Watercolor Brush Lettering Workshop in Miami: A Night at CalaMillor
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Vintage Unicorn hosted a beginner watercolor brush lettering workshop at CalaMillor Gourmet Experience, 4000 SW 57th Ave in Miami. For 90 minutes, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, a table full of first-timers learned brush pressure, practiced their alphabets in watercolor and lettered their own names, with tapas from CalaMillor's Happy Hour menu on the side. The next workshop is Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Arte y Pasión Cafe in Coral Gables, with tickets from $65.
Save your seat for November 14 →
The CalaMillor watercolor lettering workshop at a glance
| What | Brush Lettering Workshop with Watercolors, an introductory class |
|---|---|
| When | Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM |
| Where | CalaMillor Gourmet Experience, 4000 SW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33155 |
| Price | $75 per person, all materials included |
| Included | Starter kit to keep (watercolors, brushes, paper, custom practice worksheets), live instruction, and access to CalaMillor's Happy Hour food and drink menu |
| Level | Beginner. No prior experience necessary |
| Instructor | Andrea Mendez, Vintage Unicorn |
| Next workshop | Saturday, November 14, 2026, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Arte y Pasión Cafe, 205 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134 |
What is a watercolor brush lettering workshop?
A watercolor brush lettering workshop is a beginner class where you learn to draw script letters with a brush and watercolor paint, using pressure to make thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes. Because it's paint instead of ink, you also get to blend colors inside a single word, which is why every page at CalaMillor ended up looking like a little sunset.
If you want the longer explanation of brush lettering and how my classes work, read my guide to brush lettering classes in Miami.
What did we do at the CalaMillor brush lettering night?
We spent the evening going from "I can't letter" to lettering our own names. Each seat had a starter kit waiting, plus a watercolor name tag, and a hand-lettered "Welcome lettering gang!" sign greeted everyone at the table.
Here's how the 90 minutes went:
- Brush pressure first. We started with how to hold the brush and how much water and paint to load, then practiced thick and thin strokes until they felt natural.
- The alphabet, in color. Using the custom worksheets, everyone worked through lowercase and uppercase letters, mixing colors as they went.
- Your name, your way. Once the letters clicked, everyone lettered their own name. A few people kept going and made seasonal cards, including a very cheerful "Happy Happy Halloween."
It was a zero-pressure evening. Nobody's first page looked perfect, and everybody's last page looked a lot better than their first.
Why a weeknight lettering class at a restaurant works
A creative class over tapas is an easy weeknight plan: you show up after work, everything is set up for you, and you leave with something you made. CalaMillor's Happy Hour menu meant people could snack and sip while they painted, and the long tables made it feel like a dinner party where everyone happened to be holding a paintbrush.
Thank you to the team at CalaMillor for hosting us and keeping the croquetas coming.
What did students take home?
Everyone took home their full starter kit, their practice sheets and the pieces they lettered in class. The kit (watercolors, brushes, paper and custom practice worksheets) is yours to keep, so you can keep practicing at home.
When is the next brush lettering workshop in Miami?
The next workshop is Letter Your Thanksgiving Table: Brush Lettering Place Card Workshop on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Arte y Pasión Cafe, 205 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134. You'll learn the basics and letter personalized place cards for every guest at your Thanksgiving table. Tickets start at $65. Read more in my post on the holiday brush lettering workshop.
After that, I'll be at Bodega Ortega on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM to letter holiday cards and gift tags with watercolor.
Where are brush lettering classes held in Miami?
I host a brush lettering workshop about once a month at local spots around Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and South Miami, usually cafes and restaurants like CalaMillor. Dates and venues go up on the Vintage Unicorn events page as they're confirmed. I also announce every workshop in my newsletter and on Instagram at @vintageunicorndesign.
Who teaches the class?
I'm Andrea Mendez, the designer behind Vintage Unicorn, a small design studio in Coral Gables, Florida. Hand lettering is a core part of my work, from custom lettering and logos to murals and painted signage. I lettered the CalaMillor sign below, and the welcome sign and name tags on the tables, with the same strokes we practiced in class.
Private brush lettering workshops in Miami
Want a night like this just for your group? I offer private workshops for birthdays, bridal showers, team events and get-togethers. Tell me how many people are coming and which dates work, and I'll get back to you with options. Request a private workshop →
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the CalaMillor brush lettering workshop?
On October 27, 2026, beginners at CalaMillor Gourmet Experience in Miami learned watercolor brush lettering with Andrea Mendez of Vintage Unicorn. They practiced brush pressure and the alphabet, then lettered their own names and seasonal cards while enjoying CalaMillor's Happy Hour menu.
Where is CalaMillor Gourmet Experience?
CalaMillor Gourmet Experience is at 4000 SW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33155.
Do I need experience to take a watercolor brush lettering workshop?
No. Vintage Unicorn's watercolor brush lettering workshops are introductory classes for complete beginners, and no prior lettering, calligraphy or painting experience is necessary.
What is included in a Vintage Unicorn brush lettering workshop?
Every ticket includes a starter kit that's yours to keep and step-by-step live instruction. At the October 27, 2026 workshop, the kit had watercolors, brushes, paper and custom practice worksheets, and students had access to CalaMillor's Happy Hour food and drink menu.
When is the next brush lettering workshop in Miami?
The next Vintage Unicorn workshop is Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Arte y Pasión Cafe, 205 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Tickets start at $65.
How often are brush lettering classes held in Miami?
Vintage Unicorn hosts a brush lettering workshop about once a month at venues around Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and South Miami. Upcoming dates are posted on the Vintage Unicorn events page and announced in the newsletter.
Can I book a private brush lettering workshop for my group?
Yes. Vintage Unicorn offers private brush lettering workshops for groups in the Miami area. Send your group size and preferred dates through the private workshop form at vintageunicorn.com/private-workshop.
Join the next one
Ready to pick up a brush? Book the November 14 workshop, see all upcoming Vintage Unicorn workshops, read about monthly brush lettering classes in Miami, or get in touch with any questions.