• Home
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosures
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Blog Archives
    • Search & Blog Categories
  • Get Inspired
    • Get Inspired
    • Inspiring Words & Quotes
    • My Muses – Favorites & Inspiration
    • Challenges
    • Product & Book Reviews
  • Get Creative
    • Get Creative
    • Start Handlettering
    • Handlettering Fun Styles
    • Tutorials & How-To
    • Creating Art – Watercolor, Painting & Drawing
  • Start Planning
    • Start Planning Here
    • Planner Spreads & Themes
    • Plan With Me Archives
    • Organization
    • Habits & Trackers
  • Find Your Happy
    • Find Your Happy
    • Random Holiday Archive
    • Journal Prompts & Ideas
    • Health Journey
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Lost password
      • My account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Orders
  • Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • Etsy
    • Facebook

Chocolate Musings

Set your goals - make the plans - artfully create your life - live it beautifully. Grab the good chocolate and find your muse.

  • Home
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosures
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Blog Archives
    • Search & Blog Categories
  • Get Inspired
    • Get Inspired
    • Inspiring Words & Quotes
    • My Muses – Favorites & Inspiration
    • Challenges
    • Product & Book Reviews
  • Get Creative
    • Get Creative
    • Start Handlettering
    • Handlettering Fun Styles
    • Tutorials & How-To
    • Creating Art – Watercolor, Painting & Drawing
  • Start Planning
    • Start Planning Here
    • Planner Spreads & Themes
    • Plan With Me Archives
    • Organization
    • Habits & Trackers
  • Find Your Happy
    • Find Your Happy
    • Random Holiday Archive
    • Journal Prompts & Ideas
    • Health Journey
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Lost password
      • My account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Orders
Home » beginner lettering

Essential Handlettering Supplies for Beginners

April 16, 2024 3 Comments

Handlettering For Beginners: The Essential Supplies

I teach local classes for beginning modern calligraphy hand-letterers and recommend these handlettering supplies to my beginner students. Some tools make it easier to start modern calligraphy lettering, but I want you to remember that no matter which pen or paper you use, it’s going to take a lot of practice to progress in your handlettering journey.

Remember that practice is the most important tool of all.

Post Updated & Revised: 4/16/24

Beginner Handlettering Supplies - what you need to know to start lettering | ChocolateMusings.com

Table of contents

  • Handlettering For Beginners: The Essential Supplies
  • First and Foremost – What am I Talking About? What Style of Handlettering Are These Supplies Good For?
  • My Essential Modern Calligraphy Handlettering Supplies for Beginners
    • Best Beginner Level Markers:
    • Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip – The Marker I Recommend for Beginners!
    • Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip
    • The Difference Between Hard Tip & Soft Tip Tombow Fudenosuke Pens
  • Other Supplies:
  • Optional Handlettering Supplies for Beginners:
  • Additional More Advanced Markers:
  • What I Prefer (to this day)
  • Ready to Start Handlettering?

First and Foremost – What am I Talking About? What Style of Handlettering Are These Supplies Good For?

FYI – the lettering style I’m referring to is what I call “Modern Handlettering” or “Modern Calligraphy”. These styles are typically done with a brush pen that allows you to create both thick and thin lines with a flexible tip.

Handlettering is such a fun bandwagon to jump on – the thick and the thin lines, the flourishes beckon, and the thought of making beautifully crafted words makes your heart race and palms sweaty. Maybe not in a good way. Does the idea of picking up a brush pen scare you? Not sure which supplies are essential and which are ‘nice to have’ when starting your handlettering journey?

I get it – I’ve been there. I remember being completely overwhelmed. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of essential handlettering supplies for beginners. So you know what you *really* need to get started with your handlettering journey and what is just eye candy.

My Essential Modern Calligraphy Handlettering Supplies for Beginners

Best Beginner Level Markers:

Whether you follow my recommendations or not, I highly encourage you to choose one marker type to get started. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you have too many choices. Practice for a while with that marker, then expand your collection.

