Hand Lettering

Yesterday I had a day off (score!) and I felt like doing something creative, so I had a play with some hand painted lettering using water colour, brushes, and an ink brush pen. When I was younger I was quite into calligraphy, and I was reminded of it by all the beautiful hand lettering and typography that is around at the moment. I used to use calligraphy pens and ink back then, so it was really fun to have my first real go at hand lettering with brushes! 

I have always had a habit of writing in different handwriting styles and doodling words in fancy cursive or different lettering styles. I'll sometimes just doodle words that are being said in the conversation around me! Does anyone else do this? Or is that kind of weird...

Of course my cat Stella wanted to come and lie on whatever I was taking photos of. Lucky she's such a beautiful model and didn't seemed phased by a lens being put in her face! I think she might have what it takes to be Australia's Next Top Model, what do you think? ;) (She is getting seriously podgy though... too many cat biscuits for you Stella.)

I decided to hand letter a kind of title page for a letter I'm writing to my friend KD in the U.S. He studies art and does great screen prints so hopefully he'll like this! 

I only have very cheap brushes and pens at the moment, but I'm excited to see the brush pens, brushes and ink available in Japan when I'm there in just over a week! Japanese calligraphy is amazing, so I'm sure there will be lots of inspiration to be found!

Nina xo

Art and Outgoing Mail

Here are a couple of recent sketches in my sketch book! I've been working on a different style, and I've been really enjoying playing with my Sailor fountain pen from Japan. I haven't done much drawing with it before now! What do you guys think of this style?

I've had a couple of splotchy problems with the fountain pen :P. I wish I hadn't blobbed ink on this poor kitty! I had a lot of fun painting him and inking the lines. I'd like to do a bigger painting like this! What do you think?

I love gouache paints! And I had a lot of fun mixing this pastel palette.

Here's some outgoing mail to a pen pal in Japan. She kindly asked me to draw her some fruits and vegetables. She likes a simple style of art. :) I think it goes nicely with the herb themed letter set!

I love writing cute letters on San-X stationery. And my clipboard is so handy for writing a letter out in the garden, or the lounge room, etc.! ;) 

I hope everyone's had a fantastic week!

Little Pink Cactus xo