FAQs

Hopefully you will find all the answers to your questions on this page! If not - use the contact form to get in touch with me and I am more than happy to help!

I can't install the brushes I have downloaded

Watch my video with the easiest way to install brushes, practice sheets and template: Click here to watch video. Or, if you'd prefer the 'old way', you can check out the installation guide here: Click to view Installation Guide.

The practice sheets won't download

Since the practice sheets are larger files they can sometimes take a bit longer to download, during which time the browser seems to 'hang', but they are definitely downloading! Please be patient - it can take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection. Check out the tutorials to find out more about how to use download and install the practice sheets: Click to view Tutorial.

The practice sheets I downloaded only show the letters a - e

That's because the layers of all other letters are hidden! Each letter is on a separate layer which let's you turn the visibility on and off so you can practice any combination of letters your like, or use the spare empty lines :). Check out the tutorials to find out how to use the practice sheets: Click to view Tutorials.

I can't / don't want to use PayPal - are there any other payment options?

You don't need a PayPal account to make a payment! You can just use your credit card (including prepaid cards) by selecting the appropriate tab on the checkout page.

Which apps do you use?

I love using the Procreate app for about 95% of all lettering I do. I also use Affinity Designer, Vectornator and Adobe Sketch on the iPad, and on my laptop I'm using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Which iPad do you recommend?

I personally have the 12.9" iPad Pro, and it's the one I recommend. I love the bigger screen size for anything I do! I carry the iPad in my handbag alongside my 15" Macbook Pro every day and it's not too heavy or bulky.

How much storage do you recommend?

This of course depends what you want to do with your iPad! I have the 512GB version, but I'm storing my whole music and video libraries as well. If you are only using it for lettering, then the basic version is probably big enough.

Why are my strokes not thick and thin like yours?

All Procreate brushes I use are pressure sensitive. This means you put more pressure on your pencil for your downstrokes than your upstrokes. If you can't get it working, try the following:

  • Play around with your brush size. If you make it bigger, the pressure sensitivity will become more obvious.
  • Play around with your canvas size and different zoom levels. Start with a 2048px x 2048px canvas size and then pinch zoom it in and out until to see what difference it makes to the thickness of your brush strokes.

Can I use an iPad other than the iPad Pro?

Yes you can! However, you probably won't get quite the same results if you don't have an iPad you can use with an Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil makes the biggest difference when it comes to lettering because it's so precise, and unfortunately it only works with the iPad Pro and the newest iPad.

I don't have an iPad that works with an Apple Pencil. Which stylus do you recommend?

I have personally tried the Pencil by 53 and the Adonit Pixel stylus. Out of the two I far prefer the Adonit Pixel stylus. I have used it with my 2nd gen iPad mini, and it works ok. You'll be able to get the thick and thin strokes, although the result is not comparable to what you would get on the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. There is a recorded Facebook live video where I'm doing a demo: Getting started with Procreate 4 and Show Me Your Drills

Can I use your practice sheets on an iPhone?

Yes you can! Procreate Pocket 2 is available now, and you will be able to import the practice sheets. Having said that, I don't really recommend practicing your lettering on the phone because the small screen size is not very practical :P

How do I get started with hand lettering?

This is a question I get asked a lot - and there's 2 ways to go about it. The first option is to get a nice set of practice sheets and start tracing letters until you feel comfortable writing them your yourself. I have made Procreate specific practice sheets that your can find here: Practice Sheets. The other option is doing a course, where you will get step-by-step instructions and a lot more guidance than just practicing yourself. I have put together a page with a list of courses I have personally taken and/or highly recommend.

Is it possible to learn calligraphy and/or hand lettering entirely on the iPad?

Yes! I have never done any hand lettering or calligraphy before I got my iPad Pro. I started my hand lettering journey by getting practice sheets first, and then I wanted to expand my knowledge and skillset and ended up participating in a number of online courses, which made a huge difference.

How do I get started with Procreate?

Good question! There's 3 things I recommend: 1) The iPad Bootcamp! I have teamed up with Amanda Arneill to create this very in-depth course which teaches all the basics of Procreate and much more! Click here to check it out! 2) Read the Procreate handbook - it is really awesome!! You can get it from here: Procreate Handbook. 3) Watch some of my tutorials - they are right here: tutorials

Which screen protector do you use?

I recently got the PaperLike screen protector and I highly recommend it! I tried a few other screen protectors before but kept removing them again because they didn't provide a consistent enough feel, but with the PaperLike I don't have this issue anymore. It's really really good, works perfectly with the Apple Pencil, no more glare and finger prints on the screen, aaaand - it comes with awesome instructions how to apply it! I managed to put it on first time perfectly :) Click here to read more about it!