Are you obsessed with hand lettering? It’s totally possible to teach yourself hand lettering by reading and watching online tutorials and classes. I’ve put together some of my favourite online resources that I hope you will find as helpful as it was for me.
This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure.
Below are 12 free hand lettering tutorials. Click the links below this image to learn more.
1. How to create fake calligraphy
2. DIY starry night hand lettering tutorial
3. How to mix and match letters in your hand lettering
4. How to create hand-drawn type designs from start to finish
5. How to add shadows and highlights to your lettering
6. DIY Hand Lettering
7. How to Create Hand Lettering Artwork on Paper
8. Applying pressure in brush calligraphy
9. How to start hand lettering
10. Transitioning thin to thick strokes
11. How to add simple swirls to your lettering
12. Favourite hand lettering supplies
Extra: Free crash course in hand lettering ~ by Tim Brown
Online Lettering Classes
While these free tutorials are great, it’s so helpful to watch a whole course developed with beginners in mind where you’ll learn the ins and outs of hand lettering. Below are hand lettering classes that you can take online. Click on the links below the image to read more.
1. The Art of Lettering – Drawing Scripts by Hand ~ by Neil Tasker, Lettering Artist (on Skillshare. Start your free month and get unlimited access to this class and hundreds of other lettering classes)
2. The First Steps of Hand-Lettering ~ by Mary Kate McDevitt (on Skillshare. Get started with one month free today)
3. Layouts for Lettering: Hierarchy, Composition, and Type Systems ~ by Jon Contino (on Skillshare)
4. Hand-Lettering Basics ~ by Brit + Co (on Skillshare)
5. I Still Love Calligraphy ~ by Melissa Esplin
6. Learn Lettering ~ by Sean McCabe
7. Hand Lettering Power Course ~ by How Design University
8. 30 Days to Better Hand Lettering ~ by Made Vibrant
9. Fauxlligraphy: creating fake calligraphy ~ by Andrea Campos (on Skillshare. Get started with one month free today)
10. Bounce lettering: adding character to your lettering ~ by Teela Cunningham (on Skillshare)
11. Let’s start lettering: 4 hours of online video, worksheets and tricks ~ by Amanda Arneill
12. Hand lettering 101 – using pencil and paper ~ by Annica Lydenberg (on Creative Live)
If you liked this post, you might also like my post about brush lettering tutorials and fonts. Click the image below to read more.
Follow my hand lettering Pinterest board to discover new lettering tutorials and inspiration!
Thank you SO much for posting your referral link! What a brilliant idea to do it on your site. I’ve been eyeing Mary Kate McDevitt’s classes for a while and was able to purchase them both for $30 between the President’s Day sale and your link! Thanks again.. I’m so excited 🙂
Wow, what a good deal, Hannah! I’m so glad you could get a nice discount using my link. Enjoy the classes!
This is all I was looking for! Thank you! This website is just very amazing <3
You’re welcome, Daniela! I hope you enjoy taking these tutorials 🙂
Hello…I am looking for a online beginners class on handwriting. Can you please advise me where to start. I thank you for your time and patience. Your classes seem to be what I need. tl
Hello Trudy. There are many wonderful beginners classes on Skillshare. Here is a class called Handwriting, the Basics in Italic Style: https://goo.gl/UxS4PC. Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners is also a great one: https://goo.gl/6MvYyv. Hope this helps!
Hi Carmia.
I am really interested in trying hand lettering etc. but don’t know where to buy affordable pens to use.
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. Please give me some advise.
Thanks!
Charne
Hi Charne,
Thanks for your comment. It can be difficult to find hand lettering supplies in South Africa, you’re right. Take a look at http://www.loot.co.za. There are various brush pens. On http://www.takealot.com is a pen I’m using called Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. Another one I found is called the Sakura Pigma brush pen. I got this one from PNA. Those three stores are my top sources for hand lettering supplies 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions!