Brush lettering is one of those things that the experts make look really easy.
Watching Joyce from Artsynibs give demonstrations, it was like some kind of magic power she was wielding with the brush and inks.
I soon found out that wasn’t a magic power but pure will, and, of course, lots, and lots of practice. Joyce has been doing this for years.
I took part in an Artsynibs Brush Lettering for Beginners workshop held upstairs in Form Lifestyle Store, which I featured here.
The workshop was three hours, which on the face of it seems a long time. But believe me, when you are grappling with how to close your “o”, the time flies by.
After an intro to Brush Lettering and the equipment, we’d be using it was time to crack on with the task in hand and work through the Artsynibs worksheets.
The booklet full of Artsynibs teaching materials is all designed and created by Joyce.
The reminders to pause and breathe between each exercise was helpful and timely. I’d had a week of events, leading up to a busy weekend and was feeling rather internally frazzled. I found myself holding my breath as I practised the brush lettering and this is why Joyce makes such a point, to breathe, relax and take breaks.
It seems it is very common when learning a new skill like brush lettering or calligraphy, that we tense up. It was almost like being back at my Yoga class where the teacher often reminds me to breathe. I must really hold my breath when concentrating, especially when trying to be so precise, or in the case of Yoga; not fall over.
So was I any good at brush lettering?
Well, let’s just say that with some shapes and letters, I was pretty good. With others, I was rather dreadful! Some of the movements came very naturally but I felt a sense of frustration that I wasn’t great at it straight away.
That’s my ego talking, of course. We seriously can’t expect to nail something on the first attempt. I had to remind myself that it is part of the creative process to make mistakes and not be perfect. Especially when its the first time trying something.
It turns out the upstairs at Form Lifestyle Store is a great space for workshops. It was nice to hear the buzz of the shop below and be surrounded by the plants and gorgeous smelling products they stock.
We had refreshments and I was grateful for the matcha cupcakes that I could eat. We also got to take home some of the equipment, including the brush pen and walnut ink.
Joyce’s teaching style was down to earth and approachable, she understood our (the class’s) frustrations and guided us through.
For me, brush lettering felt therapeutic and frustrating at the same time. I think if I gave it some more time, I could grow to love it and improve. I can picture doing this in the future, perhaps whilst listen to a podcast.
What new things have you tried, which you found frustrating or soothing or fun? Let me know in the comments!
- I was gifted my place on this workshop in exchange for an honest feature on my experience.
susan earlam ~ horror author 
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