Nat'l. Candy Corn Day

This one is from 2019.

(lettering challenge on IG)

It was actually a sketch turned into the final piece.

Was pretty happy with this idea, but after some comments on IG (good ones!) wish I had planned it out better. I could always redo, but was happy that came together (somewhat) as i did it.

I did the candy corn first in watercolor, trying to make each one in the shape of the letter. Then, I lettered over it in marker. The IG comments were about how clever it was that some of the pieces fit perfectly into the letters ("N" & "Y"). SO, wish I had done the same with all the letters (esp. with the A -- cap vs. lc). Not sure it that means lettering first, then adding wc or what.

Still, I was happy with all of it!  :)

Chocolate Day!

the FoC on Ig posted that Oct. 28 is National Choc. Day (but we had to post our submissions by the 25th), SO here is my entry!

"Chocolate is happiness you can eat."

So mad it smudged, BUT so does chocolate!  😄

Love my chip idea! (although it also looks like a Hershey's kiss.)

I decided to leave one not colored-in, to represent white chocolate.

B-nib & pp.

And initial test piece with a pointed brush. 

 

Falling Leaves. (throw back!)

For Flashback Friday...

from my graphic design days in college.

Took a Sign Painting/Lettering class (the instructor did everything with a flat brush!) and I cannot remember the assignment, but I chose this for some reason. (It's a poem I found in a magazine.)

I remember the instructor using it as an example of complementary colors ("complimenting" me in class! 😄) The funny thing, is I chose these colors randomly for fall. 

*It was later that I tore it into this shape and framed with real leaves.

Close up.

Find Joy.

Another ig lettering challenge.

Continuing with my pointed brush work on a piece of handmade paper.

(Dual color Pentel in red/black)

close up

and I added "May you" (as the other way sounds demanding!)  😉 

Falling Leaf...

 Did this for a Snail Mail insert.

love my a/f ligature!

Details.

pp & brush

Day 21!!! "Be Yourself"

I made it! Last day of the 21 Day Challenge. (and now, i'm wanting to do another with inks! That, and continue on with my pointed brushes!)

So, for my final post, "be Yourself" --

I love this idea, but just wish i had done "be" in pp vs. a tiny pointed brush.

But overall, not bad! (Love my ligatures.)

here are some sketches. The bottom one is the idea for this post.

(and, you can see my sketch for my 2nd collage piece on Day 12)

close ups

And this one was my attempt at emulating "barbaracalligrahy" on IG -- the "yourself" --(love her work!)

 I'll probably take a little break now, as I'm working on my Oct. envies! Then, next up is Cmas.

So, next year, I'm hoping to do more mini challenges to use my tools and supplies!

*a special Thank You to the amazing Julie W for her wonderful Pointed Brush lettering class!! Julie is such a fantastic teacher -- I'm so grateful she has offered online classes, even if you cannot take them live. She's such an inspiration! #bigfan #loveherlettering

Day 20: "Do Something Nice" Day

Early on in my healing, I learned that Nice is different than Kind (WAY different!) So now, I try to "Be Kind" vs. Be Nice. (Which is why I chose to letter this!)

Dual Pentel brush (black & red), on piece of green scrap paper.

White gouache. Old Pentel brush pen.

Another sample. (First one I did.) Not liking the "Be".

And, a sketch.

Day 19, Envelopes (and insert)

It's Snail Mail Saturday! 🐌✉💗

(I just HAD to do brush on an envie!)

Used an old Pentel brush pen and white gouache. Was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out (yay!), as I struggle with the opacity of white inks.  (Before pic below.)

Wanted to add color, so I used metallic watercolors for the snail's shell, then went over with neon color pencils. Used bright ones for in-between her name. Kinda wish I used diff. colors, as I always gravitate to neons and rainbow.

(also, did you notice the little envie the snail is toting along?) 😄😉

Got lucky with how both the snail and her named turned out.

I don't like to use non-waterproof inks on env.'s b/c of the chance of smears, but had to use gouache, as using acrylic or India ink may ruin the brush. (Also, I touched up the N & B by outlining with white acrylic ink.)

Insert:

Doesn't really go with the snail theme, but goes with the brush lettering! Am debating whether or not to add color.

(And my sketches!)

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2nd brush envie:

Handmade env. made from my sheet with marks, using my Pentel dual color pen.

(Shared for Days 1-5)

("mock up" addressed)

Close ups

Cut out env.

flap side.

And lastly, another name border with dark sepia Pentel.

I may leave the bottom blank, so the barcode can show up.

Day 18, "Play Every Day"

I kept forgetting to letter on colorful paper. Plus, I wanted to use my Wink of Stellas.

Blue Wink of Stella, and red gouache.

Practice piece. (teal Pentel)

Day 17: alpha & Quick Fox...

Some practice pen play.

elongated alpha. (my z looks like a slanted 2, but I guess it's unique?)

mixing things up: thicks & thins.

Practice

Tried gouache/wc, but not liking, esp. the yellow color.

Day 16: Another Collage!

Did another one, but the overlay didn't work -- grrr.

Again, I cut up a piece of practice paper (see below), then lettered: "trust in you" over on vellum. However, it's not showing up (b/c of the black?) Sigh.

This was the practice sheet. I added gold glitter (Wink of Stella) too.

Cut up sheets.

Close ups.

 And a video

Day 16: a Collage!

Since I was struggling with things to letter, I decided to do something a little different, and make a collage! I took a sheet of practice brush work and used my view finders to get interesting designs.

I've been wanting to start collaging more, as i have so many scrap pieces, but I don't find the pasting enjoyable, so I put it off. Plus, I then struggle with something to letter with it. (However, this time, I had a quote in mind!)

Close up. Not very even, but I also kind of like that.

I love so many of these; I should make them bigger for my journal pages!

Finished piece with quote (pp). 

practice sheet

And with outlines.