Filtering by: calligraphy

Oct
5
to Oct 6

Victorian Pen with Heather Held

  • Plaza Artist Materials (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Registration now OPEN

Email Ann Cobb, Workshop Committee Chairperson, for additional information.

photo courtesy of Heather Held

The Victorian Pen introduces pen drawn flourishes that have been influenced by the colors and styles of the Victorian era. Many of the historic offhand flourishing designs start out as pencil sketches before rendering the designs in ink.

The Victorian Pen workshop introduces pencil techniques for the terrified! Even if you think you cannot draw, this class will help you add simple floral designs, acanthus patterns and ornamental scroll work your offhand flourishing. The use of the pencil allows pre-planning and corrections which are not possible with true offhand flourishing.

We start simply with corner ornaments and expand to more intricate designs. These decorative ornaments can be gilded with 23K gold leaf and painted with watercolor or tinted gently with colored pencil. This class assumes some knowledge of the pointed pen.

View Event →
Sep
21
to Sep 22

Decorated Letters with Sharon Hanse

  • Plaza Artist Materials (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Registration now OPEN

Email Ann Cobb, Workshop Committee Chairperson, for additional information.

Photos courtesy of Sharon Hanse

Photos courtesy of Sharon Hanse

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (brown bag lunch)

Ever since men began to write in books, there has been the urge to decorate the pages in some way. These decorations have changed over the ages depending on the letter styles used and the purpose for the illumination. They have become more elaborate over time, taking up a whole page at times. The word illuminate derives from the initial reason — to illumine or light up the word of God. Today, of course, we use these methods for many different purposes.

Capital letters are important — they start every sentence and verse. They accentuate the titles and emphasize important texts. The capitals that accompany most calligraphic styles are based on the basic Roman proportions. Understanding these proportions gives the calligrapher the ability to then manipulate the letterforms to fit with any of the various letter styles, such as Bookhand, Foundational, Carolingian, Italic and are the basis for Versals. Participants will explore the basic Roman form, then using various methods, exercises and mediums, learn to create Capitals that will enhance any piece of calligraphic art.

There are innumerable ways to add interest and emphasis to your lettering — whether in a rendition that reflects the past or in a modern interpretation. There are so many options that it can get confusing — from formal to informal. Though Lombardic Capitals are used often for the process, these techniques can be applied to almost any letter style.

In this class participants will be introduced to some of the basic steps they can take to create a beautiful illuminated letter. We will proceed step by step through the processes to build up the form adding shading and highlights and line accents. We will discuss materials and painting techniques.

Participants will be introduced to several ways to add gold or metallic accents to their work — using paint, powdered metals, and gilding techniques. In addition, we will experiment with some methods to add a modern twist to your letters.

View Event →
May
31
to Jun 2

The Materials of the Saint John’s Bible with Reggie Ezell - Session 4

  • Carson-Newman University (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
Multiple gold leafs on sculpted gilding bases: gouaches, watercolors, and inks on gildingPhoto courtesy of Reggie Ezell

Multiple gold leafs on sculpted gilding bases: gouaches, watercolors, and inks on gilding

Photo courtesy of Reggie Ezell

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (brown bag lunch)

This is the fourth session in a four session series. See session one for additional information.

PLANNED:

Spend this final weekend at Carson-Newman University studying illuminated manuscripts from across the centuries, employing many of the materials and techniques presented in this course.

View Event →
Apr
13
9:30 AM09:30

Watercolor Botanicals Inspired by Chinese Brush Painting with Miranda Fuller

Lupine and Cactus Study

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (brown bag lunch)

Enjoy a day of creating watercolor botanicals inspired by Chinese painting. Learn about the materials, Chinese painting and the wide variety of strokes that you can achieve with one brush. 

Miranda will teach you how to create multiple flowers and leaves to compliment your lettering, envelopes or to stand alone.

Photos courtesy of Miranda Fuller

View Event →
Mar
23
to Mar 24

Textura Meets the Parallel Pen with Sheryl Bracey

  • Plaza Artist Materials (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
Photo courtesy of Sheryl Bracey.

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (brown bag lunch)

Textura is called by many names...Gothic, Blackletter, Old English but there are slight differences. For me, Textura is a simpler form and you can create more difficult forms from that. We will begin with the basics and before the weekend is over I will add a little Fractur to go along with it. The capital letters are especially beautiful.

This class will not involve a lot of supplies since we will be using graph paper (to help you with straight lines) and the Parallel Pens so you won’t have to wait for ink to dry. They also make great hairlines!! There will be more about supplies when you sign up. This is a great class for beginners so you don’t have to deal with slant. I hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of Sheryl Bracey.

