Brush lettering is a technique for creating beautiful penmanship. Whether you're already familiar with the world of hand lettering or if these terms are entirely new to you, brush lettering is a technique you can easily learn and apply in your crafting projects. In this blog, we will teach you all about brush lettering.

What is brush lettering?

You use a brush pen or a brush to easily create beautiful letters with different line thicknesses in brush lettering. The difference between a regular pen and a brush pen is that with a brush pen or brush, you can influence the thickness of the line yourself by adjusting the pressure on the flexible tip. The purpose of brush lettering is to give written text an artistic and often decorative look. This technique is mainly used in various forms of creative lettering, such as card-making and bullet journaling. Brush lettering is a technique where you can create your own style, making it popular among many artists, hobbyists and crafters.

What do you need?

To start brush lettering, you'll need some basic supplies:

• Brush pens or brushes: Choose brushes or brush pens with soft and flexible tips to create different thicknesses in your line. Many brands and models are available, so experiment to find which ones you prefer.
• Paper: Use special paper for brush lettering, such as drawing paper or watercolour paper with a fine texture. These types of paper prevent ink from bleeding and ensure an excellent result.
• Surface: To control your lines, it is important to work on a hard, stable surface. A drawing table or sturdy desk is ideal.
• Pencil and eraser: Sketch your design with a pencil before you start brush lettering. An eraser is useful for removing pencil lines after you're done. Just make sure the ink is completely dry before erasing.
• Practice paper: For beginners, practice paper is handy for trying different styles and techniques before starting an actual project.
• Ink or paint: If you want to use brushes, you can choose to use watercolour paint, ink, or special brush pen ink. Make sure the ink is suitable for your chosen brushes.
• Palette or mixing tray: If you're working with watercolours or ink, you can use a palette or mixing tray to blend the colours.

By getting these basic supplies, you will be well prepared to start brush lettering. 

Step by step

Ready to get started with brush lettering? Here, we've written a step-by-step tutorial so you can get started right away.

1. Gather your materials: Make sure you have all the necessary materials on hand, such as brush pens or brushes, good-quality paper and, optionally, a practice book or sketchbook.
2. Hold your pen or brush properly: Hold the pen or brush loosely between your thumb and index finger and keep your hand relaxed. This gives you more control over your movements and helps create smooth lines.
3. Practice the basic techniques: Start by practising the basic techniques, such as varying pressure and drawing basic lines and curves. Try to create both thin and thick lines by adjusting the pressure on the tip of your pen or brush.
4. Practice with letters: Practice individual letters in different styles and sizes. Take your time to practise each letter and pay attention to the shape and thickness of your lines. Once you've mastered this, you'll be ready to create beautiful lettering creations.
5. Be patient: Brush lettering requires patience and practice to learn and improve. Give yourself the time to grow and keep practising.
6. Keep experimenting: Continue experimenting with different techniques, styles and materials to find out what works best for you and develop your unique style.
7. Have fun: The most important thing is to enjoy the process of brush lettering and have fun creating beautiful letters and designs. Be inspired and get creative while developing and improving your brush lettering skills.

 Tips & tricks

1. Use the right pen: Try different brushes and pens to see which suits your style best.
2. Practice with pressure: Experiment with different levels of pressure to see how they affect the line's thickness. Vary the pressure to create thin hairlines and thick shadow lines.
3. Work on your letter shapes: Try different letter styles and practice drawing letters in various styles and sizes. Consider using practice books to help you practice your letter shapes.
4. Take your time: Take the time to practice and experiment with different techniques.
5. Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Unleash your creativity, experiment, and don't be afraid to make mistakes - that's how you learn!
6. Take breaks: Take occasional breaks when practising to rest both your hand and mind. This helps prevent hand fatigue and helps you stay focused and motivated.
7. Keep practising: Practice, practice, and practice some more. That's the best tip we can give you. The more you practice, the better you'll get at brush lettering, and over time, you'll develop your own unique style.