Teensy Weensy Writing - Workshop Report

Dear Members and Followers,

20^th February 2016     Sylvania Community Hall

 We were privileged to once again have Julie-Ann as our tutor for some specialised VERY small writing layouts and ideas, using any or all of our favourite and/or interesting scripts, and using a 1561-62 “Model Book of Calligraphy” by Croatian (Hungarian) scribe, Georg Bocskay as inspiration.  This pre-eminent scribe used a vast selection of contemporary and historical scripts to display his mastery of the range of styles known to him.  The book was later enhanced by an artist, Joris Hoefnagel, with illuminations and other additions.

Julie-Ann demonstrated and described many tips for media to use for such fine writing, including the usual pencils, pens, nibs, quills, inks and ink-sticks and how to use them, plus other quirky methods of decoration using found objects etc.

How to sharpen the nibs with an Arkansas stone was important, and to clean the encrusted ink off nibs, toothpaste was suggested as the finest and least aggressive cleaner (scrape the gunge off with a scalpel); it keeps the nib clean and sharp for the finest writing.  Rule lines with a Very Sharp Pencil.

Pre-treating the paper with an extra external size can help stop any bleeding, also the paper needs to be treated with a pounce of gum sandarac before writing.  The gum needs to be finely pounded in a mortar and pestle, and stored in a silk pouch, plus kept as free from contamination as possible.

Using good quality A5 pieces of paper, we worked on some pieces of writing using varying ideas, layouts, and media.  For the 12 of us there, it was a busy and interesting day – in fact more time would have been nice, but we kept the 6 hours so fully occupied, that I was exhausted by the time we went home.  Julie-Ann was flat out all day and we were all appreciative of the effort put in to construction of the workshop and the amount of information imparted.

It was a wonderful day, and our thanks to Julie-Ann for all of her efforts.

Kath McEwen

Starry - The Word a Month

Dear Members and Followers,

The stars were out when those of us participating in the word of the month presented the word 'Starry'.
Don your sunglasses and view the results.

World War 1 in Pen & Brush Exhibition

Dear Members and Followers,

Calligraphy Southscribes, Inc. proudly presents:

Special Meeting and Annual General Meeting

Dear Members and Followers,

Saturday 12th March 2016 is both the AGM for us at 11.30am plus a Special Meeting at 11am to discuss what we should if we fold.

We implore you to attend both meetings so that your views can be heard on what will happen to Calligraphy Southscribes, Inc. and be brought up-to-date on the happens of last year. A new committee will be chosen at the AGM as positions will be becoming vacant.

Calliarts - Modern Uncial

Dear Members and Followers,

After the special meeting and AGM on Saturday 12 March 2016, Calligraphy Southscribes, Inc. will be holding its monthly Calliarts afternoon. This month it is Modern Uncial.

Modern Uncial is adapted from Mike Kecseg's Pointed Pen Uncial. This version is excellent for beginners and more experienced calligraphers or lettering artists as it is suitable for both pen and monoline marker. An ideal hand for more modern uses. All levels of experience welcome and a great introduction to pointed pen calligraphy. We will round the day off by making bookmarks using the script.

 Materials List:

• Normal Calligraphy gear but must include a pointed pen nib (we are not using chisel nibs)
• Gouache (in addition to your ink for practise if your want to use it)
• Coloured pencils
• Monoline pens or markers in different colours
• Materials to make bookmarks (light card for backing (scrapbooking card), coloured or neutral canson, or other to write on; hole punch, cords, glue, cutting mat and knife (unless you already come prepared), embellishments, scissors, etc. If you wish to make a stencil bookmark bring some patterned light paper with you. Glossy paper for gluing. Tracing paper.

Word a Month - Labyrinth

Dear Members and Followers,

While the break was on, the calligraphers participating in the word a month had extra time to catch up on their words or to carefully think about this month's word, labyrinth.

Did you know that the definition of Labyrinth is:

A complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze.

What I did not know, is that there is a second definition:

 A complex structure in the inner ear which contains the organs of hearing and balance. It consists of bony cavities (the bony labyrinth ) filled with fluid and lined with sensitive membranes (the membranous labyrinth ).

The artwork flowed:

 

Materials List

Dear Members or Followers,

If you are attending the February Calliarts afternoon or the Textura Lettering Course, you will need the following:

Textura Gothic - starting 17 Feb 7-9 pm, You will need:

*   the usual calligraphy equipment

*   a guide line of: 2 ascenders, 4 pen nib widths, 2 decenders

for the chisel edge nibs you will be using for the basic strokes and start up exercises, and for any beginners, you will need:

*  an A3 layout pad (Eckersleys) suitable for pen and ink.

*   a series 'C' No.3 Speedball nib and holder

*   FW or Sumi ink

*   ruler, pencil,rubber

*   0.4 Artline  (or similar)  black fineliner pen

*  folder with plastic sleeves

Making  your  own  envelopes,  materials  list:

*  there are several different styles on offer, so please bring at least six pieces of suitable paper (see list below)

*  you can trace patterns onto your layout paper or bring thin card to trace and cut your  patterns for future use.

Papers you will need:

     *  several pieces of paper of your choice A3 size, approx 30 cm x 42 cm no smaller than A4 size, approx 21 cm x 30 cm 

        *  A3 bond layout paper 70 gsm. note, this is the same as your usual layout paper, but has a smoother surface and feels a bit thicker 

        *  cartridge paper

*  wrapping paper/gift paper.  note, without fold lines   please.

*  brown paper

*  hand made paper - not too thick

*  Scrapbooking paper. note, although they are all 30 cm square there are lovely colours and patterns available

*  Mi Tientes Canson 160 gsm, full sheet approx 75 cm x 55 cm note, if you are bringing Mi Tientes please cut sheet in half before you come to facilitate cutting and handling space.

Canson makes lovely envelopes,  packets and  boxes.

You will also need:

*  cutting mat, A4 or larger

*  40 or SO cm ruler - steel ruler if you have   one

*cutting blade or craft knife

*  pencil,rubber, small set square

*  UHU glue stick or double sided tape

*glossy magazine (for gluing)

*  scissors

*  any embellishments, stickers or cut outs to decorate your envelope if you  wish.

*  If you would like to add colour accents, bring any of the following:

pencils, pastels, chalk, crayons, coloured ballpoint pens, watercolour pencils and brush.