Swetha Shenoy

Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist

Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies.

Education

University of Illinois Chicago, MS, Computer Science
Visvesvaraya Technological University, BE, Computer Science

Certifications & Organizations

Instructor, Skillshare
Featured Instructor, Creative Retreat Live, 2022
Workshop Leader, CreativeMornings
Teaching Artist, Confetti

Favorite Piece of Advice

A favorite piece of advice I give my students is: "Focus on progress, not perfection." I encourage them to immerse themselves in the creative process, letting go of the outcome. This approach helps reduce stress and anxiety, allowing creativity to flow more freely.

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Forum Comments (1)

How do I improve my handwriting?

Much like calligraphy or lettering, if one wants to improve their handwriting, it is about practicing. You can get handwriting worksheets on Etsy or for free online. Download a couple of worksheets that you like.

Start by tracing over the writing initially to build some muscle memory and to learn how to move your pen or your pencil in those shapes that you like. Then eventually, learn to let go of the tracing paper and try it on your own, really slowing down. Whether it's calligraphy or handwriting, I think it's important to be mindful, slow down, and focus on one letter at a time or a couple of letters at a time to improve your skill.

Practice does not mean you practice for 30 minutes every day. Start small by doing 5 to 10 minutes a day, working on a few sets of letters every day. Again, have a little bit of structure and just practice, practice, practice.

Q&A Comments (10)

How do I improve my handwriting?

Consider adopting calligraphy style by slowing down, taking your time, and focusing on each letter. Treat each letter as a small piece of art, paying attention to its shape and structure to create more consistent and aesthetically pleasing handwriting. For a particular style, use worksheets to trace over the letters repeatedly and build muscle memory that will help you naturally replicate the style. Consistent practice is key—rather than practicing sporadically for long periods, aim for shorter, daily sessions of about 10 minutes and improve on that.

How can I make my handwriting more elegant?

Start by finding a style you admire and browse platforms like Pinterest or search for worksheets that showcase the styles you want to emulate. Study these styles and choose elements from each of them that appeal to you. Practicing is crucial, remember to dedicate time each day to hone your chosen style. Be prepared for initial results that may not meet your expectations; this is a natural part of the learning process. Embrace the imperfections of your writing, as these are essential for your improvement.

Where can I find inspiration for creating my own signature?

Explore various platforms and resources like Pinterest and Etsy, where you can see worksheets that can guide you in developing a stylish signature. Creative Market is another excellent platform offering a variety of lettering worksheets. Additionally, visit your local library, which likely has numerous resources on lettering and signature creation. If you prefer physical books, Amazon offers an extensive selection. However, if you're not inclined to make a purchase, the library remains a valuable and cost-free option to gain access to several resources and pick something up.

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Co-authored Articles (31)

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