Previous Meetings

Previous Meetings, 2023-2024

Program Line-Up For 2023/ 2024

  • September 9th 2023, Kerr Pelto: Back to Basics
  • October 14th 2023, Don King: Roman Lettering
  • November 11th 2023, Let’s Letter. Free practice time
  • December 9th, 2023, Holiday Party
  • January 13th, 2024, Watercolor, Peggy Williams
  • February 10th, 2024. Flourishes and Cartouches, Ann Erickson
  • March 9th, 2024, Italic, TBD
  • March 16 – 17, 2024, Workshop – Foundational Hand, with Tamara Stoneburner
  • April 13th, 2024, Sign Painting, Joseph Giampino
  • May 11th, 2024, iPad Lettering, Jessica Yee

Details of 2023/ 2024 Program Year

Saturday, May 11, 2024
iPad Lettering and Social, with Jessica Yee

(This meeting is in person.)

Note: Please see Members’ Downloads page for Jessica’s class handout: an instructional booklet on creating using the iPad Procreate tool.

First, Jessica Yee will lead us through a short program on lettering with an iPad and the app Procreate. More info on the class portion below.

Have you been spring cleaning your calligraphy closet?  For our closing meeting this season, we will have a supply swap and social. Bring those calligraphy supplies that have fallen out of favor on your shelf and take home something new to play with!  What you don’t love anymore could be just what someone else is longing for; books, old class notes, pens/markers/nibs, ink/paper, journals/artwork – all ready for a new home!

We will also enjoy an informal social time.  Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. The Guild will provide drinks and paper goods.

Class Description

We will be learning how to use technology to speed up our design process. We will create a design that everyone will follow along. I encourage everyone to come and share in this experience.

Supplies List

– iPad or tablet (Microsoft or Android)

– Apple Pencil or equivalent for your device

Jessica will bring 4 iPads with Apple Pencil to share. She will be using the app Procreate, but there are a variety of applications that work. Just make sure the one you select can handle multiple layers.

If you don’t have a device please bring:

  • Tracing paper
  • Pencil
  • French curve
  • Ruler
  • Colored pencils

Meet Your Instructor

Jessica Yee spends her days writing, but she is not a writer. The locally renowned calligrapher puts pen to paper masterfully spelling out names and addresses; honing her technique; and experimenting with new letter art. Jessica began studying the lettering arts thirty years ago, learning from some of the premier calligraphers and letter artists of the world. She is a former President of the Guild and is currently serving as our Vice-President.

The founder of the Oblique Pen finds beauty in letters and how they are created. Jessica loves the elegant smooth and fluid scripts that a pointed pen creates. Moreover, she enjoys meeting and working with clients, sharing in their poignant moments while bringing art to life.

When the married mother of four is not busy creating an artistic expression of a wonderful occasion, Jessica is heavily involved in serving the arts locally.

Saturday, April 13, 2024
Sign Painting with Spcl Signs, with Joseph Giampino

(This meeting will be in-person, on-site, and maybe on zoom, if we get requests. Please contact us with any questions you may have.)

The Guild is excited to welcome local sign painting expert Joseph Giampino, also known as Spcl Signs, who will teach us the basics of sign painting. Sign painting has long been closely related to lettering. You might even consider it a question of scale. We letter on a page. Sign painters letter on everything!

Class Description

Attendees will learn introductory sign painting skills, from materials to techniques.

Introduction

  • Meet Joseph Giampino
  • Sign making basics
  • Explain the importance of signs
  • History (walldogs, coke wars, trade schools, more signs = more money)

Supplies

  • leaded vs non leaded
  • oil based enamels vs water based
  • sign boards (metal, MDo, substrates)
  • brushes (fitches, flats, quills, liners, greys, browns, taklons, pinstripe, synthetics, ferrules: metal vs tied)
  • cleaners (mineral vs turpentine. Neatsfoot bon ami)
  • Touch on leafing (alloys, size, burnishing, etc)

Examples Of Lettering

  • Casuals , block, Egyptian , Roman , scripts
  • Design and layout
  • Show cards
  • Walls
  • Bricks
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Large lettering
  • Supermarket signs

Troubleshooting

  • What to do to get a sign done. Different kinds of brick require different brushes.

Hands On

  • Create a casual alphabet
  • Create a block letter/rounded block alphabet
  • Create a script alphabet
  • Create a supermarket sign.

Meet Your Instructor

My name is Joseph Giampino and I’m the man and brush behind SPCLSIGNS (Special Signs).

I’m a traditional sign painter located in Raleigh, NC who specializes in hand-painted signage, gold leaf, and murals. Sign Painting is a long standing tradition and a trade that had been handed down from past generations. Sadly, it was swept under the rug when the introduction of computers and printed, vinyl signs were introduced.

After nearly becoming a lost art, in the last decade there has been a rise in appreciation for one of a kind hand-crafted work and trade skills.  People have begun to realize that quality and creativity are more important than speed.

Saturday and Sunday, March 16 – 17, 2024

Workshop – Foundational Hand: How to Write It – How to Use It with Tamara Stoneburner

Class Description

Foundational is an unusual creature. Its core existence revolves around being thoroughly consistent, both in its spacing and letter shape. It is a humanistic broad-edged bookhand used for its ultimate readability within text; its warm, compatible aesthetic; and even overall texture. It holds its own identity while pairing well with pointed-pen scripts.

This two-day workshop is an in-depth overview of its origin and development from 10th-century psalters by its modernizer, Edward Johnston. We will apply his 7-step analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the power Foundational possesses within its elegant simplicity.

The morning of the first day will begin with a 20-minute discussion on how to properly prepare and handle a broad-edged pen (specifically covering the Speedball, Mitchell, and Brause nibs). Following will be a history lecture with the instructor’s demo of the skeletal anatomy of Foundational. The afternoon will involve demonstrations of the minuscule letterforms, with participants following along in hands-on practice. There will be an open, revolving Q & A atmosphere with clinic-style troubleshooting sessions throughout. This is not a time to be shy—ask your questions.

The second day will continue with minuscule practice while introducing the majuscules. There will be a brief, more advanced discussion towards the end concerning letter- and interlinear spacing when writing Foundational.

Meet Your Instructor

Tamara Stoneburner is a professional calligrapher/fine artist and the owner of Gracestone Calligraphics, an independent studio started in 1997 and located in Northern Virginia. She specializes in fine art commissions ranging from weddings and anniversaries to awards and certificates to complex family tree charts to resolutions and retirements, as well as other hand-rendered personal calligraphy art pieces.

She has undergone two tours of duty spanning five years as president of the Washington Calligraphers Guild (DC Metro area). She continues to be a dedicated instructor at IAMPETH (since 2014), covering such topics as the Foundational Hand, Layout & Design, Quaker marriage certificates, and how to research genealogy and create family tree charts.

Location

  • MacGregor Downs Country Club: 430 St Andrews Ln, Cary, NC 27511

Price

  • Triangle Calligraphers Guild Members: $150
  • Non-members: $180

Class Size

  • Limited to 25 seats

 

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Italic Method and Theory, with Joyce Teta

Local calligraphic legend Joyce Teta joins us on March 9th for a class on Italic lettering. We are privileged to welcome such a luminary in the world of calligraphy.

Class Description

There is a sweet logic to the Italic hand. In this introductory program, we will think outside the box, to get inside the rectangle, and recover the triangle.

A study of sequence and shape shifting will give you a security of form. You can easily own this method of building a solid Italic hand.

Suggested Supplies

  • Paper (transluscent bond paper recommend Borden & Riley or several sheets of your preferred practice paper)
  • Double pencil (two pencils taped together) or two pencils and tape, we can help you set it up
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Broad edge pen (pilot, fountain or Speedball c2/c3 nib or similar)
  • Ink
  • Colored pencils (at least two colors)
  • T-square 12” ruler (optional)
  • Slant board (optional)
  • Open mind for learning
  • A giant smile (not optional)

Meet Your Instructor

Joyce Teta, founder of the Calligraphy Centre established in 1984 in the Triad, is a renowned artist and teacher recognized for her vibrant approach, particularly in working with children. Introduced to calligraphy as a teenager in a London convent, Joyce has been a devoted practitioner throughout her life. Specializing in proper book-making techniques, she is recognized as a calligrapher and book artist.

Joyce is known for her inclusive approach, always seeking ways to involve others in the world of calligraphy.

Her artistic journey includes numerous exhibitions throughout the Southeast, with a focus on encouraging aspiring artists through open studio sessions and workshops. Notable figures such as Maya Angelou and the Winston-Salem Mayor have commissioned her work, which consistently sells at exhibitions.

In 1984, Joyce and her husband Jim Teta initiated the Cheerio Calligraphy Retreats in the Blue Ridge mountains, attracting an international following from 17 different countries. These retreats aim to create a space where artists can collaborate and excel in their craft.

Winston-Salem recognized Joyce Teta as Artist of the Year in 1996. Over the years, she has continued to teach and exhibit both in the Triad and various locations. In 2012, Joyce held solo exhibitions at the Milton Rhodes Gallery (at Sawtooth) and InterSection Gallery on Trade Street, showcasing her artistic prowess and commitment to the world of calligraphy.

 

Saturday, February 10, 2024
Beginner Pointed Pen Flourishing (Flourishing and Cartouches), with Ann Erickson

(This meeting will be in-person, on-site, and maybe on zoom, if we get requests. Please contact us with any questions you may have.)

TCG member Ann Erickson will lead us through pointed pen flourishing for beginners on Saturday, February 10th. This was the highest reviewed class by TCG members from the past 6 years, previously taught by Harriet Davis.

Class Description

There is nothing quite so captivating as an elegant flourish gracefully rendered with a pointed pen. But these things don’t just happen, there are rules!

Many guild members are able to execute flourishes beautifully. But no matter where you happen to be in your calligraphic journey, going back to the basics in any discipline is extremely valuable.

During our time together, we will examine the rudiments of creating a lovely flourish, and use it in a small project. We will examine historic and modern examples of cartouches and flourishing; practice the elements on a worksheet, which will be provided; see how to put them together in a flourish and then begin executing a small project, a mandala.

 

Suggested Supplies

  • Pointed pen in either a straight or oblique holder with a flexible nib such as a Zebra G or Leonardo EF Principal, Hunt 22 or 56, Gillot 303 or 404, Esterbrook 357 or 358
  • Ink of your choice, for example Moon Palace Sumi (or whatever you like)
  • Smooth paper such as Boris Layout, Canon Marker Pad or a Rhodia pad, black or white
  • White ink or gouache, like Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White, pen white (if you wish to work on black paper)
  • Gold gouache or ink, or metallic inks and metallic colors such as Finetec Pearl or Moire (optional)
  • A palette if you are mixing or using colors
  • Loading brush (to load fluid onto the pointed pen)
  • Water container
  • Paper towel or rag
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Ruler
  • Compass (optional)

Note: should you wish to work on black paper bring colored gouache to mix with your white (maybe 3). Sometimes it is hard to see white because it bleeds into the paper. it will save time to mix these up before hand.

