Project Update

Although many 'girls' were absent today well done everyone for the great work you are doing. There is a marked improvement in writing skills and your 'layout' eyes are open and creating beautiful small word vignettes for the 'quote tins'.

I discovered the tins at Woolworths filled with soap. I thought they would make an ideal 'small quote container' and they smell good too.

 I had great fun completing my tin using coloured Canson paper and quotes found and stored for just such an occasion. I added ribbon and a small fountain pen for the recipients' own quotes and will have mine photocopied on board to fill tins with quotes for gifts.

Completed tin filled with quotations, extra paper and a small pen. I am thrilled with the results and wouldn't mind receiving one myself.

Homework:
I look forward to seeing students' completed work next week. That means concertina books as well.
Please practice writing and be prepared for another project next week.

On another tack altogether. I hardly ever (ever) have any open water or cups of tea or coffee around my work space be it computers or art work. I have been 'working hard' for the exhibition and had just cut completed pieces off the stretching board after discussing process with students.

I placed the pieces in front of me and was drinking a cup of coffee chatting to the group. I lifted the mug, only to have it slip and land neatly on my work. The result? Coffee everywhere. Of three pieces, two were salvaged. (Although one of my students gathered it out of the bin to use portion as a card - what next I wonder?).

Lesson learned? I do hope so. Luckily I'd stretched paper earlier so I took the opportunity to redo the one piece (which really does look better) and paint the other two with spilt coffee. Of course  there is not a cup or mug in sight and my painting water is in a container which is in a container. Talk about crying over spilt ink.

Was I furious and did I do a dance of absolute fury? No, what's the point? I simply removed the pieces, wiped the table and started my new projects. I truly think they look better than the originals and I will add images next week.

Quick Concertinas and Homework

Well, if you are a true bookmaker there is never anything like a 'quick' anything, but concertina books can be quickly made for a card or a gift. A more ambitious creation can be turned into a beautiful quote book with decorated letters which is what the Penfriends students have been working on for the past few months.

Of course, making a cover for the books can be tricky, unless (again not if you are a meticulous book-binder) you take it step by step and are not too worried about perfect touching corners. I feel that most times the good pages cover the imperfections and for our needs works well.

Here are a few pointers:

Choose paper that is not shiny and suitable for the quotations chosen taking into account the words and colours used. I find that scrapbooking paper is great. Cut two covers out of mount board or similar firm cardboard, about 1 centimeter larger than the actual book. Cut the cover paper about 2 cms larger than the board.

 Place the board with a 2 cms border of cover paper onto the decorative paper. Score against the edges of board with a bone folder or awl.

 Fold the corners at right angles to the board. Fold.

 Cut the corner a little away from the fold.

 Corner nearly perfect.

 To stick the book together we used double-sided tape. Place the cardboard over the stripped tape. Then use strips of double sided tape for the sides of the paper, folding the paper into the card. Use your bone folder to 'crisp up'.

Place concertina book on covers. Add ribbon between the back cover and book or add after the book is complete. The choice is yours.

And here is Jeannette with here nearly completed concertina book! Note ribbon under left hand. It is secured between the back page and book and will wind around the closed book to finish it off.

Homework for all:
Complete book covers for concertina books.
Bring heavy card for portfolios.

Tin Quotes
Prepare paper for small tin boxes. 7x11 cms size is ideal. Round the corners if you would like to.
Please remember you will need to make sure that nib sizes and quotes fit onto the page. Remember to leave a border around each written piece.
Be aware of ink/gouache colour.
If you draw lines on your paper take care to be light handed.

It is a good idea to do a few layouts [thumb nail sketches] so that you have an idea of how your writing progresses.

Suggested ideas for working the various quotes.
1] Take a quote and find a word to highlight. Use capital letters for this word.
2] Take a quote and use 'Boustrophedonic' style writing.
3] Brush lettering for one or two words.
4] Stacked Roman Capitals [pencils?].
5[ Italic Flourish.
6] Foundational.
7] Compressed.
8] Your own choice.
9] Don't forget a cover.

