and paper when writing Copperplate Script.
- Lessons in Engraver’s Script
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Lessons in Engraver’s Script
Very basic lessons, in a hard-to-follow webpage design.
- Lessons from EL Brown
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Lessons from EL Brown
Instructional pages “from an old American Penman magazine.”
- Ornamental Script Lessons
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Ornamental Script Lessons
“Learn Ornamental script from one of the finest instructional books ever published on the subject, ‘Lesson in Ornamental Penmanship; by PZ Bloser.” With links to individual letters.
- CP Zaner Lessons in Engrosser’s Script
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CP Zaner Lessons in Engrosser’s Script
Scans of the original Zanerian Manual published in 1900.
- Drawing Versus Writing
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Drawing Versus Writing
Short video on the difference between writing letters and drawing them.
- How to use the Guidelines
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How to use the Guidelines
Short video on using guidelines in hand lettering.
- Ruling Pen Love
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Ruling Pen Love
Very short tutorial on using a ruling pen.
- Left handed lettering with Lauren Fitzmaurice
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Left handed lettering with Lauren Fitzmaurice
Tips for left handed lettering.
- Left-handed Calligraphy and Lettering with Brush Pens
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Left-handed Calligraphy and Lettering with Brush Pens
Advice for left handed calligraphers and lettering artists.
- Professionals
These are just a few of the professional calligraphers and lettering artists working today.
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- Harvest Crittenden
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Harvest Crittenden
Website of long-time lettering artist and founder of Acorn Arts
- Brody Neuenschwander
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Brody Neuenschwander
Blog of calligrapher Brody Neuenschwander, whose lettering has appeared in several of the films of Peter Greenaway
- Elmo van Slingerland
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Elmo van Slingerland
Blog post by Joy Deneen: A Conversation with Dutch Calligrapher
- Letterform Archive
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Letterform Archive
“From the Collection: Thomas Ingmire, Susan Skarsgard, Suzanne Moore”. Article highlighting the work of three respected calligraphers whose work is in the Letterform Archive collection
- What does a calligrapher do in the 21st century?
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What does a calligrapher do in the 21st century?
Short article in Eye magazine about calligraphers Carl Kurtz and Susan Skarsgard
- Iskra Johnson
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Iskra Johnson
Personal website of renowned calligrapher and lettering artist
- Susan Skarsgard
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Susan Skarsgard
Align Project. Susan Skarsgard is an internationally know artist, designer and teacher.
- Jessica Hische
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Jessica Hische
Work by noted contemporary lettering artist Jessica Hische.
- Timothy Donaldson
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Timothy Donaldson
“World’s Biggest Hamburgefonts” (1997)
At the 1997 ATypI conference, at Reading University, Timothy Donaldson creates letters from the Latin alphabet that are bigger than himself.
- Software
A couple of videos on using procreate software for lettering on an iPad Pro
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- Procreate Lettering for Beginners - iPad Pro Tutorial
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Procreate Lettering for Beginners - iPad Pro Tutorial
Short tutorial on lettering design using Procreate.
- iPad Lettering for Beginners Procreate Tips + Tricks
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iPad Lettering for Beginners Procreate Tips + Tricks
Video on changing color and other tips for using Procreate in iPad Pro.
- Supplies
Some sources for supplies needed for hand-lettering
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- The Best Markers, Pens, and Tools for Hand Lettering
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The Best Markers, Pens, and Tools for Hand Lettering
Overview of pens, paper, and equipment for calligraphy and lettering.
- John Neal Bookseller
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John Neal Bookseller
Catalog site for well-known vendor of calligraphy supplies as well as books on lettering and typography.
- Paper & Ink Arts
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Paper & Ink Arts
Provider of “quality books for accomplished and aspiring calligraphers alike” as well as “calligraphy supplies from inks to custom made pen holders.”
- Jake Weidman
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Jake Weidman
Weidmann's Ergonomic Oblique Penholder
- Dick Blick Art Supplies
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Dick Blick Art Supplies
Calligraphy supplies from a major art-supplies business.
- 52 Degree Guide Sheets
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52 Degree Guide Sheets
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting. Guide sheets for Spencerian Script.
- 55 Degree Guide Sheets
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55 Degree Guide Sheets
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting. Guide sheets for Engrosser’s Script.
- Education
These links point to both tutorials and programs or courses in lettering and calligraphy
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- Lettering and Calligraphy: How to Tell the Difference
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Lettering and Calligraphy: How to Tell the Difference
Interview with Martina Flor and Giuseppe Salerno, who created the website “Lettering vs. Calligraphy” to explore what’s different about the two approaches.
- Illustrative Stylings: Lettering and More with Photoshop
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Illustrative Stylings: Lettering and More with Photoshop
Trailer for a class on making attention-getting letterforms in Adobe Photoshop.
- Type@Cooper Extended Program
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Type@Cooper Extended Program
Certificate-granting academic program at Cooper Union in New York City, for history of letterforms and principles and techniques of designing digital typefaces.
