Standard Meeting Dates/Time:
Dates: Meetings are on the second Saturday of the month (unless otherwise noted) from September through May.
Time: 10 am to 1 pm.
Programs: We will always have someone teaching us and sometimes we will also have Show & Tell.
See meeting dates for program description and list of supplies you’ll need to bring. Coffee and tea are not provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
Some of the afternoon workshops require advance registration. See individual program descriptions on this page and in the blog section.
Location:
Meeting Location:
Resurrection Lutheran Church
100 Lochmere Drive West
Cary, N.C. 27518
Google maps:
Directions:
On Kildaire Farm Road, traveling south (away from downtown Cary), pass Walmart on the right. If you come in on Tryon Road, Cary Parkway, or Maynard Road, you’ll turn south onto Kildaire Farm Road. Continue past Crescent Commons and Crescent Green and turn right onto Lochmere Dr.
Program Line-Up For
2018 / 2019 Program Year
9/8/18 – Conquering Copperplate – Jessica Yee
10/13/18 – Tools and Materials Tryouts – Presented by TCG
11/10/18 – Practice with Layout and Design: Ann Erickson and Patty Roemer
1/2019 – Preparing and Writing on Vellum – Jessica Yee
2/2019 – Hints and Helps for Roman Letters – Carol Fountain Nix
3/2019 – Monoline Alphabets – Kerr Pelto
4/2019 – Drawing and Watercolor to Enhance Your Calligraphy – Linda Starr and Deb Averitt
5/2019 – Lettering for Others with Fun Background Techniques – Nell Hall
Program Details for Meetings
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Presented by TCG members:
“Calligraphy on Canvas and Calligraphy for Others”
This month we will explore some techniques for decorating and lettering on canvas. We will letter short encouraging quotes on 5 x 7 flat canvas panels to donate and also learn several ways to create a background on canvas.Saturday, April 13, 2019
Presented by Deb Averitt: “Lettering as Texture”
Our presenter, Deb Averitt, describes this program:
“Most of us want to make more art. So why don’t we?
There’s an obstacle blocking the way, and it’s located in our own brains. The Critic, Resistance, Disinclination—whatever you call it, it’s that voice says, “You can’t do that! You’re not good enough! You’re going to make a fool of yourself!”
It’s the voice that says, “You have Important Things to do: Pay the bills, buy socks, pick up some milk …” The voice that stops us before we’ve even started.
In this class we’re going to trick the critic into hiding, so we can mess around, try things out, and see what happens. We’ll use lettering as a means of creating texture and pattern, rather than meaning and beauty. And we’ll play with the results, creating a collage from bits and pieces of our work.
This is one class that may be easier for the least experienced among us. Personally, I think it’s about time.” Deb on Pinterest: lettering-as-texture
Tools and Materials
- Monoline pens, markers, and/or pencils you like to write with
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- TCG will supply paper
About Deb:
Deb is a lifelong journaler who started with the verbal side of the equation (words) and expanded into the visual (images). She is fascinated by the intersection of the two and the way they reinforce meaning. Deb is on a mission to inspire creative self-expression—that is, play—for grown-ups. She has learned from many teachers in workshops and classes over the last 10 years, and she teaches art journaling in her studio.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Presented by Kerr Pelto – Monoline Lettering
This program will be an easy, fun time to learn some monoline letters and how to use them in your artistic endeavors. No experience at all is necessary. Bring your teenagers! The supplies you’ll need will be minimal and you probably already have them.
Tools and Materials
Pad of layout bond paper
Pad of grid (graph) paper
Pencil and sharpener
Any monoline tool you have in your stash, like Microns or Gel Pens, etc.
About Kerr:
Kerr was born and raised in Raleigh, learning the Palmer Method of Handwriting from the nuns at Our Lady of Lourdes. Later, she realized that actual classes were being taught at Meredith College by Don King, and she took every class she could from Don. In 2010, Kerr started teaching at Jerry’s Artarama, and taught there for two years. She has continued to teach students in her home, at ArtSpace and at the NC State Craft Center. Kerr also invites you to email her at Kerrlligraphy@gmail.com if you are interested in further study or if you would like to be on her “Tips & Tricks” newsletter. It lets you know tricks of the trade, how-to’s and such.
Show and Tell
If anyone has something you would like to bring for Show and Tell, please email Harriet so we can plan some time for you.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Presented by Carol Fountain Nix – Roman Capitals: An Overview
Bonus Afternoon! Our meeting will end at 1pm, but you are invited to bring (or go out for) lunch, and then stay along with Carol and practice and process what you’ve learned. Resurrection Church has graciously allowed us use of the room until 4:30.
Tools and Materials
This session is pretty simple when it comes to materials — all you need is a good brush!
