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Step by step · KUM Magazin #2 · April 2023

Elisa: watercolour lettering with water drops

One letter, shades of one colour and water doing the work: Elisa of @lettersofme shows her technique in six steps.

@lettersofme ↗

Aquarell-Lettering mit Sonnenblumen und einem Galaxie-Hintergrund
Portrait of Elisa

For what kind of art does your heart beat?

My heart beats for colours. I love mixing them together and finding the perfect combo. I love watercolor lettering, of course, but I also love graffiti art and street art since I was a little girl.

Where do you see your recognition value?

I love sharing with the community what I’ve learnt during these years of practicing, I feel useful. I’m also trying not to stop practicing and learning new things.

Materials

  • Pointed brush, medium size
  • Water
  • Small plate
  • Watercolor
  • Watercolor paper
  1. Step 1

    Shades and outline

    Create different shades of the same colour with water and draw the outline of your letter very lightly with a pencil.

  2. Step 2

    Water first

    Apply a layer of water to the inside of the letter with a bigger brush.

  3. Step 3

    Colour into wet

    Apply the colours directly to the wet paper with the smaller brush. Paint in small strokes and use different shades.

  4. Step 4

    Light areas

    Use the bigger tip for larger and lighter areas of the drawing. For the very light areas, mix a lot of water into the paint.

  5. Step 5

    Water drops

    Now apply drops of water to some parts of your letter with the biggest brush and wait until the water has done its work.

  6. Step 6

    Intensify

    After everything has dried, you can apply a soft layer of water to intensify the effect. Now let it dry and you’re done!

Elisa’s lettering, step 1Elisa’s lettering, step 2Elisa’s lettering, step 3Elisa’s lettering, step 4Elisa’s lettering, step 5Elisa’s lettering, step 6Elisa’s lettering, step 7Elisa’s lettering, step 8
Watercolour lettering by ElisaWatercolour lettering by Elisa