Recently, hand lettering has re-entered the world of graphic art & design as a wildly popular and sought-after skill. How, then, can one set oneself apart from the countless thousands of specimens flooding today’s market? Or, more importantly, how can one build one’s skills to a point where both friends and enemies alike will be filled with a disturbing amount of envy?

This workshop will help participants explore new ways of approaching hand lettering and flourishing ranging from the style of letters used to the specific words being written. Participants will be given a brief historical overview of lettering specimens with regards to ornamentation and flourishing, as well as a review of the exciting and boring aspects of the current landscape of hand lettering. A brief amount of time will be spent on preparing grid structures and letter placement for sketches. Participants will then be personally guided & mercilessly critiqued through creating and exploring their own hand lettering piece ranging from 1-3 words, with attention to how the individual letters and entire words interact with each other visually. Although the main style of lettering being focused on is calligraphic in nature (script and gothic), participants can choose to explore any particular style they like. The workshop will also very briefly touch upon how to create vector artwork from sketches, but participants are not required to bring a computer.

Lunch will be provided.

Required Materials:

– No. 2 pencils (conventional or mechanical), eraser & sharpener

– Whatever pens or other drawing implements you are comfortable using

– Pad of tracing paper at least 8.5″x11″

– Pad of pen/ink illustration paper at least 8.5″x11″ (recommended, but not required)

– 12″ ruler, preferably clear plastic

– An idea of a word or combination of words to write out ranging about 1-3 words in length (please refrain from anything typically ‘inspirational’ or ‘motivational,’ like “Believe in Yourself.” Motivational quotes will be scowled at.

– Patience and a sense of humor

Please note that this is not a calligraphy or sign painting workshop. Most of the work done will be with pencil and eraser, although students are welcome to bring whatever tools they are comfortable working with. A cursory knowledge and experience with hand lettering is recommended.

Nim Ben-Reuven is a freelance Art Director, lettering artist and video producer living in Brooklyn, New York. His lettering pieces can be seen on countless scrap papers and napkins strewn around New York, specifically inside his apartment. His work ranges from immersive installation design to music videos but a great deal of his passion lies in the creation of elegant and ornate custom lettering design that has found its way to many book jackets, editorial spreads, company logos and more.

www.nimbenreuven.com
www.instagram.com/nim_br