Monthly Archives: November 2010

ITALIC WORKSHEETS. With thanks to Richard Crookes. Updated May 11th ’11

Posted on November 25, 2010 | 4 Comments

One day I hope to keep my promise and publish a video of Italic, lowercase(UPDATE)  See below,  and Capitals.  The problem is, I keep getting sidetracked.  Some time ago, you might remember, I mentioned that one of my friends might just happen to come up with a lesson and save me the trouble. He heh.  Today he has graciously given his consent for me to show these pages he put together for a recent workshop he conducted in Thailand.  What a lovely job he has made of them.

 

If you would like to see more of Richard’s work, and download these worksheets, have a look at his Website.  Also he has Videos on YouTube.  Here is one to compliment these pages.

Many thanks Richard.  More power to your elbow.

(Update)

At last, Calligradoodles -0005 Italic minuscule.

Over all,  I am quite pleased, apart from one or two wayward ascenders.  Bear in mind that the x height here is one and a half inches ie five nib widths.

  I have tried to give an indication of the rhythm generated by the italic script. Though the music is added after the video is published. it does seem to fit in quite nicely.                    

 I hope you enjoy it and that it is some help. 

UPDATE 11th May ’11

Once you have got your teeth into italics you will need some capitals. These are my version. It has taken some years to reach this stage. I strongly recommend that the beginner first studies Richard’s example before adding flourishes/swashes.

 

These are eight nibwidths in height. That is two and a half inches. You will note that the minuscule x height was five nibwidths / one and a half inches. Whatever you do with Initial capitals, the capitals within a body of script look more balanced and seem slightly weightier if kept to approximately half the height again of the minuscule.

Once again there are one or two letters here that have gone slightly awry. Rather than stopping to rub them out, thus spoiling the rhythm, I have again elected to carry on and show the whole sequence, warts and all.

If you have any questions regarding this lesson or any of the others, please ask them in the comment box. Others might like to see the answer too.

Keep watching this space.

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Hints and Tips Updated11th April 2012

Posted on November 13, 2010 | 4 Comments

Just a few things that might make your calligraphy a little easier.

A simple light table.
There are commercially made light-boxes etc available.
Mine is made from a sheet of toughened glass 18″ x 26″ with ground edges. I am lucky enough to have two pieces so I can double the size if necessary. It sits upon a strip of quadrant screwed to the edge of the desk and rests on the shelf above. The light itself was designed to be used beneath a kitchen cupboard.
REMEMBER!!!!!!! USE TOUGHENED GLASS……..
NOT ORDINARY PICTURE OR WINDOW GLASS.

You could make a frame to hold the glass and enclose the light for table top use.

In answer to a question that crops up from time to time.I draw as few lines as I can practically get away with. I have a guideline sheet, landscape on A3, marked up with 1/8″ lines, that I slip under the page I am working on. I use multiples of 1/8″ for x height and choose a nib to suit. If I do have to draw lines I still use the same measurements, so rather than draw lines to fit ,two, three, four, etc. nib widths, I will chose a nib to fit within these multiples of 1/8″.
In workshop situations I always tape a 1 metre steel rule to a table. Most people find it simplicity itself to run a large set square down the ruler rather than make dots on the page.

REMEMBER!!!!!!! USE TOUGHENED GLASS……..
NOT ORDINARY PICTURE OR WINDOW GLASS.

With a ruler gripped or glued to the edge, a set square that runs along the quadrant, A guideline sheet marked with 1/8″ lines, you are ready for any eventuality,  just as long as you are working on paper rather than heavy card or very dark colours. In any case, this is very useful set up if you have to draw lines and have not got a drawing machine.
REMEMBER!!!!!!! USE TOUGHENED GLASS……..
NOT ORDINARY PICTURE OR WINDOW GLASS.
Now you need to make up templates of your most used formats. Perhaps the regular certificate inscription, envelope, place-card, or Wedding Album. A spiral or two will come in very handy.
 
With compasses, first make an arc 1/2″ radius to the left of the centre line. Move compass point to the bottom of the arc then open the radius until it joins the top of the arc. Draw the right-hand arc. Move the compass point back to its first position and open the radius until it joins the bottom of the arc. Keep stepping back and forth until the desired size spiral is complete.
If you wish to also put in a guide line for x height, follow the same steps adding the required measurement.
This guideline sheet gives an idea of a number of combinations that are possible using multiples of one 4.5 mm writing line.  If you get used to using the same sheet, or the measurements thereof, for the majority of your work, you will find that life becomes so much easier.  Remember to chose a nib to fit the lines rather than draw the lines to suit the nib.
I made up this template as I had a regular batch of Wedding albums to inscribe.
Even if you are working on dark card, it is a simple matter to fold the page and mark off the points then pencil in the lines.  Much easier than having to measure everything each time.
Blundell Harling A1 Challenge Lightboard
 Just one of many commercially available Lightboards on the market.
You can find this one at Bill’s Art and Calligraphy supplies.
 Have fun.  I shall be back soon with some more hints and tips.
Keep watching this space.

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Namedoodles

Posted on November 12, 2010 | 2 Comments

It is with some regret that I feel I must discontinue what has become a large and enjoyable part of my life.  A year ago, give or take  month or so, I began to mark the birthdays of my Facebook friends with a Namedoodle.  At that time I was pretty new to Fb and had only about 50 ” friends” .  I decided that it might be a good idea to set aside one hour every few days to create something a little different.  Good practice for me, and, I hoped, inspiration for the recipient.  It also seemed a way, perhaps, that others could send greetings, rather than using Fb. Apps, i.e., ” so and so sent you a bunch of virtual flowers “.

If you haven’t seen a Namedoodle this is just one example

More variations can be found on my Skydrive Photos

Most of my friends are either calligraphers or at least have an interest in calligraphy or lettering.  For the experienced, I hoped that it would be interesting for them to see what another could do with such a remit.  More importantly that it might inspire the beginner / improver to explore various possibilities  when it comes to making letters or indeed, putting letters on a page.

I now have just short of 600 friends and find it much too difficult to cover every birthday, so, I shall stop now, rather than just cover a few favourites.  You might though, see the occasional piece for personal family and friends.  I shall continue to do commissioned pieces through Calligraphy by Bill Grant    Those who’s Namedoodles have appeared so far, have the facility to download and print from the link above.  I am also looking into a way of sending out the originals, in their rough state, mainly on ordinary copy paper, by Self Addressed Envelope.  Contact Calligraphy by Bill Grant ( subject Namedoodles ) for details.

I am hoping that with the time that now becomes available, I shall be able to spend a little more time on this Blog and at Calligraphy at Bill’s Space, to spread the word about the making of good letters.  Ah yes!  And with God’s help,  earn a few pennies by making some good letters of my own.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Keep watching this space.

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Posted in ,calligraphy,calligraffiti,lettering, how to, calligradoodles, Calligraphy groups,, Namedoodles

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