Meet Your Instructor

Ann’s lifelong love affair with letter-forms began as a child of 10 in her native state of Maine. Relearning cursive in fifth grade, as a result of poor handwriting throughout the entire class, launched her interest and inspired the development of her gift.

A professional photographer for 40 years she produces illuminated manuscripts, resolutions, one of a kind pieces, and all aspects of wedding work.

Ann’s work has twice been displayed in the Smithsonian Postal Museum’s Graceful Envelope Contest. She has taught calligraphy throughout the Southeast and her work has been featured in several calligraphic publications.

 

Saturday, January 13, 2024
Create Interesting Borders with Watercolor, with Peggy Williams

(This meeting will be in-person, on-site, and maybe on zoom, if we get requests. Please contact us with any questions you may have.)

We are privileged to welcome Guild member Peggy Williams on January 13th who will guide us through a program in watercolor technique. Watercolor has an extensive history in calligraphy and penmanship. Many engrossers used watercolor to add gradient shadowing and color to their pieces in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Class Description

Enjoy creating and learning new border designs for your 2024 calligraphy projects. Peggy will demonstrate simple watercolor techniques for decorating your project as well as the traditional page layouts.

Calligraphy alone is beautiful but when enhanced with border designs, your piece becomes a work of art!

Suggested Supplies

  • Hot press, cold press or Arches text wove paper. Please cut at least four to five 5” x 7” pieces.
  • Fine line or Micron markers
  • Watercolors (I will have some if you don’t have them)
  • Brushes (size 1-3)
  • Watercolor pencils if you have them
  • Washi or artist tape
  • Ruler
  • Tracing paper
  • Straight nib holder (I will supply the nib)
  • Water container
  • Paper towels
  • Stylus

Meet Your Instructor

Peggy is an accomplished, published watercolor and portrait artist, professional calligrapher and designer in Charlotte. In addition to designing wedding suites and stationery, she paints house, pet & children’s portraits. She also has four kilns and paints on porcelain. Peggy has been a member of our Guild for 6 years. You can see more of her work on her website.

Saturday, October 14, 2023
Roman Lettering, with Don King

(This meeting will be in-person, on-site, and maybe on zoom, if we get requests. Please contact us with any questions you may have.)

We are privileged to welcome Don King, our instructor for the October program and workshop. Don is a local calligrapher and Past-President of the Triangle Calligraphers Guild. Don will lead us through a one-day workshop focused on Roman lettering, both majuscules and minuscules. The morning session will be free to all Guild members. The afternoon workshop will cost $40, payable by cash or check ($45 by Paypal). Please see the Roman Lettering workshop blog post for details.

Saturday, September 9, 2023
Back to Basics, with Kerr Pelto

(This meeting will be in-person, on-site, and maybe on zoom, if we get requests. Please contact us with any questions you may have.)

TCG member Kerr Pelto will share some tips and tricks of the trade, of practice, of learning. Members are welcome to share their experiences as well. If you have specific questions you might like answers to, please bring them.

Kerr would like to take the last half of the meeting to let members work on a simple work of art. Please bring at least one small, hard canvas. We will quickly add a background with acrylics, then will letter over the background. It will help if you already have a short quote or saying handy.

Supplies

  • 1 small, hard canvas (You can find some at Five Below on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. That’s where Kerr got hers.)
  • Tubes of acrylics and/or watercolors (Any brand. Cheap is good!)
  • Broad edge brush (To lay down the background. Can be a really cheap brush.)
  • Brush markers (Kerr will be using pointed brush markers.)
  • Water container
  • Paper towels or a rag

Helpful Hints

If you use watercolors for your background, watercolors or acrylics can be used for lettering over it.

If you use acrylics for the background, watercolors would not work well over it for lettering; use acrylics or brush markers instead.

Meet Your Instructor

Kerr has been a member of TCG since around 1999 when we used to meet in the Page-Walker House in Cary. At that time, about eight members would attend, if that many.

She has been practicing calligraphy since 1979. Her first real class was at Meredith College with instructor Don King. She took every class she could afford. As time progressed, she learned from other calligraphers, attended international workshops, then began teaching in 2010.

She continues to think of herself as a student, always learning. You can learn more about Kerr at  her website.

Previous Meetings, 2022-2023:

Program Line-Up For 2022/ 2023

  • September 10th: Gray Harris: Ornamental Penmanship Capitals
  • October 8th: Patti Adams: Creative Sketchbook for Calligraphers Program/Workshop
  • November 12th: Kerr Pelto: Christmas Card/Ornament
  • December 10th: Holiday Party and Special Occasions Workshop, by Carol Fountain Nix
  • January 14th: Jessica Yee: The Illuminated Letter and French Curve applications
  • Workshop only: Feb 4-5 2023, by David Grimes, see blog post: Offhand Flourishing.
  • February 11th: Sonia Pal: Italic Script
  • March 11th: Bill Kemp: Weaver Writing (via Zoom) : Program/Workshop
  • April 1st: Experimenting with lettering/design on various surfaces in a work-station style format.
  • May 13th: Gray Harris returning to teach us the graceful Ornamental Capitals

Details of 2022/ 2023 Program Year

Saturday, April 1, 2023
Experimenting with lettering/design on various surfaces in a work-station style format

(This meeting will be in-person, on=site, and maybe on zoom, if we get requests. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have.)

This month’s program will be devoted to learning about lettering and designing on other surfaces (apart from the familiar papers we so often use in calligraphy). We will be working with a variety of mediums/supplies exclusive to individual surface materials. The majority of your materials will be supplied and shared, so we ask that you simply bring your talents, your love of learning and a few basic supplies for yourselves.

Additionally, if you have experience on a surface that you would enjoy sharing and demonstrating for the group, please let me or Karen know. We would love to have you join us in teaching!

*** Thank you so very much to Karen Hubbard and Harriet Davis for sharing several of their creative and educational ideas for design. It was good to learn and play as well enjoy some fellowship with our friends at TCG.

I am attaching a list of the mediums I used for ceramics, glass & mirrors, and wood. There is a ton of information out there and so many techniques. This was just a brief overview and I hope it helps with some beginning basics. ***

Suggested Supplies
  • Pencils and Eraser
  • Ruler(s) – straight, French curve, etc.
  • Art Tape
  • Water container with some old brushes for acrylic paints, and acrylic inks
  • Nibs (any you like to work with…broad edge may be best)
  • Pen holder
  • Any small quotes and/or creative designs

Optional/if you happen to have:

  • Foil for gilding
  • Posca Pens
  • 1″ or less shape templates – circles, triangles, etc.

 

Saturday, March 11, 2023
“Weaver Writing,” an all-day workshop, with Bill Kemp

(This meeting will be on zoom only. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have.)

This Workshop is open to all members and is free of charge. It will be held only on Zoom in the privacy of your own home and we WILL NOT BE MEETING AT THE CHURCH.

Please see the workshop blog post for details, and refer to the student workbook provided by Bill Kemp in the Members’ Downloads section of the website. Please see Videos and Tutorials page for recordings of Bill’s remote workshop on zoom.

 

Saturday, February 11, 2023
“Italic Script” with Sonia Pal

(This meeting will be hybrid: both in-person, and on zoom. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have.)

This month we are very pleased to announce that Sonia Pal, our TCG member, will be our guest host.

The Class:
  • Set up and intro (15 min)
  • A methodology for learning ANY script as a beginner to a pro (15min)
  • Tried and trusted methods to get the most out of ANY calligraphy class (15min)
  • Foundations of Italic script (monoline basic letter forms) (30 min)
  • Broad edge Italic (60min)
  • Numbers and punctuation (15min)
  • Create a project or a simple card (if time permits). Bring along a short phrase or quote you want to use.

“First it is an intention. Then a behavior. Then a habit. Then a second nature. Then it is simply who you are.” – Brendon Bruchard

“Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso

Required Supplies (these will be provided to you or you may bring your own):

      • Paper – Graph paper 4-5 mm grids
      • Pencils – 2B regular pencil, plus double pencils (2 pencils taped together)
      • Pens- Any Broad Edge calligraphy marker e.g. Sakura Pigma Graphic marker 3 mm or Zig Calligraphy marker 3.5 mm), and/or Pilot Parallel pen

**Exemplars and grid sheets can be found on the TCG website’s Members’ Downloads page, for you to download and bring to the meeting.

Optional Supplies (you are welcome to use any you have on hand):

      • Layout Marker Paper (translucent) e.g. Canson pro layout paper
      • Pen- Any straight holder, or pilot parallel pen
      • Nib- Any broad edge nib of your choice e.g. Mitchels, Tape nib etc.
      • Ink of your choice – Walnut, Sumi (diluted), Fountain pen inks. Any ink with a good flow
      • Any cards, watercolor papers to create a project in class, or sketchbook

About Sonia Pal:

Sonia is a calligraphy and painting artist who believes in the healing and energizing powers of art as therapy. Her art journey started in 2020 while taking a short break from the busy corporate career to rejuvenate. She is mostly self-taught and works with several mediums (watercolor, acrylic, ink, pencil, mixed media). She has studied calligraphy under some of the world’s greatest Penmans, including Michael Sull, Harvest Crittenden, Pat Blair, Suzanne Cunningham, Paul Antonio, Rachel Yallop and many more.

Sonia combines various artforms and mediums with calligraphy. There is no “pre-planned method” to her creations and each piece is unique. There is a story to go along with each art piece. These stories are posted on her Instagram page. Most recently she has started delving into surface design. The goal of her artwork is simple: to bring joy and healing.

Saturday, January 14, 2023
“The French Curve & Other Instruments of Calligraphy” with Jessica Yee

(This meeting will be held in-person, on-site. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have.)

This month we are very pleased to announce that Jessica Yee, a member, past president, and integral part of TCG will be our guest host.

The Class

Jessica will be teaching the use of the French curve. During class we will be creating a sketch of a Lombardic letter and decorating it with watercolors and, if you are feeling adventurous, some gilding. She also invites you to bring any other tools you may have acquired but are uncertain how to use. I, for one, have ordered things for workshops and over time have forgotten their specific use. Jessica will help demonstrate how best to use and add these instruments in our creative designing.

Supplies
      • French Curve (we can share if you do not have one)
      • Pencil & Eraser
      • Tracing Paper or Bond Layout Paper (translucent)
      • Pointed Pen & Ink or Micron Pen
      • Watercolors of your choosing with water container/brushes
      • Smooth (hot press) watercolor paper (Jessica prefers 300 lb.)
      • *Gilding Supplies

And, any instruments that you may have that you would like some instruction on

Thank you Jessica for graciously joining us as host this month to share a part of your calligraphic expertise. Some of you had seen Jessica play with the French Curve during one meeting last year and she has been most highly requested ever since!

About Jessica Yee

Jessica Yee is a current TCG member and past TCG President. She currently lives in Fuquay-Varina and is a busy married mother of four. Her love of calligraphy and the study of lettering arts began 30+ years ago. She has studied under and learned from some of the premier calligraphers and lettering artists of the world. Jessica is a very gifted calligrapher, and the founder of The Oblique Pen which allows her to work with individual clients on various personal projects. She is heavily involved in the arts locally, and teaches in many capacities.

Saturday, December 10, 2022
“Holiday Party & Special Occasions Workshop” with Carol Fountain Nix

** This meeting will be held in-person, on-site. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have.
**Please note that we are starting at 10:30 a.m. (instead of our usual 10:00 a.m.) We will set out any food and take care of a few TCG business items/reminders at this time. Our program will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end 3:00 p.m.

Its the final few weeks of 2022 and time for our annual holiday get-together. We are very pleased to have Carol Fountain Nix, one of our very own members and a very talented calligrapher, sharing many creative ways we can use our calligraphy in creating some trappings of the season with her Holiday and Special Occasions Workshop!

We will meet at the church, Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100 Lochmere Drive West, Cary, NC. 27518 on Saturday, December 10th from 10:30 – 3:00 p.m. for a day filled with holiday fun and food. ***I ask that you please let me or Karen know by Friday, December 2nd if you plan on attending the meeting so that we can determine the amount of supplies needed for the meeting. Should your plans change or you are not able to attend that will be fine (but you will be missed), just let me know so we can adjust the count.

Workshop

There are so many creative and unique ways to use calligraphy to create gifts for ALL seasons. In this workshop, you will learn new techniques for applying calligraphy to create amazing and unique wrapping paper, greeting cards, gift tags, envelopes, and more for the upcoming holidays and other special occasions.

Supplies

      • Preferred writing tools of your choice, pens, inks, pencils/erasers, metallic markers, glitter pens, etc…
      • Decorative papers
      • Scraps from practice papers
      • Scissors, Xacto knives, and cutting surfaces/mats
      • Paper to use for cards, tags (heavier stock), envelopes, etc…
      • Rulers
      • Tape

*Carol will have decorative papers, fine paper scraps and supporting tools and materials to share.

*Don’t miss a few holiday items that will be for sale

Party

In addition to gathering together to share our talents & creativity, we are also celebrating the holiday season of friends and fellowship! If you are interested in bringing any recipes and/or goodies to share you are welcome to do so. We will have a table set aside for any dishes and will supply drinks/ice and paper products and utensils. If you’d like to volunteer for drinks/ice please simply contact me or Karen; otherwise, bring whatever you would like to share. ***Please note that bringing treats are optional.

About Carol Fountain Nix

Carol Fountain Nix is an award-winning entrepreneur, educator, designer, and calligrapher. Her work is a fusion of mixed media and calligraphy. Carol’s inspiration originates from the colors and textures in nature. As a result, her works are natural, organic, and often tactile.

Carol grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, which provided an endless array of visual stimulation: rock formations, tree limbs, vines, mossy beds, and cool creek sides lined with mountain laurel.

Carol is a “perpetual student of calligraphy” and she has studied with some of the world’s leading lettering artists. “It is a skill that requires dedication, desire, and an acute attention to detail. My goal is to create and preserve the integrity of each letter – not an easy task when writing over many layers of media. Each piece relates directly and metaphorically with the content with regard to composition color, tone, placement and style,” she states.

Carol has taught calligraphy, hand lettering, and typography for many years and has conducted workshops all over the USA as well as internationally – including sessions for Facebook’s Analog Research Lab, at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, and workshops for Adobe in San Francisco, where she was also a featured instructor at the Adobe Max Annual Creativity Conference. More recently, Carol is an online instructor for Domestika.org.

Carol Fountain Nix is the Director of the NC State University Crafts Center and C:LAB Digital Makerspace. Additionally, she runs her own business, FountainArts.com. Be sure to check her website at carolfountainnix.com for 2o23 workshops, events and classes!

 

Saturday, November 12, 2022
“Creating a Seasonal Card – Lettering in a Circle” with Kerr Pelto

(This meeting will be held in-person, on-site. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have. )

Kerr’s program will cover a couple of creative ideas just in time for the holidays! Lettering in a Circle will cover an easy way to letter in a circle. Supplies are super limited. You won’t need to buy anything! She will then take you step-by-step in designing your own holiday art/lettering that you can then use to make Thanksgiving/Holiday cards or ornaments. Your design can be imported into most any website to make your own ornaments. (*Handouts are few: a circle grid and images of turkeys and Christmas trees. These will be distributed to each of you in class.) It’s easy! It’s fun! And you can have your one-of-a-kind gift for those hard-to-shop-for family members or friends.

Supply list:

Tracing Paper
Pencil and eraser
Any calligraphic tool you want to use for your design (pens/inks…)
1 sheet of watercolor paper (a few extra for practice)
Set of watercolors (cheap set is totally fine) and brushes of your choice
Lightbox, if you have one (not crucial)
Masking tape
*Handouts to be distributed in class

Saturday, October 8 and 9, 2022
“Workshop: The Creative Sketchbook for Calligraphers” with Patti Adams

A two-day workshop on Oct 8th – 9th, 2022

(This meeting and workshop will be held in-person, on-site. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have. )

See meeting and workshop details on blog post for Creative Sketchbooking.

 

Saturday, September 10, 2022
“Ornamental Penmanship Capitals” with Gray Harris

(This meeting will be held in-person, on-site. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have. )

Please see Members’ Downloads page for Gray’s class slides and handouts

“Lovers of fine penmanship have been drawn to the dramatic contrast of light and shade exemplified by Ornamental Penmanship for over 100 years. In this class you’ll learn about the evolution of capital letters in Ornamental Penmanship capitals, from their origin in “Semi-angular” penmanship to their zenith in the 1910’s.

Letters will be grouped by similarity and a detailed analysis presented. Gray will demonstrate arm movement writing, but these letters can also be written with finger movement.”

List of Supplies:

“I will have extra on hand if any of these materials prove difficult to obtain, but please bring an oblique pen holder. I will have paper lined appropriately for you to use as a guide underneath blank sheets.

*An oblique penholder, adjusted for…

*5 or 6 extremely flexible, fine pointed nibs

  • Modern: Leonardt Principal Extra Fine, Hunt 101, (use a Nikko G nib if you are still working on a light touch)
  • Vintage: Gillott Principality (if you can find one, they’re not worth $30),
  • Hunt 101, Spencerian No. 1 School

*Iron Gall Ink

  • Walker’s, Yoke’s, walnut ink or McCafferty’s

*30 to 40 sheets of smooth copy paper that can hold a shade

  • HP Premium 3 2lb at a minimum or Neenah’s Classic Crest 28W, Mohawk SuperFine 28W OR Rhodia pad No. 18 lined or blank, similar Clairefontaine pad (I find tearing out new sheets to be tedious)

 

Previous Meetings, 2021-2022:

Program Line-Up For 2021/ 2022

  • 09/11/2021 –“Innovative Envelopes” show-and-tell and Envelope Exchange
  • 10/9/2021 – “Textured Letters”  with Barbara Close
  • 11/13/2021 & 11/14/2021 – “Fundamental Flourishing” with Pat Blair
  • 12/11/2021 – Holiday Party
  • 1/8/2022 – “Spencerian Hand” The History of American Penmanship and the Practice of Arm Movement Writing,  with Gray Harris (This meeting will be held in-person, on-site)
  • 2/12/2022 – “Bone Alphabet” by Carol DuBosch (This meeting will be held via Zoom.)
  • 3/12/2022 – “Architectural Drawing” Becky Davis, another of our talented members, will be teaching how it can be used to enhance our lettering. (This meeting will be held in-person, on-site)
  • 4/9/2022 – “Italic Lettering” by Connie Furgason (This meeting will be held online, on zoom)
  • 5/14/2022 – “Flower Pounding” by Ann Erickson (This meeting will be held in-person, on-site)

Details of 2021/ 2022 Program Year

Saturday, May 14, 2022
 “Flower Pounding” with Ann Erickson

(This meeting will be held in-person, on-site. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have. )

Pre-or-post program: Any of you who have pieces/works you would like to personally sell, or items to donate and share (its a great time to do a little Spring cleaning in each of our studios), please feel free to bring what you have on the 14th. We will have tables set up around the room for you to display these items.  If you’d like, please feel free to bring a brunch item (or whatever treat you’d like) to share with the group.

Program:

Ann will be sharing her love of flowers and their meanings, in combination with calligraphy, for some lovely ideas for summer projects straight out of your garden! We will be pounding flowers/leaves on watercolour paper with beautiful results and creating cards and small works of art.

As a professional calligrapher for more than 35 years, Ann has used her gifts to produce illuminated manuscripts, resolutions, poems, quotes and scripture verses, as well as all aspects of wedding work. Most recently Ann had two of her pieces chosen for the Washington (DC) Calligraphy Guilds’ 45th annual exhibit. These were also featured in their quarterly publication, “Scripsit”

Supplies list:
  • *Please bring the following on the 14th: -A regular sized hammer -a cutting board or a flat piece of wood -pen and ink of your choice (for the type of calligraphy you may choose to use) -several sheets of watercolour paper (hot or cold press) approx. 9 x 12” for pressing flowers/leaves -ruler -pencil & eraser

    ***We will be supplying the following: -An assortment of cut flowers -wax paper -glue sticks -cardstock in assorted colors.

Saturday, April 9, 2022
 “Italic Lettering & Italic Lively Letters” with Connie Furgason

(This meeting will be ONLINE only, the zoom link will be sent by newsletter the day before. The program will be recorded and put on the TCG website for you to enjoy if you are unable to attend. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have. )

Connie Furgason will be our guest for the day! She will be with us teaching Italic Lettering via Zoom for the usual morning session from 10-1 p.m., AND an afternoon workshop, 1:30-4:30 p.m., on her Italic Lively Letters and a hint of watercolor work. There will be a small fee for the afternoon session.

See our blog post with details on both sessions, registering for the workshop, handouts link, as well as a short bio on Connie Furgason!

Supplies list:
  • Favorite practice pad, pencil, ruler
  • Favorite Ink: Sumi, Higgins Eternal, Pelikan 4001, walnut… whatever your preference. You may work in gouache if you prefer.
  • Pen Nib Size: Speedball C1,2 and 3 or equivalent size in another brand. I like the flexibility of the Speedball nibs when doing variations of italic.

Saturday, March 12, 2022
 “Landscape Drawing Basics and How They Can Relate to Our Lettering” with Becky Davis

This meeting will be held in-person (no zoom) at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, with or without masks, according to your comfort level.

Architectural Drawing: One of our cherished members, Becky Davis, will be joining us to share her talents with pen, ink, and watercolor, along with her knowledge of many art techniques. We’d like to welcome Becky as our host this month and thank her for her willingness to treat us all to a special morning!

Class description:
  • We will take a look at the “seven art elements” and how they are used in calligraphy
  • We will learn and practice how to create the illusion of 3-D objects on a 2-D surface
  • We will learn some lettering methods and materials using pen and ink
  • We will create a pen line drawing of a building for one more practice
  • Our finished product will be a notecard set drawing trees and a window or door
  • If time allows watercolor washes can be added
Supplies to bring:
  • A photo of a window or door
  • Your most inexpensive pointed pen tip and holder
  • Your most inexpensive ink for drawing
  • A Micron-type pen or fine Sharpie
  • ***Becky will be treating us to a ”goody bag” and says not to worry about paper or watercolors or brushes!*** She wants us to feel free to experiment and have fun with this project, so don’t forget your door or window picture! See you soon!

Examples of Becky’s work on the web:

Saturday, February 12, 2022
 “Bone Script: Bookhand with a Twist” with Carol DuBosch

(This meeting will be online only, the zoom link will be sent by newsletter the day before. The program will be recorded and put on the TCG website for you to enjoy if you are unable to attend. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have. See “Supplies” section below, for workshop exemplar handouts.)

Carol will join us on Saturday, February 12th to teach her very popular Bone Script. She will be treating us to an extended program as follows: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon lesson, with a 1/2 hour for lunch, followed by a 12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. lesson. Carol has taught this program many times and has a “workshop” she will present, giving us plenty of time for hands on learning and questions.

“Any day that I can open a bottle of ink, is a good day. It gets even better if I can create art, make a mark-making tool or teach what I know to someone. Words are my muse and I love being able to use them as a lettering artist. When I hear the words, I ponder them, and savor them for a spell and then interact with them using art materials. It is absolutely the best job ever.

I have been a calligrapher in Portland, Oregon since I was first introduced to nibs and ink in 1959 as a high school art student. In the 58 years since, I have gained a degree in Graphic Design and have studied with every major calligrapher in the US and Europe. I have been teaching college level and private classes in the Northwest along with workshops throughout the United States and most recently in Italy. I have directed three International Calligraphy conferences in Portland, bringing 50o scribes together for a week of studying and sharing.

I am interested in every aspect of the field of calligraphy, from the formal invitation to writing on walls. I enjoy seeking out ways to stretch the boundaries of my art. As a life-long learner, I am always looking forward to the next new thing.”

Bone Script “Bookhand with a Twist”

This contemporary letterform is known as Bone Script, because of the bone-like shape of the basic pen manipulated stroke. Bone Script is a wonderful exercise in pen twisting and designing the spaces within and around the letters. The letters are fun to write and are the perfect casual choice for many creative projects. In this workshop, students will learn the script and explore its variations and expressive applications. Some experience with the edged pen is needed.

Supplies:

    • Pilot Parallel Pen 6mm
    • Wide Poster Pen (Automatic #4, #4A, #5 or equivalent)
    • Non-waterproof Ink
    • Bond Paper 11 x 17” (I like Gilbert 25% Cotton paper from John Neal)

**Note: Please view and/or print the handouts at Member Downloads page prior to class. The pdf document that Carol provided includes exemplars, guideline sheets, and details info on forming the bone letters.

Note: I highly recommend my book, Bone Script & Neuland, available at John Neal and Paper & Ink Arts

Saturday, January 8, 2022
 “The Spencerian Hand: History of American Penmanship and the Practice of Arm Movement Writing” with Gray Harris

(This meeting will be in-person, at usual meeting. location of Resurrection Lutheran Church. The program will be recorded and put on the TCG website for you to enjoy if you are unable to attend. Please contact Robin or Karen with any questions you may have.)
Gray is a proud husband and father, but more accurately, a habitual collector of unusual hobbies. Random facts: *He started his penmanship journey in the fall of 2017. *He lives in Durham, North Carolina *He was deeply interested in the creation and care of bonsai trees until he fully appreciated how expensive it really is. *He loves sports. His teams are the UNC Tarheels, and the Arsenal Football Club. *He also loves video games, mostly single player games like RPG’s or open world sandbox types. *He works in marketing and loves connecting people with the healthcare that they need at UNC Health.

 

Synopsis

Have you ever wondered why people don’t have “Grandma’s handwriting” anymore? Join us on January 8th for a fascinating dive into the history of penmanship in the United States followed by a practical lesson in arm movement writing.

You’ll learn about the cultural and technological forces that shaped the evolution of handwriting from around 1800 to the modern day. Brief profiles of each hand will be accompanied by examples of actual handwriting, from their most famous practitioners to that of everyday people.

As you awaken from deep slumber – my wife tells me this is a side effect of repeated exposure to my enthusiasm for the topic – you’ll join an interactive lesson in arm movement writing. We’ll cover the basics of position, pen holding, warm-up drills and as many letters of the alphabet as we can cover.

Materials

Choose your own adventure! I will have extra materials on hand, if any of these materials prove difficult to obtain, or if you’d like to try a different adventure path that day. I will have paper lined appropriately for you to use as a guide underneath blank sheets.

Arm movement writing? Sounds scary.

  • One or two pencils with sharpener OR
  • A couple of cheap pens, ballpoint/gel (something like a Pilot G2 or standard cheap disposable click pen)
  • 30 to 40 sheets of smooth copy paper, any weight/quality is fine

I’d like to get a feel for what it would have been like in 1890!

  • Pen holder, oblique or straight
  • 3 to 4 stiff, smooth pointed nibs: Modern: Gillott 1068A, Hiro 700 or even Nikko G: Vintage: Gillott 1066 Registry, Spencerian #42 Gold Point, Esterbrook 130 Easy Writer, Hunt No. 1 First National or any vintage pen labelled “School”
  • Iron gall ink or similar smooth flowing ink: For business penmanship any iron gall will do, diluted India ink, or walnut ink: For ornamental penmanship I have found Walker’s iron gall best, followed by Yoke’s, walnut ink and McCafferty’s
  • 30 to 40 sheets of smooth copy paper, 28lb or 32lb: If you want to try ornamental penmanship, HP Premium 32lb is a good starter paper

I LOVE ornamental penmanship. I also enjoy suffering and do not mind exploding nibs or ink splatter!

(Congrats, you are my people!)

  • An oblique penholder, adjusted for…
  • 5 to 6 extremely flexible, fine pointed nibs: Modern: Leonardt Principal Extra Fine, Hunt 101: Vintage: Gillott Principality (if you can find one, they’re not worth $30!), Hunt 101, Spencerian No. 1 School, Esterbrook A1
  • Iron gall ink: Walker’s, Yoke’s, walnut ink or McCafferty’s
  • 30 to 40 sheets of smooth copy paper that can hold a shade: HP Premium 32lb at a minimum or Neenah’s Classic Crest 28W, Mohawk SuperFine 28W OR: Rhodia pad No. 18 lined or blank, similar Clairefontaine pad (I find tearing out new sheets to be tedious)

Saturday, December 11, 2021
 Annual TCG Holiday Party

This year our holiday party will be held at the church, Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100 Lochmere Drive West, Cary, NC. 27518, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11th. Please bring any food dishes you would like to share! We will provide plates, utensils, napkins, cups, and ice. In keeping with a holiday theme, A Few of my Favorite Things, we’d like you to think of a few of your favorite calligraphy tools, hints, ideas, discoveries, holiday items/ideas you’ve come across, and share them with us! We can use the dry erase board in the church room to write our Favorite Things down to share.

Saturday,  November 13, 2021
“Copperplate Flourishing,” with Pat Blair

We are so pleased to have Pat Blair, former U.S. White House Calligrapher, with us in person at Resurrection Lutheran Church on November 13th and 14th, 2021. Pat will be covering the essentials of Copperplate Flourishing, teaching basic flourished strokes and embellishments with the pointed pen.  We will work with these strokes to produce a finished cartouche design in the morning class.  The meeting will be available in-person and via Zoom.

This will be open to members only.  The meeting will be recorded and available to members for review for 30 days in the “member portal” of our website.

The following materials are needed for class:
  • Lots of paper!  Recommended 9” x 12” Canson Pro Layout Marker pad (or another translucent, non-bleed paper)
  • Your favorite oblique pen holder (s)
  • a small assortment of pointed pen nibs such as Hunt 22, Gillott 303, Hunt 101, Nikko Zebra, Nikko G or Leonardt Principal
  • Black Ink that will not bleed on your paper – ex.: Moon Palace liquid sumi ink, or McCaffery’s Penmans Ink
  • Water cup, Paper towels or rags

 

For workshop registrants only – see Pat Blair’s Essentials of Flourishing” workshop details.

*Saturday afternoon, November 13th, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm EST, Resurrection Lutheran Church

“Essentials of Flourishing” workshop for paid registrants

**Sunday, November 14th, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm EST, Hampton Inn, near PNC Arena

“Essentials of Flourishing” workshop continued

About Pat Blair:

Pat Blair served 12 1/2 years as the Chief Calligrapher at the White House in Washington, D.C., directing the production of invitation and menu design for all official and social presidential events, calligraphy of placecards, envelopes and titles, certificate and resolution design as well as production of programs and tour books. She served two years as the President of the Washington Calligrapher’s Guild in Washington, DC., was the chairperson of the Graceful Envelope contest, and served as co-director for the International Lettering Conference, Letterforum.

Her work has been published in the Calligrapher’s Engagement Calendar, Letter Arts Review, Top 100 New York Calligraphers, Grolier Club Calligraphy Revival, and Martha Stewart Weddings, among others.  She teaches at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts, and has been on the faculty of over ten International Calligraphy Conferences.  Pat has been awarded the title of “Master Penman” by the International Assoc of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting for her work.

Saturday, October 9, 2021
 “Textured Letters”  with Barbara Close

(This meeting will be online via Zoom)

In this fun class we will be designing letters which suit our own style (with guidance from the instructor).  Starting with a monoline/outlined alphabet, students will become familiar with shapes and proportions for strong letters.  Then we will move in other directions and decorate, texturize, colorize, accessorize to our hearts content by using techniques such as layering, masking, collaging and many more painting applications.

**This is a Zoom meeting for members only.  Dues ($30.00) can be paid by check, made payable to TCG OR paid on-line using PayPal.   Go to
http://www.trianglecalligraphersguild.com/join-us/  and scroll down to How to Join.

On Friday, October 8th, members will receive the Zoom link from TCG allowing you into Barbara‘s “Textured Letter” class.

