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 Ways to Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies

How To Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies via Happy Hands Project

Are you looking for ways to save money on calligraphy supplies? Have you been spending more, only to realize that you don’t need all of them? Calligraphy and art enthusiasts have all been art supply hoarders at some point. It most probably happened a year into the hobby, and a lot of money has been spent shopping for materials that cost a lot but have never been used. If you’re like the rest of us, earning money means working hard, and the money spent on unused tools could have been spent on something more important.

Back in 2012, I used to purchase nibs and inks from the US and wait for 2-3 weeks before the items reach my doorstep. I ask the calligraphers at the time (the really good, popular ones) what tools they used and I would go ahead and buy the same things. After waiting forever for the items to reach me, only then would I realize that I couldn’t get the nibs to work (I’m looking at you, Brause Rose) or the inks to flow!

I’d charge those mistakes to experience, but who was I kidding? The only thing that was charged was my credit card.

So here are 8 tips for new calligraphers and lettering artists on how to save money on calligraphy supplies. It’s a pretty long read, but I’m writing from experience so I hope you’ll find these tips useful. No time to read right now? You can always pin the image to read later!

1 :: Buy high-quality materials
If possible, only buy high-quality materials. High quality IS NOT synonymous to expensive, but it means that it will produce better results than the average quality ones. When you’re writing, you’d want to produce the best results—no feathering, no bleeding. When you use low-quality ink on ‘bad’ paper, your calligraphy will be anything but good, no matter how beautiful you write. Rule no.1 is to invest in good quality materials from the get-go.

How To Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies via Happy Hands Project

2 :: Do not buy full sets of tools
Well, surely you’d like a set of all those pretty bottles of ink, right? If you haven’t tried the brand yet and have no idea if it will write well, do not buy the whole set. Chances are, you’ll blow your savings on a 12-set ink with pretty colours that will just sit on your desk unopened, after discovering they’re too watery after all. Buy (or try from a friend!) first before investing in a full range.

3 :: Stick to the tools you like best
If you don’t need all the colours, you certainly don’t need all the brands. I used to buy different metallic inks when I already know that I’m most comfortable with my Finetec palette. I used to buy different brands of paper, and I still have them in stacks—when I’d just keep using one or two brands for practice. Now those sheets are being used by my kids to draw on. If you’ve already found the black ink that works best for you, then there’s no need to buy a few more different brands.

This rule works with nibs, too. Those little fellas may be cheap, but if you buy dozens of each kind, it’ll rack up to a few hundred dollars. Keep about three to four of your favourite nibs and invest in them—not in new ones that you’ll give away when you realize they don’t suit your style.

4 :: Familiarize yourself with your supplies
Keep an inventory of everything you have, even if it’s just in your head. If you need to do a certain project and need red ink, it helps if you already know if you have it or not. You don’t buy duplicates of what you have, which means you save that money for something else!

How To Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies via Happy Hands Project

5 :: Participate in group buys
This applies to online purchases, especially ones from overseas online stores. Some supplies can be quite affordable, but shipping fees can cost a bomb. The trick? Gather your calligra-friends for group purchases and you will save a lot on shipping fees. This is a great way to save money on calligraphy supplies if you buy from overseas quite often.

6 :: Repair, remedy and recycle
Do you know that walnut ink crystals last so much longer than pre-mixed ones? The best part is that when you’re running out, you can add a bit more water to your mixture if you don’t mind the shade being a tad lighter. You also don’t need a lot of pen holders, if you can resist.

How To Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies via Happy Hands Project

If you have nose pliers, you can easily re-shape your holder to fit various nib sizes. Also, use both sides of your paper! If you’re just doing drills or practising your letterforms, make sure you use both sides of a sheet. You save money, and trees as well! It’s a win-win situation if you ask me.

7 :: Take good care of your tools
Don’t leave your brushes sitting in a jar of water, and clean your nibs after using especially when it has been dipped in iron gall ink. Following simple tips that affect the longevity of your tools are important because it means you do not have to replace them so often.

