Painting pictures with words

Hand-lettering expert, Abhisehk Khan is hosting a workshop at The Hive today, which will delve into the more technical aspects of hand-lettering techniques, tools, typefaces and styles while touching upon more abstract concepts like inspiration and expression of emotion. The artist began his foray into hand-lettering, or the art of drawing up beautiful-looking words, as a serious venture in May last year, when he stumbled across hand-lettered artwork on Instagram. Abhishek says that social media has had a very positive influence on his work. “I might have not even continued to do this if I did not have a constant source of inspiration from other artists I follow online.”

He says that the competition is intense with exciting fonts just a click away. Abhishek does not seem worried though. “It depends on whether they want to make artwork or just a functional piece of communication. It helps people like us to use our training and techniques to make something that will easily stand out.”

The hand-lettering guru loves to experiment with mediums, like glue-guns on glass, white ink on dried leaves and Fevicol on paper. “Every medium and art supply that you pick up will have its own dynamic which leads to its own result,” says the artist, adding, “I’m using a new canvas all the time.” He rejoices in new and interesting tools that can be found when using the digital medium. “The digital medium has its own dynamics which need to be explored,” he says, “It’s like getting hold of a new pen. There’s a whole bunch of things that you can do with it.”

The artist has produced several pieces of commissioned artwork over the past year including t-shirt designs for Happily Unmarried and a logo for The Revolver Club, a restaurant in Mahim. He also gave the public a sneak-peak into his work, when he spent an entire hour at The Hive recently sketching up a French café-like chalkboard schedule for the venue’s upcoming events.

Today, 2.30 pm, at The Hive, 50-A, Huma Mansion, Next to Ahmed Bakery, Chuim Village Road, Off Union Park, Khar (West), Ticket: Rs 1,000