Illuminated Letters

I know hand-lettering is all the rage right now, but I just can't add another thing to my crafty to-do list, so I often "cheat" and use Joy Letters in lieu of actually learning calligraphy. Today I'm going to show you how to make these "illuminated" letters! Based on the Middle Age art of illuminated manuscripts, these letters can really jump start your creative practice and can be used in so many different projects, like art journal pages, as gift cards, place setting cards, or just frame them for a gift or home décor.

Supplies:

• Watercolor paper, cut to 3"square (you can make yours any size)
• Craft glue
• Joy Embroidered Letters
• Black pens or ink
• Colored markers
• Gold-leaf pens
• Watercolors

1. Apply a wash of watercolor to the paper. Allow to dry completely.
2. Glue your letter to the center of the paper.
3. With a thin black marker, doodle some designs around the letter - swirls, flowers, leaves or curlicues. Look at some examples of illuminated manuscripts and get inspired there.
4. Once your design is drawn around the letter, add color with markers or more watercolor.

   

5. Finally, use gold leaf pens to add the illumination to the piece.

I hope you enjoy this quick project. What sorts of projects would use your illuminated letters in? Leave a comment - I would love to know! Thanks for stopping by today. If you would like to get more creative inspiration, please visit me on my blog. JOY Embroidered letters can be found at your local craft stores in a variety of sizes, colors, simple and decorative fonts.