Is anyone else as nitpicky as I am when it comes to trying new things? I’m a pen + paper kind of girl — paints, colored pencils, oil pastels, anything beyond a pen, totally intimidating. When something isn’t totally perfect on my first attempt, throw it out. I hate it. Let’s light it on fire.
But there’s no fun in that. After all, had I burned my aggressive-looking calligraphy pen the first time I picked it up, maybe I wouldn’t be here. I can guarantee I wouldn’t have my passion for handlettering had I not kept at it and continued practicing, and maybe Paper & Honey wouldn’t be a thing at all. Maybe I’d still be at my ho-hum day job. Strange to think about, right?
Which brings me to today’s Make Your Mark illustration, based on one of my favorite quotes:
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
— Albert Einstein
I’ve been having so much fun with a cheap-o watercolor set I picked up on a whim a couple months back. With no painting experience whatsoever, it’s really intriguing to add this new medium to my handlettering work. Add a big glass of wine and Netflix and you’ve got yourself a solid Friday night!
What are you curious about? Are there any intimidating skills you’d love to tackle + add to your repertoire? – L
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Make Your Mark is a weekly series in which I post a bit of handlettered work in the form of an inspirational, go-get-’em-tiger quote. See previous entries here!
I just overcome one of the things I found intimidating which is painting with watercolours. I had dabbled with them here and there but like you, I gave up quickly when it wasn’t “perfect”.
This time I approached it much more light-hearted, laughed at my mistakes and simply stuck at it. I’ve only been playing around for 2 weeks but I can see my skills growing each day.
My only regret? I wish I’d done it sooner!
Ooh and lovely calligraphy by the way. Calligraphy/hand-lettering is on my lists of things I’m curious about. I plan on tackling it at some point this year. 🙂
Handlettering is actually on my list of intimidating skills I’d love to tackle. Any tips on getting started? 🙂 P.S. I’m really glad you didn’t give up after your first attempt!
The colors in this are just gorgeous!! Love the blog, such an inspiration! 🙂
Girl, I totally hear you. Whenever I try something new and it doesn’t turn out exactly as planned, I get so frazzled. Even still when I work with pencil/pen and paper and it doesn’t go perfectly, I still get worked up a little bit. It’s definitely a weakness of mine, and it can totally get in the way of improving, which sucks! Something I really need to work on.
Love this post. Love the lettering, love the thoughts. You rock.
I feel like this sums up exactly what I’m doing right now! I just currently got addicted to calligraphy pens + watercolor and I find myself wanting to throw away along of things that don’t work out. Yet I keep them….haha! I guess I’m curious to hear any tips you have to give for watercolor and/or calligraphy! (: