There's a shift coming and I'm taking you with me!
As we near the end of the 2019, I’m becoming more and more excited for all that I expect 2020 to be. I’ve already started planning new classes and projects that I’m hoping to share with you early 2020. They include lots of painting demos and projects that you can try at home to inspire creativity in your everyday!
As you know, I’m a huge fan of calligraphy and lettering and it’s been one of the main focuses of my business for many years. But, there’s so much more to what I do as a creative that I really want to show you how you can incorporate painting and design work into your practice and perhaps into your own creative business! You see, the beauty about learning how to do calligraphy or lettering is that it gives you the courage to branch out and try things like watercolor painting to design a greeting card, or to use acrylic paint on a sign project that you are working on.
Painting is something that I’ve done along side of my business for the last 5 years. For years I painted, exhibited and sold original art, quietly, in the background. It’s taken 5 years of painting and developing my style in order for me feel ready. To feel ready to pursue my goal of creating and selling my art more actively.
I share this with you because I know it’s hard when you are just starting out. You are witnessing most people’s work when they too have been practicing quietly for years and years. It’s tough some days to be comparing your work to others when our social media feeds are filled with edited, staged and styled photographs of what seems to be effortless displays of creativity and artistic expression. Some thing that I struggle with on days when I’m filled with self doubt and worry. We’ve all been there right?!
So let’s start working on painting projects together as we grow our artistic muscles! I guarantee you’ll pick up a few tips and tricks along the way!
Here’s a quick project I am working on for a local market that I’m participating in at the end of the month where I’ll be selling some of my small, original acrylic abstract pieces and watercolor botanical paintings. I think you’ll like this simple project!
Gather up your waterbrush pen, a simple dry watercolor palette and your favorite watercolor paper!
Now, if you haven’t tried using a waterbrush pen for lettering, I have to encourage you to try it!
It’s my next favorite tool to use after a dip pen and ink. I truly prefer it over using something like a Tombow or a Pentel brush pen. The joy that I get from witnessing the transparency of the watercolor and the movement of the brush and paint together is amazing. I also love that I can mix any color I like, paint alongside with my lettering and love the finish of the watercolor itself - which is truly unique if you’ve never worked with it. You can check out my online watercolor brush lettering class here.
I started by painting the word peace in a modern calligraphy style. Now remember to go slowly when you are using a brush to letter. The pressure that you apply on the brush will create thin or thick strokes which I wanted for this piece.
I decided to use some simple winter twigs and branches along side the word peace because all you need to practice is a few straight lines along with a few dots!
Crazy simple right?!!
Use a series of simple strokes to start painting your winter twigs to go along with your lettering.
If you have more than one size brush, go ahead and see what variations of strokes you can create. Finish off your evergreen twig with very light pressure on your waterbrush pen to finish off with fine, needles.
Use your waterbrush pen to create calligraphy style lettering along with simple illustrations like this one!
Watercolor modern calligraphy looks beautiful next to simply painted winter twigs!
I hope you’ve been inspired to try adding a few twigs and winter berries to your holiday lettering and that you join me on expanding your skillset by adding some easy and fun watercolor painting!!
Before I leave you, I have two things to share.
First, from Nov. 22nd to the 24th, I am offering a 25% off code on all of my existing online classes! Check them out here and use promo code BLACKFRIDAY for early black friday savings!
Second, If you are interested in being updated on my new online watercolor class over these next few months, subscribe to updates below! You’ll be the first to learn about what the course will include, what the price will be and the launch date! I may even sneak a discounted price for you! Make sure to subscribe below!
Thank you for joining me on my next chapter of artistic expression!
Happy creating!
Nicki x