I have been fortunate to have spent the past two days at Buderim with the Calligraphy group there, taking part in a workshop run by the talented, skilled and experienced calligrapher Olive Bull. Olive is a wonderful teacher who shares hints, ideas, experience and tips and lets you get on and try things for yourself. In fact we had so many options to explore and experiment with that nobody actually finished their book - we all have home-work to do!
Th goal of the two days was to test out 26 different techniques which could be used on pieces somehow, sometime...
It was a lot of fun and we played with all sorts of bibs and bobs. We got to try out lots of materials that you wouldn't necessarily just go off and buy for yourself without knowing how to use them; or how good they were. For example I met Armenian bole for the first time, played with lots of different sizes for applying metal and gold leaf - and worked out which ones suit which leaf the best; we also handled powdered French Chalk, liquid graphite and - well, yes, egg shells.
Here are some shots of some of the materials we played with:
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| Crushed egg shell, PVA and ink I think |
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| Variegated metallic leaf |
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| Liquid graphite on black with some agate to burnish |
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| Gesso stencils |
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| Armenian bole for tracing |
And here is a selection of the letters I managed to get done. You can see the variety of techniques even in these not so good photos.
When I have finished my last letters (U didn't happen, and I know that at least P, S, O, K and X are incomplete) and have made up the book I will post again on the finished product.
Sometimes it's just good to sit down and have a go, try this, try that, see what happens when...and I was really happy that the Buderim Group let me join in them this weekend for just such a time. I think I'm all workshopped out now for a bit tho - I've not attended a workshop in ten years; and now I've done two in a fortnight! I hope to settle down for a bit and put into practice some of the things I've learned in the last little while...
Looks like a day of fun! Those eggshells have me stumped though...what exactly did you do with them?
ReplyDeleteHi J - it was a fun few days for sure. We mixed the eggshells with PVA glue, added some colour (ink) and then used a paddlepop stick to write the letter T,that was textured. Interesting!
DeleteJennifer asked the same question I wanted to ask! Did you grind them up or something to use them? I am intrigued. Love the effect of the gesso stencils and liquid graphite. That black on black is fabulous. What fun you've been having these past few weeks!
ReplyDeleteHi Lesley - as you can see above we made a sort of writing paste - but it would be a good textured background or element for anything I think. Hmmm the liquid graphite was fun and I couldn't believe how shiny it got with the agate! Black on black is almost as good as white on white I think...
DeleteLiquid graphite? I haven't come across that! sounds a great day was had!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting stuff Suzie - sort of like a paste really, then you water it down and use it as a wash (J) or in a pen (M). It's always a good day when you get to play and experiment I think!
Deletefiona, this workshop and your samples look delicious! i love what you've shown here.
ReplyDeleteIt was the kind of workshop V where you go "yep I'll use that, I'll use that - that is a great shortcut, I never knew which one and now I do" kind of thing - lots of little gems were picked up and I really loved some of the effects. Hopefully the book will be beautiful too!
DeleteHow inspiring to see all of these unusual & interesting materials/techniques! I love the glint of the metallics, the colors & varying weights of the strokes of other letters...and the effect of them all together. Can't wait to see how your letters all come together...
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa - must admit there are quite a few favourites amongst these techniques now. I really enjoyed the effects of some and am so glad I learnt lots of new tricks. The P is a favourite - writing on real gold with ink that didn't bead or disappear - that felt good.
DeleteI've never had the opportunity to meet olive -but from all I hear she sounds wonderful - and all your goodies certainly LOOK wonderful good fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was my first meeting with Olive as well Ronnie - a delight! And lots of play and testing, and discovering what worked and why. Good stuff.
DeleteI am jealous.
ReplyDeleteI feel really lucky to have had the chance to attend Susan - so many bibs and bobs to explore. I promise I'll share some!
DeleteWhat a great play day
ReplyDeleteSo true Rosie - they are great little injections of enthusiasm, re-invigoratign and inspiring. And good not to just do it by myself, but as part of a group and in a guided methodical expert way. A good combo.
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