Sketchnote Lettering Skills with Mike Rohde

Lettering for sketchnotes… Isn't that just called “handwriting”? Actually, it's much more than that!

Everyone has their own preferences. Some find it easier to write on a large format, while others feel more comfortable on smaller ones. If you want to improve your lettering skills in your sketchbook, or learn new styles to add some variety, then you've come to the right place.

material

First, you need the right tools. Since your markers shouldn't be too big, the Neuland FineOne® is your best friend for sketchbooks. And since it comes in four different versions with water-based ink, we'll give you a brief overview first. By the way, the FineOne – just like all our markers – is refillable. 😉

The FineOne Sketch pen is available in various line widths. All our FineOne pens are refillable.

As the name suggests, the Outliner is perfect for bold, black lines that won't smudge when you paint over them with other colors. For thinner lines, we recommend the FineOne Sketch with a fineliner tip in various widths (0.1–0.7 mm), depending on what suits you best. The FineOne Sketch 0.5 is even available in different colors, as is the FineOne Art . Many people like to use the latter for their sketchnotes to draw shadows with our Tones of Grey .

The only thing you're missing now is the right sketchbook . Since this is something very personal and intimate, you should really think about what's important to you and get one that's truly special. The paper should ideally be around 120-150 g/m², but what's much more important is that you have a sketchbook you can fill with love and creativity. One that makes you smile when you look at it.

The stars in this picture: FineOne Outliner and FineOne Art

Now that you know all about the right tools, we should finally get down to practical application. And you're in luck, because sketchnoting expert Mike Rohde held a workshop at the IFVP 2020 online conference and was kind enough to provide us with some excerpts in which he demonstrates five different lettering styles.

2-line lettering

The first style is perfect for headlines and highlighting individual words. You start by writing a word with simple lines, then add a second line parallel to the letters, and finally, you can simply fill in the spaces in between with your outliner. After that, you can review each letter individually and make corrections. With a little practice, you'll quickly develop your own style, and naturally, you'll become faster. So you see, it's easier than you think.

3-line lettering

Here you start again with a simple line, but leave a little more space between the individual letters and then add two more lines. Once you've filled everything in, you can make a few more adjustments. This might take a bit more practice, but it's still a very simple solution for headings or specific words that you want to immediately catch the eye in your sketchnotes.

The coolest thing about these two fonts is the process of how you go from a simple line to a finished word that really stands out. You can either use the raw version as a template to easily adjust the letters, or you can create a 2-line or 3-line lettering later if you have a little more time or want to focus a bit more on the writing itself.

Condensed Lettering

With this method, you should first draw a framework with a pencil so you can estimate how small or large your letters should be. After a while, you'll develop a better feel for it, but this is incredibly helpful at the beginning. In the video above, Mike explains his process in more detail.

You can either leave the font as it is, or make the letters a little thicker, like in the first example. But remember: proceed slowly and only adjust your letters until you like them and they suit your style. If you prefer a slightly crooked look, that's perfectly fine; it shouldn't look computer-generated. That's precisely what makes it beautiful and unique!

Ligatures

In typography, a ligature is the merging of two letters. The letters don't necessarily have to touch. In this video, Mike demonstrates his own version, which is also very space-efficient and adds more personality to your lettering. Here you can create interesting combinations by utilizing the unused space of a letter to make your lettering more exciting.

You should start by trying out different combinations, such as TT, TE, TOT, ITI, LE, LL, LO, LA. Soon you'll realize which ones you use most often and can then integrate them into your sketchnotes. It's so much fun!

You can add even more variation by drawing a line under a letter that you've previously written slightly smaller than the others. You'll see this at the end of the video. You should definitely try it out. 🙂

Faux script

Do you find it difficult to write with a brush tip? We have to admit, script is a very difficult font to learn, especially for beginners, and it takes time to create beautiful lettering with a brush tip without getting nervous. 😉 But don't worry, you don't necessarily need the FineOne Art pen for this style.

In smaller formats, it's much easier to experiment with faux script using the FineOne Outliner (round tip) or the FineOne Sketch, which is available in various thicknesses. This style is also very easy to correct if you don't like it the first time.

Of course, there are many variations of faux script. In the video, Mike shows you a few examples that you can use for inspiration and to find your own style. And again: The lettering shouldn't look perfect at all, but rather be something personal and unique. 🙂

Now it's your turn!

Now you have five new lettering styles to practice, and we'd love for you to share them with us. And don't forget to check out Mike's Instagram page !