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Hand Lettering ,

Hand Lettering 101: Theory

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Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Class Description:

Delve into the craft of hand lettering with Shelby Abrahamsen as your guide. This introductory course invites beginners into the world of visual words and letter forms, from elegant calligraphy to dynamic brush lettering. Learn the fundamentals—starting with the anatomy of letters and the pivotal role of line weight. Shelby assures that minimal supplies are needed to start; a pencil, paper, and a dash of creativity will set you on your path. Gain confidence in your lettering with exercises on posture, pen holding, and understanding the subtle balances that can transform simple words into art.

What You Will Learn:

  • The essence of hand lettering as a visual art form, including calligraphy and brush lettering
  • How to start lettering with basic and affordable supplies like pencils and paper
  • Techniques to maintain proper posture and hold your pen correctly to avoid injury
  • Understanding the anatomy of letters, such as baselines and x-heights, for cohesive lettering
  • The importance of line weight and how it impacts the appeal and consistency of your lettering work

Supplies You'll Need:

  • Paper (grid paper recommended for beginners)
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Ruler or straight-edge
  • Workbook (included)
  • Drawing pens (optional)
  • Markers (optional)
  • Brush pen (optional)
  • iPad (optional)

Lettering 101 Workbook

Class Content

About Instructor

Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Shelby is the co-founder of Foxsy and the creator at Little Coffee Fox. She is a professional watercolorist, letterer, and artist with a passion for teaching others to reintroduce creativity back into their lives. Shelby lives in Chicago, IL with her husband Jon and her pets Summer, Basil, and Korra.

218 Classes

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+115 enrolled

Class Details:

  • 📊Level: Beginner
  • ⏰Time: 44 minutes

Class Pass includes:

  • ✓Lifetime Access To Class

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Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

Be Part of the Foxsy Revolution

Join a thriving community of over 2,300 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let's paint a brighter, more creative future.

  • Access [coursetotal] classes with 250+ hours of content.
  • Work through over 400 lessons and 70+ projects.
  • Access the Watercolor Academy, Drawing Bootcamp, & Modern Lettering Academies.
  • Join weekly live classes.
  • Get personalized feedback on all projects.
  • Get real answers to your questions with Creative Support.
Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

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  • “As a total beginner when I started, I’m amazed at the amount of skill and knowledge I gained. There’s a wide variety of courses so you can’t get bored.

    There’s always another challenge in the next class. Really appreciated the personal feedback when I submitted projects.
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    As a chronic copier of other people's art, the tips offered here will help me with my own creative process and prevent the block that I feel with "what next"."
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    Boryana
  • "This was so helpful! I loved the way Shelby broke down the basics in a succinct way and tips to use while practicing. Lastly, I appreciated Shelby mentioning that everyone is going to have a unique bounce lettering style.

    As someone who is new to brush lettering in general, I've been copying a lot of what I see. I need that consistent reminder to avoid potential frustration, especially as a beginner!"
    Kelsey
  • "I loved this course. I loved how it showed the lesson and then a project that corresponded with that project.

    The explanations were amazing and helpful and I really felt confident in doing the project. This was probably the best watercolor lesson I've ever taken and enjoyed."
    LG Woods
  • "I really enjoyed this course. Instructions and examples were clear and practical and the feedback was really kind and helpful.

    It has improved my lettering knowledge and given me confidence to keep practicing."
    Nic

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Join a thriving community of over 24,000 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let’s paint a brighter, more creative future.

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$29 / month
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All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Yearly Membership

$164 / year
Go Yearly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

$599 Never pay a subscription fee again.
Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Monthly Membership

$29 / month
Go Monthly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Yearly Membership

$164 / year
Go Yearly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

$599 Never pay a subscription fee again.
Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support
All plans come with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.
Cancel anytime in your dashboard.
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Here at Foxsy, we are working to build a platform where you can have everything you need to give your creativity everything it needs to thrive.

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Ratings and Reviews

5.0
Avg. Rating
6 Ratings
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What's your experience? We'd love to know!
Danette Toledo
Posted 9 months ago
Learning about composition in Lettering and Layouts

I love this class very much ,I don’t recall learning about this during in the 90’s when I went to art instruction school ,it was more like basic ;am happy to be here and to learn a lot

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Lois
Posted 2 years ago
Thorough explanations

This is a valuable resource for successful lettering.

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kolina-winburn
Posted 2 years ago
Loved having a theory section!

I love how this is separated into theory, and later there is practice. I feel like there is so much to know with hand lettering that having all of the theory first it will be so helpful. I am so excited to start the practice part!

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liddler78
Posted 2 years ago
Simple yet Important Tips for Success

Great overall course to have in mind as I continue to learn. Have some habits to break but practice makes progress.

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Helpful? One person found this helpful.
jgillis1
Posted 2 years ago
Important Skill to Know

For me - the hardest course I've completed. Handwriting and lettering is very difficult for me to do. Somewhere along the way, my hand lettering skills jump off the track and crash landed. Shelby is such a patient instructor and she provides some lively exercises and downloadable material for you to practice and learn from. I've made some progress!

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Helpful? One person found this helpful.
jolan
Posted 2 years ago
Easy way to learn lettering

I loved the course, though it took me a long time to complete it. I had watched a one off video session with Shelby in 2021, and it’s been since then I tried to complete this course. DONE now, and I recommend to anyone wanting to learn lettering. I use this for scrapbooking journaling or even cards. Wonderful course, thanks a bunch Shelby.??

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Helpful? One person found this helpful.
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