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We’ve had a most productive year featuring outstanding workshops with Maria Helena Hoksch & Denis Brown. Now it’s time to look forward to, among other events, our yearlong course of 26 Seeds: a Year to Grow with Reggie Ezell. More detailed information about this unique opportunity to study with a premier teacher of the lettering arts will be forthcoming.
You may now renew your membership as well as reserve your spot in Reggie’s class using the Paypal button in the main menu.
Membership Form 2016-2017 website version
Read MoreMay Meeting
Eugenia Uhl
Saturday, May 14, 2016
10:00 am – 11:30 am
East Bank Regional Library
4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie
Eugenia Uhl
It’s hard to believe that another year has flown by! Throughout the year we have been talking about the upcoming course with Reggie Ezell and even using his CD’s as instructive media during our meetings. Reggie is an extraordinary teacher and he will be retiring at the end of 2017. Beginning next year we are privileged to host his final course of 26 Seeds: A Year to Grow. Join us for this unique adventure. Whether you are an experienced calligrapher or someone whose passion for lettering has just awakened, this chance to study with Reggie Ezell should not be missed.
LaVerne Parfait has been fortunate to have taken Reggie’s courses many times over the years. Come and hear how you too can be a part of this faboulous opportunity.
Scribe & Describe
Share with us your latest calligraphic efforts. It’s always great to see what everyone has been up to!
Read MoreDenis Brown Workshop
Time is running out!
But it’s not too late to register for an opportunity to study with a master calligrapher. Denis Brown has been studying & practicing calligraphy since he was fifteen years old. He holds a degree in calligraphy from London’s Roehampton Institute & at age 20 became the youngest Fellow in the UK Society of Scribes & Illuminators. Please visit his web site at quillskill.com to see some examples of his extraordinary work.
Mr. Brown will be traveling from his native Ireland to be in New Orleans from April 15th-19th conducting two major workshops. There is still space but you must register by April 1st.
Please note that the Denis Brown workshops will take the place of our regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
There will be no meeting on April 9th.
C E L T I C S C R I P T : I N S U L A R H A L F U N C I A L
Friday, April 15th & Saturday, April 16th
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
$200/members, $225/non-members
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
An introduction to Celtic writing. We will practice a simplified form of insular half uncial, the Celtic script as used in Irish manuscripts of the Early Christian period such as The Book of Kells.
Tools and Materials: Broad edged calligraphy dip-pens (Brause, Mitchell, Speedball, or similar; large nib sizes, (fountain pens are not suitable), ink, gouache paints, palette, mixing brushes, water jar, pencils, ruler, sable watercolor brushes, sizes 000, 0 and 2, 11”x17” layout paper or other practice paper plus a sheet of quality paper such, e.g. Arches Text Wove or BFK Rives or your own preferred brand. Finely powdered gum sandarac plus a clean bristle paint-bush to apply it with, a cheap brand is adequate, medium/large size.
G O T H I C I Z E D I T A L I C S C R I P T
Sunday, April 17th, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
April 18th & 19th, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$200/members, $225/non-members
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This hybrid of Denis’ energetic italics with Gothic characteristics results in a lively modern form. Denis’ theory of italic will be introduced so students can aspire to understand forms rather than merely copy them. Advanced pen manipulations will help bring the forms to life.
Tools and materials: Square edged dip-pens, (Brause size 3mm & 4mm particularly recommended in addition to students own preferred brand); ink; ruler; pencils; pad of practice paper A3 size (11″x l7″) or larger; gouache; palettes, mixing and loading brushes. A couple of sheets of a quality paper such as Arches Text Wove or BFK Rives. Finely powdered gum sandarac plus a clean bristle paint-bush to apply it with, a cheap brand is adequate, medium/large size.
Both Workshops: $350/members, $375/non-members
All workshops will be held at Carlo Ditta Meeting Room
1445 MacArthur Ave., Harvey
Please fill out the attached registration form to reserve your space for this exciting workshop opportunity.
You may also pay using PayPal by clicking on the PayPal button in the Main Menu on the left.
Read MoreMarch Meeting
Tricks of the Trade
Saturday, March 12, 2016
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
East Bank Regional Library
4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie
Have you ever become frustrated because your ink will not flow from your pen or your letters don’t appear crisp or your paper feathers? Don’t throw up your hands in dismay, instead come and learn some tricks of the trade from master calligrapher, Maria Helena Hoksch. Here is a class that will benefit beginners and experienced calligraphers alike.
Concentrating on the broad edge nib, Maria Helena will share her knowledge of why one nib is better suited to a project than another. What to do if your nib is dull, your ink too thick or your work surface too flat. She will also explore papers. So bring your favorites or you can purchase samples from Maria Helena for a small fee . Copies of catalogues from Paper & Ink Arts and John Neal Bookseller will be available so that you can see the price of the materials.
The following supply list is long but don’t run out and buy anything new. Bring what you have along with a notebook to write down all the amazing hints Maria Helena will impart.
Supply List
Blotting paper for cushion
Your favorite practice paper (one piece)
Your favorite good paper (one piece) such as: Frankfurt paper(white and/or cream), Nideggan, Frankfurt Smooth, Zerkall Book paper, Arches MBM paper (Ingres de’Arches), Arches Text Wove
Few sheets of Canson Pro Layout Marker
A few sheets of inexpensive copier paper
Gum Sandarac
Staedler white eraser
Scalpel or exacto knife
Very fine Sand Paper or Arkansas Stone
Slant board
Paper towel
NO Grid paper, PLEASE
Tracing paper (one sheet is enough)
Your favorite ink: Sumi or Walnut or whatever you like to use
Winsor & Newton Gouache: Ivory Black or other color
Watercolor in a tube: Ivory Black or other color
Gum Arabic
Mixing brush
Feeding brush ( I prefer small, soft and flat, it can also be your mixing brush)
Dipping container (about 1″ deep)
Mixing palette or mixing pan
Water rinsing dish for cleaning tools
Water dropper
Pencil and sharpener
Flexible Centering Rule by Letterlines, or just a plain ruler
Lighter or matches
Straight pen holder or several
Speedball C series nibs (C-0, C-1, C-2 only)
Mitchell nibs, various sizes, and at least one reservoir
Brause nibs, Various sizes
Optiviser for small nib lettering
Remember it is not necessary to bring everything on this list. Bring what you have on hand.
You will go home with a wealth of new knowledge.
Read MoreRibbon Book
All the participants at the February meeting had a wonderful time making their ribbon books.
Thanks to Eugenia Uhl for another terrific bookbinding project!
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