Tag Archives: Art

Welcome to Bill’s Space.

Posted on February 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

Bill’s Space is aimed  at  anyone who has a love of calligraphy, or lettering. Especially beginners and those who  are  having trouble getting started.  Featuring videos and worksheets, links and articles, all with a bias toward art, calligraphy, lettering, and teacher’s resources, and updated as new material comes to my notice.

A Jack of All Trades. Always aspiring to become a master of lettering, I learned a basic italic hand at school, and became a regular at the local library calligraphy section. It took some years to find a local evening class but once there I found myself able to help fellow students with their struggles. Shortly after this I became a tutor myself at evening classes and also started a local church group.

Back in the eighties my work was exhibited in Luton Library.

For 6 years I was privileged to lead a Calligraphy Workshop/Retreat at Belmont Abbey, Hereford.
Any scribe will tell you that people wrongly assume that if you can put letters on paper you will be able to paint them onto almost anything. Brushwork, though, is a completely different technique to master. Luckily I was able to join a 1 year full-time C&G signwriting course and then worked for some time as a signwriter, but I never lost my love of penmanship.
I hope I can help you on your journey.

UPDATE
Bill’s Space was originally set up to promote good lettering. It has now metamorphosed into an all round meeting point for artists, calligraphers and teachers, worldwide, to relax while they search for that little something different to put in their resources locker. Recently a new group, CALLIGRAPHY at Bill’s Space Mk II, has been set up on Facebook to run alongside the original site. Whether you are a beginner or have years of experience come and join in the fun. The more experienced scribe is encouraged to give help and assistance where needed.

A click on this image will take you to a comprehensive catalogue of tools and materials

I recommend that beginners go straight to Getting Started in Calligraphy where you will find a comprehensive guide on what you need to get started and links to the various lessons.

If you are looking for inspiration a browse through the links pages might just give you the nudge you need.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me through the contact box here-under.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit. Please come again and tell your friends.

For embedded links to all my pictures, prices for commissions etc.,  don’t forget to visit my website, Calligraphy by Bill Grant .

Keep watching this space.

Cheers.

If you would like to donate a few pennies to help with the upkeep of Bill’s Space, please click on the button to link with Paypal.  Many thanks.

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Posted in CALLIGRAPHY,CALLIGRAFFITI,LETTERING,HOW TO

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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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Posted in ,calligraphy,calligraffiti,lettering, how to

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Bill’s Space has moved to WordPress.

Posted on October 3, 2010 | 2 Comments

If you click once and then again and again a surprise awaits you.

Who am I?  and what am I doing here in  darkest blogosphere?  

Bill’s Space is aimed at anyone who has a love of calligraphy, or lettering.  Especially those who are having trouble getting started.

 A Jack of All Trades.  Always aspiring to become a master of lettering, I learned a basic italic hand at school, and became a regular at the local library calligraphy section, but it took some years to find a local evening class. There I found myself able to help fellow students with their struggles. Shortly after this I became a tutor myself at evening classes and also started a local church group.  Back in the eighties my work was exhibited in Luton Library.  For 6 years I was privileged to lead a Calligraphy Workshop/Retreat at Belmont Abbey, Hereford.
 Any scribe will tell you that people wrongly assume that if you can put letters on paper you will be able to paint them onto almost anything.  Brushwork, though, is a completely different technique to master. Luckily I was able to join a 1 year full-time course and then worked for some time as a signwriter, but I never lost my love of penmanship.
 I hope I can help you on your journey.
 
UPDATE
Bill’s Space was  originally set up to promote good lettering. It has now metamorphosed into an all round meeting point for artists, calligraphers and teachers, worldwide, to relax while they search for that little something different to put in their resources locker. Recently a new group, Calligraphy at Bill’s Space, has been set up on Facebook to run alongside the original site, and another, Calligraphy, on Windows Live Groups.  Whether you are a beginner or have years of experience come and join in the fun. The more experienced scribe is encouraged to give help and assistance where needed. 
Thanks for dropping by.  Come and see us again. 
 
Keep watching this space.
 

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Posted in ,calligraphy,calligraffiti,lettering, how to

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