8 Ways to Add Shading to your Hand Lettering

Need some letter shading inspiration? Here are 8 of my favorite ways to add shading to my hand lettering. Shading is a great way to add character and dimension to your letters.

I’ve often been asked “how do you know where to add the shading?” I drew a little diagram that helps explain it below:

You want to imagine a light source. The light can be on the left or the right – but whichever side it’s on, you want to add the shading to the opposite side. So for this example, the sun is on the left so the shading is all on the right side of the letter. I’ve also added white highlights to the left side of the letter, because this is the side that the sun is shining on.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions please comment below.

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How to Blend with a Tombow Dual Brush Pens - Water Brush Technique

This is one of my favorite techniques for blending Tombow Dual Brush Pens. Using a water brush gives a nice smooth transition between the two colors.

Materials Needed:
Tombow Dual Brush Pen in Light Gray (I used # N95)Tombow Dual Brush Pens in Two Complimentary Colors (I used Red #856 and Yellow #933)Water Brush (Or fine tip paint brush dipped in water)Mix Media PaperOptional: White Gel Pen (I used Uniball Signo), Black Fine Liner Pen (I used Micron Pigma #003) Step One:
Write out your word with the Tombow light gray marker. This will be the guideline that you will blend on top of. When using a light gray pen, you don't need to worry about it interfering with the colors you put on top or showing through on your final piece.

Step Two:
Add your two colors over the gray, alternating red and yellow. Leave a little space in between colors. This will give the ink a place to blend with the second color.

Step Three:
With your water brush, lightly "pull" the first color into the secon…

Tombow Color Blending Inspiration

Easy DIY Hand Lettered Pumpkin Tutorial

Create your own spooky Halloween décor with this fun and easy hand lettered pumpkin tutorial!

Materials Needed:

White Craft Pumpkin, Any Size
Sharpie Oil Based Paint Pen, Black, Medium Point
Pencil & Eraser
Paper
Instructions:
First, lay out your design on a piece of paper with your pencil. This is just to be familiar with the lettering that you will later draw onto the pumpkin.
Next, you’re going to lightly letter your design onto the pumpkin in pencil. Be careful not to press too hard with your pencil so you can easily erase later.
Then you’re going to go over your pencil marks with the black Sharpie Paint pen. In this design, I lettered the word “Halloween” first.
Once you’ve written the word Halloween, go back over it to thicken the down strokes. Once that is dried, you can go back in and letter the word “Happy.” Doing it in steps will ensure that you don’t smudge the ink with your hand.

Once the piece is completely dry, you can erase any pencil marks that may be showing.

Since the pum…

Letter By Starlight

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