The Zenspirations® Lettering Club!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Zenspirations® Lettering Club! I am totally thrilled at how many people are interested in lettering, which has been an enduring passion of mine for more than 30 years. I’m starting the Lettering Club for everyone who is interested in learning more about lettering, and perhaps trying their ‘hand’ at it (pun intended!). If you are interested in joining, please leave a comment letting me know so I can add you to the list. And be on the lookout for an e-mail with supply suggestions and pen patterning exercises.

There are many different types and styles of lettering, and an equally diverse number of tools that are used to make them. These are some of the tools I use:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_June_7_16_Blog_Lettering_Tools

Many new lettering artists wonder what tools to use to letter specific styles or create certain looks, and I thought the Lettering Club would be a great place to share this kind of information. I’m researching different on-line ‘homes’ for the new club, and will let everyone who signs up know where to go to access the information later this month; in the meantime I beg the indulgence of regular blog followers who may not be super-interested in learning lettering.

Whether or not you are interested in learning how to letter, I hope you’ll enjoy watching me wield a pen. As I mentioned last week, I’ve been posting a brush lettered ‘word-of-the-day’ video to my Zenspirations Instagram page, and you are welcome to follow me on Instagram if you’d like to see me write the words. Here are some of the words I’ve done this week:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_June_7_16_Blog_IG

I strive to make brush lettering look effortless, but it actually takes a lot of practice to master, and therefore isn’t the best choice for beginners to tackle. As a young scribe I learned the traditional ‘hands’ written with a broad-edge pen, including italic, roman and gothic, and believe that starting with a broad-edge tool is the most effective way to learn to letter. To help you understand what I mean by ‘broad-edge’ tool, I made a video demonstrating the three primary types of broad-edge pens:

DIP PENS:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_June_7_16_Blog_Dip_Pens

FOUNTAIN PENS:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_June_7_16_Blog_Fountain_Pens

MARKER PENS:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_June_7_16_Blog_Pigma_Calligrapher_Markers

 

It’s 8 1/2 minutes. If you’d like to watch the video, click here. When watching the video set the quality to High Definition (HD) for maximum clarity. Here’s a screen shot with green arrows showing where to find the HD setting button.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_HD_button

Once you have watched the video, feel free to check out my other lettering videos on You Tube (you can find links in the calligraphy & lettering section of the gallery on my website).

For those who are more interested in Zenspirations art and messaging, I wanted to share one of my favorite Zenspirations designs.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_June_7_16_Blog_Savor_Lotus

May you find time to savor special moments every day.

Stay Zenspired,

Joanne

 

 

 

335 thoughts on “The Zenspirations® Lettering Club!”

  2. Please add me to your list! I have been lettering on and off since 1978 when a colleague of mine showed me a sketchbook she had of illuminated letters made by a relative in the early 1900’s, it was amazing and has inspired me to dabble ever since!

  5. Please add me to the list!! Thank you so much for starting the Lettering Club! I took a Calligraphy class many decades ago and loved the art of lettering. Unfortunately life got in the way and I did not keep up with lettering. I recently retired and working on my lettering is on my bucket list. This could not have come at a better time!! Thanks again!!

  6. Hi Joanne!! Me encanta tu trabajo, te sigo desde hace unos meses y he comprado algunos de tus libros Estoy realmente interesada en aprender, por favor agrégame a tu lista.
    Un saludo desde España

  9. I would love to join the Kettering club! Thank up for sharing your awesome talents!

  10. I keep adding to the things I want ti do! I think lettering will be a good way to add to my art!

  15. Im very interested in a lettering club. I am doung a journaling bible. Ty Joanne.
    Misty

  17. Thank you for sharing your immense talent, Joanne. I am definitely interested in joining the Letter Club.

  19. Hello Joanne, I would love to learn to join the lettering club. I love your style of lettering. It’s gorgeous.

  20. I would love to be a part of the lettering club Joanne. <3 Also, if I can help you find the right home for it, let me know. I have a lot of ideas!

  21. I would love to learn the lettering! I have been so enjoying your videos on Instagram, and watch them over and over. I find it fascinating how simple you make it look, and think it’s almost therapeutic w and calming watching them (especially important since I am staying with my mom after her bone marrow transplant.)

  22. Would love to learn to letter! I typeset on my computer all the time, but it is not the same when making something special for someone.

  23. Count me in! I have tried to emulate different styles I see in your videos – but just can’t seem to be the hang of it. I look forward to this opportunity!

