Learning

The Mike Stevens Journal, Volume 1, Number 5

Mastering Layout's Mike Stevens riffing on brush technique, letter formation, and mahl sticks.

Better Letters

• 14 min read
Series of five illustrations showing hand-position and technique for working with a mahl stick while painting lettering and lines.
Mahl stick technique from The Mike Stevens Journal. Illustrated by Lynn Hollinger.

This is a post-script to the bonus content for BLAG 07, the Letterheads special, which was spread across this series of posts. It is a transcription of the text and illustrations (by Lynn Hollinger) from The Mike Stevens Journal, Volume 1, Number 5. This issue contained the loose-leaf insert pictured in BLAG 07, and was shared by Stevens' long-time friend and colleague, John Cox.

The Mike Stevens Journal, Volume 1, Number 5

Illustration of a moustached man inside a letter S on the left with 'The Mike Stevens Journal' lettered to the right of this at about half the height of the S. Below this is more lettering with lines above and below that reads 'Principles of Lettering / Layout & Design'.
The masthead from The Mike Stevens Journal.