Please remember Wednesday 10 July: Calligraphy on Canvas
All day workshop: 9h30 - 16h00
R200 which includes tuition and refreshments.
Booking essential.

Until further notice Tuesday morning group will amalgamate with the Thursday morning group.
9h30 - 12h00.

Happy working and remember this quote from Salvador Dali: 'Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it', so we are all off the hook!

Browsing through Shops & Tuesdays & Thursdays - Homework

I suppose like most of you I enjoy browsing art shops, book shops, paper...Well I just love browsing and seeing what new materials, paper and inks have been introduced. 

In Johannesburg I have a wonderful contacts at Herbert Evans Art Stores in both Rosebank and Fourways. The staff are extremely helpful and keen to search for new calligraphy inks and nibs. So let's be positive and perhaps we will be surprised by the next shipment. Canson, gros grain ribbon and board can be found along the newly set out shelves. If all else fails please speak to Steven or Juanli in Rosebank or Dee at Fourways.

For special papers I find that Paper Cafe in Glenhove Road has some interesting papers and ribbon. Claudia of Scrapalicious in Waverley has lovely scrapbooking paper as does Karin of Kartworks. Please mail me should you wish to make contact. dmoore@iafrica.com

The class work and your dedication is really great, thank you for your enthusiasm.

Tuesday and Thursday homework: 

Concertina Books: Please complete as much as you can. Cut covers out of board, 1cm larger all round, than the book size. Please find some suitable paper to cover the board. Paper should be firm and compliment the interior of the book. Grosgrain ribbon to match. [About 2 metres].

Portfolio preparation: Please buy an A2 heavy card for your portfolio cover. Try to find a suitable colour in Canson. Grosgrain ribbon to match. [About 2 metres].

Board for Block pieces. Please buy black backing board/mount board as a background for your abstract block project and heavy duty double-sided tape. 

Tin Book Project: Use Canson paper which matches the colours of the tin. I find that 7cmx11cm size pieces work well. Round the corners for a more professional finish. Ten pieces are required. Please prepare more pages should you wish to. Collect quotes for the paper. 

Lettering: Please continue to practice the lettering you are learning.

Enjoy the week.

Anne-Marie

Homework and Other Creative Things

We all know that practice experimenting are the best ways to further the discipline we have chosen to follow.

My son John is an artist and draws every day. He carries a creative notebook with him all the time and makes notes continuously. My other son Dave is a paediatrician and in research and continues to probe, ask questions and make notes continuously. David, my husband, is a great photographer and always carries his camera with him - who knows what will catch his eye? Elizabeth our daughter is studying and is required to research and read continuously.

While this sounds like a litany of my family's work what I am illustrating is that no matter what you choose to do, an enquiring mind is how one is able to continually be creative. Creativity doesn't ever come to an end. The more you follow your passion, the more you will find.

From now on I sill be adding homework set during class to the blog so that everyone can follow progress in-between other posts.

Lyn's Abstract Piece

We are working towards the Penfriends Calligraphy Studio 30 year celebration in November. So creative work is being encouraged and completed.

We are making Portfolios for loose leaf work and for long-standing students, we encourage them to go through years of work so all can see the variety of hands and work that has been created.

Portfolios for your own exquisite work for the exhibition:

Requirements: Canson A1 sheet. The heavy weight Canson. Colour of your choice

Gros grain ribbon

Over the years we have made several small concertina books. This year we created some exquisite decorated letters with words to match. These now have to be covered.

Cover for Concertina Books:

Requirements: Use the backing page from any of the pads you use for practice

Cut 2 pieces 1/5cm larger than the size of your book. [Front and back cover]

Find paper suitable for your book which will cover the above pieces of cardboard

Gros grain ribbon 

I am always on the look out for various ways to create new ideas. Woolworths has some beautiful tins with soap inside. We have given the soap away and will be making pages using different lettering and quotes about art and calligraphy.

Tin books:

Choose 5 Canson colours [A4 is fine] that match the tin you have chosen

Cut 10 pieces - 2 of each colour 1/2 cm SMALLER than the size of the tin. 2 pages will be the front and back covers.

