Those of you who have been tuning into the Do What You Love series will no doubt have fallen a little bit in love with Jasmine Dowling’s typography. She recently offered to show us exactly how she creates these masterpieces, and I jumped at the chance to see her work in action. The funny thing is that before she walked me through it I had no idea it would be so artistic, for some reason I thought most things like this are done on the computer. I guess I should have known, because in many ways it’s similar to the process typography pro Gemma O’brien uses to teach first time typographers (remember?). I was so happy to see that so much of Jasmine goes into each and every one. Read on to see how she does it! I’mĀ also giving away one print from her recent collab with Molten Store so head to the bottom to enter!
My Typography – by Jamine Dowling
The little story of how I got started on my typography band wagonĀ actually started because of college holidays. Naturally being a stress head, who constantly likes to remain busy it got to holidays where uni students around the world breathe a sigh of relief and hit the pillow for most of their days. I did do that for the first day I admit, but after day that I needed something to do asap between work. After studying a typography class a semester earlier I realised my passion for it, I decided to get back into it but this time without the computer.
I was always amazed by those with extreme hand craft skills and wanted to teach myself the skill of hand lettered typography. A few things I learnt quite quickly was that a)Ā you can not do this stressedĀ b)Ā you can’t drink too much coffee before doing itĀ and c)Ā it takes longer than you think.
Anyway, I started off dabbling in a calligraphy-like treatment without calligraphy pens. Then later falling in love with ink. For those who ask what my tools of the trade are, they aren’t anything fancy.Ā All I use is: paper, indian ink / regular ink pot, a fine brush (I am not sure the type I use, I just picked the one that felt right?), pencil, eraser, oh and water.
Now that I am set, I am ready to create ..
I start by picking an expression, I write it out in pencil making sure it all fits nicely for an A4 print. Personally my favourite thing about doing these, is that it is my own handwriting, that no one else has so try to make it yours as much as you can. After that I mix 2 parts water to 1 part ink into your palette. You can change this depending on if you want it really dark or light. Then I go over my writing, changing the pressure of my brush to paper making sure my brush is always wet. Once I am finished I leave it to dry before rubbing out the pencil underneath. To clean it up I then scan it onto my mac, then touch up the colour and line in Photoshop if I need to.
After it is printed it is put into a frame or taped to the wall surrounded by other treasures and of course flowers!
Giveaway
CLOSED
As I mentioned Jasmine has recently launched a line of limited edition prints in collab with Molten Store (you can get your hands on them hereĀ and here), and I’m super excited to be giving away one to a lucky reader!
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below with what you would ask Jasmine to put in a quote if you had the choice! Make sure to leave your email in the email box so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. Contest closes Friday the 8th November.
I almost forgot to mention, Jasmine also does freelance designs, so if you want anything made up click through to her website and get in touch with her. You won’t be disappointed!
Update: Thank you for entering everyone, so much food for thought in the quotes you’ve chosen! The winner, picked at random is Bethan. xx
So beautiful!!! If i get to win, here’s my quote š
“Knowledge to Know what to do, Wisdom to know how to do, Grace to actually do it. All of this, comes from God.”
Thanks ladies!!
So cool to look into Jasmine’s process! I would love the Winnie the Pooh quote, “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
Jasmine’s work is amazing and so is yours Geneva!! I am going with a golden oldie by Abraham Lincoln so apt for how I am feeling right now…
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Fingers crossed! Jackaline
Her typography is so simple but beautiful!
If I could get a quote, it would be: ” I am not young enough to know everything.” Oscar Wilde
Beautiful work, its amazing how she can take words and turn them into pieces of art. I hope to be able to hold on to such great work.
“Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”
-Swami Sivananda
āDespite everything, life is full of beauty and meaning.ā
ā Etty Hillesum
Love this, so elegant and cool!!
My quote would be from the wonderful and wise Roald Dahl:
‘If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look happy’.
I would say ‘break up with burpies!’. Perfect present for my trainer at Christmas!
Ender’s Game is my favorite book of all time, and the movie adaptation was awesome. I would love to have a print saying “The enemy’s gate is down.”
this is lovely!
one of my favourite movies is always worth quotingā¦
“ensemble, c’est tout.”
i am sorry, you can delete this one!
this is lovely!
one of my favourite movies is always worth quotingā¦
āensemble, cāest tout.ā
I, my name is Joana and I am writing from Europe.
I hope I can participate in this giveaway because I just think that Jasmineās work is really beautiful.
The quote that means the most for me is: “Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible!”
I my life I always try to keep my feet on the ground, but I never stop dreaming that more is possible.
