Creating Your Own Lettering Style

When it comes to lettering and calligraphy we all know uniqueness is loved by everyone right? The more original your style is, the more people want to follow you. But the question is, how do you develop your own unique style!?!

When I started I felt like everything had already been done. All my writing was just copying other people's styles. I didn't know how to be unique. What I've come to grips with is that you can't just create your own style in a day. It takes time and development. You get influenced by one person here, then by another there, etc etc.

BUT, I still think it's important to have a method/plan as you go along. So here's my big tip on how to get started. You ready?

Don't start with the whole alphabet!

Instead, I like to break things down letter by letter. It makes them much more manageable. So first choose a letter to start with (here I chose "a"). See how many different ways you can write it. Really go crazy guys!

Once you got your page of letter madness, I want you to narrow it down to a few of your favorite versions. They don't necessarily have to be similar, but make sure they're ones you feel comfortable writing or could work well with other letters. Now practice writing words or phrases, only adjusting that one letter in each version. Again, below I'm only adjusting the letter "a".

Once you finally find a style you like, it's time to practice it! Over and over until you've got great muscle memory for it, to the point you could write it in your sleep (ok maybe that's a little extreme ) But the more you practice, the more natural it will be in your writing.

Now are you ready for the next step? Rinse and repeat with another letter!

Go through the same steps as you did with the first one. You'll find some letters naturally have more flare than others, some are simplier, the key is that they are cohesive. Be sure to test them out with each other and of course practice. After a little while, you’ll notice your own style and alphabet beginning to form!

Let me know if this helps you guys and be sure to show me your own unique styles/alphabets!