You will need a 1/2″ flat brush.
Carol says, “This video is KEY PREPARATION for this presentation: John Stevens’s video on Preparing Your Brush for Roman Capitals. I strongly suggest [based on experience 🙂 ] that you not only watch this, but REPEAT this exercise many times before this session. Training a brush is as much work as training a PET! Watch the video and work with your [new] brush, “teaching it” to be flat, like a chisel nib. Use the white soap bar and store the brush with SOAP IN IT, bristles flattened to a chisel edge. Don’t worry about having too much soap in it. Be mindful of the chiseled edge of the bristles and the flattening out of the brush overall. [Tidbit that I wish I had known before the class!]
It will be more productive if we’re all working with the same size brush [and the handout is mapped to the 1/2″ size]. I’ve found that larger brushes work well for entry-level practice so you can see the strokes.”
The best brush to have is the Windsor Newton 995 Series 1/2″.
It is available from John Neal Booksellers at: https://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/s?keyword=995.
Many of you already have this brush. If you don’t and aren’t able to get one, bring what you have, and we will have a few to share and let you try. TCG will also supply paper (Kraft) and some Nicker poster paint for practice.
Other supplies to bring are:
- Palette: the palette is very important. It must be large enough to properly “palette” the brush, meaning that it needs to be a larger surface than one of the smaller watercolor-type palettes we all tend to use. Several “palette hacks” include: a 4” [or more] diameter flat glass plate, sometimes a flower vase base will work if it’s flat. Or a basic sheet of acrylic or glass cut to size.
- Water containers
- A bar of white, regular soap like Dove [I put mine in a small bowl.]
- Paper towels
Even if you aren’t able to do all the preparations (life happens!) come and journey with us! This will be a good overview of classic brush Romans. You can then gain a great foundation for capitals at our workshop with Joyce Teta in March.
About Carol:
Entrepreneur. Brand Strategist. Professor/Instructor. Calligrapher/Artist/Designer. Carol’s career has encompassed many different areas of art and design. She has received many national design awards and has been published in PRINT magazine, American Institute of Graphic Arts annuals, American Center for Design’s 100 Show, and Communication Arts magazine. Recently, she was a 2018 winner of the prized GOLD Graphic design award for a publication she designed and produced using calligraphy. She is currently the Director of the NC State Crafts Center. To learn more about Carol’s work, please visit www.carolfountainnix.com
Previous Meetings:
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Presented by Jessica Yee – Introduction to Parchment and Gilding
Writing on REAL parchment (specially prepared animal skin) and working with REAL gold … is it worth the attempt? The short answer is “YES!”, as you’ll discover at our January meeting. Jessica Yee will introduce you to these wonderful materials, answer questions and help you get started on (and maybe finish!) a rewarding project.
First, Jessica will discuss why you should invest in doing a piece on real parchment, actual cost compared to implied costs, gilding, painting and lettering on this surface.
Next she will show you how to prepare untreated parchment, the tools to use and why we use specific paints, gilding and lettering. She will do one example with step by step instructions.
Then, you will get to practice sanding, gilding, lettering and painting on a small piece of parchment. Jessica will have various examples of versals for those who want to be adventurous.
This class is geared for beginners, with elements for intermediate students intertwined. Whether you are a beginner, experienced or somewhere in between, come and have a great time working with these classic calligraphic materials.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM
TCG will supply a small piece of parchment for everyone, along with sandpaper, glassine, lint- free paper towels and one sheet of patent gold each. If you can, a $5 materials fee would be appreciated.
What to bring:
– Instacoll, Jerry Tresser’s Pink Stuff or any tacky glue for gilding that you have. (We will have some to share.)
– Gum Sandarac or pounce or ground pumice already in a muslin bag. (We will have some to share.)
– Feather or soft brush (not a painting brush), optional
– A board to tape the parchment to — at least 8×10. A slant board you use to write on will work.
– Pencil
– Gouache or watercolor that you already have. Tubes are preferred, but whatever you have is fine.
– 2 Brushes — one with a point and one to use as a mixing/scrubbing brush.
– Water containers for clean and dirty water and a jar to put soapy water in. (We’ll supply the soap)
– Burnisher if you have one.
– Two pipettes or droppers (exactly the same size). One we will throw away after use and one is for water.
– Saral transfer paper if you have it (optional)
– Whatever tools for writing you like to use — pen holder, nib(s), inks (non-dye-based is best), gum arabic.
– Notebook for notes.
– Any gold for gilding you already have and would like to use.Hearts for Kids
Remember to bring the valentines that you made for hospitalized children to give to Ann Smith. Thank you!