  • Tombow Fudenosuke
    • Hard tip (I prefer this pen for beginners more than other pens – see below for why!)
    • Soft tip
  • Pentel Sign Touch
  • Sharpie

Shop for the Supplies:

Essential Handlettering Supplies: Small Tipped Markers
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen – Hard/Soft Tip Set
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip Colors 10-Pack
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip Marker Packs
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tipped Neon Set
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Hard-Tipped Marker – 5 Pack
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip Marker Packs
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Store on Amazon
Which marker should I choose to learn handlettering? Essential Modern Calligraphy Supplies | ChocolateMusings.com

Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip – The Marker I Recommend for Beginners!

My favorite marker is the hard-tipped Tombow Fudenosuke marker. Even after nearly a decade of lettering, I consistently reach for this marker.

In fact, I recommend starting with the Hard-Tip Tombow Fudenosuke marker when I teach my calligraphy classes.

Why Do I Recommend this Marker Versus Other Markers?

  • It’s a small-tipped marker with enough flexibility to get a thick and thin line, but it’s a little more rigid than the soft-tipped Tombow Fudenosuke Marker. Giving you greater control.
  • With that control, you’ll more easily create consistency in your thick and thin strokes, giving you the confidence to keep going in your lettering journey.
  • If you use high-quality paper or marker paper, these pens will last you a long time!
  • As a bonus, the Fudenosoke hard-tip markers are also available in several color variety packs, so you can change up your marker color.
  • This marker is relatively inexpensive to replace as needed. If you’re going to practice a lot of lettering, consider getting a multi-pack so you can keep one with you, have some at home, or replace them as needed.

Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip

This marker has a bit more flex than its hard-tipped counterpart. Which isn’t bad; it just means that you give up a bit of control. Even though I started with the hard-tipped version, other calligraphers swear by the soft-tip version. If you order the dual-pack of Tombow Fudenosuke markers, it comes with both a soft & hard tip marker, so you can choose which you like best.

Tip: Tombow doesn’t make a variety of colors in the soft-tip style. The color variety is only available in the hard-tip version.

How to tell Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip & Soft Tip Markers apart | ChocolateMusings.com

The Difference Between Hard Tip & Soft Tip Tombow Fudenosuke Pens

I visited Tombow USA Headquarters here in Georgia a few years ago at a fun little event. While there, I learned how to tell the difference between the two types of Fudenosuke pens by Tombow. Here are two ways I know to tell the difference.

Here are the Ways to Tell Them Apart:

The first way is the color of the pen casing—the hard-tip pen casing is dark blue, and the soft-tip pen casing is black.

The second way to tell the difference is to look for the letters and numbers by the barcode.

  • WS-BH 150 is the hard-tipped one (H=Hard).
  • WS-BS 150 is the soft-tipped pen (S=Soft).

**UPDATE: Tombow has since added a tiny square with the text “Hard Tip” or “Soft Tip” on their markers. But it’s still very hard to see!

Pro Tip: If you still have trouble figuring out which is which (and you like to use one or the other), put a piece of fancy washi tape around one so you can tell the difference!

Which is which? Tombow Fudenosuke pens. How to identify each one | ChocoalteMusings.com
Lose your favorite marker? Use this trick with washi tape to easily find your favorite marker | ChocolateMusings.com

Other Supplies:

  • Pencil (one that you can use to write softly and erase easily)
  • Eraser (I prefer white pearl & polymer eraser)
  • **Smooth paper (32 lb paper is what I recommend – it’s the most cost-effective), Rhodia & Marker Paper are good options too!
  • Any pen
  • Any Marker with a Bullet Tip (rounded tip, not flat or chisel tip)

**The only supplies you really need to start is the paper. Everything else is not necessary.

What supplies do you need to start handlettering? Do you need all this stuff? Find out what you actually need to start practicing modern calligraphy | ChocolateMusings

The pen & marker are so you can create Faux Modern Calligraphy – I’ll explain this technique later in more detail.

The pencil & eraser are simply good supplies to have on hand so you can write out phrases and organize your lettering. You can also handletter using a pencil – which I’m excited to show you in the future.

