Showcasing something that I have LOVED doing on my Instagram recently: using food coloring while I letter! I saw this trick on @VeronicaLetters Instagram when she did a live video a while back and I had to test it out myself and ever since then, I’ve been hooked. I wanted to come on my blog and share it with you guys who may be looking for an easy (and affordable way) to get a really amazing look to your lettering.
It’s simple. The supplies you’ll need are:
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- Your favorite marker in a lighter color (think yellow, light blue, light pink, etc.) (The Pentel pens are my favorite, grab them here)
- Food Coloring (I snagged mine at my local grocery store)
- Paper (I use either Canson XL Watercolor or a Rhodia pad)
- Paint Palette (currently under a dollar here)
All you do is squeeze out the tiniest drop of food coloring into your palette. You can use just one or you can use a couple to switch it up between letters or between strokes. Here I am using a drop of purple and a drop of blue.
Next, you’ll want to dip the tip of your pen into the food coloring and start to letter. Here I am using my pink Pentel and first dipping into the purple.
And voila! You have a quick and easy “blended” look to your lettering. There are so many possibilities! Below I’ll show you a few different ways to use it.
First, I’ll just remind you that the color options are seriously endless (so maybe not “endless” but as many colors of food coloring that you can find). In the photo above, I’m using a yellow marker with two shades of green.
If you dip once at the beginning and let it fade into the color of your pen, you’ll achieve an ombre effect. You can dip in between letters or in between strokes. This is a terrible example of dipping in between strokes because “k” is really the only letter where I pick up my pen to start a new stroke but you guys know what I mean. Hehe.
I also wanted to show you what difference the paper makes. Above is the same effect on Rhodia paper instead of the Canson paper that all of the others photos show. There isn’t a huge difference honestly. I have always said that I used the Canson because I feel like the colors pop more but as I look at these photos comparatively, I think they both look absolutely amazing. Keep in mind that the Canson paper is textured so overtime, it can destroy the tip of your pen. Generally, I use my Rhodia for fun and practice and then use my Canson paper for the videos I film to put on my Instagram account. If you use a different paper that you love, I’d love to know in the comments below.
I should mention that dipping my pen into food coloring the first time physically hurt my heart. In fact, I bought a second set of pens so that I could use my old ones for this experiment. You know, just in case. But I’m here to tell you guys that your pens will survive! A bit of writing and the food coloring comes off and you’re left with the original color- even with the yellow. Although, if you’re like me, having a second set makes you feel even better! Hahaha.
Look, you can even spice it up using the color gray. I hope you test it out and tag me on Instagram if you do (@bossybrushstrokes) so I can see your amazing work. Until next time, stay bossy y’all.
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