Tools and Materials to bring:
-pencil, ruler, eraser
-practice paper: Canson Pro Layout Marker or xerox paper (only a few sheets)
-Pigma Microns #02 and #08 (any that you have for a contrast)
-pointed brush with good tip i.e. #2 or #4
-watercolors: Sets or Tubes with palette & mixing brush
-water container
-a few paper towels
-glue stick and/or double stick tape
-Arches Text Wove OR 90# watercolor paper – cut to 4 “ x 6” pieces
-Your enthusiasm, open minds & a sense of exploration
**Note: Please download the handouts and copy them prior to class.

Other suggestions (optional):
-gold powder [Schimincke] -xacto knife & small cutting mat
-color’d pencils/ markers
-things for accents & embellishments: white gel pen

Zoom with us in person!
**This is a Zoom meeting where we can all meet from the convenience of our homes. This month we are also offering another form of Zoom since we have the church facility available all day. Those who are interested may join us at the church classroom at our regularly scheduled meeting time (10:00-1:00) to watch Barbara teach on Zoom on the big screen! Then you are welcome to stay after and join us for some social time, lettering, practice and fellowship! Look forward to seeing you all, whether it’s in person or online!!!

About Barbara Close:

Barbara Close (website) is an internationally known calligrapher/artist and teaches in southern California, across the USA and Canada, and will be teaching in Lake Havasu, Arizona.
She thoroughly loves teaching and sharing with students. Her work includes a wide variety of lettering styles and mixed media applications, and has been in exhibitions across the
country, as well as many private collections.

She has taught at several International Lettering and IAMPETH conferences. Barbara designed the logo for Somerset Studio Magazine and “The Calligraphy Collection” font cartridge for Cricut. She has also designed several greeting cards for Marcel Schurman, now Papyrus.
“Follow Your Heart” is a philosophy that shows in her work and continues with growth, heart, and inspiration.

 

Saturday, September 11, 2021
 “Innovative Envelopes”  by TCG members

(This meeting will be in-person as well as online via Zoom)

Members that signed up for an Envelope Exchange this summer will be sharing their envelopes with us. A special thanks to Hattie Bazemore for organizing and arranging this activity! We will learn about some tips and techniques for creating these beautiful envelopes and you will have an opportunity to create one of your own for friends or family.


Previous Meetings, 2020-2021:

Program Line-Up For 2020 / 2021

These are the scheduled programs for fall of 2020.  Programs and meetings, for the foreseeable future, will be via Zoom.

September 12, 2020 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Kerr Pelto sharing “Flame Capitals” — highlights from a class she took with Loredona Zega, and Carol Fountain Nix sharing “Built Caps”–  highlights from a class she took with Yves Leterme.

Note: NEW DATES for program (updated Oct 5, 2020): (These dates will take the place of our regular Saturday meeting.)
October 15, 2020 (Thursday) 7-8:30 pm and October 20,2020 (Tuesday) 7:00-8:30 pm:
Jonathan Homrighausen will teach “Hebrew Lettering”

November 14 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Kerr Pelto and Sampada Agarwal will teach Neuland and Zentangle in “Neuland Meets Zentangle”. This is a coordinated collaboration between these two creative members!

December 12, 2020 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Connie Furgason will present “Poinsettias: Winter’s Favorite Florals”

January 9, 2021 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Studio tour and some organizational tips, by TCG members

February 13, 2021 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Fun Folded Forms, by TCG members Catherine Langsdorf and Stephanie Driver.

WORKSHOP March 6 – 7, 2021 (both days, 9am, ~3 hrs):
Secrets of the Swelling Line and Yalloplate: Copperplate Variations Workshop with Rachel Yallop. Rachel will teach her own beautiful style of copperplate, starting with a more formal hand and moving into lots of variations. See blog post for info and registration.

March 13, 2021 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Fun with Foundational – the Bookhand, by TCG members Harriet Davis and Robin Gunter.

April 10, 2021 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Beautiful Borders, by TCG member Anna Scicinski.

May 8, 2021 (Saturday, 10am – 1pm):
Show and Tell, by TCG members

2020-2021 Programs  – Detailed

May 8, 2021
Show and Tell
with various TCG members

We are blessed to have such a variety of talents and ideas in our guild. Zoom has been wonderful, but we all miss getting to know each other as individuals. Hopefully this can bridge a little of that gap. We very much encourage each of you to consider sharing some of your works. We work so hard all year and we learn so much from each other. Please let Robin know if you’d like to volunteer showing your work.

April 10, 2021
Beautiful Borders
with Anna Scicinski

border_example_1
border_example_2
border_example_3

Anna will demo and teach a class on beautiful borders, inspired by medieval illuminated manuscripts. This class starts by looking at the composition of medieval style borders used to embellish manuscripts in the Middle Ages. We consider the materials and tools used by scribes and artists, and see what we can readily use in their place to achieve a similar effect. The borders that surrounded blackletter script could be opulent with color and heavy with gilding, or light, airy, and delicate.We will study and practice drawing individual stylized leaves, fruits, flowers, and vine which are the recurring motifs in manuscripts from around the fifteenth century. The final exercise will be to draw, color, and embellish a border – inspired by artwork popular many centuries ago, but using readily available tools and materials.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM

For this month’s program Anna has listed some of the brands that she has used. All of these are available via Amazon, art suppliers like Jerry’s Artarama, or John Neal Booksellers.

Paper:  Bleed proof paper in white or ivory
Rhodia Ivory Pad (No 18)
Southworth ‘Parchment printer paper
TreeZero sugar cane printer paper

Ink:  Black permanent ink
Speedball superblack India Ink
BLOTS Iron Gall ink

Nib:  fine pointed nib with not too much flex in
a straight holder

Zebra G chrome (comic or professional hard
Type)

Colors:  any artist’s pencils or pens in a basic red, green, and blue
Faber Castell PITT artist’s pens
Marvy LePlume II artist’s pens
Kingart Watercolor Pro – watercolor pencils
Windsor and Newton coloring pencils

Gilding:  a gold marker pen
Marvy Uchida Deco Color Metallic Paint
marker – gold
Sakura Pen-Touch – gold
Pilot extra fine tip gold marker
Faber Castell PITT artist’s pens – gold

White:  a white ink pen
Sakura Pen-Touch – white
Mitsubishi Uni POSCA 0.7mm – white

Paintbrush:  A fine tip paintbrush (3/0 to 5/0)
is useful but not essential

March 13, 2021
Fun with Foundational – the Bookhand
with Harriet Davis and Robin Gunter

First, we will look at a basic foundational alphabet as Harriet gives a short demonstration of the letter groups, using resources from Sheila Waters, Annie Cicale and Charles Pierce. Next, we will try some variations using broad edge, pointed pen and a pencil. If you are a beginner, it’s good to be acquainted with the Foundational Hand and you can try out the forms using whatever tool you are comfortable with. If you have experience with this hand, plan to try your own variations and possibly share them with the group. No pressure to share, but we learn so much from each other.  Look in the members section after next Wednesday if you’d like an exemplar.
After we have examined and experimented with the letters, Robin will show us how to make a simple accordion book. For the subject of your book, you can use an alphabet, a quote – anything you like.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM
–Graph paper: the practice pad from John Neal – 81/2 x 11 (P22) or 11 x 17 (P21) with 8 squares per inch – is good. I like the darker color so I can see the lines through my writing paper.  Any graph paper will work.  We will use this to look at letter proportions and for writing lines.
–Smooth paper to write on: test it to make sure it doesn’t bleed with your pen and ink, and that you can see through it to your graph paper.
–Pen(s) and ink that you like to use: Foundational is traditionally written with a broad-edge tool, but you can try the letter forms with a pointed pen, fountain pen or a pencil.  I will use a pencil and a Pilot Parallel 2.4mm and 6.0mm to demonstrate.  Feel free to email Harriet with any questions.  harrietdavis2@gmail.comFor your book —
—Pointed or Broad-edge Pen and Ink (or any type of pen for an alphabet of your choosing)
—Pencil
—Ruler
—Glue Stick
—Bone Folder
—Scissors
—1 piece of Arches Paper (approx.90 lb.) or any calligraphy paper you have that is strong enough to hold folds and stand up.   Pre-cut either:
One piece of paper size 2 1/4” x 18”   OR
Two pre-cut pieces of paper, one piece 2 1/4” x  9” AND one piece 2 1/4” x 9 1/2”
—2 pieces of card stock, cardboard, or cereal box, etc. pre-cut to size 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”
—2 pieces of decorative paper pre-cut to size  4 1/2” x 4 1/2”
—1 piece of ribbon (approx. 1/4” wide, and approx.  20” longANNOUNCEMENT—TCG will have an envelope exchange for members starting in May or June. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Harriet – harrietdavis2@gmail.com.

 

February 13, 2021
Fun Folded Forms
with Catherine Langsdorf and Stephanie Driver

Fold along with Catherine as she walks us through four paper projects. We will look at two envelope designs, a simple book pattern and a standing placecard. If time allows, a fifth project to hold business cards or a small book will be shared. Along with these folded forms, Catherine will share information on how to proportion your art work and other measurement tricks of the trade.

Stephanie will follow up with a few creative folding projects of her own, one of which will be full of love, seeing that Valentine’s Day is upon us! We are also happy that she is willing to open up her studio for a tour of her newly inspired space.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM:

  • Metal Ruler
  • Scissors OR Exacto cutter and mat
  • Bone folder or spoon or popsicle stick
  • Paper for folding (thin paper such as wrapping paper, a large wall calendar, scrapbook paper if thin, or similar) that is precut to:
    •  3 pieces of square paper, no smaller than 8.5” by 8.5”
    • 1 piece of rectangle paper, 6” by 9” portrait in a pattern
    • 6 pieces of rectangle paper, 8.5” by 11” random patterns work best (no top and bottom)

Saturday, Jan 9, 2021
Studio tour and some organizational tips, by TCG members

We will begin this new year with a little studio tour and some organizational tips to give us all a fresh start for 2021! This month we have a group of our own members who are graciously opening their studios to us for a peek at how they work. They will give us a small tour of their space, some of their works, tips on how they’ve organized their spaces and supplies, and may even have a small craft or some personal item or hint to share.