TIP: Using printer paper or any old paper can cause your precious brush pens to fray or dry out more quickly. Believe me, it’s frustrating to use a frayed marker tip and try to get those coveted thin upstrokes or pick up what you thought was a brand new brush pen only for it to create streaks instead of lovely lines.

Shop for the Supplies:

Essential Handlettering Supplies: Other Supplies
  • 32 Lb HP Premium Paper
  • Art Graf – Pack of 2 Pencils with Soft Lead
  • Copic Markers – Multiline Inking Pen Set – Waterproof – 9 Tip Sizes
  • Paper mate White Pearl Eraser (Latex Free)
  • Papermate InkJoy Pens (all versions)
  • Pentel Gold Gel Pen
  • Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers
  • Pentel Sharp Mechanical Pencil .7mm Metallic
  • Pentel Touch Pen
  • Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens – Waterproof – 10 Sizes
  • Winsor & Newton Fineliner Pens – Pack of 5 – Waterproof (Assorted Sizes)
  • Zebra Zensations Technical Drawing Fineliner – Waterproof – 6 Pens

Optional Handlettering Supplies for Beginners:

The supplies listed below are not required. I like to use each one of them (and I was surprised at how useful the lightbox was), but they are not required to start lettering.

  • Ruler
  • Laser Level
  • Small Marker Practice Guides (find them in my shop!)
  • Modern Calligraphy Workbooks (in my shop!)
    • Small Marker: Basic Strokes <– Start Here
    • Small Marker: Minuscules (lowercase letters)
    • Large Marker: Basic Strokes <– Start Here
    • Large Marker: Minuscules (lowercase letters)
  • Lightbox (if you don’t want to write on the practice guides)

Shop for the Supplies:

Essential Handlettering Supplies: Optional Supplies
  • 12″ Helix Circle Ruler One of my favorite circle maker tools!
    >> Link to Product Amazon
    >> Link to Product Blick.com
  • 12″ Metal Ruler with Cork Base
  • 12″ Rolling Ruler
  • 6″ Metal Ruler with Cork Base
  • 6″ Rolling Ruler
  • Laser Level – Basic
  • Light Box – A4 Multiple Light Levels
ChocolateMusings.com Shop - Find it in the shop!
  • Sale Product on sale
    Learn to Handletter with Small Markers - Lowercase letter practice book | ChocolateMusings.com #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #lowercase
    Workbook #2 Lowercase Alphabet (Miniscule) Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Small Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Learn to Handletter with Large Markers - Lowercase letter practice book | ChocolateMusings.com #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #lowercase
    Workbook #2 Lowercase Alphabet (Miniscule) Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Large Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Large Marker Modern Calligraphy Guide Booklet | ChocoalteMusings.com #handletteirng #brushlettering #moderncalligraphy
    Workbook #1 Basic Strokes Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Large Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Modern Calligraphy Handlettering Guide - Basic Strokes for SMALL Markers | ChocolateMusings.com #handlettering #lettering #brushlettering
    Workbook #1 Basic Strokes Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Small Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Large Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    Large Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    $2.50 Original price was: $2.50.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Small Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    Small Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    $2.50 Original price was: $2.50.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
    Add to cart
  • Alphabet Inspiration Booklet (Traveler's Notebook)
    Alphabet Inspiration Booklet (Traveler’s Notebook)
    $8.00
    Add to cart

Additional More Advanced Markers:

Tombow Dual Brush Pens are large markers—If you start with these beauties, you’re likely to get even more frustrated because they’re not as easy to control. Karin markers are similar to Tombow dual brush pens, so they’re probably not for beginners.

You can letter using paint brushes & water pens, but I would wait until you have the technique down for forming each part of each letter before starting with a paintbrush or water pen.

Shop for the Supplies:

Essential Handlettering Supplies: Large Markers/Advanced Supplies
  • Karin Brushmarker Pro Box
  • Karin BrushPro Markers Mini Box 26 Colors
  • Karin Decobrush Metallic
  • Tombow Dual Brush Markers 10 Pack Brights
  • Tombow Dual Brush Markers 10 Pack Tropical Pack
  • Tombow Dual Brush Pens (ALL OF THEM!)
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Store on Amazon

What I Prefer (to this day)

Hands down, I reach for a Tombow Fudenosuke Marker. Hard-tipped version, of course.

