By Hand: The Art of Modern Lettering

by Nicole Miyuki Santo

Learn the beauty and joy of modern lettering with By Hand , a thoughtful collection of projects and lessons to bring unique, handmade designs into your life, home, and gatherings.

In a world of screens and social media, people are constantly searching for ways to reconnect to the handmade and the authentic-to add a personal spark and a beautiful look to everyday objects and occasions. The art of modern lettering is a point of connection, a way of crafting letters and words into something that delights the eyes and feeds the soul. With unique projects, a gorgeous exposed spine and lay-flat binding, and an Instagram-worthy aesthetic, By Hand provides an inspirational jumping-off point for readers who want to incorporate lettering into a slower, more intentional lifestyle.

Blending the aspirational and the instructional, By Hand brings the beauty of lettering beyond the page, through 30 distinct projects, from watercolor placecards to cozy pillows. Relatable lessons introduce readers to the essentials of lettering, including tools (brush pens, brushes, and paint pens), essential lessons, and developing a personal style, with the warm and welcoming approach of popular Instagram letterer Nicole Miyuki Santo. Encouraging lessons sprinkled throughout the book add a touch of mindfulness, while bright, airy photography and step-by-step lettered samples make this lovely volume a stunning approach to an on-trend pastime.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2018

About the author

Nicole Miyuki Santo
is a freelance artist, graphic designer, and teacher. Since 2015, she has taught in-person hand-lettering workshops empowering her students to tap into their creativity and develop their own unique voice. She is a kind spirit and truly believes that everyone, kids and adults included, can enjoy using their own two hands to create. She resides in Los Angeles, California.

Visit her online at www.nicolemiyuki.com or on Instagram @nicolemiyuki.

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely, huge book that has lots of good tips for hand lettering. It is designed really to be used with either brush tip pens or brushes themselves, though. There is one small section on using regular tip pens but that's it. Apparently my brush pens are not expensive enough, because they don't work the way the author's tutorials say they will (you press down and get a really thick line, then lift up and it becomes really thin). So even though I have a huge stash of brush pens, I was unable to use the vast majority of this book.

Most of the scripts are very similar. Basically, she has you write the letters of the word out (not in cursive) and then just use lines to join them together. I prefer to actually write in cursive, but I can see how this technique gives a very specific look with brush tip pens. This isn't a book where you're going to find a lot of examples of fonts. As huge as the book is, it's really mostly about a very specific type of look.

If you like the calligraphy look of using brush pens with this style (and have the type of pens this will work with), this is a great guide.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more stars I would. If you are at all interested in learning lettering, Nicole is the best. The binding of the book lays flat for practice, the photos and explanations are gorgeous and there are even pep talks that reassure you to keep going. Love love love this and am going to work my way back through the book to do each of the beautiful projects!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped around a bit in this book as I don't have all the materials needed for each section. There's good practice tips and demonstrations followed by different projects. No practice pages in the back, which was fine with me as this was a library book. I'm still looking for a book that has detailed directions and practice for each letter of the alphabet using brush pens.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a bit misleading to say that I've completed this book as I plan to use this as a guide and reference for quite a long time to come, but I do love it and it has built my confidence and I can't wait to see where it continues to take me.

[Tamara]

This was a beautiful book, but I had too many at once, and properly 'finishing' it meant actually doing the exercises and projects, which I didn't do - apart from one. One day I should get it again, when I have the time and real inclination to go through it with purpose.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember this book for the cosy overnight

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, thick book about lettering! Many ideas and tips.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible introduction to hand lettering. Great tips and techniques are presented.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I thought this book was, but it's basically modern calligraphy.

[JT N · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say this is a fairly beginner book, mostly project based, but some cute ideas and makes it approachable.