Saturday, Dec 12, 2020
“Poinsettias: Winter’s Favorite Florals”
with Connie Furgason

(This meeting will be online via Zoom) For our last meeting of 2020 we have a special class as a gift for our members. We are delighted to introduce Connie Furgason! This is the first time Connie has been a guest artist with TCG and we’re all in for a real treat. She is a very talented watercolour artist and is known for her gorgeous florals, among other subjects. In our upcoming class Connie will demonstrate the basic strokes to create the poinsettia plant along with how to design images for Christmas cards and other projects. She will also demonstrate a few fun and easy projects for the season.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM:

    • Watercolours of your choice (have at least a couple of reds and greens)
    • 1 1/2” flat watercolour brush and/or a round brush, size 8 or 10
    • Smaller round brush size 2, 3, or 4 (brand sizing varies, but a medium and smaller size)
    • Pencils: HB and a 2H or 3H
    • Watercolour paper or mixed media paper
    *Optional supplies:

  • Metallic gel pen or liquid acrylic ink (Daler Rowney FW Gold or something similar i.e. Finetec, Art
  • Quest Metallic paints, watercolour, or gouache. Whatever “sparkly” something you have on hand
  • Pointed pen or tiny watercolour paint brush

**Please look for exemplars in the Members’ section, under Handouts for workshops and meeting programs at: Members Downloads

About Connie:

Connie Furgason started teaching calligraphy and related arts in 1982. Connie travels across Canada and the US teaching for guilds, private studios and has been part of the faculty at several international lettering arts conferences. She is an aficionado of the written word and expresses it through a variety of different mediums including watercolour, acrylic and mixed media. Her work has been published by art distribution companies and her originals have found many lovely new homes in Canada and the US. Connie loves sharing a variety of art techniques with students of all levels and seeing the joy experienced as they discover their own artist within. Examples of Connie’s work on Instagram: conniefurgason

Saturday, Nov 14, 2020
“Neuland Meets Zentangle”
with Kerr Pelto and Sampada Agarwal

(This meeting will be online via Zoom) We will be taking a look at the “Neuland Hand” at this month’s meeting.  Please make sure you have time to order the Speedball A nib(s) that you want to use. I have been using a gridded Rhodia pad for my practice for three reasons:  1.The grid lines help to keep the vertical strokes, well, vertical!  2.The paper is smooth.  3.Ink does not bleed or pass through to the underside of the paper.
There is a handout of five pages that you may want to have in front of you during the meeting for reference.  “Since I have the first half of the meeting and will be sharing the second half with Sampada, all 26 letterforms may not be covered.  Nevertheless, you will come away with a clear understanding of how to use the nib as well as how to make the basic strokes. At the end of my half, we will be using a pencil to draw an outline of a large letter on our pad.  This letter will be filled with Zentangle.  I will be drawing a large K. Looking forward to seeing all of you and having fun learning how to use this often-neglected nib!”  -Kerr Pelto

While Kerr will teach the nuances of the Neuland hand, Sampada will help embellish these bold letters using Zentangle patterns. Examples of her work are shown in a handout located under the TCG member’s area – look for member downloads/handouts.

 

Oct 15th, Oct 20, 2020

“The Rich World of Hebrew Calligraphy”
with Jonathan Homrighausen

This meeting will be conducted in two parts, both as online meetings, via Zoom:

Thursday, October 15th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and

Tuesday, October 20th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Please join us for both nights as we will be learning some techniques the first night, with time to practice in between, and a follow up session the second night.

Last year Jonathan treated us to a rare experience sharing the Saint John’s Bible.  We are thrilled to have Jonathan back this year to share his knowledge of Hebrew Calligraphy.  This will be a “hands-on introduction to the rich world of Hebrew calligraphy – assuming no knowledge of the language.  In two class sessions we will dive into the history and basic shapes of the Hebrew script, and learn how to write some letters.  By the time we finish you will be able to write a few Hebrew names or words, perhaps the name of a loved one, or a short phrase.”  An “ideal preparation for this workshop would be some familiarity and comfort with the broad-edge nib” (this is merely a suggestion, not a requirement for learning and enjoying the class).

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM:
– Broad-edge nib in any form you prefer:  parallel pen, metal nib, quill, automatic pen, reed, etc.  The larger the better!  *6mm parallel pen is a good example
–  Ink of your choice
–  Layout paper for practice:  suggested paper: Borden & Riley #37 Bright White Translucent
Visual Bond
–  Ruler
–  Pencil
–  Eraser
–  Optional:  Tracing Paper

About Jonathan:

Jonathan Homrighausen discovered calligraphy in 2016 through The Saint John’s Bible.  He has been studying and practicing Hebrew calligraphy since 2018, and is continually fascinated by calligraphy’s connection to history, as well as its ability to embody beautiful words and explore their nuances.  He currently lives in Durham, NC, where he tries to take advantage of the rich calligraphy community of North Carolina between his other life as a graduate student.

If you have any questions or need any assistance please send an email to info@trianglecalligraphersguild.org

 


Previous Meetings, 2019-2020:

Summary of 2019 / 2020 Program Year

9/14/19 – “Calligraphy Tools and Techniques”, including a Try-‘n-Buy with lots of materials sent from John Neal Booksellers
10/12/19 – “The Calligraphic Hands of the St. John’s Bible” with Jonathan Homrighausen
11/09/19 – ” Three Strokes and the Truth,” Italic with Joyce Teta, with an extra afternoon workshop (approx. $30)
11/16 & 17 – Workshop — “Gilding the Lily,” with Dan Mooney – currently full, but we do have a waiting list
12/14/19 – Winter Social
01/11/20 – “Borders and Brushes”, including working with brush markers, by Jan Hege Galloni
02/08/20 – “How to run a successful creative business and the art of addressing envelopes “, a one-day, two-part workshop by Jessica Yee
03/14/20 – Update: 03/12/20: CANCELLED “Hebrew lettering,” Jonathan Homrighausen teaching us about Hebrew lettering
04/18/20 – Note the DATE CHANGE for April – from the usual 2nd Saturday of the month to the 3rd Saturday.

Details of 2019 / 2020 Program Year

Saturday, April 18, 2020
“Introduction to the World of Fountain Pens and Inks”
with Roger Fahmer

(This meeting will be online via Zoom)

In this month’s program, our very own beloved Roger Fahmer will share his love of pens and ink as he takes us through his vast collection, sharing stories and experiences through fountains.
Following Roger, we would like to open the remaining part of the meeting up to those who may be interested in sharing any lettering ideas or techniques.

About Roger:
Roger is a talented, self-taught man who said he “had a pen in his hand” most of his life. A prolific “collector and user of both vintage and modern fountain pens,” Roger is a member of TCG and is very well known by all of us for his exceptional, graceful and beautiful Spencerian Hand.

Saturday, March 14, 2020: March meeting is cancelled.

“Hebrew lettering,” Jonathan Homrighausen teaching us about Hebrew lettering

Saturday, February 10, 2020
“How to run a successful creative business and the art of addressing envelopes”

A one-day, two-part workshop by Jessica Yee

Jessica will begin her two part workshop by sharing her vast knowledge of the business side of being creative. She will “teach you a proven formula on how to run a successful creative business.” She has been in business for 10 years, full time, and “will answer any questions regarding the calligraphy or creative business. Even if you don’t plan on running a creative business, it is good to know how to value your work so you can honestly share your (talents) with friends and family.”

For the second part of the workshop Jessica will demonstrate her “style of lettering envelopes and touch base on wedding, social and business etiquette on addressing envelopes. We will discuss pieces of invitations and why they are used and what pieces are traditions that we still use but are not really necessary.” Jessica will also share with us how she makes flowers, flourishes and washes.


TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM
For this month’s program Jessica has asked that we bring the following:
  • 5″x7” quality envelopes, at least 2 (envelopes that will hold up to markers/ink…”so nothing from Staples”)
  • a list of names and addresses
  • Stamp(s) – consider them as part of your layout
  • (ONLY IF YOU ALREADY OWN ONE): We R Memory Keepers Punch Board or whatever envelope makers you have.  We will have some to share…
  • Watercolor Paper cut down to 10 1/8” x 10 1/8” (envelope will hold 5×7 or A7 card)     140 lbs or lighter paper.  Heavier paper might not crease as well.
  • Bone Folder (we have some to share)
  • Ink or Watercolor or Gouache
  • Calligraphic tools/markers of your choosing.  You will be lettering in your own style so please bring what you need
  • Plastic t-square, 12” ruler, French Curves if you have them
  • A calligrapher’s most important tool – THE PENCIL
  • Eraser
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Watercolor, watercolor pencils or water based watercolor markers
  • Dish for Water
  • Brush(es)
  • Paper Towels

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 finds beauty in letters and how they are created.  Jessica loves the elegant, smooth and fluid scripts that a pointed pen creates. Moreover, she enjoys meeting and working with clients, sharing in their poignant moments while bringing art to life.
Jessica is also heavily involved in serving the arts locally.

Saturday, January 10, 2020
“Borders and Brushes”, with Jan Hege Galloni

This month’s program will concentrate on the use of brush markers and watercolor brushes to develop and design borders. Jan uses a pressure and release technique in her work with a variety of brushes to produce beautiful scrolling designs. She will take us through the steps she uses to create works that will enhance your calligraphy as well as many other artistic pieces.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM

  • pencils, erasers
  • Tombow Fudenosuke Markers (any colors) or any brush markers you may have
  • any size round watercolor brushes
  • regular card stock paper and scrap paper for practice
  • a few tubes of watercolor of your choice
  • small paper plates/palates and small brush to mix paints
  • calligraphy ink (black, gold or a color of your choosing)
  • and last, but not least, paper towels.

About Jan:
Jan Hege Galloni is a current member of Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild and makes her home in Jamestown, NC at River Twist Homestead. She is a confirmed “artist at heart” and this is reflected in her home, her trade and many talents. She has a strong background in both Zentangle and Calligraphy, often sharing these passions through teaching, exhibiting in art shows, and creating custom invitations and painted signs.

Saturday, December 14, 2019
Annual TCG Holiday Party

Time to come together to celebrate with some delicious food. We are also looking forward to introducing some Show and Tell this year. We invite anyone who is interested to bring a piece of their artwork and to share their gifts and talents with us all!

Saturday, November 9, 2019
“Three Strokes and the Truth” with Joyce Teta

“THREE STROKES AND THE TRUTH”

Joyce’s description of our upcoming workshop. “There is a sweet logic to the Italic hand. In this introductory workshop, we will think outside the box, to get inside the rectangle, and recover the triangle. A study of sequence and shape shifting will give you a security of form. You can easily own this method of building a solid Italic hand.” This morning session will only allow for the lower case letters. She has asked that you come “with a beginner’s mind, this way you are fluid and open.”

“ANGLE, WEIGHT AND FORM”

Johnston’s wisdom. “The afternoon class will reinforce the morning process. We will construct a logic of form for the broad edge tool, along with a conscious effort to bring various conceptual elements together. Branching will be our focus. We will learn 3 conceivable variations of the Italic form; which opens the door to infinite possibilities.”

*The afternoon session will be held from 2-5:00 pm following a break from 1-2:00 pm. The cost of this session is $30.00 and is payable at the door on the 9th.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM

For this month’s program Joyce has asked us to bring a mechanical pencil, ruler, layout paper you can see through (tracing paper can be used as well), your favorite broad edged pen and an ink of your choice.

***For the afternoon class she has suggested that Gilbert Bond unlined paper would be helpful but not required.

About Joyce:
Joyce Teta founded the Calligraphy Centre in 1984 in the Triad and is well known for her enthusiastic teaching. She’s been artist (exhibiting throughout the Southeast) and teacher (encouraging many with her generous open studio approach, as well as regularly scheduled workshops). She is one of the most inclusive practitioners, always looking for ways for others to join the fun/movement.

