5 Ways to Use Tracing Paper
What is Tracing Paper used for?
Tracing paper is used to create a precise copy of a design. Commonly used by artists and other trades, it also is tremendously useful for hand lettering designs.
How can Tracing Paper be applied to Brush Lettering?
You can use tracing paper for your hand lettered designs by utilizing the low opacity paper. You can do this by first sketching out your designs separately, then going in with tracing paper then layer your designs together in your ideal positions. Once you have your design completed, you will want to turn the tracing paper over and trace the mirrored image. In this stage, you will no longer see “letters” you will now only see the composition of the design. This is the perfect time to reflect on the size of letters and the overall design as a whole. If you decide an element should be adjusted, fix it at this time.
Where can I buy Tracing Paper? ***These are affiliate links
Darice 9-Inch-by-12-Inch Tracing Paper, 100-Sheets
Strathmore 300 Series Tracing Pad, 9"x12" Tape Bound, 50 Sheets
5 Ways to Use Tracing Paper
1. Practicing the Design
a. When you dive into a design, using tracing paper, can benefit you and your design. Using tracing paper requires: an initial drawing. Once your first drawing is created, use your tracing paper to trace. When tracing, you build muscle memory. You also can see your design through a “lense” or in this case paper.
b. The muscle memory you build through tracing, will ultimately prepare you for inking your design.
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| Figure 1 |
2. Layering Designs
a. Layering your design can be a huge benefit. First draw out all the components of your design – separate from one another. Assure you are satisfied with the sizes and angles, and then trace.
b. This provides leverage as you build the composition of your design. It gives you full creative control to decide where to place each element. You can center or offset any part you choose.
c. Reference Figure 2. You'll notice that the design become one on the tracing paper.
c. Reference Figure 2. You'll notice that the design become one on the tracing paper.
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| Figure 2 |
a. Once you have a design you are utterly happy with, this design can now be used as template!
b. The perk of your template being on tracing paper is that now you can quickly prep this design again, again, and again.
c. Reference Figure 3. As you can see, this template took a while to create. There was a bit of math involved to create this grid. Now that's it's made, I can use this grid as many times as needed - very accessible.
c. Reference Figure 3. As you can see, this template took a while to create. There was a bit of math involved to create this grid. Now that's it's made, I can use this grid as many times as needed - very accessible.
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| Figure 3 |
4. Smooth Paper Optimization
a. The smooth consistency of tracing paper allows for error.
b. Unlike copy paper (or even cardstock for the matter), tracing paper is very easy to erase undesired lines and stroked. Making it the perfect way to seamlessly touch up any design.
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| Figure 4 |
a. If you choose to avoid writing directly into a Brush Calligraphy Workbook, use tracing paper to practice! It will keep your book spotless, and ready to be used over and over again.
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| Figure 5 |
If you use any of these techniques share your work with me! Instagram: Tag @dashingletters and use #thedashingletters for a chance to be featured!
XOXO,
Candice
This is so great, thank you so much for sharing! ������
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that you found this helpful! I appreciate the feedback :)
DeleteGreat post! I tried the Darice brand tracing paper last year when I first started lettering and it frayed my brush tips. I don't know if that was due to me being a beginner or because the paper has a medium surface (according to the description on the cover of the pad).
ReplyDelete