I love my Tombow hard-tipped fudenosuke pens.

They also last a long time. After a couple of years of heavy usage, my pens are finally dying. In general, I don’t like the ‘old marker look.’ However, sometimes, that style is fun. So I keep a few old markers around, and I label them so I know which ones are old and which are new.

If you were to peek in my marker drawer, you’d find more hard-tip Tombow Fudenosuke markers than anything else. And I always have one or two in my bag.

Which markers should you start with when beginning modern calligraphy | ChocolateMusings.com

Remember, as I said in the beginning, that practice is the most important tool. So, whichever marker you choose to start your handlettering journey, you must put in the practice to accompany it.

Ready to Start Handlettering?

Get your practice guides & practice workbooks in the shop below!

ChocolateMusings.com Shop - Find it in the shop!

  • Sale Product on sale
    Learn to Handletter with Small Markers - Lowercase letter practice book | ChocolateMusings.com #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #lowercase
    Workbook #2 Lowercase Alphabet (Miniscule) Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Small Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Learn to Handletter with Large Markers - Lowercase letter practice book | ChocolateMusings.com #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #lowercase
    Workbook #2 Lowercase Alphabet (Miniscule) Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Large Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Large Marker Modern Calligraphy Guide Booklet | ChocoalteMusings.com #handletteirng #brushlettering #moderncalligraphy
    Workbook #1 Basic Strokes Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Large Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Modern Calligraphy Handlettering Guide - Basic Strokes for SMALL Markers | ChocolateMusings.com #handlettering #lettering #brushlettering
    Workbook #1 Basic Strokes Modern Calligraphy Workbook for Small Markers
    $15.00 Original price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Large Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    Large Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    $2.50 Original price was: $2.50.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
    Add to cart
  • Sale Product on sale
    Small Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    Small Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants
    $2.50 Original price was: $2.50.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
    Add to cart

3 Comments
Filed Under: Blog, Fun with Handlettering, Get Creative, Get Inspired, My Muses (My Favorites & Inspiration), Pen & Marker Reviews, Product & Book Reviews, Product Reviews, Start Handlettering Here, Tutorials & How To Tagged: beginner lettering, handlettering, lettering, supplies, tips & tricks

How to Create Floral Alphabets – 5 Ways

February 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

Five Ideas to Create Floral Alphabets | Chocolatemusings.com #floralalphabets #flowers #letters

If you’re looking for a challenge, try combining the alphebet with different elements. In this case, with florals. Try it, you’ll find that there are always new ways to combine the alphabet with flowers. Here are five different ideas to create your very own version of a Floral Alphabet.

Start Your Inspiration

First off – if you want to learn how to doodle flowers, but you’re not sure where to start – here’s my post highlighting my favorite floral doodling books.

Or you can check out this post on doodling flowers (without drawing!)

Dress up your alphabet with wreaths! Here are 3 ways to draw circular floral wreaths.

Here’s one last inspirational idea for you – check out my Floral Bullet Journal Theme.

Inspiration From the Shop:

  • Floral Wreath Stickers - No Numbers | ChocolateMusings.com #floralwreaths #plannerstickers
    Floral Planner Stickers Without Daily Numbers
    $4.45
    Add to cart
  • floral wreath stickers with numbers | ChocolateMusings.com #plannerstickers #planner #stickers
    Floral Planner Stickers With Daily Numbers
    $4.45
    Add to cart

Now it’s time to get started!

Floral Alphabet Version 1:

Block Letter O Outline with Flowers | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters

Choose a block-letter style and fill the inside of the letter with various types (or the same type) of flowers.

You can choose to draw the flowers exclusively inside or have some flowers break out of the lines. I have a hard time staying within the lines.

Ideas for the background:

You can leave it all black and white with a white background, fill the background with a single color or pattern, or add splots of colors loosely to the flowers.

  • Block Letter O Outline with Flowers | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters
  • Block Letter D Outline + Filled with Flowers | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters
  • Letter S Outline with losely colored flowers - Ideas for Floral Alphabets| ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters

Flower Alphabet Version 2:

Choose a flower, then use that flower as the main stem or stems of the letter. As you can see, little tweaks here and there add even more variety.