8 :: You don’t need to have everything to make good art
The last and most important rule of all, is that practice and creativity are the best tools you can arm yourself with. No matter how many expensive holders you buy, or palettes of watercolour you have, if you do not take the time to practice and study, you will not reach your full potential as a calligrapher or artist. So study as much as you practice, use high-quality supplies, and train your eye to self-critique your artwork to see where you can improve.

How To Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies via Happy Hands Project

So there you have it! I’m following these 8 tips on how to save on calligraphy supplies right now and I’m happy with the money I save. I’m sure there are a lot more tips out there on how to save money on calligraphy supplies. Let me know in the comments!

3 Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need

For a brush lettering beginner, trying all the brush pens ever created is an absolute joy. I’ve been there years ago, and I have to say I do not have a modest collection. Sadly, not all pens are created equal, and after my relentless pursuit for the perfect brush pen, I’m happy to say that the search is over. I still have a few multi-coloured brush pens, but the basic black ones are what I use the most nowadays.

3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project

Here are the 3 basic black brush pens that ‘spark joy’ in me and are perfect for any style of brush lettering.

3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project
3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project

Kuretake Fudegokochi Brush Pen {Extra Fine}

Third on the list is the extra fine Fudegokochi brush pen by Kuretake. It’s a mouthful (and tongue twister, as well!), but it’s a nifty tool that’s great for small sized writing. Not just for lettering, the extra fine tip of this Kuretake brush pen also works for writing on gift tags, place cards, labels and journals. It can be used for comic and wreath illustrations, too.

3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project
3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project

PILOT Fude-Makase Brush Pen {Extra Fine}

I have a confession to make. This pen has been with me for a long time before I discovered its fine tip goodness. That’s what happens when you have A LOT of pens in your collection—you tend to overlook the really good ones! It has a comfortable grip and a nice, fine tip that I use on small lettering pieces. The lettering above was written on an A6 sheet. The PILOT Fude-Makase makes it to number 2.

3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project
3 Basic Brush Lettering Pens You Will Ever Need via Happy Hands Project

Pentel Fude Touch Brush Sign Pen

My all-time favourite will always be Pentel’s Fude Touch Sign Pen. It gives thicker upstrokes and downstrokes compared to the other two pens listed above. It’s best for brush lettering on A5 to A4 sized cards, and may require you to write bigger. It’s great for beginners because the tip doesn’t fray. When used with a light hand, the tip will remain in very good condition for a long time (unless the ink runs out first!).

These pens come in a variety of colours as well, but if you’re trying to reduce your pen stash, black pens are all we need. Curious about my suggestions for beginners’ multi-coloured pens? Read about them here. Download your free brush lettering alphabet guide here.

How about you? What are the basic pens in your stash?

Note: This is not a sponsored post. All views expressed on this post are my own. 

5 Free, All-New Brush Lettering Fonts

Y’all know dafont.com right? It’s a massive treasure trove of free fonts, with a huge number of brush lettering fonts as well. With the rise in popularity of calligraphy and brush lettering fonts, a lot of non-professional font designers have been uploading their creations at Dafont. If you know how to look, you’ll find really good quality fonts here (most are for personal use) by pros and non-pros alike.

I haven’t dropped by Dafont recently as I thought I got everything I need. I have A LOT of downloaded fonts and never thought I’d need new ones. Well, I’m glad I popped by the site again! Here’s a roundup of 5 free, all-new brush lettering fonts that I have recently discovered:

Tempe

I love Tempe’s clean edges and casual strokes. Not very feminine, compared to other brush lettering fonts, which makes Tempe my first choice.

5 Free Brush Lettering Fonts From Dafont via Happy Hands Project

Adelarsio

This font has wispy entrance strokes in its capitals which I find very whimsical. It has some ligatures and a very cute ampersand, too! Sadly, the free version doesn’t have any punctuation marks, so you need to replace those with a different font.

5 Free Brush Lettering Fonts From Dafont via Happy Hands Project

Real Ohio

For a free font, Real Ohio’s quite generous as it has some alternates, numbers and punctuations. It has a super nice—you guessed it—ampersand, too!

5 Free Brush Lettering Fonts From Dafont via Happy Hands Project

Begokly

This font is so fun and cute! I love the thick and round strokes. I love the airy letters and wide loops of the ascenders.

