Live Calligraphy: Love Letter Writing at Bonifacio High Street

The weekend before Valentine’s Day, I was at the live calligraphy booth along Bonifacio High Street. Aptly called ‘You’re Just My Type‘, the task at hand was writing people’s love letters in calligraphy. People in the area penned their short messages for their loved ones, and the calligraphers will write the messages on pretty stationery.

Live calligraphy Bonifacio High Street

Armed with my brush pens, I got to work. Aside from live calligraphy, there were also typewriting stations where anyone can type their love letters analog style.

Live calligraphy Bonifacio High Street

Do people still write love letters to this day? I don’t think so, but those who asked me to translate theirs to calligraphy sure had a knack for it. I wrote letters for two girl besties, I wrote a short message written by a secret admirer. There were several ones who wrote for their significant others, each one channeling their inner Pablo Neruda.

Live calligraphy Bonifacio High Street

There was a girl who asked me to write her message for her mom, and a mom who had a love letter for her baby. It was a wonderful experience, being surrounded by all these good vibes. We were only there a couple of hours and didn’t have the time to write letters for everybody. I’m hoping there will be a similar live calligraphy event in the future—I’d love to write for you! It was a fun afternoon indeed doing live calligraphy at Bonifacio High Street.

Live calligraphy Bonifacio High Street

Free Calligraphy Worksheet: Heart Flourishes

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and I’m here to share with you a free printable calligraphy worksheet. Heart flourishes, anyone? These flourishes will help you work on those thick and thin strokes and your arm movement. It would also be fun to practice writing other strokes other than the usual drills and alphabet.

The strokes are labeled with arrows and numbers so it’s easy to find where the starting point is.

The gray flourishes are for you to trace. After tracing, you can proceed to the second page where you can write all on your own. This free printable calligraphy worskheet works best with a pointed nib, but you can also use a fine tip brush marker.

Click the button below to download your printable calligraphy sheet:

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Calligraphy and Lettering Art Prints

Framed or not, calligraphy and lettering art prints definitely spruce up one’s space. What is once a bare wall can instantly be eye-catching with the addition of an art piece. Paintings and photography are usually the go-to pieces to spruce up plain walls, but calligraphy and lettering can very well be statement pieces as well.

Society6 Calligraphy Prints via Happy Hands Project

These prints make great gifts as well. I know Christmas is just right around the corner, but gifting can be all year round, right? Prints by the Happy Hands Project come framed and as plain prints, on canvas, wall decals, and all other formats.

Ready to browse? Check out the calligraphy and lettering art prints over at Society6 here.

Oh, and by the way, the Dr. Seuss prints have always been bestsellers, and can be found in homes around the world by now. Happy browsing! And gifting!

Society6 Calligraphy Prints via Happy Hands Project
Society6 Calligraphy Prints via Happy Hands Project

You can also download some free calligraphy guides here and holiday gift tags here, coz you know, I’m all for freebies!

The Beauty of Spencerian Script

I cannot tell you enough how the beauty of Spencerian script, especially those written by the masters, always takes my breath away. During Master Penman Michael Sull’s workshop in Singapore a few years back, he had some historical work posted on the wall. The strokes of Spencerian Script are timeless and elegant.

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
Calligraphy by CP Zaner from the personal collection of Michael Sull, taken during the workshop

Spencerian originated in the United States and was used from approximately 1850 to 1925. The penmanship style was developed by Platt Rogers Spencer, hence the name. Contrary to Copperplate (which originated in Europe), it is meant to be written quickly yet legibly for business and personal correspondence.

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
Calligraphy piece on display during Michael Sull’s workshop. Look at how legible the writing is!

I wasn’t a fan of Spencerian from the start. I started dabbling in modern calligraphy and have always been inspired by the works of Maybelle Imasa. I realized I wanted to expand my horizons soon after and started learning Copperplate Script from Eleanor Winters through her book and in-person workshop.

I found Spencerian Script to be unnecessarily fancy back then. The strokes were too wispy to the point where I could hardly read the words at all. I don’t know for sure what changed my mind, but by 2018 I have already attended classes by Michael Ward and Master Penman Michael Sull.

I’ve had some old reference books downloaded and printed from IAMPETH and I’ve tried practising as often as I could. There is still way too much room for improvement, but calligraphy is a learning journey and it’s a journey I enjoy taking every time. Eventually, I saw the elegance in the wispy strokes of Spencerian Script, and I fell in love with the swirls of its capitals.

