The other day someone asked what paper I prefer using. A very good question but it set me thinking...
Penfriend's Patter
Calligraphy, Creativity, Letterform, Colour & Inspiration
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Paper, Pens & Inks
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Planning Ahead
As a teacher, new sessions are needed to be prepared continuously and half the joy of teaching is preparing new and stimulating exercises for students.
Through teaching I have meandered many varied paths which have been both challenging and exciting.
Denys Taipele started many of us on a painting path and I have my 'water-colour bible' filled with many exercises which helped expand my creative journey exponentially.
With numerous teachers and varied teaching methods over many years I have built a creative repertoire of skills to pass onto my students and create moments of awakening and delight.
At the moment I am about to tutor someone in watercolours who has never done art before apart from school art. If his experience of school art was anything like mine, I am surprised he wants to embark on this journey. The interesting thing is that instead of trusting the teacher's guidance and suggestions on materials he has a question for every instruction and request. While it is admirable to be inquisitive, to question every detail at every turn can become exhausting-and this is before sessions have started. Instead of believing in the process, he seems to be putting up road blocks at every turn. So this will be a challenging journey in many aspects but hopefully some great positive will result.
This is the small A6 book with watercolour paper pages which I have already evenly divided into pages which I shall write on and illustrate. I think this will be a great project to end the year.
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Five Minute Challenge
With so much time spent at home and in my new studio space upstairs I am able to compartmentalise time. Perhaps more efficiently because I am not 'popping here and popping there' for a coffee, chat or visit. So time is spent (usually) in a more orderly fashion.
I've done over 365 daily quotes over the past year or so and use various techniques from watercolour to graphite. Pen and brush. Pencil crayon to fine drawing and have loved all the techniques I've rediscovered.
I often set myself 5 minute challenges and suggest it is a wonderful way to make goals for both new ideas in lettering, technique and creativity:
Materials: Good paper, selected pens nibs: round and fine. Colour. In this piece I used Faber Castell, Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils which give vibrant colour and can be wet to create a 'water-colour' mixing effect.
Set yourself time to complete this. Before you start, be aware of how your materials so that everything is at hand. Be focussed and as ever always remember to breathe.
Create more of these exercises to do. You will be delighted by the creative moments you will enjoy.
Sunday, May 16, 2021
After many days, months, years, I am resuscitating this blog which I'm sad to say I'd forgotten I'd started and found by accident recently.
For the meantime I will add my upcoming classes which will be fun and enjoyable as we discover and collect beautiful letters to make up an alphabet that each person will collect and cherish.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Letters and Signs
The Czech Republic has a great heritage of lettering and writing. From Gothic to the modern type face. I came upon many wonderful examples and am working out some ways to work ideas into new lettering forms for intriguing class projects.
Here are a few examples of what I discovered. You will see there is much scope for creative lettering. Will keep you updated
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Variety of Calligraphy
The most important thing is that we have created some interesting pieces and with still a few surprises to enjoy before the exhibition.
I think we will have an eclectic viewing experience for everyone.
Here are a few examples of most recent work:
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Logging in the Studio
Our near-neighbour has been pruning. Large trees and many logs.The logs ooze resin and the cut logs are just the right surface for some creative designs. With a bit of sandpaper and strong arms we collected about 20 for the studio. I hefted about 10 of them onto tables and then gave up. Luckily Elizabeth is a strong girl and she moved more in.
The students arrived to a log-city and nearly went straight home. Luckily a few gorilla tales and strong coffee kept them indoors and we started planning the designs.
My two granddaughters were with me and I simply love the way children have a no-fuss attitude to creativity and work. When asked 'Would you like to paint on a log?' the immediate response was a short 'Yes'. No fuss. No bother.
We all looked at colour, design, shape. Using paper plates and pencils we created a vague design. Choosing colours was easy. We had acrylic paints. Gouache with acrylic ink as mixer and with a few light marks on the wood we were away.
Some people choose simple designs. Geometric and colourful. Others have grand ideas which will create another dimension to the logs and take a little longer. The granddaughters shared their favourite colours in wedged areas. Everyone created something surprisingly interesting.
Well done all. I look forward to them being placed in the garden for our November exhibition.