About Jessica
Jessica began studying the lettering arts thirty years ago, learning from some of the world’s premier calligraphers and letter artists. The founder of The Oblique Pen, she finds beauty in letters and how they are created. Jessica is heavily involved in serving the arts locally: she’s a member of the Arts Council as well as a Wake Tech instructor, and more!
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Presented by Ann Erickson and Patty Roemer – Practice with Layout and Design
You’ve practiced your letters, you’ve experimented with some pens and inks, you have a quote in mind, now you’re faced with the blank paper. Where do you put the words? We’ve all wrestled with that question. This program will help you with the process and give you an opportunity to work out a design during the meeting.
Patty and Ann have much experience with creating finished work and have culled through loads of excellent information on this process. Beginners and experienced calligraphers can benefit from the ideas, tips and hands-on time to work out a small project. It could be a favorite quote, some words for someone else, or maybe even a holiday card. You will get to see how a few words can be expressed in a variety of ways, know how to get started with that blank paper, benefit from ideas from our presenters and from other members, and be on your way toward (or maybe even complete) a small finished piece.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM
Our members are wonderful about sharing. If you are new and have questions about the materials, call Harriet Davis, TCG vice-president.
What to bring:
Pencil and eraser.
Layout paper and some good paper (your choice of size) if you want to finish a piece.
Your favorite pen and ink.
Water container and paper towels.
Optional – Colored pencils, pastels, watercolors and brush, an illustration to include in your design.If you want to just bring pencil and paper and accomplish a design, that’s fine!
About Ann
As a professional calligrapher for more than 35 years, Ann has used her gifts to produce illuminated manuscripts, resolutions, poems, quotes, and scripture verses.
About Patty
Patty has been a member of the South Florida Calligraphy Guild, Scribes of Central Florida and the Fort Worth Calligraphy Guild in Texas. She has designed and made many cards over the years and will create the holiday cards for our members this year.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Presented by TCG – Tools and Materials Tryouts
Have you ever looked at the John Neal Bookseller or Paper and Ink Arts
catalog and pondered which of these wonderful items you would actually
like … or wanted to try them all? Or maybe you are like I was some years
ago and wondering “just exactly what is gouache?” Though we don’t promise
everything in the catalogs, this month’s program is your chance to play,
try, ask questions, share tips and explore a variety of basic and
not-so-basic calligraphy tools and materials.
We will have four stations set up for our program where you can try out many
different items. One or two of our members will be at each station to guide
and answer questions. The four stations will be :
- Paper and writing surfaces, with Adrianne Proctor
- Inks, gouache and other writing fluids, with Ann Erickson
- Broad-edge and folded pens, with Kerr Pelto and Robin Gunter
- Felt-tip and brush markers, with Dara Linn
You will have about 25 minutes at each station with a little time at the end
to revisit a station or two.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Jessica Yee – Conquering Copperplate
Here is your chance to ask all the questions you ever wanted about the copperplate hand and pointed pens. What is a flange and why is it important? What is viscosity and why does it matter? Are all pointed pen nibs equal? Are vintage nibs better than modern? And yes, it IS all about the oval! We will also go over foundation strokes and exercises that will help you with warm ups and letter formation.
This will be a great time for both beginners and experienced calligraphers to improve their lettering. So bring your pointed pen, layout bond paper, ink and a notebook. And don’t forget your best tool in calligraphy — a sharpened pencil. Left handers, don’t be afraid … remember, you’re the only ones in your right mind! Full disclosure — Jessica is a lefty.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM
Our members are wonderful about sharing. If you are new and have questions about the materials, contact Harriet Davis, TCG vice-president.
Paper — some good, smooth layout bond paper
Pen — any pointed pen holder and nibs you like to use — we will also have a few for you to try
Pencil — and a sharpener if you have itBooks for Sale
TCG has received donations of more books than our library can accommodate, so this is your opportunity to purchase some good books for a good price. We will have the books for sale before and after our meeting program. Bring a little cash and snag a bargain!Sunflowers
Our TCG exhibit at Sunflowers Cafe will be up through the month of August, so if you haven’t been by to see it, there’s still time. Invite a friend to enjoy lunch and our exhibit.Workshop with Barbara Close
Pointed Pen Possibilities and Variations, our fall workshop with California calligrapher Barbara Close, will take place the weekend of October 27 and 28, 2018. There are still a few (but only a few) spaces left. If you haven’t registered, you can send $100 deposit to:
Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild
Attn: Workshop
<request address>
We’ve been exploring a one-day advanced workshop with Barbara for Monday, October 29and will be moving ahead with that, too! If you are interested in the advanced workshop please email Adrianne Proctor at yourpaladrianne at gmail.com.Our program this month will be great preparation for the workshop — see you in September!
Previous Years’ Meetings
See previous meetings page for information on programs and instructors in previous years.