In this blog post today, I’m sharing with you a piece I wrote using Spencerian using my favourite tools:
• Leonardt Principal EF nib
• Coliro Rose Gold ink
• 300gsm black card stock

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project

I love the the thin upstrokes I can create using the Leonardt Principal EF nib. When using normal black card stock, I normally use my favourite sparkly pearlcolors from Coliro.

Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
A closer look at the script
Spencerian Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project

My next post will be reminiscing about the time when it wasn’t de rigueur to wear masks and in-person workshops were something we normally go to (and in my case, teach!). I will be sharing about one of the Spencerian Script workshops I had the pleasure of attending. So many things to write about. Hope to see you back here soon!

4 Calligraphy Tools That Make Writing Easier

Today, I’m sharing with you 4 calligraphy tools that will make writing and practicing easier—simple tools that you might not have, but actually need. I’m sure you already have the basic tools to get better at calligraphy, and here are some more that could make you an even more efficient calligrapher.

1 :: GUM ARABIC POWDER

Bleeding ink? Feathering? Too runny? Ink not adhering to paper? Gum arabic powder is the answer to these calligrapher woes. This fine white powder was useful to my different bottles of runny inks (yep, that’s you, Daler Rowney). It also adds viscosity to the inks I mixed using gouache. It made the gouache mixture slightly thicker yet smoother, making it a joy to write with. The result is a semi-glossy finish and a bit of a raised texture when dried.

For envelope calligraphy, it is definitely a nightmare when you have no control over the paper. If the ink keeps on bleeding on the envelopes supplied to you, you can add a few drops of gum arabic to your pre-mixed ink.

I usually have a small jar of liquid gum arabic handy for emergencies. So how do you mix it, exactly? Have a small airtight jar, dropper, stirrer and warm distilled water ready. I use about 1 part powder to 10 parts water, then I add more water using the dropper if it’s too thick. Warm water makes it easier to mix. Afterwards I just use a few drops of this mixture to a small jar of ink before using.

A rule of thumb is to not mix gum arabic mixture to a large bottle of ink as it might get mouldy and will therefore make the entire bottle useless. Not keen on mixing? There is also liquid gum arabic available in stores.

2 :: INK HOLDER

An ink holder, or inkwell, is a super tool that makes writing convenient for calligraphers. It prevents spills, basically, as accidents caused by knocking a jar full of ink can be a common scenario.

Ink holders come in may forms, but I love my wooden dinky dip and the larger one pictured above. Some ink holders also have a slanted base so it’s easier to dip into. Not keen on buying one? Try sticking a small jar of ink onto a clump of play-doh for some stability. Tilt the jar onto the clay for easier dipping.

3 :: WHITE PENCIL

The white pencil is probably one of the tools that I didn’t buy right away, but I’m telling you now that this is a very important tool in calligraphy. Dark paper lined with a lead pencil is just so difficult to see! An affordable option would be a chalk pencil (it’s eraseable!). Going for pro? The slightly more expensive mechanical fabric pencil by Fons & Porter is my favourite and will last you ages.

4 :: PEN REST

I honestly have several of these! Clay ones and wooden ones are part of my collection, and these pen rests keep my desk organised. I have a few calligraphy holders out at a time, usually around three, and they are all sitting on the pen rest on my desk.

When writing calligraphy, it’s best to use a pen rest for your holders to prevent drips on your desk (or worse, your paper!) and keep your workspace a tad neater. Not keen on wooden pen rests? Chopstick rests come in porcelain and ceramic and can be used for calligraphy pens as well.

There you have it! Four calligraphy tools that would make calligraphy writing easier. Happy inking!

Calligraphy Ink Review: Vinta Inks

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project

Recently, I’ve been practicing Spencerian calligraphy using Vinta inks. Vinta inks are high-quality fountain pen inks and work very well with super fine nibs. For those of you wondering, fountain pen inks can be used with dip pen nibs, but not the other way around! Pre-mixed calligraphy inks, more often than not, cannot be used with fountain pens.

But I digress.

So how do I find Vinta inks? I have three colors from their ‘sheening’ collection, and two have very obvious shimmery undertones. They are not water-proof but are highly pigmented. Don’t let the light consistency fool you—it was hard to wash the ink off my fingers!

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project

Each ink colour is associated with Philippine history, and it’s a joy to read. Here are the inks that I have, which I’d love to share with you:

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project

Teal (Andrada) is a very deep green ink. At first glance, it’s almost black, and I couldn’t get the sheen to appear.

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project
When looked at the correct angle, the red highlights are visible, but it feathers a bit even on premium paper.

According to the Vinta website, Andrada has specks of red highlights. It’s smooth to write with, especially when writing calligraphy on super smooth paper.

