Chalk Hand Lettering Effect in Photoshop
Molly Suber Thorpe, Calligrapher & Graphic Designer
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Chalk Hand Lettering Effect in Photoshop
3:07 -
Sketching
6:49 -
Take a close look at my sketch
1:51 -
Set up your document
3:55 -
Build the chalk effect
3:02 -
Adjust the background
5:49 -
Adjust the chalk lettering
3:51 -
Export for print and web
3:37
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About This Class
Scan a pencil sketch of your hand lettering and, like magic, turn it into realistic looking chalk lettering using Photoshop. This is a super fun, fast, and easy technique for beginners and pros alike. Neither chalk nor previous Photoshop knowledge is required. (I promise that it looks so much like real chalk that people won't believe it's just pencil!)
Make sure to check out the links I've shared below for chalkboard background textures, a scanner app, my new resource website, and more.
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+ Skills & Topics Covered:
- Tips for pencil sketching hand lettering to optimize it for this faux chalk effect
- Using Photoshop's Smart Filters to give it a chalk lettering look
- Changing the brightness, darkness, and color of your chalkboard background and faux chalk lettering
- Exporting your art for print and web
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+ Tools Required:
- Hand lettering supplies:
- A good ol' trusty art pencil. I prefer a dull 12B pencil, because it makes such thick, soft strokes, but any pencil as soft as a 6B will work
- Tracing or layout bond paper. In the video, I use Borden & Riley #37 Layout Bond.
- Software:
- Adobe Photoshop (I'm teaching with Photoshop CC but you can follow along with older versions too; no previous experience is required)
- Hardware:
- A computer, obviously! I am teaching on an iMac but you can follow on a PC, too
- A scanner (best option) or a scanner app like CamScanner (second best option)
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+ Chalkboard Background Textures:
- 60 High Resolution Chalkboard Textures by Studio Denmark (highly recommended: great resolution and real texture)
- Digital Chalkboard Papers on Etsy
- Chalkboard Backgrounds on Shutterstock
- Free Chalkboard Texture Backgrounds on AllFreeDesigns.com
You can always do a Google Image search for chalkboard backgrounds but be aware that if you plan to publish and/or sell your design, you must be sure to know the image's licensing rights.
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+ Check out my two books!
1. Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy
2. The Calligrapher's Business Handbook: Pricing & Policies for Lettering Artists (new!)
+ Follow my Instagram and tag me in your projects: @plurabellestudio
+ Sign up for my Workshop News Bulletin to stay informed about my upcoming classes.
+ Visit Calligrafile.com, my newest venture: a massive online resource guide for lettering artists and creative freelancers, with 1,000+ recommended supplies, books, online classes, and helpful links.
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Class Projects 4 See All
18 of 18 students recommendSee All
This class is so, so informative. I've been using Photoshop for a long time, but only for photography, and this as taught me some skills I can use in all sorts of future projects.
Great lesson! Cool lettering turned out the first time. The essential lesson for designers, decorators, and anyone interested in current trends
Molly does a great job explaining the subject matter in a clear and concise manner, and you get to meet her adorable kitty!
Molly Suber Thorpe is an award-winning graphic designer, calligrapher, and bestselling author. She is credited as a driving force behind the modern calligraphy movement and achieved renown for her book, Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy. Her second book, The Calligrapher's Business Handbook, guides lettering artists in crafting a thriving freelance career.
Since its release, Modern Calligraphy has sold over 60,000 copies, been translated into Chinese and Spanish, and was named an "Amazon Favorite Craft Book" of 2013. Her book’s success led Molly to develop calligraphy workshops, which she teaches to sold-out classes as time permits.
Molly's work has been featured in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Martha Stewart Weddings, Los Angeles Times, Country Living, Buzzfeed, and Style Me Pretty. Her client list includes Google Cultural Institute, Martha Stewart Weddings, Michael Kors, Fendi, J. Jill, and Victorio & Lucchino.
After spending nearly a decade in Los Angeles, Molly currently lives in Athens, Greece with her partner, a fashion photographer, and their incorrigible Bengal cat, Mr. Marlowe.
+ Portfolio: plurabellestudio.com
+ Instagram: @plurabellestudio
+ Molly's Calligraphy Workshop News Bulletin
+ Calligrafile.com is Molly's online resource website for lettering artists
+ Molly's books:
1. Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy
2. The Calligrapher's Business Handbook: Pricing & Policies for Lettering Artists (new!)