  • Letter F with Flower - Ideas for different alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #letters #ideas #alphabet #florals
  • Letter F with Flower - Ideas for different alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #letters #ideas #alphabet #florals
  • Letter F with Flower - Ideas for different alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #letters #ideas #alphabet #florals

Alphabet Version 3:

Create another shape like a circle or square around the outside of a blocky or bolded letter. Fill the background space with the flowers and then create the letter using negative space (so the area where the letter would appear is blank).

  • Letter R Flower Background - Ideas for floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters
  • Letter R Flower Background Plus Flourish - Ideas for floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters

Botanical Alphabet Version 4:

Create the letter using only florals to form the shape. Another way to add more variety is to add some color or flourishes!

  • Letter Q Flower Alphabet - Ideas for floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters
  • Letter Q Flower Alphabet - Ideas for floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters
  • Letter Q Flower Alphabet - Ideas for floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #alphabet #flowers #letters

Floral Alphabet Version 5:

Letter the names of flowers starting with each letter of the alphabet. Technically that makes it a floral alphabet, right? Add a doodle of each flower near it’s lettered name.

Fun with lettering + flower doodles | ChocolateMusings.com

Bonus tip:

If you’re creating a lot of the same type of Add extra detail to the leaves and petals for a few particular flowers to bring them out from the crowd.

  • Painting Serif Letter A - Ideas for creating different floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #lettera #watercolor #floralalphabet
  • Adding the flowers Letter A- Ideas for creating different floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #lettera #watercolor #floralalphabet
  • Painting vine flourishes letter A - Ideas for creating different floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #lettera #watercolor #floralalphabet
  • Flourished Letter A - Ideas for creating different floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #lettera #watercolor #floralalphabet
    Flourished Letter A – Ideas for creating different floral alphabets | ChocolateMusings.com #lettera #watercolor #floralalphabet

I had so much fun creating all these styles. As you can see, changing details here and there seem to make a completely different style!

Which way do you think you’ll try first? Of course, you’re welcome to try more than one. I hope you’ve got some ideas on how to create a variety of floral alphabets and you’re inspired to start doodling! Make sure you pin your favorite style to your Pinterest or share it on Facebook with your friends.

Even if you missed us for this challenge, we’d love to see your work! Tag us on Instagram or leave me a comment below – I’d love to know what you tried.

Wishing you joy and creativity every day - Tricia
Ideas to Create Floral Alphabets | Chocolatemusings.com #floralalphabets #flowers #letters

Are you looking for more inspiration? Here are some of my favorite doodling supplies.

Useful Lettering Supplies

  • Pencil – My favorites: Wooden Pencils | 2H Pencils |Drawing Pencil Various Leads | Mechanical Pencils | 2H Mechanical Lead
  • Ruler: 6″ Stainless Steel | 12″ Transparent Ruler
  • Erasers: Plastic Eraser | Click Eraser | White Pearl Eraser | Tombow Mono Black Eraser | Sand Eraser
  • Circle Maker: Helix 6″ | 12″ Ruler
  • Lightbox
  • Laser Level

Paper

  • 32 Lb Printer Paper (I like the HP brand)
  • Tracing paper
  • Rhodia Paper A5 Dot Pad | Rhodia Blank Notebook | Rhodia Size Varieties
  • Marker Paper Varieties | 6×8 Pad Size
  • Bristol Smooth Paper (the best Tombow Marker blending paper I’ve tried so far!)

Explore more ideas & inspiration on the blog!

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Blog, Get Creative, Tutorials & How To Tagged: alphabets, beginner lettering, floral, how to, lettering, Tutorial

My Muses #2: Favorite Lettering Supplies

April 5, 2018 3 Comments

Favorite Lettering Supplies – For Beginners & Beyond

The journey of lettering has evolved for me, and I have new ambitions related to my handlettering adventure.  I thought this week I would share with you my very favorite lettering supplies. This list continuously evolves. I occasionally deduct or add another favorite in the mix based on mood. In general, I have several standard supplies that I love, but that’s not saying that I won’t change it in the future.