  24. Please add me to the list for learning lettering. I have always been interested in calligraphy. Your work inspires me to try new and different things in my art. It was amazing to meet you at the URJ Biennial this past November. I have a few jealous friends!! Thank you!!

  26. Hey Joanne!
    I’m all in. The search for new lettering styles, techniques, and tools is such an awesome journey. Thank you for doing this!

  28. I am very interested in your lettering club. Your work is amazing. Christine

  30. I would love to sign up to learn letting. I have been practicing a bit on my own on Copperplate and Spencerian style.
    Thanks Joanne.

  32. Hi Joanne 🙂

    I absolutely love this idea and most certainly would love to join your lettering club. I admit that I am new to this, but have been practicing the word of the day on your Instagram 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your passion and look forward to a new adventure 🙂

  36. Please…please…please include me
    I love your work.
    Have done some lettering….mostly italic

  42. I’m looking forward to learning more about lettering. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with us.

  43. I would love to be a part of the Lettering Club! I used to be fairly handy with a Speedball, but I’m sadly out of practice now. Learning from you would be such a treat; thank you!

  45. Hi. I am interested to join the Lettering club. Please add me to your mailing list. Thanks.

  46. Hi, I would like to join the lettering club. Thanks and have a great day.

  47. I love your books and I would like to be a part of your lettering club.

  49. Hello Joanne, I would love to join your lettering club. I love your style! Thank you,
    Carol Lawecki

  50. Hi JoAnne, I would be honored if you add me to the email list to learn to letter… Looking forward to it! Thank you so much and have a beautiful day.

  52. Your work is amazing! I would love to learn how to zentangle. Thank you for sharing your ideas.

  54. Sorry for the typo…..”I’d love to be a part of this as I’m struggling a bit, thanks for all your inspiration ♡”

  55. Hi Joanne! Please add me to the Lettering Club. I’ve always wanted to learn calligraphy and other types of letting, so I’m really excited about getting started!!!

  57. I am always so “Zenspired” by your work Joanne, and have really loved watching you letter all these great words! I would love to join in the lettering fun with you if you would add me to the list.

  60. I love watching all that you create, you are certainly an inspiration! I would love to be included in your lettering classes. Thank you so much!

  63. I am hoping that this email means that I am subscribed to the lettering club. If not…please! Thank you SO much for making this available. I am looking forward to learning with you.

    randi

  65. Dear Joanne, What a wonderful idea. I have started a Journaling Bible and this comes at a perfect time. Is there a new book in the works showing the proper use of tools? Just an idea. Please sign me up for the Lettering Cub.
    Love You,
    Mary Ann Fields

  67. I would love to be part of your lettering club. Please include me on your future communications

  68. I would love to join the Lettering Club and learn to letter. Appreciate all you do!

  69. I would love to be added to your list. I am so excited to learn lettering from you! Thank you so much for this opportunity.

  70. Please add me to the lettering group! I have loved your work for years! Thanks for all that you do and share. I am also widowed from the love of my life, and relate so much to your expressions of grief.

  71. Looking forward to seeing the video, however, the link isn’t working properly for viewing.
    You do make it look effortless and fluid. It’s beautiful just watching as you make each stroke; even the blending of colors is fluid.
    Thank you for your examples to us!

  75. HI Joanne!
    When I see all the supplies you have in the first picture, it looks very overwhelming!!
    However, starting from the beginning, I would like to join the Lettering Club and give it a whirl. I have practiced the different exercises from the last video you shared. I liked doing that so far! I have even tried to dabble with the brush markers as well.
    I am always willing to learn something new and especially from a great teacher as yourself, makes it more fun for me! <3

  78. I am so excited about your lettering club. I have been creating my own greeting cards but seriously fail with my lettering.

    Thank you for continuing to share your amazing talent and knowledge with fans and followers. We are all so fortunate.!

  79. I am lost and do not know where to sign up for the Lettering Club? Please help.

  83. Thank you for taking the time to teach us the art of lettering I am defiantly interested please add me to the list

  84. I am delighted to learn from you about lettering. However, when I click on the video link it takes me to a blank page with the address “about:blank” Any suggestions??

  85. I would like to join the lettering group. Thank you so much for taking the time to organize this!

  88. Good morning Joanne. I would like to be a member of the lettering club. Words and phrases add another dimension to artwork and I want to be better at this skill.

  89. Joanne, I would LOVE to learn more about lettering! Please add me to your “class”.

  92. I would love to join a lettering club, especially yours. Have loved your Zenspiration’ from the first time I’ve set eyes on them. Please keep me informed.

    Thank you.

