Watercolor Paint Brush Calligraphy for Beginners

Words take on a whole new meaning when we pay special attention to their shape and color, according to calligraphy and lettering specialist Lucía Nolasco. Passionate about letters and handcrafted work, she has developed extensive projects for brands such as Studio A, Chanel, Kipling, Ibis Hotels, and Innato, with which she won bronze at the 2015 Pentawards Awards in London. Drawing on her vast experience, let her guide you through the wonderful world of lettering compositions.

In this online course, learn the basics to create compositions with words and phrases using a waterbrush and watercolors.

Start by getting to know Lucía Nolasco, otherwise known as Lunol, who tells you about her career—from her first contact with letters to her most distinguished projects—and her main influences.

Take an in-depth look at the materials you need to create compositions full of letters and color from scratch. Learn to recognize the different types of brushes, watercolors, card stock , paper, and even how to organize your worktable to create comfortably.

Next, Lunol teaches you the art of calligraphy and everything she's learned from her experience. Look at the different basic calligraphy styles—script, sans serif, and serif—and some useful elements that are common in her compositions before carrying out a series of exercises to loosen up with the brush.

Choose the lyrics of a song or poem to develop your composition. Study the message and the rhythm to give greater strength to some words over others in your piece. Then devise a color palette and do some sketches until you get the final design.

Once you have your sketch ready, transfer it to the final paper with a pencil and little by little paint the letters, adding the effects required to embellish your calligraphy composition and give it a more personal touch.

To wrap up the course, Lunol shows you how to create some quick backgrounds in watercolor, experimenting with salt and acetone, among other materials.

Create a composition inspired by a song or poem that you like, designing the calligraphy with waterbrush and watercolors and strengthening its message through tone, texture, and movement.

Anyone who loves lettering and wants to apply it to creative projects or anyone looking for a hobby to disconnect from their routine.

To take this course you don't need previous experience with calligraphy, although if you do have some you'll be able to learn about other tools to broaden your creative process.

As for materials, you need round brushes, liquid or pan watercolors, paper towels, containers of water, 2H pencils, white sheets, watercolor card, and an eraser.