Paper, Pens & Inks

 The other day someone asked what paper I prefer using. A very good question but it set me thinking...

When we first started calligraphy in South Africa about 40 years ago our first 'overseas' teacher was Tom Gourdie who was the gentlest and dearest person you could meet, but he simply loved letters and talking letters and frankly, I have little recollection of the classes except smiling a great deal and wondering what I was doing there. Shortly after that Denys Taipele joined us from the US and turned the calligraphy world on it toes. She introduced us to Fabriano (I think we had to have it imported), Winsor and Newton gouache and most importantly 'Beautiful Writing'. I remember doing Italic flourishes with her and having a few conniptions while attempting a beautiful swirling 'g' for a piece which was part of a series we created for a children's oncology ward. It was a poem about clowns which rather daunting, but as I recall the pictures were more colour than clown faces. But the exercise allowed us to think about patter, design and most importantly letterform.

What has this got to do with paper choices? Well, the choice is wide and bewildering and you have to experiment. Many times and very often. Ask ANY calligrapher what their favourite paper is and each one will give you a few different responses.

I have an array of paper which I love to use and it all depends on what I am going to write, draw, paint which paper I choose. What pens or brushes I am using and whether I will use graphite or not. And yes, the choice is endless - so is the amount of fun you can have exploring.

I use D'Arches paper (very expensive cloth paper. VERY nice to work on). Fabriano is a good 'all rounder'. Amadeo is good for practice. Bockingford and Canson are great standbys. But what weight will I use? 180gsm or 300gsm? Am I using Noodler ink to draw with or will I paint and add ink afterwards? And so on.

The choices are multiple and pretty much endless.

The solution? Order paper, paint or ink sampler packs. Most good stores/makes have such packs so that you can test which works best for your needs.

There was a moment sometime last year when I thought I might run out of paper. Well I hope you didn't hold your breath as I found stacks of paper in the studio with enough ink to float a boat as well. I also discovered 4 full sheets of D'Arches and felt so generous I passed some onto John. I will never be able to use up all the bits and pieces I have in my drawers and cupboards. But what fun I have 'trying' out.

So the short and simple answer is experiment. Buy a few sheets of beautiful paper. Find some paper packs. Make a paper note book (I'm sure some of you have the beginnings of one). Note the materials you use so that you have a reference for future projects. (This does not need to be a dissertation, simply a few pointers).

Most of all ENJOY your experimentations. I certainly do.

Variety of Calligraphy

For our exhibition in November I have ensured that our guests will be amazed and delighted by the variety of calligraphic surfaces used for projects. Anything from ceramics to wooden logs.

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:

 Chantal's log

 Jill's 'N'

 Jill's graphic log

 Ghita's 'S' on canvas

Ghita's flowers on pebbles

There are challenges that the artist has to deal with for the various surfaces. 

What paint to use? We used mostly acrylic inks mixed with gouache. 

Paint brushes need to be square and fine. 

Designs need to be worked so that they can be transferred from paper to surface. 

Other considerations are: will the surface hold the paint or will it run. 

How do you test the paint? 

Well hopefully you have a small little piece to test all the materials you've chosen to use.

Of course, the form of the letter needs to be as good as possible. 

I think that everyone has done her best and the standard of work is really most pleasing.

Once again, well done ladies!

Be prepared for the next classes where we will return to traditional inks, nibs and paper.

Planning

Planning is so important when creating a piece. In fact we all know that the longest part of any art work it the planning. Testing pen size, color, choosing the hand and dealing with paper and paper size.

This week we have been working on creating space for ourselves on paper, to be less fearful of white paper, large nibs and knowing that leaving space to work around is optimum.

An A3 sheet of paper and handful of large nibs was the choice, together with black gouache and ink to use as the liquid to 'liquify' the  paint. This is in preparation for next lesson's writing on fabric.

Tina's work - lovely swirl and a simple quote create a beautiful image

Suggested homework: practice words depicting Penfriends Calligraphy Studio which will be paintedointo fabric and hung around the courtyard and studio as 'bunting' for the 30th celebrations in November. I'm hoping words like: Create, Laugh, Joy, Smile will be some of the thoughts that pop up - not homework, handwork and hardwork.