Lettering became a HUGE part of my life (and finding my way back into the realm of creativity) last April. My husband and I saw this fantastic canvas on display at a relative’s house for Christmas. My mother-in-law saw the same painting and commented how she would love something like that. Since then I was obsessed with learning how to letter so I could put my spin on what I saw and create a canvas for my husband’s mother.

My Muses - Inspiration comes in all shapes and packaging material - a collection of favorite things - beginning lettering supplies

Favorite Handlettering Pens/Markers

If you are starting out and have never picked up a brush pen, I can guarantee you will be frustrated. There were times when I was first beginning that I swept off my entire desktop and declared that I was not cut out to letter. I left everything on the floor for three days one time, staring disgustedly at the mess every time I saw it. Part of the problem is I tried to start with the large brushes and thought I could just take off and do it. In hindsight, I wish I would have known what to start with – so here are my suggestions for different levels of lettering artists. FYI: Contains affiliate links.

Beginner – For a True Greenie (and my favorite STILL)

Start with Tombow Fudenosuke HARD Tipped markers. If you order on Amazon you’ll probably get a set of both soft and hard tip markers.

How to tell them apart:

Hard tip – dark blue marker body (the cap is black). The marker says WS-BH 150 – the H is Hard.

Soft tip – all black marker (the body of the marker matches the cap). The marker says WS-BS 150 – the S is SOFT.

I learned that little tidbit from Marie Browning (@MarieBCreates) when I visited Tombow Headquarters one day for a meet and greet. Tombow USA is headquartered near Atlanta – I literally drive by it on my way to work. They had a fun opportunity to visit the headquarters and craft last October and I won a spot to go.

Tombow Fudenosuke - how to tell them apart two clues - my favorite lettering supplies: Pens & Paper

Once Your Feet Are Wet in Lettering

Let’s be real – there’s no ‘dipping your little toe’ in lettering – you’re up to your neck by now. Once you’ve gotten a feel for lettering and are anxious to try new markers, maybe get a bit of color in your life. Pentel Sign Brush Pens are an excellent way to go.

No idea why I waited so long to get these pens. I’d describe them as a cross between the Tombow Fudenosuke hard and soft-tipped markers. They are pretty dreamy and having a variety of colors is just more fun.

Small Brush Pens

  • Tombow Fudenosuke Black – Soft/Hard Tip
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Multi-Color Hard Tip Pack
  • Pentel Sign Brush Pen
  • Zebra Small Brush Pen
  • Sharpie Brush Pens

When You’re in so Deep and There’s No Coming Back

Tombow Dual Brush Markers are not for the lettering faint of heart. They will take some practice. But they blend and write so nice once you have the technique down. If you’re not sure what to start with – get the Bright pack & the Primary pack to start with. Lots of great blending options with these packs.

If you are really ambitious…there’s always the full 96 pack. I have the 96 pack, but I’m not allowed to open it yet. If you become a regular reader of the blog, you’ll find out why soon.

Large Brush Tip Markers

  • Tombow Dual Brush Pens – Full Set | Bright Set | Secondary Set | Pastel Set | Grayscale Set (there are more sets available as well)
  • Karin Mega Box Markers | Karin Mini Box | Karin Metallic Brush Pens
  • Artline Stix
  • Ecoline Brush Pens

Watercolor Lettering

Water pens are amazing. They have a water-well inside the pen and you squeeze it for more or less water. I use them with watercolor paints AND with markers. Scribble some markers (Tombow or Crayola Supertips or any other kind you have) onto Ziploc bag or another smooth surface, and use the pigment with your water pens or paint brushes. (I’ve claimed a regular, smooth, kitchen plate!)

If you want to start with watercolor paints, I picked up the artist’s loft pan sets at Michael’s one day. The pearlescent watercolor set is gorgeous with that extra shimmer.