It is a good idea to have a template, try it out first and then cut.

This was an inspiration from a friend of mine Paddy. She gave me a series of 6 blocks for each student. We painted these a neutral colour and created abstract designs, using the calligraphic stroke as inspiration, from images found in magazines. We had some wonderful results.

Abstract design [Blocks}

Final decision re mounting the blocks: 1 piece BLACK mountboard 37cmx26cm [Any framer should be able to assist]

Double sided tape

Please mount your original 'inspiration' and 6 block-practice paper onto an A3 piece of paper [neutral colour]

And of course there is always Lettering. The reason we go to calligraphy classes. At the moment we are looking at Uncial and Compressed with wonderful reference material from Sheila Water and Edward Johnston. What a challenge we have.

Lettering:

Please practice Compressed/Uncial

Note the shape of the 'O' and then the other letters will follow.

Please find quotes on Art, Calligraphy, Lettering

Next week I will continue with each group's homework and progress. 

Happy creating

Penfriends Calligraphy - 30 years to celebrate

When I first started teaching I was (as we all are when we begin our new professions) enthusiastic and excited. I enjoyed every moment I spent with the little ones I taught. I was soon given the more challenging children and soon discovered that music and creativity was a great way to develop any confidence and enthusiasm which was well hidden.

This stood me in good stead for my own mothering and after my children had out-grown their dependence of me and thought their teacher's knew all and friend of mine and I decided we needed a hobby to move us from nappy changing whizz-kids to people with a little more than a degree in baby-burping. Kirsty and I scoured the Adult Education rosters and enrolled for courses on Chaucer and the Medieval culture, Bach and the Beetles and discovered that we did have brains after all and could converse at tedious dinner parties on more than the latest medication for German measles. Both of us decided that we now required 'creativity' in our lives and skipped cake icing for calligraphy which through the years has been the correct choice.

I discovered a passion for letters. Love the curve of a 'C' and the search for the perfect round 'O'. After a short course (dare I share this?) I was implored by a few friends to 'please teach us too' and so a class was organised and my first group consisted of five friends who sat around the dining room table. I taught with more enthusiasm than expertise, but my next teaching path was set. From these humble beginnings my teaching moved from dining room to studio which now has seen many students who share my love for letterform and who enjoy the challenges set in creative projects and the continued search for the perfect 'O'.

A single bracelet does not jingle - A-MM

Fortunately for all concerned my calligraphic expertise has been assisted by my concerted efforts to learn from the masters who include such luminaries as Dick Beasly, Denys Taipele, Stan Knight, Sheila Waters and her son Julian. Tim Botts, Denis Brown and many courses through the Roehampton College with Margaret Daubney can be included. I have also been fortunate to visit Maryland and Winchester, London and Cape Town to learn from calligraphers of great talent and expertise. Many of these people have stayed with me and I have some exquisite pieces created by them which grace my studio walls.

More recently Yves Laterme, Carl Rohrs and Massimo Pallermo have visited South Africa and left their particular mark on the calligraphers who so adeptly follow their progress. Ewan Clayton was a special visitor who spent hours talking calligraphy as did Beasly, who was so kind to our children.

Of course we have many talented South African calligraphers and Lin Kerr who now lives in England must be named as one, together with Heleen de Haas, Pam Jones and Paddy Balsdon are a few among many, many new and gifted calligraphers.

Thinking out of the Box

In 2013 I celebrate 30 years of teaching one of my passions: calligraphy. The many students who have sat around my studio tables, nibs poised, have enriched my life in so many ways. Thank you for trusting that we can always be creative and thank you for always allowing me to continue to search for that inimitable 'O'. The studio byline: 'Friendship through penmanship' could not ring more true.

One of my favorite quotations is: 'A single bracelet does not jingle'. This is true. Without the support of family, friends and students I would have little to celebrate this year.

So far 2013 has been packed with projects, highlights and of course, calligraphy. Next posting will be projects so far. You will be delighted and amazed.

The Intrepid Thursday morning group