Kisses,
Joana
Wow ladies!!! Wonderful Jasmine, my jaw has dropped to the floor at your inspiring gift and talent. I have been fascinated by the special world of handwriting and calligraphy since I was eleven years old and I adore seeing people share their typography gifts as a profession. I stumbled across your sparkling website on Friday night Geneva, and have been spreading the AS&AP word…thank you I feel like I have found a long lost friend!! I’m crossing everything for this motivational quote:
“A year from now you may have wished you had started today”
(Great for the procrastinators among us who wonder where the time flew away to).
Thank you for sharing this xxxx
[…] BEHIND THE SCENES: JASMINEāS TYPOGRAPHY […]
Lovely Artwork!! My favorite quote is, ” A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of a sheep.”
would love to have
“We don’t make mistakes, we make happy little accidents.”
That’s very inspiring! Seems worth trying. Thanks for sharing š
And for the quote i’d love her to make is
“Never try to be someone else, be the better version of yourself”
I love this, I could use some help with my hand writing!
“Not all who wander are lost.”
Such a lovely thing to study and become skilled at!
http://www.fashionablepeople.co.uk
Oh how cool! I know, typography is a lot harder than it looks.
I love the quote: “Do good work. Every problem can be solved. Stay noble. Less is an option. Don’t be afraid to say no. Be perfectly clear. Never lie.”
Its a little long, but I really appreciate the saying š
taylerworrell@gmail.com
http://www.styleinterplay.com
…..
Wow this is stunning! I love seeing how others do their work and Jasmine’s is amazing.
My quote of choice would be:” Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.”
xx
http://www.zoesparablepsia.blogspot.com
Love this – perfect! Especially like the way she uses her own handwriting and advises other people to use theirs – so personal, although I doubt I could do as good a job!
I think I’d choose the Elbow lyric:
“You are the only thing in any room you’re ever in.”
xx
Love the typography! A quote that speaks to my heart is “Home is where mom is”. I love my mom š
What a special thought. xxx
This is so beautiful! I am actually thinking about studying typography. š
I would love to see Jasmine write – “Thoughts run wild when the lights are off”
leonarda.komen@gmail.com
http://soffisinglesstyle.blogspot.com/
Wow what a great giveaway. I’d probably ask sweetly for some silly but meaningful song lyrics “nanananana na na na, baby give it up”
All of her prints are stunning!
In keeping with the floral theme, I would choose “the Earth laughs in flowers”
How fun! I love hearing about other people’s creative processes.
Currently I am in love with the quote “Not all who wander are lost,” so that is one I am looking for everywhere, and I think it would be lovely in her style.
This is so cool! š I hope i will be the lucky…
Here’s my favourite quote:
“Work until your idols become your rivals”
And really thank you the giveaway! š
Love her style, very inspiring.
Beautiful artwork. Stunning.
my choice of a quote would be:
“Wait. Even miracles take a little time.”
x kathy
“I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then” from lewis carroll
Jasmineās work is amazing, thanks for a great blog Geneva!
My favorite quote is āDiplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.ā
A development of Churchill’s old āDiplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.ā
Wow, those are some beautiful prints!
I’m torn between two quotes, both said by some of my inspiring college teachers:
1. “The owls are not what they seem” – from a movie
2. “The only way to learn from your mistakes is by commiting them one at a time.”
– Aysha @ http://www.thecreativemuslimah.blogspot.com
“You’re my light at the end of the tunnel.” – Something I think many could relate to in the battles of love. In my case it would signify a very trying, rocky pregnancy, and the beautiful son I gained through it all.
It’s wonderful to see her process, what goes into her beautifully simplistic prints. Much love and appreciation. xo
Her prints are fantastic!
I’ve been obsessed with the quote by Oscar Wilde “You can never be overdressed or overeducated” lately.
Either that or get the 4 Agreements from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book:
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
4. Always Do Your Best
Those have really been inspiring me lately. Rock on, Geneva!
Such beautiful work. Must try some myself!
“All you need is love” Simple, but beautiful
I’d have to think about that if I won! I love the beautiful lettering….
xoMorgann
http://www.glitterinthegrey.com
“We must be our own before we can be another’s.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Great giveaway!
My quote would be: “En esta casa solo se permite ser feliz”.
THANKS!!
I love it! If I won I would have my favourite quote
“until this life runs out of me, I’ll keep on walking”
Wow her writing is beautiful!
Awesome post!
SSSx
http://www.stylestreetstalker.com
Experiences are what makes you richer…..
It’s so beautiful !
If I won I would like to get Ā« Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodiesĀ», it’s by Aristote (: I love it because it feels so true to me.
