A Garden of Letters

Dear Members and Followers,

Looking for something to do in Canberra during October then visit our fellow calligraphy society's exhibition.

The Canberra Calligraphy Society presents "A Garden of Letters"

Wednesday 2 October to Sunday 27 October

Open to the public 9.30 am – 4.30 pm daily during this period

Exhibition Venue

Visitor Centre, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Clunies Ross Street, Canberra

Calliarts September - Monoline Funky Modern Scripts

Dear Members and Followers,

September Calliarts is presented by yours truly.

If you enjoyed the "numbers" from last year then you will certainly like the alphabets to accompany them.

This afternoon we will look at some inspired monoline scripts that are both funky and modern just right for today's "modern calligraphy".

Even if you weren't able to attend the numbers afternoon, you don't need any experience just the ability to cut loose and enjoy.

Materials List:

• Graphite pencil/s
• Coloured pencils (water colour, metallics, etc).
• Pointed nib and pen holder and gouache (optional and only if you have them)
• Fine Point markers - coloured but must include a black one
• White gel pen
• White, bleed proof paper
• Black paper if you want an alternative
• Any marker that makes a monoline 
• Ruler
• Eraser

Copyrighted - Cathy Sayer

Time: 1pm to 4pm
Where: Sylvania Community Hall, Canberra Rd, Sylvania
Cost: $10.00
Please bring a coffee or tea cup
More Info: southscribes@yahoo.com.au

Spencerian Workshop Report

Dear Members and Followers,

Valerie Keevers introduced us to the Spencerian Script in July, firstly with an Introduction at our Calliarts afternoon followed by a full day workshop a week later.  Valerie gave us a brief history of Spencerian, which is the American version of Copperplate, developed by Platt Rogers Spencer in 1840.  It became the preferred hand for business and schools in America until 1925 and a simplified version is still used in American schools.

The main difference between Copperplate and Spencerian is that Spencerian is lighter in weight, with minimal heavy down strokes.  Valerie provided us with guidelines and suggested we start practicing our letters with pencil, which for those of us used to writing Copperplate was very sound advice because it made us write the letters with a light touch.  Once we felt confident writing with pencil, we moved on to pen and ink, using either an elbow nib in a straight pen holder or a straight pointed nib in an oblique pen holder.

The capital letters proved a challenge but we persevered.  Valerie then gave us an exemplar of hand drawn leaf letters which had been adapted to suit Spencerian.  A beautiful versal for the start of a name or piece of work.

Valerie then gave us each a small bundle of cards that she suggested we use for sampling various tools and materials we can use for Spencerian:  pencil, various brands of pointed nib, different inks, gouache and even monoline pens such as gel pens.  The idea was then to put the strips of card together to make a reference book.  Because we had to rule lines on the card Valerie provided us with a triangular piece of card with the hypotenuse cut to the correct slope of 52^o.  This is a great little aid, making the ruling of slope lines so easy.  I must remember to make one for Copperplate.

Thank you, Valerie, for introducing us to such a beautifully elegant script.

Glenis 

August - Calliarts - Accordion Books with Gloria Scott

Dear Members and Followers,

In August we not only have Lexie Arlington tutoring with her workshop Brush with the East, we also have Gloria Scott taking us through simple accordion books.So whether folding or brushing come join us for two Saturdays of great fun.

From simple basic folding we will create a multipurpose book, card or memento book and find ways to use up those “leftover” strips of paper.Several examples on display will present more ideas that can be explored at the November Calliart on Christmas ideas.

Beginners welcome, please advise so that we can send you a materials list.

Materials List - Calliarts - Saturday 10 August 2019 - 1pm to 4pm -
Sylvania Community Hall, Canberra Rd, Sylvania - $10.00

BOOK 1

Small Book with Cover

Accordions: You will need one strip of Canson paper 180 gsm, or similar paper

53 cm long x 10 cm wide

Covers: 2 pieces of card 10.5 cm x 5.5 cm

2 pieces of cover paper 12.5 cm x 7.5 cm

Length of ribbon 45 cm (optional)

BOOK 2

Accordion fold with non-slip covers

Accordion page: 66 cm x 15 cm Canson paper or similar

Covers: 2 pieces of card 10.5 cm x 15 cm

2 pieces of cover paper 'A' 10.5 x 21 cm

2 pieces of cover paper 'B' 15 cm x 16.5 cm

1 piece of cover paper 15 cm x 8.5 cm

1 piece of card 15 cm x 0.5 cm

Materials for Bookmaking

Pencil, Rubber, Set Square, Cutting Mat, Craft Cutter, Stylus or Bone Folder, UHU Glue stick,For the book, a short quote or verse. Usual calligraphy gear, plus some colours – ink, gouache, etc. Pencils, Textas, Paints & Brushes

Copyrighted Gloria Scott