Letter Collage

While teaching it is always a challenge to 'keep up' with one's own work.

I really enjoy Versals with their variations and design proportions. I also enjoy earthy colours and placing letters into a space. Here is a Letter collage I have worked on after, before and during each class.

Study in Versals

The Thursday group is in the process of studying Versals. With great exemplars from a few masters of the craft they have begun their books and have created some beautiful work.

First Homework!

Thanks to Ina [and her permission] we have the first few letter collages to look at.

The sense of line and placement on the first piece really works. What do you think? The letters lie well and are beautifully constructed. The touch of gold just adds a special focus to the piece. The connection between the open A and D is pleasing to the eye. Well done. I can't wait to see more pieces.

Saturday Workshop - Versals

It is always a challenge to find good materials and ideas for calligraphy and creative workshops.

What better way than to look at Versals. Based on Skeleton Roman capitals, they lend themselves to fine design and colour.

The Pretoria calligraphers drove through to Johannesburg and enjoyed several hours of creative calligraphy as they poured over examples from old texts and more modern interpretations of the Versal letters.

Thank you once again for bringing 'the team' over for a workshop.
Homework and preparation:
1] Complete letters for words chosen [Logic etc]
2] Start and complete Letter Collage: Use pen, pencil. Black. White. Brown. Shading. Grey. 15 cms x 15cms
Get this photocopied onto white cardstock
3] Decorate an initial with black and a colour of choice with a 'dash' of gold.
4] Place all finished pieces into a book. Bind
5] If you would like a very fine calligraphy nib, bring a mapping pen nib and holder to the next workshop.
6] Bring a quotation in preparation for Christmas/Holiday fabric banner.

I look forward to exciting creativity at the next workshop in August.

Well done all!

Exhibition - Isonke Calligraphy Plate

Exhibitions are always a challenge. When we decided to participate in the Isonke Calligraphy Plate exhibition we decided that we would all paint at least two plates which became three then four! The Penfriends Thursday morning students all painted four, much to their astonishment.

Plate designs were calligraphic in feel although some people wrote words and phrases.

After the opening half the plates were sold and by the end of the exhibition only 10 plates were left.

We are able to send a 'tidy amount' to the Isonke feeding scheme. Flour is bought and given to people to make bread for children in need.

Watch out for our Christmas outreach - we may even surprise ourselves.

Workshops

It is always exciting to view other people's works and attend workshops with visiting calligraphers.

This past week I attended a day and a half workshop with my friend and colleague Heleen de Haas from Cape Town. Not only did we have fun, but we explored letterform yet again.

We stretched letters, used various writing instruments from wooden coffee stirrers to calligraphy markers.

Fun and creative! Here are a few of my pieces.

New Creations

As a teacher I am always on the look out for new ideas and plans for creative projects for my students.

I have spent several weeks with a friend of mine who has shared her skills and expertise using multi-media. We've pasted, coloured. Used found objects, lace and papers. Canvas was the base and imagination essential.

Using various techniques there was no limit. And then there are surprises. An old photograph here, a leaf there. Don't forget the old nibs and pencils that lie about. All to enhance and add interest.

Of course that simply flows over to the calligraphy aspect which will take on a more colourful outlook.

The best thing of all, of course, is that I have a pile of new projects for my students.