101: Watercolor Handlettering Tips

This post was made in partnership with Kleenex® Wet Wipes. All opinions my own.

Since taking my first hand lettering class a couple of months ago I’ve kind of become obsessed with this new little outlet aka hobby.

Might you say I’ve kind of geeked out over it and have expanded into the watercolor hand lettering and loving it. If I can learn to do watercolor hand lettering you can too! Believe me, I am not a natural when it comes to being creative in this way but once I took the class I realized that really anyone can learn hand lettering. It’s not near as hard as it looks!

Watercolor is very forgiving and easy to learn.

What you need to get started:

Of course like any hobby there are a few items you’ll need to have on hand to get started.

Watercolor set
Watercolor Paper
Kleenex® Wet Wipes – I specifically like these because they are thick and soft plus contain no harsh chemicals. They are uniquely designed for everyday use on your hands and face. Get your very own at Walmart
Painters tape (optional – but a must for me!)
Size 2 or 3 brush or I like to use a Waterbrush pen filled with water.

Like any good hobby or art you are bound to get a little dirty here and there so having the Kleenex® Wet Wipes is convenient especially when water and soap are not necessarily “at my finger tips”.

How to get started:

Be sure your hands are clean from germs before touching your watercolor paper – using Kleenex® Wet Wipes Germ Removal* wipes don’t have harsh chemicals therefore are clinically proven to wipe away 99 percent of germs.
Set up your work space.
Practice your strokes. Take time to practice and warm up on your strokes. (more on strokes here)
Paint slowly and take your time!

Watercolor Hand Lettering Tips:

Wet your brush and make sure all sides of your brush are evenly coated in color. Your brush will naturally twist a bit when working so making sure all sides have color will ensure even lines.
Use light pressure to get a fine line for upstrokes.
Downward strokes, increase your pressure so the transition is smooth.
When your brush becomes dry you’ll notice rough edges on our strokes, reapply your brush.
Secure your watercolor paper with painters tape to secure as often it rotates on you, this way everything stays lined up.
Keep your paint to the side of your dominant hand. I am right handed so I keep my paint on the right side so I’m not reaching across wet paint.
If a spot is too light for your liking, go ahead and apply more water color if it’s still a wet area. Tap your brush into that area a couple of times and the pigment will begin to swirl in.
You can blend colors within the same family tones – this makes some beautiful color palettes.
A larger brush will give you thicker downstrokes. Remember as long as you keep a light touch, any size brush will give you a very light upstroke, but larger brushes are useful if you want a larger downstroke. This is just personal preference.

So I want to encourage you to be a doer – don’t be afraid to mess up and get dirty…keep going, don’t slow down and act with purpose! That’s what the New Kleenex® Wet Wipes* are Made for –> Doers™. Get your very own at Walmart

Hi I’m Erin a Southern mama from South Mississippi, owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom a blog helping mom-tographers capture their kiddos and life, as well as talking all things home, parenting and how we navigate through life. You will find me living life to the fullest with my mister (aka husband) and our little three year old preschooler, Miss E, in our 500+ sq foot cottage as we build our dream house on our two acres! We are blessed beyond measure… we love to travel and love being involved in ministry opportunities at our church.