Samples: There are many, many samples you can find online for lettering with these tools -- it just depends on how you search. (if you search Ruling Writer, hardly anything comes up. You need to search Ruling Pen, Folded Pen, or Cola Pen for best results). You can either Google, look on Pinterest or search Instagram. I have made a Board with Sections on Pinterest if you'd like to view that for ideas to get started: https://www.pinterest.com/opretty1/folded-pens/
Tools: I have pinned the tools from each site mentioned on the Types of Pens Page as well as some extras: https://www.pinterest.com/opretty1/folded-pens/tools/. Again, there are many others out there for sale as well.
Exemplars: If you go to the "Exemplars" page of my blog, you'll see a lot of my samples (and you can also look under the label/tag, "Exemplars" for individual posts. However, I also uploaded a few to Pinterest (under Exemplars) and included others from blogs, Instagram, and Pinterest searches. Some of these are more "structured" (for those who like to use guidelines) and others are more freestyle and funky.
https://www.pinterest.com/opretty1/folded-pens/exemplars/
YouTube: These are mainly demo videos I initially did for IG, but thought I'd upload to youtube as well (since they can get lost in the IG feed and so you don't have to scroll): https://www.youtube.com/user/1FabMum/videos
(*Please know though that I'm a novice at making videos and editing, so they may not be the best!) Will update as i get better. (A lot of mine are considered "Shorts", b/c of the time -- have yet to make a lengthy one.)
*It's best to just start playing around with your pen first, to get the feel of it and get use to it. Start by making various strokes: straight up & down, slants, circles, etc. Then move on to letterforms.
And another tree! Used my Horizon folded pen for this. Dec. 2020
*It's best to just start playing around with your pen first, to get the feel of it and get use to it. Start by making various strokes: straight up & down, slants, circles, etc. Then move on to letterforms.
In Glen's workshop, we actually just played around, making abstract designs:
One thing he said that I remember from the workshop was "Don't be afraid to fill it up with ink!" Also, the more "rough" or textured the paper, the more texture the pen will make. (more splatters)
These were all done on watercolor paper.
Used Hawkeye colors for these!
My name Glen did.
Abstract Art Pieces:
Created this piece for my Paper & Ink Arts "Takeover Week" on IG,
July 2021 (created it in May)
Cmas tree on env. (2018?)
Design, just playing. (mid 2010's)
Another Cmas tree. (2019)
Updated pic with more embellishments added.
Aaaaannnnnd ANOTHER tree! (Can you tell I like creating Cmas trees?)
Used my Ruling Writer. Did a Thank You card set, env. & matching insert. Dec. 2020
Was just playing. Looks like an abstract flower. (mid 2010's?)
I started this piece years ago, then added more to it last year (2019).
not sure which way i liked.
Mounted on this paper to match.
Just messing around with letters in a circle. (Fall 2019)
Abstract Design with walnut ink and drop-in colors. 2018?
newer piece created May 2021 (again for my P&I Takeover week on IG)
This would make a nice card for any ocassion.
This piece was actually "accidental", as I was just playing with my ruling pen and I like how the design turned out, so I made it into a card.
Another piece where I used my ruling pen for the design. Made this one into a b-day card and matching env. (could be used for Congrats too):
I love this one where I created the env. first (just playing with designs) then made the "hello" insert to match. (I love primary colors.) 2020. Ruling Writer
Again, did this for my IG Takeover week for P&I. May 2021
Took a blank store-bought Thank You card and added a design to it.
Another matching set using my Ruling Writer. (May 2021)
And another matching set piece i did in 2020. Not happy with my lettering on it though.
Used my RW yet again to make big stars for a card inside a clear env.
July 2021
I love this bicycle piece. Originally created for a piece in my bedroom, then did another and scanned in to send to snail mail friends. 2016. Pinterst inspo.
Another simple bicycle piece.
And speaking of bikes...
I did this bike-themed env. for National Bike Month in May (2019)
I love lettering on Snail Mail, and I've gotten so many compliments over the years when using my Folded Pens for names. Such a fun way to address an envelope.
(*if you like snail mail, be sure to check out my Snail Mail Madness blog at: https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/ )
*When moving on to letters, do the alphabet in diff. ways (see above and Exemplars page), then have some favorite words, phrases or names to practice (or even the abcedarian sentences / Panagrams). -- See all these on Pinterest as well.
