Tumbling Through Type

May 09

This little lettering piece just about sums up my life recently. It’s the good kind of busy though, so don’t worry.

This little lettering piece just about sums up my life recently. It’s the good kind of busy though, so don’t worry.

May 03

That’s one flexible nib. Can’t wait till my calligraphy supply shipment comes in. John Neal Books  has an amazing inventory, but takes too long to deliver to Canada.

That’s one flexible nib. Can’t wait till my calligraphy supply shipment comes in. John Neal Books has an amazing inventory, but takes too long to deliver to Canada.

(Source: irresistiblegifs, via typejunkie)

Apr 24

Spring Breakers

The title squence for Spring Breakers has some crazy custom typography done by Gentleman Scholar.

image

Here’s their explanation

“We dove deep into our inner adolescent to create a neon filled Sea-Punk styled title treatment accenting Harmony Korine’s new film ‘Spring Breakers’. Turn up the volume. Party.”

Actually looking forward to this movie. Check out the video here.

Apr 22

Happy Earth Day Everyone! Remember to hug a tree on your way home.

Happy Earth Day Everyone! Remember to hug a tree on your way home.

Apr 15

Anonymous asked: Hi, I'm starting to get into calligraphy/type design, and wondering if you could give me a few pointers. I've purchased all the fancy pens, I've got sketch books piled high...but just how do you get the text to flow so well? The different thickness of the letters and swishes. When I try it all looks the same and not as fancy. It could be a case of holding the pen perhaps? What's you process? Do you sketch in pencil then go over? Any tips to help out would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Most of the work I’ve been doing recently has been using a brush pen. The thick and thins are just a matter of knowing when to apply and remove pressure. I’d suggest practicing creating tapering lines with the brush. Then practice the “flick” at the end of a stroke. Study other brush lettering and as you practice you’ll start to notice how they are creating their strokes.

Check out any book that talks about Calligraphy, they all cover the basics. One of my favourite to browse through is “The Art Of Calligraphy” by David Harris. He loads the book full of explanations, history, and examples.

If you want to practice getting the flow of the letters down start with pencil. Practice gliding your hand using your full arm, not just your wrist. Look at as many examples as you can, so you can get an idea of how the forms are built.

For me it all starts with little pencil thumbnails to figure out the arrangement. Sometimes when doing my scripts I’ll do light pencil sketch, and then go over it with the tool I plan on using. Sometimes I just go right at it, drawing the shapes, over, and over until I get something I’m happy with.

The key is to just keep at it, try new things, and study as much type history as possible.

Practice whenever you can.

Practice whenever you can.

Mar 29

Draw type, love life.

Draw type, love life.

Mar 15

[video]

Mar 11

typeworship asked: Which one?

The frilly one :)

Mar 08

[video]