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PHONE
303.909.6960
EMAIL
contact@dancotton.com
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I started my training in lettering by learning the traditional calligraphy styles:

Roman Capitals lettering

Roman

Italic script

Italic

Gothic or Blackletter script

Gothic

Uncial script

Uncial (unchel)
Carolingian script
Carolingian

Copperplate script
Copperplate

All these styles are made with a broad edged brush or pen,
broad edged brush
broad edged pen
except for Copperplate, which is made with a quill.
quill pen 1

Pointed brush script for commercial lettering
This training served as a foundation before I began learning Pointed Brush Script, which not surprisingly is made with a pointed brush.
pointed brush
This is the most common style used for commercial lettering. It began early in the 20th century and peaked about 1960 (the same time cars started losing their fins). Much of my inspiration comes from commercial lettering's heyday. Below are three excellent examples.
Faberge, logotype
martins, logotype
Chantilly, logotype
     
Today's lettering draws from every imaginable source, from prehistoric to purely experimental. Any writing, drawing, or painting instrument can be used to make hand lettering. Brushes and pens with ink make the purest forms.
quill pen 2
Quill Pen



computer
Mr. Computer, too

 

broad edged brush
Broad Edged Brush

broad edged pen
Broad Edged Pen

pointed brush
Pointed Brush

ruling pen
Ruling Pen
found object brush
Found Object Brush

Learning Hand Lettering, from Traditional to Contemporary