The Art of Lettering: Intro to Hand-Drawn Script

My name is Neil Tasker, and I would like to welcome to my Skillshare class on learning the basics how to draw script by hand.

"First and foremost, script typography is musical. Scripts - whether formal or informal, joining or discursive - have a rhythm" - Paul Shaw

In this self-paced online class I will teach you the fundamentals to building letterforms in script style by hand. This course is entirely hands on, no computer software required. While this is not technically a calligraphy class, we will go through and study how script was built in the past from nibbed pens and brushes. 

This class is for designers, artists or anyone who is really looking to get hands and learn the basics of how to begin drawing script lettering.

What You'll Learn

• History and Research: We will go over the history of script and also show the process of of finding relevant material to study.

• Fundamentals (forms, guidelines and tools): In this section we will look at the process of how script letterforms are built with a select tools and guidelines to follow for beginners.

• Sketching: I will share my process and walk through how I put the fundamentals together to draw script lettering.

• Decoration: We will lightly talk about adding flourishing to script lettering, looking at balanced compositions and not going overboard.

What You'll Do

Students will then apply this knowledge to their own favorite word, quote, title or phrase. Although I will give direction to many tools in the lettering business, the medium is your choice! pencil and paper, pointed nib, brush or whatever you are comfortable with. You will end up with a lettering piece that is completed by hand or in sketch form ready to be scanned and completed digitally.

Class Tools

• Pencil, paper and ruler

Secondary tools (not required)

• Oblique Pen Holder
• Ink (Mccafferys or Higgins works well)  
• Nibs (Nikko G, Leonardt Principal EF)
• Copic sketch marker sold in most local art stores ( similiar brush pens like Tombow dual tip will work great too)