Monster Lettering! -- Basic Hand-Lettering & Creative Creature Calligraphy

In this class, we'll first cover some basics for hand-lettering and calligraphy, including how to place letters on penciled guidelines. We'll then experiment with different ways that letters can look depending on those guide lines (for example, how to write the words "tall" or "short" so that they look tall or short).

We will also look at the different parts of a letter as well as looking at various examples of different fonts. We'll talk about different lettering terms and vocabulary and I'll show learners different examples of how letters can be spaced (leading, tracking, and kerning).

We'll practice together -- using the monster style shown in the class picture -- how to first create pencil guidelines, pencil the letter outlines of a word or name, how to ink over the pencil design and carefully erase, and then color in the letters if the learner chooses to do so. We'll use the word "monster" for this exercise to show the basics about where learners might want to put eyes, horns, teeth, etc. just as a way to explore this particular monster/creature style. Learners will be encouraged to use their imaginations to decide where those elements can do rather than strictly step-by-step following my exact example -- the goal is for learners to be able to play with that placement! (Note: if a learner decides they want to use a different word other than "monster" or their name for this exercise, that's totally OK too! The goal is for them to play with different letterforms and use their imaginations!)

Next, we will then move to brainstorming about how different letters might look when illustrated, for example, the word "dragon" with scales drawn inside the letter form or a long tail for the letter G. Learners will be encouraged to use their imaginations in thinking of a word to illustrate, or can choose from various examples like soft, hard, rain, wet, ice, cloud, etc. Here learners will be encouraged to use and experiment with whatever tools they would like, be that pencils, markers, brush pens -- whatever the learner prefers!

Finally, we'll use the remainder of class time for the learner to create an illustration of their own name using the techniques we've discussed in class. They will be encouraged to choose whatever style and techniques they like for this project, which they might or might not finish in class -- either is totally fine.  Learners are welcome to share their creations if they like, but it is not required that they do so. This class is designed to be a fun, low-pressure class to explore some basic techniques and to experiment with them.

My teaching style has been described as enthusiastic and supportive; I believe that there is no wrong way to make art. I like to meet learners where they're at, and learners will be encouraged to share their work if they'd like, but not required to do so. I prefer to show examples to the camera rather than to use slides and I encourage learners to draw and create at whatever pace feels comfortable for them!