She’s amazing!
http://www.notanotherbeautyblog.co.uk
I adore her work, the lines and black/white ink contrast! The opportunities are endless but I love the idea of having something mundane like “fancy words and stuff” written in elaborate script. Maybe I should spend some time practicing calligraphy today. Thanks for the inspiration!
I would love to have “she’s la la lovely” as a print in our biggest babe’s room ā¤
I’ve been following Jasmine on Instagram and I love her work! Thanks for sharing her process š
If I had the choice, I would love to have this quote in Jasmine’s writing hanging on the wall of my study: “Be stronger than your excuses.” Just need a reminder every now and then!
Tiffany x
I love how simple yet effective this looks! I’d have the quote ‘Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity’ as a daily reminder š
So beautiful! This is my favourite quote, “Will you succeed? Yes you will indeed!”
Beautiful to be able to create something so bespoke & one of a kind. Would so love to have one of her designs…Am in the process of launching my own Personal Styling website so may have found something super unique to think about now :-).
My quote would be… ‘Love. Always love.’
xx
Love it.
“Don’t hope. Cope” – Tomi Ungerer
I would love a print that says “Be the kind of person you’d want to meet”!
“it’s never too late to be what you might have been” or “all good things are wild and free”
love the typography and the sudden spark of passion that led you to it!! currently searching for my own spark
“love is all you need”
would be my choice of quote.
Some people seem to think that life is unfortunate. I prefer to make my own fortune.
xx
Oh so great, i love the bit about using her own handwriting because no one can copy it.. i love that. If i won, id love “if only…”
xE
Thanks Geneva and Jasmine for this lovely post!
Here is my quote for the contest: “Work Hard & Be Nice To People”
i thought about teaching myself calligraphy once for my wedding invites- but it didn’t work out! i am in love with jasmine’s work!
my quote would be:
“i advocate glamour. every day. every minute. glamour above all things.”
~ dita von teese
xo
sami
Inspired to try this out. Would look gorgeous framed on the wall in my living room. Thanks for the ideas! xx
āToday was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.ā
ā Dr. Seuss
“You are Love”
I’d like:
“Do not meddle with the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger”
I absolutely adore calligraphy (and all pretty writing) but unfortunately have made a mess of things in past attempts…seeing this makes me want to go pick up some supplies and give it another go š
If I could have a quote, I would probably choose one that I think does a great job representing who I am. “I have sea foam in my veins, I understand the language of waves.” So pretty, right?
Thanks for giving away a print, Jasmine and thanks to you, Geneva, for sharing this (and Jasmine) with us!
Love how simple her prints are! I think this is more of a saying but it’s “Do small things with great love.”
This is a beautiful quote. May I borrow that please to use with my children?! xxx
“Seize the Day”. ClichĆ©, I know… But it was my late father’s motto and I hold it very dear to my heart. Keeps me motivated every day.
Wow, so beautiful! I wish my handwriting was that nice!
It’s a bit cheesy, but I would get “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return” from Moulin Rouge.
xx Nicole
http://npk-blog.blogspot.com
āDiscover why youāre important, then refuse to settle for anyone who doesnāt completely agree.ā
ToriSimpson711@gmail.com
“If people could be persuaded to read and write, not just to eat and make love, there was still a chance that they might come to reason.”
–Once and Future King, T. H. White
āIf people could be persuaded to read and write, not just to eat and make love, there was still a chance that they might come to reason.ā
āOnce and Future King, T. H. White
Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.
– Janis Joplin
Her work is lovely! If I had the chanse I would ask her to write only one word: waterfall. I think that it is the most pretty word you can write in the english language!
Beautiful!
IĀ“d love smething like “Then well walk away into the endless ocean of insanity and pretend to be ok…” itĀ“s from a song that I love!
Maybe itĀ“s a little too long. but i also love “Work hard, play harder” somewhat funny, somewhat a reminder.
LOVE THIS. I took typography in college and although I found it frustrating at times, it’s something that I’m quite fond of. I love seeing artists/graphic designers creating their own type. This one is especially my favorite!
-Char
http://www.simplynewtral.com
What a beautiful writing, I wish I’d be able to do that!
“Everything happens for a reason”
Thank you!! š
Xoxo Cent4urThoughts
So cool! š
http://ladykfashionparty.blogspot.com/
Those who mind dont matter and those who matter dont mind
Forget to mention that it was by Dr Suess
These prints are gorgeous! Will definitely be heading to Jasmine’s website! I would love a print that says “All is well”. Thanks for the great comp!
“Let the love be palpable”
š
molly.j.woods@gmail.com
I love the typography! Love this post!!!
