I don’t even know where to start with our next interview – the Kal Barteski! I am so very enamored with her and if you are in the lettering world, or perhaps the world in general, you probably already know of her. Kal is a true artist, but also an innovator, motivator and just someone you want to know because her sun shines a little bit brighter than most. She’s one of those people, you know the ones that you just want more of. I remember when I was in my postpartum lowest of lows and feeling bereft and lost and all those crazy hormonal things that happen after baby (and severe sleep deprivation). I was given Kal’s class as a gift and it took me months before I watched it and oh, how I wish I watched it sooner! It knocked me right back to cloud nine! It was equal parts magic as it was lettering instruction, Kal’s love of life and enthusiasm for her work is so freakin’ contagious that I watched the class like 6 times in a row to just take it all in. Yes, I am a hardcore fan for life and I am so happy that Kal, an in demand artist and mother to 3 had time to effusively agree with a resounding YES!!! in our inbox to be part of this brush lettering week! We are grateful and can’t wait to share…

Where are you located?

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. That’s Canada. ;)

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Kal. I make messy letters. I use a paint brush to create words that are imperfect and in that imperfect mess – there’s an authentic human aspect. I use my hands. I believe in contributing positively to the Universe. I have three cute kids, a couple of french bulldogs and a husband I really like. I’m trained as a graphic designer and a painter, but really I’m just drawn to projects and people that make a difference. I’m passionate about wildlife and the Arctic. I’ve done a TEDx talk, won some awards, met a pile of people that inspired me to do more to leave the world in a better and more beautiful state than I found it.

Any brush lettering ‘secrets’ you want to divulge?

1. It’s not magic. It’s practice. That’s the secret. I do a lot of “live scripting” at events. That’s where someone brings me a phrase/quote/word and I use a brush to create (script) it while they watch. It can be challenging and a little nerve-wracking, but it’s also really fun and great practice anticipating letterforms and spacing. People are always impressed: “How did you do that?” or “Magic!”. I think it’s neat to see the words form, but what people don’t realize is that I have scripted the letters of the alphabet at least several hundred thousand times and I know (more or less) how to make them fit together and balance the page. It’s not magic. It’s practice. That’s the secret.

What are some of your favorite brush lettering supplies?

I don’t stray too far from the classics and I haven’t for years. My favourite supplies are:

Winsor & Newton black gouache. This is (without a doubt) the most beautiful medium to script in. It’s just a little bit smoother than ink and it dries to a velvety finish that is remarkable. It’s magic. It’s also very fragile and super expensive compared to ink so if I know the job will be traveling or for digital use I’ll reach for the ink.
Speedball Super Black India Ink
Uni-ball VISION fine tip roller ball pens for signing
A handful of sumi and round brushes. I’m pretty fussy about the brushes. I have about three dozen Japanese sumi brushes in varying sizes, but my favourites (and the ones I use 90 % of the time) are a medium sized brush I picked up at rural art store by accident. I bought 35 on a whim in 2010 and I have 6 left. I’ve been coveting them like jewels because I have NO idea where I’d find more – but they work just right for me. (They have Japanese characters only.)
Yogurt lids for palettes
Windex (india ink is waterproof, but no match for windex/ammonia! I use Windex to clean my tables, brushes, hand, clothes – whatever I mess up!)
Stacks of different kinds of paper (depending on the end use of the letters I will flip between luxurious watercolour papers and economical cartridge paper for digital end use)

Can you go a little into your process of how you work on a piece?

My general style when attacking a new piece is to hit it straight on. I don’t over think it. There’s magic in what happens on your first go. Sometimes – it sucks so badly. But, within that first version your hand learns the rhythm of the words and your eyes see the pattern in the spaces. I don’t over think it – let the letters be the art. That’s really the way I operate. (I should also point out that I’m a little obsessive. If I’m not feeling the fit or the balance – I will do things over and over and over and over until I’m happy.)

If you want to be very specific I used to sit on the floor to script, but I had a pretty serious spinal surgery last July so now I stand at a raised table in my studio. It took some getting used to, but now I can’t remember what it felt like to sit. I do a series of warmup pages EVERY DAY to find my groove and grip. I prefer a perpendicular hold on the brush but depending on the feel I’m going for – will do anything from a side hold to a fisted hold.

Any tips for newbies on how to develop their own style?

Developing a unique style is a tough thing. I think Instagram has made it even more difficult because you’re on overload and comparison is such a crappy internal fight. Get offline. Pick a phrase/word and kill it. Do it 500 times and make them all different. Then pick another word and do that one. Repeat.

Any recommendations of books or classes for lettering enthusiasts to further their studies?

Just get out there and do things. Try things.

Do you have some favorite projects you would like me to mention?

Over the years, I have done so many fun projects with clients all over the world. I feel an enormous sense of gratitude for every one of them. I’ve been doing this style of script since early 2008.

Any advice on what ‘not’ to do?

Don’t over think it. Be yourself. YOU ARE YOU AND THAT IS YOUR POWER. Be your best you – not a crappy imitation of your favourite letterer.

If you want to mention any upcoming workshops, projects, kits, etc, let us know here! We are happy to help you spread the word!

I’ll be opening up my online shop on July 10th to take CUSTOM #kbscript online orders/requests. Watch my Instagram feed for details.

What programs do you use to clean + digitize your artwork?

Oh my gosh, I’m a dinosaur. I like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator the best. I’ve been using these two for 23 years so they are like old friends I can’t live without.

Name one random talent you have that people may not know?

Most people in the lettering world don’t know that my true passion is polar bears. I’ve been painting wildlife for five times as many years as I’ve been making messy letters. This past year I started the Polar Bear Fund to raise money for innovative, non-invasive polar bear research. www.polarbearfund.ca

Miss Tristan B. is the co-creator of the world’s best + easiest product photography editing tool – Foto Rx | Shopkeeper’s Helper and the fastest way to clean + digitize your lettering and line art – Lettering Rx | Paper to Pixel and one of the writer’s of this delightful blog. Her lofty goal here is to make this a creative resource repository to inspire you to fall truly, madly, deeply in love with your life