Architectural alphabet: lettering technique

When scrapbookers create titles and journaling, the ultimate effect comes from more than just the words themselves. The font or alphabet we choose makes a statement all its own. That means it’s important to use an alphabet style that complements the theme, mood, and sense of the words you’ve so carefully chosen. To demonstrate that complementary relationship, let’s look at an alphabet style that complements the text in Back home again. Specifically, we’d like to introduce you to Architectural alphabet, a style based on the old Roman alphabet, actually created in ancient Rome. (No surprise there – don’t “all roads lead to Rome”?) The essence of Architectural alphabet – like that of its ancestor, old Roman alphabet – is an eloquent combination of thin and thick strokes. But Architectural alphabet presents a bit harder edge and more geometric rigidity than the Romans might have preferred. (It may be helpful to download and print the Architectural alphabet to refer to while you read this article.)

Over the years, architectural alphabet style has inspired many variants. But we always recognize some characteristic basics, including exaggerated stroke height and angle, and elongated, tipsy ovals. What follows is a primer for you to practice and perfect your own “architectural” style. We’ve also included a few secrets to speed you toward your own unique, personal architectural style. As with any lettering job, the proper tools can make the difference in creating consistent, readable letters. Here are the tools and materials you’ll need:

• A suitable table or drawing board with a smooth, hard surface
• Appropriate paper
• A good pencil (FB or HB is preferred, but the widely available 2B will also produce good results.)
• A triangle (a ruler will work)
• A T-square
• A pencil sharpener
• A small strip of fine sandpaper for “chiseling” the pencil tip (drawing the pencil lead along the sandpaper creates the flat “chisel”-shaped tip.)

Quick tip: If you don’t have access to a T-square, try using a grid-lined paper on a light box placed beneath your lettering page, so you can align your triangle (or ruler) along the grid lines. If you have only a small section to journal, a few very light guidelines drawn in pencil or a vanishing ink pen will also suffice.

The Architectural alphabet font is built on bold, informal horizontal, vertical, and diagonal strokes of varying thickness, and it pleases the eye with appealingly tilted ovals. As in traditional calligraphy, the tip-design and angle of the instrument are crucial. A chiseled pencil tip produces optimum results, and you’ll need to sharpen and chisel your pencil often.

The varying widths of each letter result from using the fine tip of the pencil for thin strokes and the chiseled edge for thicker ones. To make a thin line, hold your pencil at a comfortable 45° angle with the pointed tip of the lead touching the paper. Using your triangle (and T-square, if you have one) draw a vertical line, pulling towards, not away from, your body.

To thicken the strokes, turn your pencil tip so that the flat chiseled edge is against the paper and draw horizontal or diagonal lines with firm pressure from left to right. Probably the most important habit to develop when lettering this alphabet is to use your triangle for all vertical lines. Don’t get sloppy and let those lines slant! The naked eye is very adept at spotting slight deviations from the vertical and you may not notice the creeping slant until you finish and step back to look at your work. It’s just like hanging a picture: close up, you can’t always tell when it’s crooked!

Ovals can be tricky if you try to draw them all in one stroke and perfectly vertical. That’s a problem the Architectural alphabet avoids since its ovals are flattened, asymmetrical, and tilted to the right.

The basic oval – found in just the letters “O” and “Q” and in the number “0” – is drawn in two strokes, first the left side, then the right. Start at the top for each stroke, joining them at the bottom of the second stroke. The pencil should be held with the pointed tip again at a comfortable 45° angle, but allowed to pivot slightly as you move through the stroke, allowing the chiseled edge to thicken the middle section of the oval. (Refer to the letters “O” and “Q” in your printed Architectural alphabet.)

The second architectural oval – also flattened, but not quite so angled – is found in all the remaining letters and numbers with curves; it’s made in one quick stroke. (See letter “C” and the number “9” for examples.) Though these two examples vary in size and completion, both are executed with the same quick one-stroke motion.

Quick tip: Whenever you letter a lengthy sentiment or story, place a clean sheet of paper under your hand. It prevents the oils from your hand coming off and soiling the page.

As with all skills, the best way to mastering the architectural style is to practice it. Unlike most styles of calligraphy, the architectural style is plain, it requires no specialized tools (unless you call a triangle and sandpaper specialized tools), and it’s easy to master. Follow these simple rules, always use a chisel-tipped pencil, and you’ll soon be lettering confidently in your own personal architectural style.

Once you've started scanning artwork, photos, memorabilia, and everything else you can get your hands on, it's hard to stop! Plus, there is a world of options for scanning fabric – learn how to scan in order to restore a vintage quilt for example. Look around, dig out those old photo albums, and imagine the myriad possibilities in scanning and quilting. It's a combination that's hard to beat.