There's a full backstory to this post. You can access it by signing up here.
In turning 28, and feeling that this is essentially my golden year - despite the fact that my birthday was on the 15 a few other things lined up.
A noun - instruction or training in military exercises.
Remember in grade school when the teachers would let you know in advance to expect a fire drill? You weren't given the exact time it would happen, you just knew to expect blairing sounds and white flashing lights sometime during the day. You are notified that it would happen, just not sure when it was coming.
The drills I am talking about though are perfect for practice sessions in lettering. If you are ever put on the spot to sketch something, it wont come out looking wonky, or as though you simply don't know what you are doing.
A drill is a deliberate practice of drawing the same stroke or sequence of strokes repeatedly to develop brain and muscle memory, and to practice drawing consistent strokes and letterforms.
When sketching something live, you want to be sure your memory muscles don't fail you, but that they kick in and take over.
Drills are a common practice in calligraphy and brush lettering, however these tactics are also perfect for hand lettering.
To gain access to the sample sheets to download, join my mailing list by clicking here. If you're on instagram use the hashtag #doniastudio_drills so I can search them and see your results!
I am super late with this weeks' post.
I didn't want to send out mediocre work. I've realized as artists we tend to over think a lot of things. Either way I don't want to put out work I'm not proud of.
I am still figuring out my specific "niche" when it comes to art and design. I think it's fair to keep you posted.
As I continue to figure things out I will send you a monthly update of what I've worked on.
If you want to opt out of future updates you can unsubscribe. No hard feelings.
I want to take time to have fun with what I am doing and instead I've been adding unnecessary pressure. As my accountability partner told me last week, "It's hard to see the journey when your in it". The best stories are told after you've experienced it, however while in it, it seems like a mess and a whirlwind of chaos.
Rather than continue to take you on a roller coaster ride I'll send you a monthly update of things I've experimented with. I'll still be posting to my instagram account (@keshnadonia).
I've recently purchased some lettering books on amazon.
Speedball Art Products 23rd Edition Book
Script Lettering for Artists (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
Scripts: Elegant Lettering from Design's Golden Age
A friend sent me an amazing pod cast and I've already gotten through all of the episodes. I hope it helps you as it has helped me.
The pod cast is called creative pep talk - By Andy J Miller. I must say it's been really insightful for me in finding that clarity I've spoken about in past articles.
I hope I'm not disappointing you, I want to be sure that I am offering you value. In order to do that I need to take a step back and delve into my work without feeling pressure to "look good".
MARCH IS HERE! I hope you did something great with your extra 24 hours! I'm back from my hiatus and its time that I shift gears: creating and making more.
Below, I share a recap and reflection of things I’ve learned in 2015. I wrote one last year, and I am sure that many people are writing and sharing their plans and goals for next year. It’s important to take time to reflect and look back at what worked and what didn’t—this will help you to succeed in making corrections towards the next steps.
The learning never stops.
I’ve read countless posts, subscribed to numerous blogs and newsletters, listened to countless podcasts—and I know that there is still so much more to learn. I keep a list of "read later" and listen to audiobooks while at my day job.
Being organized will save you money
I share with you the biggest mistake I made since starting this blog. (I can't believe I am sharing this publicly). In order to get better you should acknowledge and accept what you've done wrong, take responsibility and create a course of action to better from it.
With that I realize what my biggest mistake has been since starting this blog.
What is it? Easy. Not focusing on you—the reader. When you signed up you received a welcome email, one that told you what to expect from me. One of those things was a hand lettering guide to help you get started. While I've written a post on it, a detailed guide is what I've promised to put out. I am finalizing that and will have it ready for you by the last day of this year.
I’ve come to realize that I need to focus more on you. I have to be sure that each email I provide is sent with value. After all, you allow me into your inbox each week and I am grateful for that.
I’d like to let you know that we’ll be starting off the New Year with a new introductory email. This way, we can start off in the right direction. If you have any questions about lettering, the blog or what future plans and goals I have for Donia Studio comment below. I want to be sure I am heading in the right direction with this blog and hearing back from you will let me know that.
In order to help you, let me know what you are struggling with, how you'd like to use lettering in your business, or any other questions lingering in your mind.