I was fortunate on Friday to have Helen Irving from the Buderim Calligraphy group drive up to spend some time with me (and with Helen V from Buderim), showing me a few more tips for pencils. Helen does the most exquisite pencil work and has such a gentle, light control - you can hardly imagine a person could do what she does.
We had a fun few hours with her showing me lots of extra things to do and think bout; and shared coffee, cake and lunch which was grand.
Here are my practice pieces - you can see how rough and ready they are; but it was all about testing and learning techniques, so here goes.
This bit has powdered graphite, liquid graphite, HB pencils and erasers all muddled together to test things out.
I wondered about embossing - more powdered graphite, HB and erasers - love the polka dots!
Powdered graphite, erasers and liquid graphite
So you can see why they are called "roughs"!
These are from the week before - where I was testing printing fabric to see if it made a good background for a larger work; it didn't so I just chopped it up and made cards instead!
But just to delight you at the end - here are some of the pieces by Helen I am lucky to have received...
Whenever I teach at Buderim, Helen does the thank you card - how lucky am I?
The details are amazing...
Big sigh.
And I better go get practising I think!
We had a fun few hours with her showing me lots of extra things to do and think bout; and shared coffee, cake and lunch which was grand.
Here are my practice pieces - you can see how rough and ready they are; but it was all about testing and learning techniques, so here goes.
This bit has powdered graphite, liquid graphite, HB pencils and erasers all muddled together to test things out.
Powdered graphite, erasers and liquid graphite
Powdered graphite and HB pencil
Liquid graphite
So you can see why they are called "roughs"!
These are from the week before - where I was testing printing fabric to see if it made a good background for a larger work; it didn't so I just chopped it up and made cards instead!
But just to delight you at the end - here are some of the pieces by Helen I am lucky to have received...
Whenever I teach at Buderim, Helen does the thank you card - how lucky am I?
The details are amazing...
Big sigh.
And I better go get practising I think!
over the years I've been more drawn (oops not an intended pun!) to hand rendered letters - these are just a delight :D
ReplyDeleteI almost made a vow to myself to not use black ink this year Ronnie; and am absolutely loving the freedom of pencils and hand drawn letters - a broad edged nib almost feels limiting right now! A lovely letter is a wonderful thing - hope you get to make some soon...
Deletei love your pencil magic
ReplyDeleteThanks Velma - it is such a lovely way to make letters!
DeleteI absolutely love the fabric prints! But then, I guess being a fabric person I would.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how they didn't work.
Sandy in the UK
Hi Sandy - I love that frayed hem look too! It was more about the central part of the fabric not printing how I imagined and therefore not being suitable for writing in; so I got to use the edges which I love!
DeleteFiona, I love your pencil work. It is so fine and delicate and just makes me want to sharpen my HB and have a go! Is that your own font or is it a recognised one? It looks so fine etched in pencil and I doubt I could achieve something so clean and precise. I'm also blown away by the finesse in those thank you cards from Helen. Such a straightforward idea but so stunning in their execution. You are indeed blessed to have them.
ReplyDeleteSlipped thru Lesley sorry! Pencils are truly delightful aren't they? The font is a verbal-form; handwritten letters, built up letters rather than using a broad-edged pen to do the thick and thins. This is kind of made-up, kind of observed from others and doesn't really have a name sorry!
DeleteAnd thanks for your gorgeous comment about Helen's work - it is stunning isn't it? And I know how fortunate i am to have and to hold them...go well.
There is something so delicate and yet primal about pencil and graphite... your drawings are wonderful and the calligraphy adds another dimension.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna - they feel so light don't they? I think I enjoy their softness, and ability to whisper rather than shout or make a bold statements...go well.
DeleteI'm Your newest follower : ) I also love calligraphy and so many other paper crafts.....altered art,altered art journals,tags, ATCs, Zentangles, painting and yes even coloring. A tad bit of My life at this point in time.You seem to be a very talented artist and I'm looking forward to learning from You and enjoying Your blog.Please do drop by My blog for a visit,stay as long as You like-Denise from Coffeeberry Cottage
ReplyDeleteHi Denise - thanks for stopping by; it's a wonderful world of sharing and learning isn't it this land of blog? Go well.
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