resources
Below is a list of tools that I use to create my artwork and run my business, or resources that I’ve found helpful in learning about lettering and developing my creative skills. I hope some of these resources are helpful to you as well!
This page contains some affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase some of these items I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which I will use to help create more content and resources for you! Thanks for supporting me in this way!
Blogs & Articles
Beginners’ Guide to Calligraphy: Create Wedding Invitations and More
A resource for beginners who want to learn calligraphy
Contributed by: Ethan
Stefan Kunz
A blog with creative lettering ideas and tutorials.
Every Tuesday
A blog full of tutorials for digital letterers using Procreate.
Hardware & Software
iPad Pro (12.9 inch)
This is my main tool for creating digital lettering pieces. I do all my sketching and drawing on my iPad!
Apple Pencil
A stylus for the iPad Pro.
Procreate
A digital drawing app for the iPad.
Paperlike screen protector
Reduces glare on your iPad screen and makes it feel more like you’re drawing on paper rather than a glass screen.
Adobe Creative Cloud
I use Photoshop to get my artwork ready for printing, Illustrator for graphics for my business, website, and marketing, and InDesign to create PDFs for things like lettering guides and workbooks. I also use Premiere Pro for some video editing.
Camtasia
I’ve used Camtasia in the past for video editing when I don’t need to edit things like light or color. More beginner-friendly than Premiere Pro if you’re just starting out.
Procreate Brushes
ShoutBam
I love ShoutBam’s brushes for all things texture! Here are some of my favorites:
True Grit Texture Supply
Another reliable brand for realistic texture brushes. Especially great for print textures. Try these packs:
Letter Builder/Grid Builder
These stamp brushes help you lay out your lettering grids, as well as keep letters consistent in weight & size.
Quiver Supply Co.
Adam makes great textured brushes. I especially love his Print Procreate Brushes pack!
Online Courses
Lettering
Jon Contino’s The Complete Guide to Custom Lettering
An in-depth course on foundations of lettering and type, lettering tools, lettering styles, layouts, and different applications of lettering.
Skillshare
An online learning community with tons of courses on lettering and other creative skills. I highly recommend the courses by Gia Graham, Mary Kate McDevitt, Jessica Hische, and Liz Kohler Brown for lettering and illustration. This link will get you 2 free months of Skillshare.
Tip Top Type
A course by Katie Johnson that covers an introduction to lettering as an art form, and her tips on creating legible lettering that sells.
3D Lettering in Procreate
An in-depth course on foundations of lettering and type, lettering tools, lettering styles, layouts, and different applications of lettering.
Books & Guides
Learning Lettering & Illustration
Hand Lettering Ledger by Mary Kate McDevitt
A great way to practice different hand lettering styles, with whimsical examples and references.
In Progress by Jessica Hische
An in-depth look at the lettering process by the highly esteemed lettering artist and illustrator Jessica Hische.
The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor
An exploration of the art of lettering and fundamental concepts needed to create new, creative styles.
Solopreneurship, Business, & Marketing
Art Licensing for Letterers
A course from Loomier focused on how art licensing works, specifically in the context of lettering artwork. Teaches you how to get into art licensing, strategies for creating work you can license, and the ins and outs of contracts and agreements.
Art Licensing Portfolio Builder
Another Loomier course that has weekly prompts for the entire year that help you create a portfolio of work that you can license.
Passion to Paid
A framework and exercises to help you create a passion project that will land you paid work by renowned lettering artist Lauren Hom.
Mastering Hand Lettering by Mye De Leon
A thorough guide on the basics of drawing each letter in the alphabet, along with strategies for additional design and decoration.
Illustration Workshop by Mary Kate McDevitt
A hands-on book to hone your illustration skills and practice creating illustrations for different portfolio-building scenarios.
The Pocket Companion Guides to Lettering, Layouts, Illustration, & Block Lettering
Really helpful reference guides that cover the basics of each of these lettering-related topics.
Lettering Samples/Style References
Entrepreneurship & Creative Business
Freelance, and Business, and Stuff by Amy & Jennifer Hood
A great walkthrough of what to consider when you’re developing a freelance art business, and how to set things up.
The Creative Introvert by Cat Rose
An insightful guide on starting a creative business, targeted specifically for introverts.