Tag Archives: calligradoodles

Blowing my own trumpet.

 

The works I show here, were made for my own entertainment and first shown in my Facebook album “Just for Fun”.  They were given quite a good reception from those who saw them, so when I saw an invitation to enter the luton art’11 exhibition, I thought why not?  I had never previously entered an open exhibition even though Luton’s Annual art exhibition  has been a feature in the town way back since before I was born, which is a day or two!

So, on the submission date, off I went with my shortlist of three pieces, shown here lined up on the mantlepiece.  From left to right a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche and two versions of Aehd wishes for the cloths of heaven by WB Yeats.

You could have blown me down with a feather when I subsequently got notice that two of my pieces had been accepted.  Guess which………………………………..

 

If you live locally you can find out by going to have a look.  The exhibition is on until 26th February.  There is some lovely work on display.  Wardown Park  is a great setting so why not make a day of it?

If you can’t make it, keep watching this space.

Calligradoodles-0006. How to write Italic Swash Capitals with double pencil.

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.

Next, and hopefully, not long in coming, Old English Blackletter.

Keep watching this space.

Calligradoodles_0005 How to write an Italic alphabet with double pencil.

At long last the video to complement Richard’s worksheets.

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.

Keep watching this space.

Calligradoodles_0004 How to write an Uncial alphabet with double pencil.

Calligradoodles_0003 How to write a Roman alphabet with double pencil.