Brush Lettering Workshop in Miami: Watercolor Script and Tapas at CalaMillor
Tuesdays around here usually mean running errands, takeout on the sofa, or meeting a friend at the same neighborhood spot you visited last week. If you want a plan that breaks up the workweek without keeping you out past bedtime, I have a fun idea for you.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Andrea Mendez of Vintage Unicorn is hosting a watercolor lettering workshop at Cala Millor. It runs from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, right on Red Road. You get ninety minutes to sit down, work with watercolor paints, and learn how to use them for hand lettering, with Spanish tapas on the table if you want them. Just a heads up: tapas and drinks are not included in the ticket price, you order them separately from CalaMillor's happy hour menu.
I love finding creative weeknight activities in our area, especially events where you do not need any background in art and everyone is welcome. Here is what you need to know about this brush lettering workshop in Miami and how to join.
What you will learn at this brush lettering workshop
This is a ninety-minute, introductory hand lettering class in Miami centered entirely on watercolor lettering. If you have ever watched lettering videos online, you know how satisfying it looks when the pigment glides across textured paper. Doing it yourself comes down to a few basic mechanical habits.
During the workshop, Andrea covers the core fundamentals of the craft. You will start by working on brush pressure, which creates that classic script contrast. You will practice light pressure on upstrokes to keep lines thin and clean, followed by deliberate downward pressure on downstrokes to build width.
Once you get a feel for the brush, you will combine those fundamental strokes into letters and complete words. The goal is to get comfortable with the brush, mix your paints, and paint colorful, flowing script in a zero-pressure environment.
Meet Andrea Mendez of Vintage Unicorn
Andrea Mendez is the designer and illustrator behind Vintage Unicorn (@vintageunicorndesign), a design studio based right here in Coral Gables. Her studio handles graphic design, illustration, and hand lettering, including large painted murals.
She designed the logo for The Blogger Union and Mochi Zen. She is so talented and creative. I love all of her work (and not just because she is my sister). Andrea hosts this 90-minute beginner brush lettering workshop roughly once a month around Miami and Coral Gables, alongside private sessions and her studio client work. If you are looking to connect with your creativity, I highly recommend her workshops. And all levels are welcome.
What comes with your ticket
Your ticket covers every material you need during the class, plus everything you need to keep practicing at home.
Every attendee receives a full starter material kit. That kit includes watercolor paints, brushes, premium paper, and custom practice worksheets with lettering guides. The whole set belongs to you at the end of the evening, so you can pack it up and keep painting at your own kitchen table.
Your registration also covers live, step-by-step instruction from Andrea throughout the ninety minutes. While you paint, you also have access to Cala Millor's special Happy Hour food and drink menu. Tapas and drinks are ordered directly from that menu during class and are not included in the ticket price.
Why CalaMillor makes a great backdrop
The class takes place at CalaMillor, located at 4000 SW 57th Avenue, right on Red Road just south of Bird Road. For those of us living in Coral Gables, it is only a few minutes away.
CalaMillor has been around since 1978 in Spain and it opened it very US restaurant, right here in Coral Gables a few years ago. It is a classic Spanish bakery and restaurant known for its traditional baked goods, tapas, and neighborhood feel. Setting up paints in an established Spanish bakery means you can order tapas or a drink while you fill your practice sheets, which feels much more relaxed than sitting in a plain conference room.
Brush lettering vs calligraphy
People often ask how brush lettering compares to calligraphy. The two styles produce similar script, but the tools work differently.
Traditional calligraphy uses a dip pen fitted with a pointed metal nib and liquid ink. The split nib flexes when you push down, opening up to drop ink for thick lines and closing back together for thin lines. It requires specific pen angles and a steady hand.
Brush lettering uses a soft watercolor brush or a brush pen rather than a metal nib. Because you work with a flexible brush tip and wet pigment, the process feels more fluid. The shift between thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes comes purely from how much pressure you place on the bristles. Both styles produce beautiful lettering, but working with a watercolor brush is very approachable for newcomers. If you have been looking for a calligraphy class in Miami but wanted something looser and more colorful, this is a great match.
Who should come to this class
You do not need any drawing experience or artistic background. Andrea designed the workshop specifically for beginners who have never held a lettering brush before.
It works well for a solo night out if you want to leave your phone in your bag and pick up a quiet, screen-free hobby. It also makes an easy date night if you want to do something together besides sitting across from each other at dinner.
If you are coordinating a girls night or planning ideas for an upcoming bridal shower group, learning a creative skill together is a great shared activity. Once you know the basics of brush script, you can address envelopes, personalize gifts, or paint place cards for dinner parties.
Event details at a glance
- Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Location: CalaMillor, 4000 SW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33155
- Price: $75 general admission
- Food and drinks: not included in the ticket price (order tapas and drinks from CalaMillor's happy hour menu)
- Refunds: Tickets are non-refundable
- Registration: Get tickets on Eventero
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my own supplies?
No. Andrea provides all the watercolor paints, brushes, premium paper, and practice guide worksheets. The entire starter kit is yours to keep.
Are food and drinks included in the ticket price?
Food and drinks are not included in the $75 registration fee. You will have access to CalaMillor's Happy Hour menu during class and can order tapas and drinks directly from the restaurant.
What if I have messy everyday handwriting?
You will do just fine. Lettering is drawing shapes rather than quick writing. You build each stroke separately and deliberately, so your regular handwriting has nothing to do with it.
Where is CalaMillor?
The restaurant is at 4000 SW 57th Avenue (Red Road), just south of Bird Road, a quick drive from central Coral Gables.
Can I get a refund if I cannot make it?
Tickets are non-refundable, so check your schedule before you register.
If you want an evening of color, creativity, and tapas close to home, invite a friend, clear your Tuesday calendar, and book your spot on Eventero.