Synopses & Reviews
Ubiquitous at boutiques and cafés, on Etsy and Pinterest, in stationery and home decor, the art of chalk lettering is hotter than ever. Valerie McKeehan, an Etsy standout whose work has been featured in magazines and websites from Good Housekeeping to RealSimple.com, teaches us everything we need to know to create gorgeous hand-drawn chalk designs. The book is also a practice space, with three foldout “chalkboards”—the inside cover and foldout back cover are lined with blackboard paper.
In over 60 lessons, learn the ABCs of lettering (literally) and basic styles: serif, sans serif, and script. Next, how to lay out a design, combine various styles into one cohesive piece, add shadows and dimension. Master more advanced letter styles, from faceted to ribbon to “vintage circus.” Use banners, borders, flourishes. And finally, 12 projects to show off your newfound skills: including a Winter Wonderland Snow Globe; a smartphone-themed birthday card to text friends and family; a one-of-a-kind party invitation to create, photograph, and mail; and a bake sale sign guaranteed to put everyone who sees it in the mood for a cupcake!
Synopsis
Say it with chalk Learn the art of hand-drawn chalk lettering from an Etsy superstar in a book complete with chalkboards
Ubiquitous at boutiques and caf s, on Etsy and Pinterest, in stationery and home decor, the art of chalk lettering is hotter than ever. Valerie McKeehan, an Etsy standout, teaches us everything we need to know to create gorgeous hand-drawn chalk designs.
In over 60 lessons, learn the ABCs of lettering (literally) and basic styles: serif, sans serif, and script. Next, how to lay out a design, combine various styles into one cohesive piece, and add shadows and dimension. Master more advanced letter styles, from faceted to ribbon to "vintage circus." Use banners, borders, flourishes. And finally, 12 projects to show off your newfound skills, including a Winter Wonderland Snow Globe; a smartphone-themed birthday card to text friends and family; a one-of-a-kind party invitation to create, photograph, and mail; and a bake sale sign guaranteed to put everyone who sees it in the mood for a cupcake
The book is also a practice space, with three foldout "chalkboards"--the inside cover and foldout back cover are lined with blackboard paper.
About the Author
Chalkboard artist and hand letterer Valerie McKeehan has been drawing and illustrating since childhood. Her passion for commercial art began simply and without pretense: producing hand-lettered signs for her father’s business. Drawn to the simplicity of chalk and the nostalgia that it inspires, she opened her online chalkboard boutique, Lily and Val, in 2012. Whimsical and undeniably handcrafted, her designs are honest and authentic, at home with their imperfections and unique character. Working out of her home studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at a desk constructed by her husband, she lovingly creates each piece entirely by hand, from sketch to slate, illustrating inspirational quotations or simply depicting everyday subjects that inspire her work like coffee and cooking. Valerie’s work has been featured in many publications and noteworthy blogs including: The Knot Magazine, Good Housekeeping Magazine, HGTV.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple.com, Flea Market Style Magazine, Smart Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings.com, Country Living.com, Buzz Feed, Life & Style Weekly.com, and Style Me Pretty. She partnered with Starbucks to announce - in chalk lettering! - their 2015 Valentine's Day promotion.