Dive into this collection of word art ideas to find your next lettering project! From mixed media to pen illustration, there’s loads of techniques to explore. Words are great for sending a message with your art, so what will you say?
Word illustration
Image: @doodleebee
This cozy and calming artwork blends lettering into an illustration, using the steam from a warm cup of tea to carry the message. It's a great example of how words can be woven into art to complement the design and make a statement. If you're keen to try something similar, grab some ink pens and a sketchbook to play with composition and font.
Transparent art
Image: @crossandswitchblade
This thought-provoking piece turns a see-through surface into an expressive statement by using the background to bring the artwork to life. The words are painted onto the windowpane using gesso, smeared to create choppy lettering and a clock visual with textured strokes. The words interact with the environment, shifting with light and reflections. It adds to the statement, making the viewer use the setting to derive meaning, such as time being similar to the ebb and flow of an ocean.
Portrait in words
Image: @garydadd
What happens when portraiture and typography collide? This striking piece forms a face entirely out of words! The artist has shown that shading and depth can be created through the repetition and careful shaping of text. It’s an exciting way to merge storytelling with art, as this piece pays tribute to Charles Darwin by using words related to his theory of evolution. If you’d like to have a go, start with a light pencil sketch as a guide before layering your words with fine liner pens for precision.
Pizza box art
Image: @bettyturbo
Why settle for one art form when you can merge several? This mixed-media sculpture brings together 3D elements, painting, and typography to create a nostalgic, pop-art-inspired scene. The hand-painted details and text on the pizza box add to the charm, bringing context to the retro scene. If you love sculpting, why not use words to bring your sculptures to life and add additional meaning?
Black lettering
Image: @doodleebee
Hand-drawn typography is a creative way to put your voice on the page, especially when playing with different fonts and flourishes. This bold, black-and-white composition uses different lettering techniques with illustrations and patterns to create a feast for the eyes. A sketchbook and a set of fine liner pens or brush markers are all you need to start experimenting at home.
I can create
Our ‘I can create’ competition was all about word artwork! We challenged creators to include our slogan, ‘I can create’, in their art. This was a fun challenge as there are so many ways to hit the brief and we loved seeing the different interpretations across entries. What would you do to enter?
Camouflage art
Image: @tonysobota
This clever artwork plays with illusion, blending words seamlessly into a camouflage-inspired background. The layered paint and patterns make the text subtly emerge, adding extra meaning to the camouflage design. What other patterns would you hide words in?
Mirror word art
Image: @braxtonjfuller
This mind-bending take on word art plays with reflections and using negative space to create a statement. When you look at the words ‘see the good in life’ they’re the only part of the mirror surface where you can see yourself, sending a pointed message. The talented artist created this effect using varnish around the lettered area.
Graffiti word art
Image: @braxtonjfuller
Bold and full of energy, this graffiti-style artwork combines freehand strokes with texture to make it look like the text has been sprayed onto a concrete wall. The careful blowout on the letters creates a sprayed effect, though if you look close, you can see it’s oil pastel! What would you write on a canvas-wall?
Harmonious colour palette
Image: @bettyturbo
Typography doesn’t have to be black and white! This vibrant artwork plays with harmonious colours – that’s colours that work well together and are usually next to each other on the colour wheel. This is also called an analogous colour palette! Use light and dark tones to create contrast so your letters pop, while still creating an overall calming effect.
Word optical illusion
Image: @renewirths
This mind-bending artwork turns letters into an architectural masterpiece, The overlapping, geometric shapes simultaneously spell the words ‘HERE’ and ‘NOW’, in reference to the expression ‘here and now’. If you like to challenge yourself with precise art projects, have a go at home using words that mean something to you!
Feeling inspired? Try experimenting with word-based art and see where it takes you! Whether you’re into hand-lettering, mixed media, or bold statement pieces, there are endless ways to play with typography in your creations.
Share your work with #montmarteart or tag us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you come up with!
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