Today I'm talking about hand-lettering.
My friend, Lori, encouraged me to take a class she had taken on Skillshare. Skillshare is a website that has online classes (extremely reasonably priced) in a variety of creative industries. I have taken and am currently enrolled in a few and have learned so much. The classes have lifetime access and you can watch the lessons on your own pace as many times as you like.
So anyway, back to Lori. I'm going to brag about her for a minute. Being in the creative industry and owning a shop, it's sometimes difficult to find people that aren't trying to compete with you and instead be an encouragement. Lori is the best encourager I've ever met, she's crazy talented and she gives me awesome critiques.
When she suggested the class on lettering, I was a little hesitant. I'd long admired others' lettering but didn't know where to begin.
That's where Mary Kate McDevitt comes in. She is a mega talented artist and works mainly in hand-lettering. I'm sure you've seen her work, even if you didn't realize it was her.
She is the teacher on the class Lori told me about. The class is, "The first steps to hand-lettering: concept to sketch." The class doesn't really dive too much into creating actual letters but more about working through your concept, developing thumbnails and then digitizing your sketch in Illustrator. I loved the class. I have been using Illustrator and Photoshop for nearly 15 years and picked up some handy little tricks in the class.
All that to say, if you're interested in pursing hand-lettering and don't know where to start, take the class.
Now I'll show you what I've been working on since taking the class.
Project one: how big is your brave (funny fact - this quote has also become my accidental "word" for the year)
Project two: to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow
Then I did a little chalk art over at my sister's house and turned the initial concept into a chalk-art print: linger a little longer You can read her post about the quote here.
And then I was hired by Tulsa People, a local magazine, to do the artwork for a couple of feature articles! My art. In print.
I loved that I got to do artwork for the downtown issue since I used to live so close to downtown and fell in love with that part of town. So many great shops, restaurants, events and everything else you can imagine.
So that's where I am right now. Very much an amateur in the whole hand-lettering biz but very much obsessed.
And I kind of enjoy seeing other artist's process so I've been making little videos and sharing them on instagram (@lesleyzellers) when I finish a print.
Here's the garden one:
And brave:
Thanks for all the encouragement you guys have shown me on the instagrams and in my shop. You're the best.
Also. I feel like I should say this post is not sponsored. I just love the classes and think some of you will too :)
I love this! Hannah.bunker@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSeriously - high fives everywhere!
ReplyDeleteLove your designs! maryaelove@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteReally awesome! smeyer827@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSkillshare looks awesome! kariandmax@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love your Garden print!
had to do a second take when you blog showed up in my feed again. you're on a roll!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I've never seen a "flipagram" before. :) I had no idea so many steps were involved with creating a print!
ReplyDeleteLove the videos too! Great idea! Hzvariety@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteyou're living out my dream. so inspired by you. and so thankful for the way you share bits and pieces of your process. thank you! emilymjamison@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this post and seeing your work! swhite72408@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLove, Lesley.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely {{LOVE}} your work Lesley!!
ReplyDeletethe wording. the colors. all.of.it!!
this is fantastic! love your work! thank you for sharing! blondeindian@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to check this out! Just stumbled on your blog recently and love it!
ReplyDeletedaicia@gmail.com
this is awesome! thanks so much and love your work! veronicawadas@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWould love to take class! Very much enjoy your blog, very inspiring! Gfgaudelli@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI think I've emailed everyone the link so let me know if you're still waiting. Also, you'll see when the email goes through that they've changed the discount. Instead of $10 off a class it's now for a free month of membership. Not sure how that works so hopefully it will still be worth your time. Enjoy.
ReplyDeletelesley
I'd love that link! jenni@amazed.com
ReplyDeleteSo so rad to see what God is doing through you! I'm excited for all of these new opportunities! Thanks for sharing about Skillshare! I'm so excited to take some classes! McLennan.christina@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have the link for my 13 yrs old. Thanks! fukayi@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have the link! admille2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love the link! eileen1713@hotmail.com
ReplyDeletecheezyou@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it would be so much fun!