A rough thumbnail will be created on paper, using the same size as the intended flag, pen or brush to be used for the final piece, together with color choice and design. 

Look forward to the designs and final flags next week.

Some pieces created today which could easily be adapted into flag designs. 

 Jill's piece

 Ghita's piece

 Jeannette's cryptic quote

 Lyn's work 

Joy's piece

Class Homework

Sometimes (well mostly) students work diligently and quickly. For those of you who teach, you know there are always people who work much faster so extra projects need to be 'set up'.

This week's evening class is enthusiastic and all are quick workers. They have completed their 'interpretation of a poem' project (pics to follow next week) and so what to do after they have 'tweaked' their final work?

Experiment with ruling pens, Coit pens and other interesting tools of course. Here are two pieces which were done using  broad nib-pens, black gouache using black ink as the liquid (not water), short quote and a light watercolor paper. I think you will agree that the results are dynamic and successful.

 Ester's piece with 'Zen-like' space

 [the writing isn't leaning back in the actual piece - this is lens distortion]

Chantal's piece with wonderful curves

Next week's project? Peace flags...

'Homework' by A-MM

You might or might not know that this year I have been teaching calligraphy for thirty years.

I've had much more fun than anyone involved in the 30 year war and certainly have had as much fun as anyone celebrating a thirtieth wedding anniversary, which is pearl. Pearls of wisdom I have learned and have learned much more than I have ever taught. I have {mostly} enjoyed every moment of the classes I have prepared and presented.

Penfriend's Studio celebrations are set for 20 and 21 November with wonderful workshops and surprises planned. So if you are in the area contact me.

The students have been working hard on their creative projects as well as learning new hands. I have been bowled over by their enthusiasm and commitment to the end of year exhibition. Some work in progress has been posted for your enjoyment.

As David and I go away a great deal, I decided that I should create a few small pieces, so that I too will have something for guests to view. Years ago I was fortunate to be able to go to a CLAS workshop held in Winchester and joined a creative workshop presented by Brian Walter. He taught me the joy of working small and cut me a nib from a mapping pen which I still use today.

Here is a taste of what my 'homework' has been over the past few weeks.
The pieces are small and written on those scraps of {good}paper you have in a drawer or folder.

 You Can Tell...

 Everyday

Small Things

I also collect small pieces of decorative paper and never throw away ribbon or bits of gold. I usually write in gouache and in the simplest hand. It's the quote that is important. 

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 

Creative Journals and FUN!

Maxine is a past student, great friend and divinely amusing person. She visits South Africa at least once a year and we try to get together at least once when she is here.

She has suggested that we work on a creative project. I THINK she meant when she is here - but we have 8 months to work on 'our own creativity' never mind the fact that Maxine has started a new framing business and we are both fairly busy people.

But who says we can't pretend that we care going to do something creative between now and October. 

New posts probably every 2 weeks [or so]. If you would like to join is the 'creative frenzy' please let me know and we can add your ideas and suggestions.

Creating a Journal

 

Project for Maxine and Anne-Marie over 8 months

 This was a very simple page for a book on numbers. Very little anything much else - but a start anyway

To show intent: My pens, pencils and some water-coloured paper at the ready.

 

Suggested work plan:

1 One signature to be completed every 2 weeks

2 ANY media maybe used: acrylic, craypas, pencil crayons, fineliners, collage

  watercolours, ink and so on.

3 A-MM will scan/photograph and send examples which may be ‘cribbed, altered and improved’ in any way.

4 It is suggested that if the one folio begins in say watercolours and pencils the whole 4/6 pages remain the same. In other words, change materials when starting a new signature to keep a theme going.

5 Any hand or font may be used. Maybe together

6. Theme of journal to be decided upon individually – open, creative minds seem like a good thing to have.

7 A-MM will post the work pace onto the Penfriendspatter blog.

 

Hopefully some of the signatures can travel with Maxine in October and the book stitched together in a frenzy of creativity!

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.