Calligraphic Inspiration

It is remarkable how often I am reminded of calligraphic line when I am 'out and about'. If you look at the image of the desert, the curving lines and soft shapes are reminders of exquisite lines of Italic and even Foundational.

The shapes make me want to grab a pen and some watercolour paper to curl, swash and sway letters across the page.

At the moment we are looking at creating envelopes for the Art Across the World project which closes in April. The class is working hard and I will be posting the creative envelopes in the next few weeks.

In the mean time here are a few 'natural images' to inspire you.

 Perhaps use: A fine pen, muted colours and a touch of water colour

 Perhaps use: A large brush, earthy water colours and Roman Capitals

Perhaps use: Muted greys and creams in water colour and letters using a square brush

Envelopes, Creativity & New Blogs

I've just discovered 2 new blogspots which are creative and fun for calligraphers!

One is a Place to Flourish, the other 'A Letter a Week'. So very stimulating and exciting.

Another project I will challenge my students to participate in is the Mail Art Across the World. Create a beautiful envelope using colour and calligraphy and send it to one of the addresses given before the 1 April.

More visuals in a few weeks time when we have completed some creative envelopes.

Thursday Mornings

The group is back and ready to go!

This year we will study the origins and structure of the Alphabet with focus on the skeletal forms which are, after all the basis for letters.

Starting with Rudyard Kipling's tale of How the Alphabet was Made we will progress through the story to ponder on the creation of the alphabet as we know it and perhaps move onto creating our own 'African' based letter collection.

At the end of the year, the garden will be adorned with creative 'installations' using letter forms, paper, sticks and wood, which will form part of an open day exhibition.

New Calligraphy Courses

I so enjoy the first few weeks of a new year. It often rains in Johannesburg with spectacular lightening skies and rain storms which seem to clear the air and certainly clear the mind!

This is when I start re-planning notes, writing new courses and continue to work on my creative pieces.

New classes begin at the end of January 2011. If you are interested please contact Anne-Marie at dmoore@iafrica.com. Booking is essential as classes fill up quickly and there is limited studio space.

Monday afternoon: 16h00 - 18h00
Begins 24 January 2011
Beginners: Explore the History of Letterform from Hieroglyphics to Foundational
Create several finished pieces including cards and concertina books
Course: 4 Months, cost R500 for 4 lessons. Notes and equipment extra
Minimum of 4 students

Thursday morning: 09h30 - 12h00
Begins 20 January 2011
Ongoing Group: Thursday morning classes will focus on environmental calligraphy, creativity and projects.
With Foundational as the working hand, students will hone their knowledge of this, the most inspirational hand, using it as the basis for further study and development.
In a year long programme, students will explore the history of Foundational and its development. Calligraphers continue with creative letter form using photographic images, audiovisual presentations and poetry as reference. With nature as inspiration students will complete several books, wall hangings and paper banners.
The year's work will culminate in an exhibition in November 2011.
Cost of class: R500 for four weeks.

Saturday classes for a minimum of four people by arrangement only. 

A reminder that booking is essential.  Contact: Anne-Marie dmoore@iafrica.com

More Creativity

The students have been working hard on the end of year project. 

Various paints, nibs and water colour paints were used.

 

Use a larger nib and write the name of a flower. Add a drop of colour and design the page.

Draw or paint a flower and add some writing around the edge of the design.

Choose a capital letter. Draw some flowers through and around it. Write out a suitable quotation. 

Be creative and enjoy yourself.

Great ABC pop-up Book

I came across this today and thought you may be inspired!

ABC3D
www.youtube.com
http://www.abc3dbook.com/ Preorders available! ONE OF THE MOST DELIGHTFUL AND INNOVATIVE POP-UP BOOKS I HAVE EVER SEEN.—Robert Sabuda From the lenticular cover that changes with the angle of your hands, all the way to the Z, ABC3D is as much a work of art as it is a pop-up book.

November Notes

We are back in the studio in the last few weeks of creativity for 2010. Here is the set project. Perhaps you would like to try a few creative pages.

Take two sheets of paper in spring/summer colours. Canson works well.
Divide each sheet into 4.
Choose 8 quotations: summer, floral, joyful
Do thumbnail sketches and think collage, numerous nib sizes, different hands: Uncial, Foundational, Italic.

Quotations:Nothing is so beautiful as spring, Hopkins. Spring is sooner recognised by plants than by man, Chinese Proverb. A life without love is like a year without summer. Swedish Proverb

Suggestions: Write in a circle. Write in a square. Write using pale colours. Write using strong colours.Write in a design- the shape of a flower or bug.
Write the name of a flower in more than one colour more than once in different tones of the same colour.

Take a deep breath and smile!

When 8 pages are completed make into a small booklet.
Bind with ring binders or punch holes and tie with ribbon.