P&I letter

So, Paper & Ink Arts (P&I) are having a contest, and I  really got going with it! My creativity took off. April is National Letter Writing Month, and the contest is to send them a letter. They will then chose 3 winners (Most Creative, Staff Fave, and a Random one), but they did not say what the prizes are. 

As I wrote in this letter, although I'd love to win, I just had so much fun partaking! (This even inspired me to actually do some of my other correspondence this way!)

I did about 5 letters total, but had a ton of ideas. This is one, and I'll post the rest soon, as well as on my Snail Mail blog. (Wish me luck!)

Finished letter. Used my RW and walnut ink (for "greetings"), pointed pen and white India ink for the small script lettering, and color pencil.

Matching env.

As a set.

And before adding color:

WC bkgrounds, Serendipity

 I came upon some watercolor backgrounds I painted a few years ago, 

and decided to start lettering on them. This was a trial piece, as I really didn't know what to letter, 

and didn't know if the ink would feather. (depends on the paper, even if it IS watercolor!)

Luckily, it turned out!

I love these colors together: red (orange tint), teal & marigold.

Here is a sharpened filter.

Rain...

This is a "calligram" of sorts I did for Nele (but not sure when I'll send). 

I took 2 items I did in late 2021, and combined them (see below).

rain, rain, into puddle(s)

Top part before connecting to bottom. 

Used my slant tip Parallel pen.

Original "rain" I did from an online inspiration.

Original puddle piece (inspired by one on the right -- will tag later as I don't remember who artist is.)

Full original puddle piece.

"Art Attack".

 Saw this quote on IG, and LOVE it! (totally me)

Used my big (Luthis copy) homemade fp for the black, and white India ink for the rest.

Again, used my fp, added color pencil, then white lettering over.

(Got a little squished at the end.)

Done is Better than...

Lately, I've been busy, busy creating for Nele (my snail mail pal in Belgium), and i love it!

Here is a piece where the layout could be used for so many quotes.

 (orig. inspo:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CcQjUClr1w-/?epik=dj0yJnU9Y1FsbTdvT25xNmpxN1hDa01wbnVnZkE0OUZpTjFnY1cmcD0wJm49TUt1ck9Db1RtWXdDRTQ5c1pjZ2NvQSZ0PUFBQUFBR1FNMk9j )

I'm sure there's an easier/better way to do this, but for now, here is my process:

Used a C nib for "Done" and "Than", and also lettered the rest on another sheet of paper, then used a white tracing sheet to transfer.

The outlining was tricky, as at first I tried a white gel pen. That didn't work (the textured paper didn't help), so then I tried a Posca pen, and that was too much, so I ended up with white ink. (I used a perm. black marker for the other). Wish I had just lettered in white, like the T's. (Sakura callig marker)

For "Perfect", I outlined with Bleed proof white, then filled in.

*I just got an idea for the R -- make 3d!

This ironically turned out rather "perfect" since it's so flawed. It's not too bad, except for the 2nd line, and my C is too long & thin. Am wondering if using masking fluid would be a better technique.

 

New ink (meh).

Got this at a local fountain pen store. The main reason was the color (bright pink). However, as you can see, it feathers.  😕😔

It also has a rather "alcohol-y" smell.

The only good part is that I got a lot for the price.

Mixed it with my Ferris Wheel Press Orange color.

 

hello Spring! (alpha garden letters)

 I have so much fun with these, and this time, am loving how my watercolor flowers turned out.

homemade mini folded pen & green India ink

slant tip Parallel Pen

same.

*see Alpha Garden tag on my Snail Mail blog for more samples:

https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/search/label/Alpha%20Garden

And just for fun, because of spring, I made this piece, which is a take off from an IG post
(orig. inspo, part of a bigger piece: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqH29eDkWO/?epik=dj0yJnU9QUpERFRxVXhPM1ZleHB1UVJ3c0t4dHc2bFRzU1BrQ2cmcD0wJm49MWdzd1dkQlpVQ3RvNERzZFEzcjI5ZyZ0PUFBQUFBR1FNeUxn )

Did both vert. & horiz. (i like top one better)

mini folded pen and gouache (pink), white Posca marker for "difference".