- Dancing Letters Scholarship Fund
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Dancing Letters Scholarship Fund
“This fund provides financial assistance to those wishing to further their knowledge of calligraphy and its related arts through attending workshops, lectures, classes, or international, regional and local conferences.”
- IAMPETH Scholarship
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IAMPETH Scholarship
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting
Scholarships for attending the annual IAMPETH convention.
- Lessons in Engraver’s Script
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Lessons in Engraver’s Script
Very basic lessons, in a hard-to-follow webpage design.
- Workshops
These are workshops for letterers and calligraphers
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- Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners
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Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners
Intro video to a class for beginners on hand lettering.
- Type@Cooper
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Type@Cooper
Ongoing series of public workshops offered by Cooper Union in New York City.
- Conferences
Conferences for letterers and calligraphers
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- Typism Conference
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Typism Conference
Gold Coast, Australia
Three-day type and lettering festival on Australia’s Gold Coast.
- Annual conference of IAMPETH
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Annual conference of IAMPETH
“A wonderful week spent learning the pen arts with some of the best penmen and calligraphic artists in the country.”
- Literature
Sources of books and writing on calligraphy and hand-lettering
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- Gems and Penmanship
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Gems and Penmanship
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teacher of Handwriting. Scanned copy of “Gems & Penmanship,” by J.S. Duncan (1858).
- Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering: A Mark-Making Workbook for Crafters, Cardmakers, and Journal Artists
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Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering: A Mark-Making Workbook for Crafters, Cardmakers, and Journal Artists
Introduction for do-it-yourself letterers and calligraphers.
- Calligrapher’s Corner: Consulting with the Experts, Volume 13: Carl Rohrs
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Calligrapher’s Corner: Consulting with the Experts, Volume 13: Carl Rohrs
Interview with calligrapher Carl Rohrs.
- Script in the Copperplate Style
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Script in the Copperplate Style
Interactive Apple iBook for copperplate calligraphy.
- Brush Lettering
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Brush Lettering
An Instructional Manual Of Western Brush Lettering.
- Modern Calligraphy
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Modern Calligraphy
A book on modern styles of calligraphy using pointed pen.
- Universal Penman
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Universal Penman
An absolute classic portraying styles from master penman from the golden age of penmanship.
- Foundations of Calligraphy
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Foundations of Calligraphy
The essential guide of broad edge pen styles and their exemplars.
- Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy
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Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy
A definitive guide of copperplate pointed pen styles.
- Calligraphy
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Calligraphy
This book isn’t your traditional calligraphy book, rather it shows the texture and interest of line and stroke and explores new possibilities in calligraphy.
- Mastering Calligraphy
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Mastering Calligraphy
Covering several different styles of writing, this book is a comprehensive guide to all things calligraphic
- Letter Arts Review
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Letter Arts Review
Absolutely essential — I have every issue dating back to 1994!
- Videos & Interviews
Videos on practitioners of lettering arts
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- How Jessica Hische Shaped Her Freelance Career
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How Jessica Hische Shaped Her Freelance Career
Skillshare: The Independents: Jessica Hische. First-person narrative video of the life and career of designer & letterer Jessica Hische.
- The Creative Spark: Title Case, Typographic Artisans
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The Creative Spark: Title Case, Typographic Artisans
Inspiration on type & lettering. Preview of Lynda.com course.
- Creative Inspirations: Marian Bantjes, Graphic Artist
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Creative Inspirations: Marian Bantjes, Graphic Artist
“Visit the home and workspace of graphic designer Marian Bantjes, as she shares her views on design and designers, and tour her distinctive one-woman show at the Ontario College of Art & Design.”
- Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship in America
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Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship in America
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting Original art and script by Jake Weidmann.
- Pointed Pen Basics
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Pointed Pen Basics
Important Basics getting for pointed pen.
- Tattoo Style Lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht
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Tattoo Style Lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht
Short, music-backed video showing tattoo style lettering.
- Carl Rohrs, pointed brush calligraphy
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Carl Rohrs, pointed brush calligraphy
Short video demonstrating different effects of how you hold the brush in calligraphy.
- Adjusting the flange on your Oblique Penholder
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Adjusting the flange on your Oblique Penholder
Dr. Joseph Vitolo | International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting
- Adjusting your Pen and Paper
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Adjusting your Pen and Paper
Video on adjusting pen and paper while composing Copperplate script | Dr. Joseph Vitolo | International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting.
- Different Styles of Pointed Pen Scripts
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Different Styles of Pointed Pen Scripts
John DeCollibus | International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting | Short video demonstrating different styles of pointed-pen scripts.
- IAMPETH Presents: Inside the Penman's Studio - Harvest Crittenden
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IAMPETH Presents: Inside the Penman's Studio - Harvest Crittenden
Dr. Joseph Vitolo and Harvest Crittenden | International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting |Video conversation with calligrapher Harvest Crittenden on her work and her career.
- 3 Ways to Create 3D Lettering in Procreate!
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3 Ways to Create 3D Lettering in Procreate!
How-to video on ways to create three-dimensional lettering in Procreate on iPad.