  94. I would love to be part of your Zenspirations Lettering Club. I have been following you and admiring your art work
    for a number of years and have a collection of your books and coloring books. I am not on instagram. Can I still be a
    member of the Lettering Club?

  96. Yes, I am interested, thank you, for offering such a wonderful opportunity to learn something new!!!

  97. Yes, yes, yes, I am definitely interested in joining your lettering club. I have been somewhat practicing brush lettering, but I find it difficult to get those thin strokes really thin. Am I over thinking it? I don’t know, but I think that your assignments and guidance will help me to accomplish that challenge. I also struggle with the flourishing. Oh my, I would love to learn the art of having a decent-looking flourish with my lettering. Thanks, Joanne, for doing this. I, and I’m sure all of us, really appreciate the time and the effort you will be taking to help us out. Have a great day……Linda E.

  98. I am very interested in learning more about lettering! I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos on the word of the day, and have watched them repeatedly. They are almost therapeutic watching the beauty of the word taking shape. I love watching them!

  101. Hi Joanne. I think you already know, but I am interested in the Lettering Club. I am not sure what I am doing wrong but I could not access a video from this blog. Only pictures of the three kinds of tools. Thank you–looking forward to more lettering!

  103. Hi Joanne,
    What a wonderful idea. I am very interested in being a participant I your letteri g club.

  106. Please add me to the lettering club. I love seeing your work, and want to become better at lettering myself. Thank you.

  114. I would love to give it a try. I’m a fan of hoarding art supplies but need to be a fan of using them. Maybe this will motivate me. Sign me up please.

  116. Hi Joanne, I love creative lettering! I have been mastering italics, but want to more creative styles. So, yes, I’m in! thanks and bless you, Sandy

  117. Please add me to the Lettering Club! And Thank you for taking the time to teach us.

  118. Please include me… I have been “playing around” with letters all my life! Thank you

    1. Thanks for the demo. It looks like something I could really get hooked on.

  127. Please add me to the list as well. Thanks for sharing your incredible talent with the rest of us.

  129. Hi Joanne! I am definitely interested in learning lettering from you! Please add my name to your list! I can’t wait to start!

  133. Yes, PLEASE sign me up for the Lettering Blog! I’m sure it will be as inspiring as the Zenspirations.

  141. Please add me to this long list. Love your work and have done a little calligraphy, so definitely interested. Thanks

  145. Thanks, Joanna,
    I’ve taken one intro class to calligraphy but have developed my own ‘style’ through the years. Would love to learn more, plus, it is just so fun to watch how lettering is done. Count me in!

  148. Please add me to the list for the lettering club. Really looking forward to it. Thank you so much!

  156. Kindly add me to the lettering club. I love watching you letter. I need to find time or make time to practice. My problem is that I am interested in too many things. I don’t have enough time to practice to be really good at any of them. But I can’t choose which one I’d dedicate my time too. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us!

  159. Please add me to the lettering club. I could really use some instruction!

  162. This is no less than answered prayer for me. I’ve wanted to learn lettering for years and can think of no one I would rather learn from than you.

    1. I would like to try your letterintg club list, but this reply is typing so faintly I’m not sure I’ve said so? Still, what you send me is legible, so it should work. Thank you.

      Sorry, my keyboard got stuck on caps, and I *think* it is shwoing my email address in caps (I think, can’t actually see i5tt), which it should not be. All lower case, please.

  167. Please add me to your lettering club. I have zero artistic talent, but I would enjoy following along

  168. Yes I am interested. Actually took calligraphy classes and use it from time to time. Interested in learning more styles of lettering.

  172. Hi Joanne!

    Of course I’m in on this! Want to learn as much as I can from you!
    Thanks for sharing your time and talents with us!

    Hugs,
    Terri

  181. Please add me to the Lettering Club – Thank you so much. – I so admire your giving heart – blessings!

  185. Please sign me up for the lettering club. Thank you so much for all you do.

    1. Love your work! Would like to learn to letter properly. Thanks for sharing your immense talent.

    2. Please add me to the lettering club. I really look forward to learning the techniques.

  192. I would love to be included in the lettering group……thank you for all you do for all of us out here.

  193. Yes please add me to the list. I have been making homemade cards for 48 years and have always wanted to have nicer lettering. You zenspire me!! I love you art and appreciate your generous teaching

  195. I would love to follow along, please add me to the list. The email blank fills in with all caps, but my address is all lower case. Thanks.

  196. I’ve been a calligrapher since I was 10 (36 years in the making) but I still have so much to learn. Please add me to the list!

  204. Yes please, I am interested in learning lettering techniques. I’ve been making my own cards and bookmarks and would like to get better at lettering. Thanks so much.

