Months ago I found this video on Pinterest and saved it, because I love hand-lettering and wanted to try this 3-D technique. I love calligraphy, but I find it difficult. This looks much easier:

Unfortunately, it’s harder than I thought.

I confess I drew the letters in pencil first, and inked over them. Then I erased my stray marks (though I left my guidelines).

The hardest part was determining where the shadows should fall. The surfaces kept turning themselves inside out like an M.C. Escher drawing. And even though I purposely used my gray-tone sketchbook so I could highlight with a white gel pen, I just didn’t feel up to the challenge.

I know that I can improve my skill with practice, but I might just go back to practicing my calligraphy instead. Sigh.

What do you think—would you like to try these 3-D letters? If you do, post a photo of your results on your blog or Instagram page, and then paste a link in the comments below. I’d love to see your alphabet.