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project
Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project
A closer look at the beautiful shimmer of Blue Blood

Blue Blood (Dugong Bughaw) basically means ‘blood of royalty’. I love this ink. It’s a dark shimmery blue with dark pink undertones. It brings out the beauty of calligraphy.

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project

Sikatuna (Sandugo) refers to the ancient tradition in the Philippines called ‘blood compact‘.

Vinta Calligraphy Ink Review via Happy Hands Project
Zooming in on the two tones of Sikatuna ink by Vinta.

Two individuals would slit their wrists and and pour their blood in a cup where it is mixed together with wine. And you guessed it—they both drink it to seal the deal. This ink is a deep red with green undertones.

These inks can be a bit selective when it comes to paper. In my experience, it would feather on my Rhodia dotted pad and regular copy paper. It still managed to have a bit of feathering on the premium Italian paper that I used. The good news is, it worked well on Tomoe River paper.

To make sure you get the sheen on your writing, shake the ink bottles well before dipping your nib. Experiment on different nibs as well to get the effect you’re looking for. In summary, I’d say give Vinta inks a try if you’re looking for pre-mixed inks in unique colours. The sheen and shimmer will surprise you, and you’ll come back for more.

Vinta inks are handmade in the Philippines and they ship internationally (yay!). This is not a sponsored post, and all comments made in this post are my own. Craving for more calligraphy product reviews? Check out the posts here.

8 Modern Calligraphy Books For Beginners

Do you have a modern calligraphy book wish list like me? Even if you have gone to in-person classes or have taught yourself modern calligraphy, it’s always good to have a few good books to refer to whenever you need help. Do take note though, that these books are all about pointed pen modern calligraphy and NOT brush lettering. I’ll have a roundup on that soon!

Here are some common things that you need a modern calligraphy book for, from my experience:

GETTING STARTED IN MODERN CALLIGRAPHY
Have you forgotten how to prepare your tools? Do you need help on how to write your strokes? A book for beginners will more often than not have an overview of how to get started.

FINDING ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF WRITING A LETTER
This is one of the reasons why you need a book—for the exemplars! Some books have multiple alphabet guides that you can replicate when you’re stuck in a rut.

GETTING INSPIRATION FOR CALLIGRAPHY PROJECTS
I adore calligraphy books that have beautiful pictures and instructional how-to’s. Aside from teaching a beginner how to write in modern calligraphy, a good book also gives inspiration on how to use the newly-learned craft!

Here’s a list of books on modern calligraphy that helped me get started, peppered with some that are high on my wish list. You might see that there are a couple of books by Molly Suber Thorpe, because I just absolutely love how she shares calligraphy in her book. This list is not sponsored and is purely my honest opinion. Enjoy!

8 Modern Calligraphy Books For Beginners via Happy Hands Project

1:: Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe | 2:: Modern Calligraphy: An Intensive Practice Workbook by Kestrel Montes | 3:: Mastering Modern Calligraphy: Beyond the Basics by Molly Suber Thorpe | 4:: The Gift of Calligraphy: A Modern Approach to Hand Lettering with 25 Projects to Give and to Keep by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls | 5:: Flourishing: Incorporating Modern Flourishes into Your Lettering by Jarrin Cheng | 6:: Modern Calligraphy Workshop by Imogen Owen | 7:: Modern Calligraphy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Art of Creativity by Lucy Edmonds | 8:: Secrets of Modern Calligraphy by Kirsten Burke

Looking for lettering books instead? Here’s a roundup of lettering books from the Happy Hands Project.


Modern Calligraphy Workshop — Revamped!

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

The Happy Hour modern calligraphy workshops here in Singapore just had a makeover with a revamped calligraphy kit. Rebranding has been in my mind the past few months and it’s still ongoing as I try to update the tools here and there.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Last September, I launched a new modern calligraphy kit for the workshop which includes an all-new theme and additional tools and inks while retaining the ‘Make Your Own Happy Hour‘ workbook which is exclusive to the class.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

A fun (yet useful) addition are the clay pen rests that I made specially for the class! During classes, the pen holders either roll off or drip ink on the table (or both) and these teeny pen rests keep those holders in place.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

On top of that, I have significantly reduced the class size, making it even more beneficial to participants. Food and drinks will always be a mainstay in all Happy Hands Project workshops as I always say that writing with an empty stomach is definitely a no-no.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Have you always wanted to learn the art of modern calligraphy? You can subscribe to the workshop newsletter to get first dibs, follow Happy Hands Project on Instagram, or check out the workshops page to sign up for the next one.

Hope you can join us!

