Hand-lettering for beginners

Get started with basic stokes to improve your handwriting skills.

Created byChristie Daugherty

Last updated 2/2021

English

What you'll learn

After this class students will know the basic strokes to use for hand lettering
Students should gain confidence to try new lettering techniques

Course content

1 section • 12 lectures • 1h 53m total length

Introduction1:16
Engage in hands-on hand-lettering practice from the start, putting ideas into action through direct doing.
Show and tell5:33
Learn to hand-letter gifts, scripture cards, and decor using flowers and frames; create hand-drawn, watercolor pieces on paper and white marker on black canvas, plus gift tags.
Marker Samplings10:50
Explore a range of markers—from Crayola to Sharpie to Tombo brush markers—discover flexible tips, blending options, and how to use light pencil guidelines, erasing, and center alignment on marker paper.
Practice Strokes 13:14
Learn to master practice strokes in hand-lettering for beginners by alternating light upstrokes and heavy downstrokes with a marker, building control, rhythm, and weight.
Practice Strokes 213:57
Practice page 2 introduces swell, under turn, and ribbon strokes as shapes, emphasizing heavy down and light up, posture, grip, and daily practice to improve hand-lettering.
Letters A-N10:18
Learn hand-lettering for beginners by drawing letters from A to N, focusing on downstrokes and upstrokes, consistent slant, loops, and variations to develop your own style.
Letters M-Z7:43
Explore hand lettering from m to z, focusing on upstrokes, downstrokes, and loops; compare lowercase and capital forms before moving from rough copy to lined practice.
Ascender descender33:15
Learn to place strokes between the baseline, median, and descender lines, and master ascenders and descenders through guided upstrokes and downstrokes.
It is well drawing10:16
Explore hand-lettering fundamentals as you sketch stamps, plan layout and sizing, and apply marker techniques, downstrokes, and font choices to create bold or delicate verses.
Baby Gift - Printable2:36
Create a printable hand-lettered gift for a frame using an iPad and Procreate, adjust sizes, print multiple drafts, trim to 8.5 by 11, and mount for a personalized keepsake.
Table Nameplate 14:52
Beginner hand lettering for festive table nameplates and place cards, using Tombo markers to blend colors with water, create an umbrella effect, and add embellishments.
Table Nameplate 2, mini magnets, and farewell9:32
Learn to create hand-lettered nameplates with a chalkboard look and mini fridge magnets, using pencil sketches, shadows, ombre color, and simple embellishments.

Requirements

Ability to use a pen and draw basic shapes

Description

In this class, you will learn the basic strokes you need for hand-lettering. You'll learn the upstroke and downstroke that are the basics for hand-lettering but also many more strokes along the way. Anyone can learn how to hand-letter when thinking of shapes instead of letters. You'll be inspired to take your hand-lettering to the next level at the end of the lesson. Come join the fun!

Who this course is for:

Those interested in learning how to improve their own handwriting
Those who want to learn new techniques for hand-lettering
Those who want to be inspired to be more creative