5 Free Brush Lettering Fonts From Dafont via Happy Hands Project

Bointang Cifoy

With a very organic, handwritten feel, this font would look great on invitations and DIY wall art. The letters bounce, but everything looks well-balanced in the end.

5 Free Brush Lettering Fonts From Dafont via Happy Hands Project

I’ll be rounding up my 5 most favourite, all new calligraphy fonts in the next post. I hope these free fonts have given you inspiration for your next digital project. See you in a bit!

Free Brush Lettering Alphabet

Free Brush Lettering Alphabet Exemplar via Happy Hands Project

Here’s a free downloadable brush lettering alphabet guide for y’all! As much as I’d like to learn how to write words and full sentences when I was starting out writing calligraphy, I learned (albeit the hard way) that memorizing your letter forms and building muscle memory is the most important thing.

Learning your ABCs should come first before writing words and sentences.

So here’s a free alphabet guide for you to download and refer to when practicing pointed pen calligraphy or brush lettering.

So how does this alphabet actually guide you in your quest for exemplary calligraphy skills? You can print this and tape it on your wall, and refer to it every time you practice. You can also load this on your device (prop up your iPad!) so you can view it while you write. This is my personal freehand style that I tend to use most of the time, either with a brush or a dip pen, and lately using an Apple Pencil. Following this style as a beginner will help you with your forms. As you become more familiar with the strokes, you will then explore different styles—maybe a different way of writing letters, or as simple as changing the slant.

So here’s the brush lettering alphabet guide I promised! As with everything on the house, it’s free for personal use and should not be redistributed nor sold. You may link back to this post if you’d like to share. And don’t forget… practice makes pretty! So flex those muscles and get writing!

P.S. Here’s the pointed pen calligraphy exemplar from a while back—check it out!

Birthday Giveaway: Brush Lettering Tools

It’s time for a celebration! Around this time each year, I host a giveaway that’s slightly bigger than those I usually have. To kick off 2019, I’m giving away a nice bundle of goodies for brush lettering lovers! It doesn’t matter how far along in your lettering journey you are. If you love brush lettering, don’t mind having additional tools to help you hone your craft, or know someone who would love a bunch of free brush lettering tools, then you should join this giveaway!

Brush Lettering Giveaway via Happy Hands Project

So what am I celebrating, exactly? Well, there’s my birthday, my wedding anniversary, and the anniversary of this baby of mine, the Happy Hands Project. When I started HHP I just wanted to share my calligraphy and lettering stories, and I can’t believe it’s still here! I’m still blogging and sharing my calligraphy and lettering passion with the world. I’ve met so many friends who share the same love for this craft and I’ve learned so much from all of you.

Here’s to another year of learning and becoming a better artist! Being a creative means learning is life-long and we’re all here to enjoy the ride.

This year’s going to be a blast (happy dance!) as I’m looking forward to accomplishing many things on my to-do list. I’ll share my big plans later on, but for now, here’s the Happy Hands Project birthday giveaway!

Brush Lettering Giveaway via Happy Hands Project

I teamed up with author and wordsmith @thepenlesswriter for this giveaway! We are giving away a copy of her recently published book, Beneath. It is a collection of some of the best motivational quotes she has written and featured on @thepenlesswriter Instagram page. If you’re looking for quotes and words to practice calligraphy or lettering with, this book is perfect.

Brush Lettering Giveaway via Happy Hands Project

On top of that, I’ll be giving away some of my favourite brush pens, and some watercolour tools to get you started in brush lettering using an actual paint brush. So what’s in the bag, you ask? One lucky winner will win the following items:

  • 12-pan watercolour palette
  • plastic mixing palette
  • paint brush
  • Zig gold metallic brush pen
  • Tombow dual brush pen
  • Pentel Fude Touch Brush pen
  • Pentel Artist Brush pen
  • A5 size notebook with the winner’s name in embossed lettering
  • A copy of Beneath, a collection of motivational quotes by @thepenlesswriter
  • A5 size lettering print by Happy Hands Project (not pictured)

The giveaway starts today, February 14th, and closes on Thursday, February 28th at 12 midnight Singapore time (GMT +8). The lucky winner will be chosen randomly and will be contacted via email within 72 hours of the giveaway closing. If I don’t receive an email reply from the winner within seven (7) days of the original email, I will be randomly selecting another winner.