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Modern Calligraphy Workshop via Happy Hands Project

3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR BRUSH LETTERING UNIQUE

Make Your Brush Lettering Unique via Happy Hands Project

Hello brush lettering beginners! How do you make your brush lettering pieces unique? You have mastered the technique of using the brush pen and you’re even able to write beautiful lettering with it. The next step now is to make your brush lettering unique and different from your usual pieces.

I started out just writing in straight lines. I would centralize the words then that’s it. That’s what beginners normally do. But how do you make your brush lettering unique? Here are 3 ways that I use to give my pieces a bit more oomph:

FORM A CURVE

Make Your Brush Lettering Unique via Happy Hands Project

Sketch some curves lightly on your paper so you can plan where to place your words. Keep the hierarchy in mind—the most important word should be biggest to create more impact. Write your words in a slight curve to make it more interesting. Make the curve a bit wide for easier readability. Steeper curves might be more difficult to write on and read.

WRITE DIAGONALLY

Make Your Brush Lettering Unique via Happy Hands Project

Draw your guidelines either freehand or with a ruler. You can position all your words in the middle or stagger them slightly. The most important thing is to pack your words close enough so you don’t create big gaps that would be noticeable. Fill those negative spaces!

BOUNCE YOUR LETTERS

Make Your Brush Lettering Unique via Happy Hands Project

If you haven’t tried this before, it may seem tricky because you would need to create a balance even when the letters do not touch the baseline. Draw your straight lines first. These will serve as a guide so you will still have letters that touch the baseline. The first letter of the word should touch the line first, then try raising and lowering the next few letters. Stop every so often to check the balance. If your letters seem to be going up, lower the next letter.

Bouncing letters requires some getting used to, but it’s a fun way to make your usual brush lettering style into something different.

There are endless styles that can make your brush lettering even more unique, so I’ll make sure to compile a new set next time. Now it’s time to practice! Looking for brush pen recommendations? You can hop here to see my favourite pens.

Calligraphy and Lettering Classes on Skillshare

Have you thought about taking online classes to learn lettering, calligraphy or any other creative skill? I’ve rounded up 4 of my favourite online creative classes that I’m sure will kickstart your journey on lettering or calligraphy!

I’m excited to let you guys know that Happy Hands Project has partnered with Skillshare to bring you 2 MONTHS OF FREE PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP! With a premium membership, you can stream more than 18,000 online classes on subjects like design, business, and tech. What I like most about Skillshare is that students are learning alongside more than 3 MILLION members who are as passionate as we are. Members can share their work, give each other feedback and share insights and learnings through group discussions. And I’m telling ya, it could be a pretty great experience.

Use the gift code HAPPYHANDS2 when you register to get 2 months of free premium membership.

I have taken some classes on Skillshare when I was starting out with modern calligraphy. Each class has a project to be completed at the end of the course which makes it exciting. You’d want to learn as much to be able to get that project done the right way.

Now it’s time to check out these awesome classes!

Pen and Ink Calligraphy via Skillshare

Pen and Ink Calligraphy: The Art of the Envelope
Bryn Chernoff

Ooh, envelope calligraphy. Learn how to choose papers, mix and match ink colours, and create a neat and centred layout for a beautiful calligraphed envelope.

 

Take me to class!

Digitizing Calligraphy from Sketch to Vector-Skillshare

Digitizing Calligraphy from Sketch to Vector
Molly Suber Thorpe

After learning the basics of modern calligraphy, it’s time to make something digital out of them! Digitized calligraphy can be used in print and online in the form of logotypes, advertising, title treatments, printed stationery, and beyond. In this course Molly will walk you through four steps—sketching, flourishing, inking and finally, digitising.

Take me to class!

Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners-Skillshare

Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners
Mary Kate McDevitt

The distinct Mary Kate style will be taught by her in this beginners’ class. In this 2-hour class, Mary Kate reveals the first steps of hand lettering and shares how to concept, design, and letter phrases for any use—a poster, magazine, t-shirt, or anything else you might imagine. There are very useful downloadable resources, too, which will help you in conceptualizing your very first lettering piece.

Take me to class!

Storytelling Through Lettering-Skillshare

Storytelling Through Lettering: Exploring Different Styles
Martina Flor

I’ve been following Martina’s lettering work for a few years now. This class is all about different lettering techniques and styles and is perfect for beginners or advanced students of lettering that want to expand their stylistic palette when drawing letters.

Take me to class!

If you’re interested in any or all of these classes, it’s definitely worth it to check out Skillshare. Skillshare’s giving away a free trial to my lovely readers. Just sign up using my link, or use the code HAPPYHANDS2 and you’ll get 2 months of unlimited online classes for free. No commitments and you could cancel anytime.

Thanks Skillshare!

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