My favourite quote…
Wish it
Dream it
Do it
http://www.he11okiki.com
Looks absolutely beautiful! would love to win it!
My quote would be either “I can show you fear in a handful of dust” or “There are no barriers preventing you from your dreams so think outside of the box”
Thanks!
I would ask for this quote:
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
-Dr Suess
Ohh I love it š
“hello lovely”
Paradise is where I happen to be – Voltaire
“Follow your own star”
I love these! So beautiful!
I would have… “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”
Emma x
emma.willey@hotmail.com
What a wonderful giveaway! I’d love to see the phrase ‘the universe glitters / in my hand’ from a poem I wrote featured on a piece!x
I would love one! I think typography can look so beautiful, it would be great to win something to personal and original.
I would pick “My wings will carry me” as my quote š xxx
Wow, I love this!!
“I will take the sun in my mouth & leap into the ripe air”
or “i need coffee” hehe
Love this!!!
Just what I need for my new apt. in NYC-
which is why I think “The best is yet to come” is the perfect quote. ( It’s on Frank Sinatra’s tombstone… aka who I pretend I’m meeting for cocktails after work š )
Natalie, this is fabulous and has put a smile on my face today, thank you!! xxx
I LOVE these prints, absolutely beautiful. My favourite quote is:
“Wherever I’m going I’m already home”
Would love to have it up on my wall!
Katie x
Lovely,
“i am in a mood to dissolve in the sky”
My quote would be : Hold On. Believe. Cherish.
Beautiful typography. I’d have her write “Not all who wander are lost”
LOVE Typography! So simple yet expresses so much in the prettiest of form.
If I were to choose my own quote, I think I would do “Be your own kind of beautiful”
Best of luck to everyone! š
i would love to see the sayings
“do more of what makes you happy” and “youāre exactly where youāre supposed to be and youāre exactly who youāre supposed to be”
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations”.
— John Green
How wonderfully Jasmine could breathe life into these words.
I really admire your work and I know how difficult it is, well I tried and didn’t work out haha even though we had typography at school…
So I have a lot of quotes that I like, but one of my favourite is:
a certain darkness is needed to see the stars
good night from germany š
“Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
her work seems so effortless and is reminiscent of calligraphy masters, its mostly meditation to get to the true meaning of the word before you can represent it on paper.
Gorgeous prints!
I would love one that read, ‘seek happiness’.
Firstly I think Jasmine has a beautiful talent and creativeness to her. I would choose “Not all who wander are lost” which I can really relate to at this point of my life.
A few people have chosen that one already though, so my back up would be “You drive me a beautiful crazy”, because that’s what my partner does to me and I’m so in love with him. Xx
always look on the bright side of life
That was such a interesting insight into Jasmineās process!
If I could pick any quote, it would be:
People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away.
ā F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.
“Whatever you do in life will be insignificant but it is very important you do it because nobody else will.”
– from the film, ‘Remember Me’
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde
Thank you for the opportunity! Dreamy work š I’d love one that would say: “Soar!”
“Things don’t need to last forever to be perfect”
– Caroline Wexler in the movie Daydream Nation
These are beautiful, thanks for holding a giveaway!
If I am lucky enough to win my quote would be “Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.”
Fingers crossed!
camillefranks0@gmail.com
Not all those who wander are lost
I would use this inspirational quote by Eleanor Roosevelt : ” The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”
I would love love love a quote.
“For God so Loved the world” is what I’d want mine to say.
I’m a huge fan of Jasmine Dowling so I’d love to hang some prints on my wall! If I could choose a quote I would have ‘The best is yet to come.’ – nice and simple (:
Amy x
http://www.amyvalentine.co.uk/
Absolutely beautiful!! As a paper and ink fan this is right up my alley. I sign all my letters and emails “Live Life Abundantly” as a reminder to myself and others so that seems perfect and I would be so proud to display this in my home!! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway, hope I am lucky but whomever will be very delighted and blessed.
I love her typography! My mom passed away earlier this year, and the quote I would love to have is “the ribbons of my mother’s love are woven around my heart”
Lovely to see other people’s processes, so fascinating.
I would pick this āBoldness has genius, power and magic in it.ā
I love her work <3
I would love "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves" – Shakespeare
My email is: abby.k.campbell@gmail.com
Good luck! Xx
“I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made”
For those days when I feel like I didn’t matter to the world.
For the dark gloomy days when I feel that all is lost.
For those days when the light peaks through my window and greets me “Good morning”.
For those days when my soul wonders.
And finally, for those days when my heart marvels at my own existence.