Joyce, a “lifer”, was introduced to calligraphy as a teenager in an all-girl school convent in London and has been a devotee and practitioner ever since. She loves letters in all forms, but has specialized in learning proper book-making techniques, hence the moniker: calligrapher & bookartist. Clients such as Maya Angelou and the mayor of Winston-Salem have commissioned her work, and her work sells regularly at exhibitions.

She is also well-known for hosting Cheerio Calligraphy Retreats, which she began with her husband Jim Teta in 1984. Cheerio was set up as a retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains where artists could gather and “work with the best”. It has gained an international following with people coming from 17 countries around the world.

She was Winston-Salems’ Artist of the Year in 1996 and has been teaching and exhibiting both in the Triad and in other locales.

Saturday, October 12, 2019
“The Calligraphic Hands of the St. John’s Bible” with Jonathan Homrighausen

The Saint John’s Bible is possibly the most ambitious calligraphic project of our lifetimes: a hand-written, hand-illustrated Bible created over thirteen years under the guidance of Donald Jackson, former chief scribe to the Queen of England. For the 2018-2019 school year, Duke Divinity School is hosting two reproduction volumes of this magnificent project.

We’ll look at copies of some of the scripts in The Saint John’s Bible to see what we can learn from them. We will focus on the script that Jackson designed for the majority of the Bible, and the story behind how he designed it. By analyzing various aspects of these scripts, tracing them, and practicing them, we can gain some insight into how these master scribes work.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Pencils, tracing paper, practice paper (e.g. Borden & Riley), a clear plastic ruler, a broad-edged nib (your choice of size) and whatever inks or pigments you prefer using. There is no pointed pen calligraphy in The Saint John’s Bible

About Jonathan:
Jonathan has been involved with The Saint John’s Bible for four years, and has introduced it to hundreds of people across the country. His book on this amazing Bible, Illuminating Justice, was released with Liturgical Press in 2018. Though he has studied Roman-alphabet scripts, in his own work he is most entranced by Hebrew calligraphy, which he has been studying for the past year. In his other life he is a doctoral student in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Duke University.

Saturday, September 14, 2019
Presented by TCG members:
“Calligraphy Tools and Techniques”

Including a “Try-‘n-Buy” with lots of materials sent from John Neal Booksellers


Previous Meetings, 2018-2019:

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.

Nell Hall will show us how to use gelato colors and stencils, Dara Linn will demonstrate lettering with Posca Markers, and we will try some other decorative tools and techniques as time allows.
In order to give you plenty of time for lettering, several TCG members have already painted backgrounds on some of the 5 x 7 canvas panels. Each person at the meeting can letter on one of these to give away and use another to letter something to keep for yourself. You may try other decorative techniques and take home the canvas to letter later (these may not dry in time to letter at the meeting).
Monoline letters done with markers work well on canvas, but if you are more experienced and want to try your brushes, broad edge tools, or even a sturdy pointed nib, you are welcome to do so. They will work — it’s just a little more challenging.
This is our last official meeting until September. We will elect officers for 2019–2021. The nominated slate is: President — Harriet Davis Vice-President — Robin Gunter Secretary — Peggy Kring Treasurer — Luann Bacchi We will also have some refreshments and take time to say thank you to Adrianne for her dedicated service to TCG. ** TCG Members — If you have not already done so, please be sure to fill out your survey at the meeting OR send it in via email or mail.
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.
What to bring:
– Pencil and eraser
– Straightedge and/or graph paper
– Any markers, pens or brushes you would like to use
– Small stencils if you have some
As with any calligraphic piece, planning your layout is a good idea. If you can plan a 5 x 7 layout of a short and encouraging quote ahead of time, that’s great, but not a requirement. TCG will provide paper cut to 5×7 for layouts, Saral paper for transferring your layout, painted and unpainted canvases, Posca markers, acrylic craft paints, some gelatos, and a list of possible quotes.

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

This program will introduce the world of Roman Capital Letters and provide an overview of materials and techniques. Carol attended John Stevens’ September 2018 Roman Caps workshop at Camp Cheerio and will share photos of her work and process from this workshop for the first half of the session. The second half will include demonstration and samples of work relating to Roman Capitals. Carol will demonstrate some of what she learned in John’s workshop and provide some guidance for basic forms and brush techniques. She says, “I still have MILES to go to master this!” We will be encouraged to try our hand at basic Roman Capital forms to gain an understanding of the importance of letter geometry and mastery of the brush.
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

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

This is a more extensive list than usual, but if you don’t have all or any of these supplies we will have some to share!
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
– Low tack tape at least 1/2 in wide.  (No skinny tapes)
– 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:

A short quote or a few words for your design.
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.

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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.

What to bring:
Ink — Any ink you like to use, (Japanese sumi, Higgins Eternal, Ziller, to name a few) along with some dinky dips if you have them.
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!

2018 / 2019 Program Year

9/14/19 – 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


2017/2018 Meeting Year

9/9/17 – Lettering with Watercolors: Jessica Yee and Amber Share
10/14/17 – Noodling with Neuland:  Mary Lou Young
11/11/17 – Practice with Layout and Design: Ann Erickson and Patty Roemer
12/9/17 – Social
1/13/18 –  Funky Lettering: Kerr Pelto
2/10/18 –  Mark-Making (with an optional extended afternoon workshop):  Anne Cowie
3/10/18 –  Creative Envelopes, including Tips for The Graceful Envelope Contest: Ann Erickson
4/14/18 –  Lettering for Others
5/12/18 –  Creating a  Practice Journal:  Adrianne Proctor and Deb Averitt
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
2017 / 2018 Workshops

March 1-4, 2018, by Julian Waters.

At Our Spring 2018 Workshop we will spend four days with Julian Waters studying Beautiful Blackletter: From Textura to Fraktur. Julian describes this workshop as, “A very good grounding, not only in specific styles, but how things work together for consistency and to create style variations, with a lot of emphasis on spacing, and that helps with all other calligraphy.”

We are so fortunate to be able to bring this renowned teacher to our area and work with him on these great classic hands. Whether you already love them or are just introducing them to your repertoire, this is a great opportunity! Look online for much more information about Julian and many examples of his beautiful work.

Program Details for Meetings

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.

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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:

A short quote or a few words for your design.
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.

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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.

What to bring:
Ink — Any ink you like to use, (Japanese sumi, Higgins Eternal, Ziller, to name a few) along with some dinky dips if you have them.
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!

 Saturday, May 12, 2018 
Deb Averitt and Adrianne Proctor: “Your Summer Journal”

at the May TCG meeting we’re going to build a wonderful summer journal. Deb Averitt, TCG’s journal maven extraordinaire, and TCG President Adrianne Proctor will help you build a journal to record your summer inspirations. Along with making your journal, you will learn some creative ways to record your own experiences and thoughts as you practice your lettering.

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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:

First, raid your paper stocks, as well as anything else you want to write or draw on. This is a chance to use some of your random sheets and intriguing extras! Having several different kinds of paper in your journal will make it more engaging. Bring paper to share if you like: we’ll have some, too. Please bring:

  •         About 25 pieces of paper
    • 8.5 x 11” (Cut to size before you come if possible.)
    • Mixed surfaces in white or a neutral tone. It’s important that your pages NOT BE all the same kind of paper. Put some sturdy ones in there, grids are fine, avoid really thin “tissue”.
    • Some calligraphic practice you’ve done on sturdy paper, or anything else you want to give a second life by writing or drawing on it.
  • A mat board or cutting mat if you have one (we will have some, too)
  • An awl or piercing tool, if you have one. Don’t need to buy one.
  • A tapestry needle or other large needle, if you have one. Don’t need to buy one.

Update from April Meeting
Thank you to all who created calligraphy on canvases to share with others.  SAFEchild was very happy to receive them. To learn more about SAFEchild visit safechildnc.org.


2017/2018 Meeting Year

Saturday, April 14, 2018
Harriet Davis: Lettering for Others

Come to this month’s meeting and share in an opportunity to help people in our community. Lettering for Others is our group’s way of reaching out to those in need with our talents as lettering artists. We have focused on our learning, we have practiced, and we have gotten better and better. Now it is time to give of our hearts and use our skills to help someone who could use a smile and a little message of hope they can hold in their hand.

The images below are samples of what our end product might look like. Using a small canvas, we will brush on a background of acrylic paint with an old flat brush. Once the paint is dry we will letter our message. You can design one or more canvases with a quote of your choice. Generally, the quotes should be encouraging, positive, hopeful words, but non-religious. It’s not required, but if you have your layout before the meeting, it will help you accomplish your finished piece. Just mark out a 5″ x 7″ space on any ordinary paper and start creating layout ideas – landscape or portrait. At the meeting, we will use craft acrylics for the backgrounds and letter with broad edged or brush markers. Supplies for the meeting are listed below.

Last year, Kerr Pelto led this program and she says, “Even if you think you are not good at lettering, don’t worry, printing or your cursive lettering will do just fine.”
We have several organizations that are interested in sharing our lettering art with those they serve. Come and experience the joy of giving!

Supplies
TCG will supply the canvases and paper for layouts.
Please bring:
1 flat edged brush (can be super old and grungy)
2 acrylic colors of your choice – cheap ones will work (Members – thanks for bringing acrylic paints to share.)
Any writing utensil you are comfortable using – a Pentel Sign Pen works well, but other broad edged or brush markers will work.
Saral paper if you already have it, to help with transferring your design to the canvas.
Pencil and eraser

Show and Tell and A Sale!
While our canvases are drying, we’ll have time for some Show and Tell, so bring any work you’d like to share.  We also have some supplies that have been donated to our guild that we will sell to members for a good price!

Samples from 2017 meeting:

2017_TCG_meeting_Lettering_for_Others

Saturday, March 10, 2018
Ann Erickson: Creative Envelopes, including Tips for The Graceful Envelope Contest

Our program for March, by Ann Erickson, will be about envelopes.

Come have fun embellishing extraordinary envelopes. Ann Erickson will share ideas, tips and lots of examples to get your mind and pens flowing on some creative envelopes. We’ll brainstorm and have time to try out ideas and designs. You can try ideas for The Graceful Envelope Contest or for anything you like. We’ll have some fun stamps you can purchase and envelopes to share, and also learn how to make a DIY envelope.

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:  
-Any pens and ink you would like to work and play with, i.e. broad edge, pointed, folded, felt tip, brush,etc. Also Gelli pens and microns – any colors you like.
Envelopes to play with if you have some.  We will have envelopes to share.
-Any layout paper you already have.
-Pencil, eraser, ruler.
— Scissors
— Glue Stick
— $1 bills and quarters for the beautiful stamps she will have available, in case you would like to purchase them.
GRACEFUL ENVELOPE: The deadline for an entry to the Graceful Envelope is March
26. For all details go to the Washington Calligraphers Guild and click on the 2018 Graceful Envelope Contest square (or see the blog post on our TCG website).  Hopefully this program will encourage some of our members to submit entries!

