Better Lettering - Tips for Beginner Lettering Artists

The art of calligraphy and creative lettering is centuries old and one that continues to find new audiences. Whether you’re looking for a fancier way to address your wedding invitations or to paint your favorite phrase as a piece of wall décor, we’ve rounded up the best beginner lettering tips. We polled our pool of talented KINGART lettering influencers to share key tips to improve your lettering designs and here’s what these artists had to share.

Take time to prep.

Start by drawing lines with a pencil so that I know where to place my letters. I write the letters very lightly with the pencil. Finally I fill my Fine Line Painting Pen with the desired color and write over the pencil marks. Remember to erase any stray pencil marks. ~ Simply.Seema

Start with your technique.

An easy guideline for applying pressure to your strokes involves using strong pressure on downward strokes and gentle pressure on upward strokes. Remember to hold the pen at an almost perpendicular angle, but not entirely. The more you practice this technique, the more precise your strokes will become, resulting in improved lettering quality. ~ Lettering by Saher 

Embellishment Tips.

For nice round dots, use a round tip marker and be sure to hold your marker vertically when making contact with your surface. Or, select a specialty marker that gets the job done, like our Dot & Fine Twin-Tip Markers. 

Paint your letters!

The #2 round brush can achieve the same thick and thin strokes as brush pen lettering. The absolute best part about using this brush is the ease of blending colors within letters and words. ~ Just Me Dori

Try a new background technique

Use your brush pens to create an easy watercolor background! Swatch your favorite KINGART Brush Pens onto a plastic bag, spray with water, then flip onto your paper. Finish it off with flourished lettering using a KINGART Inkline Pen. ~ Writers_ofRohan BTW, those looking to start their bullet journaling journey, should check out Rachel's post on the topic here. 

Use your strengths and overcome your challenges.

Lefty lettering artists often have a challenge of not smearing their work as they write. Considering employing a tripod grip, like Shannon of Crabby Mermaid. “…working right to left, I stay in my lettering lines by following my grey guidelines, and this technique allows me to stay smudge-free without messing with my grip.” Learn more tips for lefty lettering artists in Shannon’s post on the topic here.  

Get the right tools!

Here are some of the favorite tools to use for creative lettering art:

• Sketching and drawing pencils – With 12 unique pencils that include varying degrees of hardness, you’ll find a favorite pencil to lightly sketch the baseline and beginner shapes to start your creative lettering journey. 

• Twin Tip Brush Markers – Create broad strokes, fine lines and everything in between, simply by changing ends or brush pressure with this colorful set. 

• Original Gold® 9000 Round Size 2 – Great for creating thick to thin lines and stroke work, perfect for lettering