I love all types of typography and had been practicing my own script for the past month!! You know why? Cos it’s going on as a tattoo on my arm as my birthday present!!
If I could be so lucky to get a ink print (*pun haha) by Jasmine, it would be my to-be-tattooed quote “Keep Calm and Carry On Smiling”
š
Love Jasmine Dowling! Such distinctive writing, full of whimsy. My quote would be from the Paul Simon song The Boy in the Bubble:
“These are the days of miracle and wonder”
Keep up the great work, Jasmine!
“This little light of mine”
It would be beautiful to wake up to this every day…. especially the bad ones!
I would ask Jasmine for this quote:
“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
LOVE!! what a timeless piece to have for ever.
“success is not the key to happiness but happiness the key to success”
xxx
Such amazing work by Jasmine. The quote I would love to see is a partial quote of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem ‘what if you slept’
And what if
When you awoke
You had that flower in you hand
Ah, what then?
Jasmin’s writing is so beautiful, if I win, i’d like:
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return’
Thanks x
Oh myā¦ what a lovely competition. I would have:
“I may be small, but my heart is big.”
Said by my 5 year old son tonight when we had a fight over dinner tonight, then we kissed and made up.
Absolutely love your work Geneva and Jasmine. The quote I would choose would be “The world is your oyster” š
It’s a bit long, but I adore this song lyric from Iron and Wine:
“I’ve been thinking it’s a sign, that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they’re perfectly aligned.”
Fingers crossed x
Love your work!
“Mi Casa es su Casa”
If I get it, I’ll make sure is the first thing my guest read when they entered my house.
X
Beautiful work.
We say “Keep Moving Forward” quite often in my home.
I love Jasmine’s prints! So exciting that she sells them online too š I would love her to do the quote, “I will hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection.”
I’m a graphic designer and I just love the work of Jasmine!
āA girl should be two things: classy and fabulous. by Coco Chanel”
Fingers crossed!!
Beautiful.
Fake it ’til you make it.
Love Jasmine’s work she’s a talented girl – glad you guys got together xxx
Beautiful work!
If I won, I would ask for ‘teeth are always in style’ from Dr Seuss because sometimes we just need a bit more nonsense and whimsy in our lives š
Elle x
I love these! SO beautiful!
My quote is:
“It’s a swan.”
“Stop whinning, the sun is shinning”
“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails”
-Elizabeth Edwards
Fingers crossed!
So cool to see the way she works!
My quote would be: “when a flower grows wild it can always survive”
It’s from a Dolly Parton song wild flowers. Growing up moving around a lot I really related to the lyrics. Reminding myself if I took care of myself and stayed true to who I am, it wouldn’t matter where I was living.
I’d get my favourite quote!
“Life is not just about making new friends, it’s about keeping the ones dear and special to you.”
It reminds me of a girl ‘selling words’ on her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/sellwords?fref=ts
Lovely giveaway!!
If i get to win, here’s my quote š
āNothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!ā
Thanks!!
This work is beautiful…:) I would love to see “I can and I will” in Jasmine’s beautiful writing. Thank you for sharing:) x
As an avid appreciator of all things artistic, this typography is a paragon of art at its finest. This typography is so elegant but stylistic, and definitely adds thought to her ideas. So many visual vibes!
If there was any quote I would choose, it would be:
“Time flows in strange ways on Sundays” – Haruki Murakami
Thank you Geneva and Jasmine, for providing all of us with an abundance of awesomeness xx
How about “Wild nights are my glory”
I love how she does it in her own handwriting, because sometimes typography art is more minimalist-leaning and can translate as being cool. but her work has such a lovely personal touch š
this is sooo perfect. I’ve always wanted to make a print of this to hang in my entryway, so I would probably get “strange but not a stranger.”
really loved this. thank you!
[…] > View Jasmine Downling’s brush lettering tutorial on a pair and a spareĀ […]
[…] You might not realise, but those beautiful black and white watercolour quotes you see everywhere (uncredited – quite frustrating as a creative)? They are (probably) the work of the talented Jasmine Dowling – see how she creates her quotes here. […]
[…] Brush lettering: a how to by Angie Makes 2. Behind the scenes of Jasmine’s brush lettering 3. Brush lettering in action (video) 4. Lettering basics: brush […]
What tipe of ink do you use?? Is it indian ink? Wonderful work!
[…] A Pair And A Spare […]
Love you handwriting!
I am still working on brush lettering, it is a so much fun thing to do during the day
Akane
http://www.humancat.co
[…] Behind the Scenes Jasmine Typography […]
[…] Jasmine’s Typography at A Pair & A Space […]