Open internationally! This giveaway is open to everyone 18 years old and above. The prizes will be shipped via Singapore Post, so as long as I can ship to your location, you can join! Shipping of items to the winner is free of charge however, any customs fees (should it apply) will be paid for by the recipient. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.


Deck The Wall: Free Holiday Wall Art

Christmas Merry And Bright Free Holiday Printable via Happy Hands Project

It’s exactly seven days before Christmas, and I’m giving away a free hand-lettered printable wall art with all the holiday feels. We surely need it here as it has always been warm and humid all year round! I’m sure you’ve already decorated your living room with holiday decorations, but here’s a free printable for that icing on the cake.

This year has been an amazing ride, and calligraphy has always been a highlight. I’ve learned Spencerian script this year from Mike Ward and Master Penman Michael Sull, and I’m looking forward to another year of learning. At the same time, I’ve shared my love for contemporary script with a lot of amazing people here in Singapore and that will definitely continue on to the next year.

My kids have grown and I’ve grown with them as well. Husband and I couldn’t be happier just staring at them (if you’re a parent, you’d know what I mean).

Thanks for hanging around the Happy Hands Project! I’ve had readers and followers who have been in this calligraphy journey with me for years, and all I can say is thank you! So here is the free holiday printable I’ve promised. As always, this is free for personal use and is not for sale and may not be redistributed. Link backs are welcome and feel free to share via the link to this post. Ciao!

Happy holidays, everyone!

A4 Size Download  |  Letter Size Download

Lettering for Cancervants PH’s Pay Ink Forward

Cancervants PH Lettering for Pay Ink Forward via Happy Hands Project

December is a month of giving, most specially because the holidays are just around the corner. This year, December’s pretty special, because I made a hand lettering piece that is now up for auction for Pay Ink Forward 2018, an annual art exhibition where artists unite to help paediatric cancer patients.

This event was set up by Cancervants PH,  an organisation of child cancer awareness advocates in the Philippines.

I can be pretty emotional when it comes to the big C, with my mom being a breast cancer survivor herself. I’ve seen firsthand how it was like to take care of a family member undergoing chemotherapy. Imagine how more challenging it will be if it is children who are inflicted, and medical costs are too high.

I believe that if you are thinking of doing a good deed or two this holiday season, this could be one of the best investments you can make.

Bidding is open on Instagram for this original hand-lettered piece and will end on 5 December 2018 at 11am (GMT+8). Starting bid is PhP1200 / US$23. I honestly think that for an original artwork, this is definitely a steal! Bid in the comments section with the price and use the code #G18CSG17. For the winning bidder outside the Philippines, shipping will be arranged and will be paid for by the bidder.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share the love!

Personalised Calligraphy Messages for My French Concession

Calligraphy Candles for My French Concession via Happy Hands Project

I spent a lovely afternoon writing personalised messages in calligraphy for My French Concession a couple of weeks ago. When I was asked early this year if I can write calligraphy on porcelain, I knew it was something exciting and totally different from what I’m used to. I had absolutely no idea which inks or pens will work on porcelain. But I had to try! After a lot of tests on different pens and inks and calligraphy styles, I was able to find which tools would work well for My French Concession’s delicate porcelain candle jars.

Calligraphy Candles for My French Concession via Happy Hands Project

I have been writing personalised messages in calligraphy on their scented candles ever since, and today I’m sharing some photos from the recent event I had with them. It was my 2nd time at the Boutique Fairs with My French Concession, writing calligraphy on their scented candles.

Calligraphy Candles for My French Concession via Happy Hands Project

These candles come in a variety of scents—I can honestly say they’re all very lovely because I occassionally have some on my desk and my space smells like heaven everytime. These candles have a burning time of almost 45 hours and are made in Paris with scents developed by a French perfumer. If you’re curious, my favourite is Chai Tea at Haji Lane (sounds like a perfect way to spend an afternoon, isn’t it?).

Calligraphy Candles for My French Concession via Happy Hands Project

For any candle orders and personalisation requests, feel free to reach out to My French Concession.

Calligraphy Candles for My French Concession via Happy Hands Project