FAUX CALLIGRAPHY USING WATERCOLORS

Beautiful watercolor calligraphy can be created with a pointed nib pen.But if you’re unsure about investing in one,you can fake it.Read on how you can create watercolor calligraphy using a simple brush and watercolors.I will be very honest here.It will require a bit of patience!

You’ve seen me dabble with watercolors for my illustrations.And I absolutely love the medium.That’s one of the reasons I experiment vastly with it.This time, I’m going to change tracks and use it for calligraphy.You may have seen watercolor calligraphy done with a pointed pen or a dip pen.The result is gorgeous. Many of you may not own a calligraphy pen.But I’m sure you have a paint brush and watercolors lying around.If you do,then get them out because I’m going to show you an easy way to create watercolor calligraphy.

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Materials you’ll need are:-

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Before I start with the actual tutorial, I would suggest downloading the template I’ve provided.Print and trace on watercolor paper.It’s not necessary but if you’re doing this for the first time, it’ll help.

DOWNLOAD “HELLO” TEMPLATE

The tutorial shows different lettering but I followed the same steps to paint the letters for “hello”.The colors I used are “naples yellow deep” and “bright red”. Don’t the colors remind of a beautiful sunset?

Step 1:Write a quote or word using a 2H pencil. This creates extremely light strokes.Avoid pressing too hard on the paper.

Step 2:In calligraphy, downstrokes are thick and upstrokes are thin.Draw lines parallel to downstrokes.Stop and connect wherever the upstrokes start.Do this for all the letters in pencil.Once that’s done,start painting with watercolors.

Step 3:Filling in the letters with watercolor!The colors I used from my Sennelier palette are

• Dioxane purple
• Cobalt violet light hue

Paint upwards keeping the line thin.The color I used is dioxane purple.For the downstroke,start filling inside.Do this till you reach half the letter.Use a spotter brush which gives better control for lettering.

Step 4:For the second half of the letter,I used cobalt violet light hue.I applied this when the previous color was still wet.This helps in blending.Continue till the letter is complete.Repeat the same process.

In the next few images,you’ll learn another way of painting.Paint the first half of one or more letters in a single color.Quickly,paint the second half in another color.This is less time consuming than previously explained.But you need to be quicker.

Continue painting the letters.This does take time and you’ll need some amount of patience.But I assure you that it will look fabulous in the end.

And done! You’ve just created your own beautiful watercolor calligraphy.Don’t you think it’s going to make an impact?

What do you think?

What art projects will you be using this watercolor calligraphy for?I’m all set to make greeting cards and illustration quotes to send as snail mail.If you try out this tutorial, use the hashtag #makeinkstruck on Instagram so that I can have a peek.As always thank you for stopping by and have a lovely day!

Cheers!

About zakkiya @ inkstruck studio

Zakkiya is the creative blogger and founder of Inkstruck Studio. She’s a self taught artist who let go of her architecture profession to pursue her passion in art. Zakkiya likes to write detailed tutorials in watercolor, calligraphy, and hand lettering. She also teaches watercolor workshops occasionally in Doha where she’s based currently. Other passions include traveling, photography, and basketball.When she’s not working, you can find her cuddling and running around with her toddler boy.