Book Review: How to Write and Draw in Fountain Pen

I recently got the chance to check out the new book How to Draw and Write in Fountain Pen by Ayano Usamura. She’s taken the vintage style of using a fountain pen and put a trendy modern spin on it. Inside the 95 page soft cover book you’ll find everything you need to know about using a fountain pen.

Learn about the different styles of pens and nibs, how to use a cartridge or fill a pen from an ink well and how to clean and how to care for your pens. There are tips on how to properly hold a fountain pen (with notes for lefties that I really appreciated), how to make your strokes and how to color in images. You’ll also learn what types of paperwork best and other handy tools to have.

You can start out practising drawing different types of lines, then move on to simple shapes and then easy illustrations. Ayano includes lots of step by step direction with little drawings that makes it easy to follow along. There’s a large section on drawing images and also different styles of fonts and letters. Once you’ve got the hang of it she’s got terrific ideas on how to combine it all together for layouts that include frames, phrases and illustrations with a section for DIY ideas from sticker labels, to planner pages, gift tags, a wedding board and more. To help you practice and get started there’s a cute handy tracing booklet inside as well as blank tear out practice paper.

I found the book really user friendly and was able to follow the steps to create some fun projects of my own. Considering I have pretty terrible handwriting and not a lot of natural talent for drawing I was really happy with how my projects turned out. Using a red ink cartridge in my fountain pen on Bristol cardstock (that was recommended in the book) I drew a wedding card with a frame of leaves and flowers around the couples name, adding some color with markers. Also drew a Harry Potter themed notebook cover following some of the designs directly from the book as well as creating my own.

I also made some fun planner stickers with blue ink using different illustrations and a font from the book that I drew then punched out from sticker paper.

I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look at How to Write and Drawn in Fountain Pen, I really enjoyed trying something new that I can now add to my scrapbook pages and card making.

-Heather

More Ideas For You:

Brianna used textured cardstock and torn pattern papers at an angle for the background of her darling design. There’s lots of Fall images in clusters, notebook paper for the journaling and pattern title. Find more details at the Doodlebug Blog.

As a child Fall was one of my favorite times of year to be outside. Jumping in piles of leaves, taking a stroll and crunching fallen acorns, riding my bike a few last times before it get’s too cold and trips to pick apples and Autumn produce. It’s a wonderful time to get the kids out and take some fabulous Fall photos. Today we’re taking a look at scrapbook layout ideas for babies and children with Fall themes.

Below each photo you’ll find a link, click it for details like process video, techniques and products used.

Helen used a large open die cut for the title of her sweet page. She’s backed it and the pumpkin dies with orange, brown and blue pattern papers for a great color combo. There’s also lots of die cut leaves, and a pumpkin wax seal. Find a link to her process video at the Hey, Little Magpie blog.

This stunning layout from Michelle Lee has soft and subtle shades of greens and browns with a vintage feel from film strips, dried looking leaves, stacks of frames and tabs, netting and aged looking background paper. Take a closer look at the 49th and Market blog.

Here’s a adorable Autumn layout from Monique with bold and bright colors and patterns. She used a pumpkin die and backed it with plaid pattern papers and also applied gesso and watercolor over top of the her background pattern paper. There’s also a cute title made from foam letter stickers. Hop over to the Paige Taylor Evans blog for more info.

This layout focuses on the coziness of Fall with lots of stitching, a sweater image, fun Autumn phrases, torn sweater pattern paper and thin stitched leaf pattern borders. I spotted this cozy kid layout at the Echo Park Instagram page.

This sweet design has loads of Autumn patterns in a grid with washi tape, a tag with twine and cute chipboard squirrel. Notice how some of the tiny sentiments and embellishments are stapled down for added interest too. Visit The Cherry on Top blog for more info.

This totally adorable layout reminds me of a nature journal with the black on rust botanical paper background and die cut flowers and leaves. There’s a cute floral bouquet in a pair of hiking boots and touches of gold all around as well. Take a closer peek at the Spellbinders blog.

This amazing Autumn layout from Erika has so much texture, depth and pattern! She staggered three large blocks of pattern paper, stitching around the edges of each, behind the photo is acetate printed with words, there’s clusters of Fall chipboard shapes, strips of journaling and a fun title. Find more info at the Bella Blvd blog.

This gorgeous grid design from Karyn has a large scalloped circle with photos in the center but all together they’ve been cut into squares and slightly separated to show the golden paper behind. There’s also a leaf border and an oval for journaling. Watch her process video on the Karyn Crops blog.

Allison started with a sketch as inspiration for her layout that features one large photo. Two corners of the photo are covers by stitched strips of pattern papers at an angle. There’s also large clusters of flowers and leaves in two corners to contrast the woodgrain background. Learn more at the Allison Davis 4 GS blog.

This charming layout from Jessica uses a large leaf die cut from black and backed with plaid paper as a focal behind the photo. There’s also fussy cut flowers and leaves, chipboard title and lots of mixed media fun on the background with watercolor, splatter and lots of small gems. I came across her idea on her Jessica E Michaels Instagram page

This little guy is having a blast wandering around the Fall forest. Julie used torn paper, an acrylic title, wooden shapes, vellum shapes, staples and more to add loads of texture to her design. Take a closer look over at the Bramble Fox blog.

I hope you and your kids are able to get out and enjoy some Fall weather and take lots of fun pictures to scrapbook!

-Heather

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