  210. This is wonderful Joanne and yes please I would love to join.I hope this comment publishes…..I have tried many time!!Thanks so much my friend xx

  212. I’m interested too – please add me. Thank you for being so generous with your skills & knowledge.

  224. I’m late posting on your page here, but I definitely would like to “join the club”! Thanks for all you do Joanne!

  230. May I join yor club please? I have followed some lettering classes and this will help and inspire me to learn more!

  231. Looks like I am #187 asking to be added! So excited. Have been following for on IG and someone posted a link to here in Kara Benzs’ Facebook group I’m in with fellow bullet journalists! Thank you so much!

  232. Ok I think it is late LOL…correction needed….have seen your videos on IG for quite sometime and thought I was already following you. Glad I checked because I had not. Secondly, I lived in Longwood for 22years! My boys went to Lake Brantley and one graduated from UCF! I now live in Indiana where I was born due to remarring. Anyway…thought it was great to see a fellow Floridian from a place I love so well! Have a good night!

  233. Looks amazing. Can’t wait to get started. Just concerned that when I typed in my email address it converted it to uppercase and will not let me do lowercase as it should be!

  237. please add my name to the lettering club. I have been interested in lettering sense grade school when I had a teacher who printed with a style.It has only been lately that I have started really do any thing about it. Thank you !

  238. Hey Joanne!!! Superb idea of teaching lettering to enthusiasts… I am totally away from all my social media accounts these days…but I am reading your blogs. 🙂 Stay blessed and Happy Lettering!!!

  239. Hey Joanne – Your work is amazing and I have always admired your lettering. Please add me to your list of interested participants in the Lettering Club. I can’t wait to get started!

    Thank you for all of your shared art and the time you spend teaching us what you know.

  244. please add me to your lettering club!! I am very interested!! Thanks for offering this!!

  247. Please include me in your lettering club. I have been interested in calligraphy for many, many years, but have never learned how. Thank you!

  250. Thank you for being q giving artist. Yes, please add me to your list! Thanks.

  255. Who could pass up a chance to be taught by the best!? I would love to give it a try!

  256. Who could pass up a chance to be taught by the best!? I would love to give it a try!

  265. Please add me to your list. I am very interested in learning and love all your videos. Thank you for sharing your awesome talent and keeping the art of lettering alive.

  268. I would love to be in your lettering club! I have been trying to learn lettering all year! Thanks so much!

  270. My 10 yo daughter, Emily, watched your Sakura lettering videos this weekend and is completely ZENSPIRED! We’ve been following you for quite a while now, since I began to learn about Zentangle. Aside from your incredible God-given artistic gifts, you have blessed us and countless others with your gift of compassion and life of faith. We love you for the light you are in our lives. You truly do inspire us. Thank you. May God bless you and your family! PLEASE SIGN US UP FOR YOUR LETTERING CLUB!

  273. I have signed up for the lettering club
    but have not received any emails.
    My email address came up in capital
    letters when I joined and it won’t let me
    correct it

  274. I would like to sign up. My biggest challenge with lettering is that I am left-handed and often smear the ink. Any tips would be welcomed.

  276. Hope I am not to late I would like to sign up for your lettering club. Thank you!!!!

  279. I would love to be signed up, learning to letter is something I’ve always wanted to do, but have found intimidating

  281. Sign me up! I’ve be n lettering with p n and paint since 1972 (high school and the Speedball manual!)

  286. Room for one more? Please add me to your list! Thank you for your time and willingness to share your art.

  298. Hi Joanne,
    I’ve been following your art for some years now and love your lettering. Please add me to your Zenspirations Lettering Club.

    1. I love watching you letter. It always amazes me. I know I need much practice. Please sign me up for the Lettering Club
      Thanks. Sher

    1. Joanne please include me in the Lettering Club. Thank, you Sheila Friedman Cooper

  304. Please add me to the Lettering Club. I am really looking forward to learning and participating.

  305. Hello. Please add me to your lettering club. I’m so excited to get started!!

  308. Please, please sign me up for your wonderful Lettering Club!! So looking forward to learning how to use my Parallel pens better! Bless you!!
    Carol Horlock

  311. Hi Everyone,

    Just wanted to remind you that registration for The Lettering Club ends on July 18th. There is a link to the sign up sheet on this week’s Zenspirations blog (Last Call for The Lettering Club!). I look forward to having you in the club!

    Stay Zenpsired,
    Joanne

  321. This was in my spam folder. I would love to join in on the fun and learning, please.

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