View Event →
Mar
2
to Mar 3

The Materials of the Saint John’s Bible with Reggie Ezell - Session 1

Multiple gold leafs on sculpted gilding bases: gouaches, watercolors, and inks on gildingPhoto courtesy of Reggie Ezell

Multiple gold leafs on sculpted gilding bases: gouaches, watercolors, and inks on gilding

Photo courtesy of Reggie Ezell

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (brown bag lunch)

This is a four session course that meets March 2-3, April 6-7, May 4-5 and May 31 - June 1. Participants should plan to attend all four sessions.

The greatest work of art in western calligraphy and illumination in the last 500 years is The Saint John’s Bible. It is created with materials that reach back millennia: calfskin vellum, quills, stick inks, dry pigments, gilding, and more. The designs, though grounded in tradition, always have a contemporary flair.

The intention of this extended studies course is to be immersed in these materials and techniques in order to produce a finished work, broadside or book, integrating these materials and designs.

Curriculum will include:

  • Lining and Lettering on Paper, Vellum, Parchment

  • Gilding on various bases with seven kinds of gold, and tooling the gold

  • Metal nibs: broad edge, pointed, ruling pen, ball pointed pen: adapting them with honing (several), reservoirs, distempering, snipping.

  • Quills: cutting and maintaining them

  • Writing Fluids: Gouache, Watercolor, Ink Sticks: (black and color), Dry Pigments

Participants must have a working knowledge of Italic lettering.

Planned:

The final weekend at Carson-Newman University studying illuminated manuscripts from across the centuries, employing many of the materials and techniques presented in this course.

The Saint Johns Bible: Heritage Edition! Up close and personal with one of the volumes. A chance to study this life size, brilliantly reproduced, rare book. (Note: The current cost of the full seven volume set is approximately $165,000.)

View Event →
Sep
24
to Sep 25

The Enchanted Letter with Heather Held

  • Plaza Artist Materials (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

This workshop is an exploration in designing and decorating a contemporary illuminated letter. The letters are based on a rounded script alphabet and transformed into meandering ribbons or graceful leaves. The student will be guided through the pencil design stage of their own unique letter as well as the decorative foliate extension. The design can be embellished with a simple 23K gilding technique or gold gouache. Pointed pen flourishes are added to the design, which is further embellished with colour. The final design is evocative of the graceful capital letters found in Victorian illustrated books. Knowledge of the pointed pen as well as any rounded script.

Workshop registration opens on Saturday, May 14, to current Nashville Calligraphers Guild members only. If spaces remain, the workshop will be opened to non-members one month prior to the date of the workshop. Registration closes two weeks prior to the workshop. All workshop participants must be registered at least two weeks prior to the date of the workshop. For more information, please contact Ann Cobb.

View Event →
Apr
16
to Apr 17

Foundational with Vicki Brandt

  • Plaza Artist Materials (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
Design by Vicki Brandt

Design by Vicki Brandt

9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The Foundational letterform is known for its readability and ease of writing. But, these characteristics understate the beautiful quality of a well done Foundational hand.
 
Whether you are new to calligraphy or you would simply like to refine your Foundational alphabet, Foundations of Foundational is for you.
 
This weekend workshop will focus on Foundational basics but include a glimpse of variations for this classic calligraphic staple. Supplies list will be sent following registration.

This workshop is currently open to Nashville Calligraphers Guild members only. If openings exist after members have registered, only then will the workshops be opened to non-members. For more information, please contact Ann Cobb.

View Event →
Mar
19
9:00 AM09:00

Neuland with a Burst of Color with Sheryl Bracey

Design by Sheryl Bracey

Design by Sheryl Bracey

9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Neuland was the brain-child of Rudolf Koch but it has changed over the years and there are not any rules for this alphabet! (I like that!) It does not have an established history. We will be taking the morning to learn how to do the alphabet, and the afternoon to bring some color and life to it. I will also show you some fun and different ways to use it.
 
It will be easier for you to bring parallel pens for this class...especially the larger ones...but you can use your broad edge pens or markers. You will be using some colored pencils as well. I will give you a detailed list later but it is not very large.
 
This will be a fast-paced but fun class...not stressful at all! I hope to see you there!!

This workshop is currently open to Nashville Calligraphers Guild members only. If openings exist after members have registered, only then will the workshops be opened to non-members. For more information, please contact Ann Cobb.

View Event →