Favorite Paper – Brush Lettering

When using brush pens, keep in mind that these babies fray if used on anything but smooth paper. Frayed brush marker tips make for frustrated artists (by the way, did you know that the moment you touch a brush pen or other art supply – you become an artist?!). A splayed tip on a marker makes it nearly impossible to achieve that coveted ultra-thin up-stroke.

Taking good care of your brushes also means using some excellent paper with a smooth finish. The best paper is marker paper. SO smooth and silky. But my favorite paper in bulk is HP 32lb paper. The first ream is 250 sheets, which lasts me about a month and a half depending on my ambitions for the month or how many practice sheets I use. The second is 500 sheets – double the fun. What did I get? I ordered a half case. 1500 Sheets of paper shipped right to my door. It was on sale and will last me about 2 years at the rate I am going.

Paper

  • 32 Lb Printer Paper (I like the HP brand)
  • Tracing paper
  • Rhodia Paper A5 Dot Pad | Rhodia Blank Notebook | Rhodia Size Varieties
  • Marker Paper Varieties | 6×8 Pad Size
  • Bristol Smooth Paper (the best Tombow Marker blending paper I’ve tried so far!)

Favorite Paper – Watercolor Lettering

Watercolor lettering is like regular watercolor painting. So naturally, the best option is watercolor paper. Anything less than 140 lb paper will buckle.

I would NOT recommend using your brush pens on this paper – not unless you have a weird desire to buy the same marker over and over again because the tip is completely destroyed. 

I like the Canson watercolor paper on a regular basis. My watercolor lettering techniques don’t fully saturate the pages unlike painting a full-watercolor scene. In which case, there is nothing like using cotton paper. Many people who start their watercolor journey scoff at the idea of spending so much on paper. But trust me, when you get to the point and try it, you’ll understand.

I like different sizes of paper – big, small, some as big as your head (please tell me you know the reference and you sang along!)

Some of my favorite watercolor paper.

Hot Press vs. Cold Press

There is some discussion if Hot Press or Cold Press paper is better. To be honest, it is a personal preference. Hot-press paper is more smooth. Cold-press paper has more ‘tooth’ to it (there is more texture) and is rougher. My recommendation is to try them both in small samples and see what you like.

There are lots of supplies out there and many of them require time to develop the skills needed to get used to them. I hope I provided some inspiration for you and your lettering journey. Let me know what you think!

question mark - chocolatemusings.com

Question:

What are your favorite lettering supplies?

plan your life so you live beautifully

3 Comments
Filed Under: Blog, Fun with Handlettering, Get Creative, Get Inspired, My Muses (My Favorites & Inspiration), Pen & Marker Reviews, Product Reviews Tagged: beginner lettering, beginning lettering supplies, favorite art supplies, favorite things, favorites, lettering beginner, lettering supplies, my favorite things, my muses, sources of inspiration and creativity

About Me


Hi! I'm Tricia, the creative behind ChocolateMusings.com, I know how it feels to lose your inner muse. After years of darkness (which I call the dark ages of my life), I found my inner muse hiding in the forgotten corners of my soul, I vowed never to lose sight of her again.

Bullet journaling helped reignite the passion for art and living life again while organizing my days. I also discovered modern calligraphy and watercolor. Since then, my use of the bullet journal system has evlolved and I call it 'creative planning'. Here on the blog, I show you how to use your planner to ignite your inner muse and explore creativity and art while staying beautifully organized and living a joyful life.

I invite you to grab some good chocolate and dive into my musings. Let’s ignite your inner muse.

Read more on the about me page. You can also find my policies and disclosures here.

  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Etsy
  • Facebook

Cart

Browse Products

  • State Outline - Idaho State Outline - Idaho $10.00
  • its not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves - William Shakespeare | ChocolateMusings.com #quotes #quote #motivational It is Not in the Stars to Hold Our Destiny $10.00
  • State Outline - Oklahoma State Outline - Oklahoma $10.00
  • We know who we are, but know not what we may be - William Shakespeare | ChocolateMusings.com #motivationalquote #quote We Know Who We Are $10.00

Search ChocolateMusings.com

Categories

What Do You Want to Do Today?


 

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2025

Copyright © 2025 · Exquisite Damask Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...