About Ann:

Ann was a winner in the Graceful Envelope Contest in 1997 and 2002. This was in the early days, when it still came under the auspices of the National Postal Museum in the Smithsonian. Solo shows of Ann’s work have graced the Altama Gallery of History in Vidalia, GA the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art in Augusta, GA, and the Aiken Center for the Arts in Aiken, SC.

Ann will be featured in a show at the Cary Arts Center from April 27 through June 24, and at Bond Park in September and October, 2018.

Saturday, February 10, 2018
Loosening Up – Make Your Mark with Anne Cowie

Put on your adventurous hat and learn some new ways to use calligraphic and non-traditional tools to create some unexpected beauty. Creative marks can enhance your calligraphy, become letters and words on paper, or stand on their own. We will look at what is involved in becoming tuned into and developing your own marks and your own language. We will focus on using dry materials in the morning and wet materials in the extended workshop.
Anne will teach the workshop extension in the afternoon from 2 until 5pm. The cost for this session is $30 and it is limited to 16 participants. To reserve your place, send a check made out to Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild
Tools and materials for this program:
Supplies for the Morning Session:

6 – 8 sheets of drawing paper, 14″x17″ (This can come from a sketch pad or anything similar.)
Your favorite pencil
Any erasers you like
Anne will bring some compressed graphite for you to try

Supplies for the Afternoon Session

6 – 8 sheets of drawing paper, 14″x17″ (This can come from a sketch pad or anything similar.)
Your favorite writing nib and holder
Folded or ruling pen
Black ink or gouache
One or two small containers (1 cup or so size)
Cloth or paper towels

Saturday, January 13, 2018
Kerr Pelto: Funky Lettering

Kerr Pelto will teach the playful Funky Minuscules developed by calligrapher and teacher, Lisa Englebrecht featured in her book, Modern Calligraphy & Hand Lettering.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM
What to bring:
1) tracing paper
2) broad-edged pen with ink OR broad-edged marker OR pilot parallel pen – any sizes, but larger is better
3) pencil
That’s it!!  Isn’t that easy?!

Don King to Teach Free Prep Class for Julian Waters Workshop:

After the regular meeting on January 13, Don King will teach a bonus class on basic blackletter for participants in the Julian Waters workshop. If you are registered for the workshop or are on the waiting list, you may stay for this class in our regular meeting space from 2 pm until 5 pm.


Saturday, November 11, 2017
Dara Linn and Harriet Davis: Fun with Folded Pens

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, at 919-624-2868.

What to bring:

  • Ink – any relatively thin ink such as walnut, Higgins Eternal, Pelikan 4001 or Pelikan Drawing Ink (any color). Ecoline inks should work, too.
  • Paper – several sheets each of smooth and rough paper. It doesn’t have to be your best paper.
  • Pencil, Scissors, Masking Tape
  • A heat gun if you have one and are willing to share it for a few minutes.
  • Any folded or ruling pens you already have and would like to play with.

We will supply the materials needed to make your own folded pen.


2016/2017 Meeting Year

This was a great year for “putting pen to paper.” Many thanks to our members who have shared their skills and inspiration.

9/10/16 Sharing A Show of Hands – TCG Members
10/8/16 Enhancing Your Calligraphy With Cartouches and Colors (Enhancing with Chalk) – Harriet Davis
11/12/16 Lettering for Journals – Deb Averitt
12/10/16 Social – Member’s Home TBA
1/14/17 Blackletter – Don King
2/11/17 Let’s Foliate! Creating Beautiful Capitals – Ann Erickson
3/11/17 Italic – Eunice Carwile
4/8/17 Lettering for Charity – Kerr Pelto
5/13/17 Zentangling In & Out of Your Letters – Sampada A.

2016-2017 Workshops

In November, Kathy Milici: “Storybook Script.”
In February, Eliza Schulte Holliday: “Brush Duet: The Interplay of Edged & Pointed Brush.”
Contact Kerr Pelto at the September meeting or by email to register for these workshops.

See Workshops page for more details.

Program Details for 2016/2017 Meetings

Saturday, May 13, 2017
Sampada Agarwal : Zentangle In and Out of Your Letters
To Help Overcome Creative Blocks

Introduction:

If you missed our April meeting, you have another chance to enjoy the teaching of TCG member Sampada Agarwal, whose program was postponed! In this, the final TCG meeting until September, Sampada will teach us zentangling with letters of the alphabet, using the Zentangle Method. The simple tools you will need are listed below. The Zentangle Method is designed to open inner gates to creativity so that you can create beautiful art in an easy and relaxed manner without a long learning curve. As playfully simple as the steps in the Zentangle Method might appear, they overcome blocks to creative flow such as lack of inspiration, doubts about what to do next, or worrying about outcomes.

Sampada says: As you put pen to paper in a ceremonial way with no expectations, demands, or criticism, you may discover a refuge in your pocket, available anytime you want to enter a space of creativity and focus wherever you are … a store checkout line, a waiting room, a lecture. At any moment, you know you can shift your attention to a relaxed, creative focus.

Tools and Materials:

Please bring:

  • Pencil
  • Pigma Micron 01 pen in black
  • Two original white 3.5″ square Zentangle squares*
  • Bristol paper cut in a 4″ square, OR a blank greeting card
  • Tortillon (paper stub for shading)*

*Sampada will have original white 3.5″ Zentangle squares ($.50 each) and tortillons ($.40 each) available for purchase at the meeting. (Change for your purchase would be helpful.)

About Sampada Agarwal

Sampada Agarwal is a self-taught artist and has been studying various art forms (especially Indian folk art) actively for the past 15 years. She caught the Zentangle bug and became a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) in 2012. She has continued to teach this art form locally — and globally — while experimenting with various media. Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild has been a great influence, a place where she feels supported by all the members. Sampada owes her exploration in Sanskrit language calligraphy to the Guild as well. She taught at a CZT-only conference in Florida in April, attended by 130 participants! At this conference, she married Zentangle with Calligraphy by introducing a pointed pen with Finetec gold.

Saturday, Apr 8, 2017
Kerr Pelto: Lettering for Charity

Introduction:

Kerr says: If you think you are not good at lettering, don’t worry, printing or your cursive lettering will do just fine.

Lettering for Charity is our group’s way of reaching out to others in need with our talents as lettering artists. We have focused on our learning, we have practiced, and we have gotten better and better. Now it is time to give of our hearts and use our skills to make someone else smile, to give someone else hope.

If you look at the image in the right-hand column, you will see what our end product will look like. It is a 4″ x 6″ canvas. We will be brushing-on a background of acrylic paint with an old flat brush. Once dry, we will then add our lettering.

You can practice this week before the meeting for what you want to letter on you canvas. Just take a 4″ x 6″ space and start practicing your layout. You can have your layout either landscape or portrait. You decide.

I use craft acrylics for the background with an old brush. And I use a Pentel Sign Brush for the lettering. I’m sure any writing utensil will work on top of acrylic. Markers are great, whether brush or broad edged.

Come and experience the joy of giving!

Tools and Materials:

TCG will be supplying the little canvases and stands.
Please bring:

  • 1 flat-edged brush (can be super old and grungy)
  • 2 acrylic colors of your choice, can be cheap (Members: Thanks for bringing acrylic paints to share)
  • Any writing utensil you are comfortable using
About Kerr Pelto

Kerr Pelto started her calligraphic journey in 1978 when her boyfriend forced her into a 1-hour demo. She fell in love with lettering as well as in love with that boyfriend. After practicing that one hand for 19 years, she started taking classes at Meredith and other locations under the tutelage of Don King for the next 13 years. Then her journey reached out into other venues, taking online classes, attending CLAS workshops, and participating in international calligraphy conferences both as a student as well as on committees. Kerr started teaching in 2010, first at Jerry’s Artarama and then in her home. She also produced three online classes that students from around the world have taken. Kerr loves TCG and has served as Treasurer, VP, and President. She hopes to continue serving in many ways.

Saturday, Mar 11, 2017
Eunice Carwile: An Introduction to Italic

Introduction:

“Italic is an artistic and expressive broad-edge style that originated in the Renaissance and is still used today,” says Eunice. “Studying Italic, one of the ‘traditional’ calligraphic hands, is a good place to begin a creative journey in calligraphy.”
Following a very brief history of the hand, Eunice will discuss the fundamentals, guidelines, and mechanics of forming Italic, and she’ll demonstrate the basic strokes and lowercase letter forms.
You can follow Eunice, using a practical and portable Pilot Parallel pen, the guidelines she provides, and a pad of paper. “Like the class I teach at the local studio, my presentation is designed for beginners,” she says, “but calligraphers at all levels might enjoy exploring these beautiful letter forms together — and the experts among us can lend their wisdom! I’ll also provide a list of resources for further research and study.”

Tools and Materials:

Borden & Riley Boris Marker Layout pad, 9X12, 50 sheets [John Neal item #P09-50] OR
Borden & Riley Cotton Comp Pad, 9X12, 50 sheets [John Neal item #P39] Pilot Parallel Pen, SIZE 2.4, set (pen, cartridges, and syringe/cleaner) [John Neal item #FP67] Fine-point red pen, any kind you like.
Other usual tools and materials for writing with ink. (blog post)

If you do not have, or wish to order, a Pilot Parallel Pen, dip-pen nibs that will work for Eunice’s guidelines are a Brause or Tape size 2.5 mm nib, or a Mitchell #1-1/2 nib.
TCG members may order by phone from John Neal Booksellers (and pay by credit card) for shipping in time to distribute at the meeting. (You can order anything, not just supplies for the meeting.) Your share of shipping costs will be determined by the weight of your order. Monday, March 6 at 3 p.m. is the deadline to order by phone. Call (800) 369-9598.

About Eunice Carwile

Eunice has been “playing” with calligraphy off-and-on since 1995. Formerly a member of the Washington Calligraphers’ Guild, she learned through workshops with such noted calligraphers as Sheila and Julian Waters. She now enjoys belonging to and learning through the Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild, and is a member of the Carolina Lettering Arts Society and IAMPETH. Eunice has given individual instruction, workshops, and demonstrations, and teaches beginner’s classes in Italic. Proficient but out of practice in Foundational, Uncial, and Blackletter, she is currently (still!) learning Copperplate and beginning to take up Modern and Brush lettering. Most of her creative work consists of presentation pieces and unique greeting cards, although she has been known to address a few envelopes.

Saturday, Feb 11, 2017
Ann Erickson: Let’s Foliate! Creating Beautiful Capitals

Introduction:

The practice of foliating letters is an ancient one, but while specific formal teaching on the subject may exist, Ann says that she has not seen it. At the February meeting of Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild, she will share what she has learned about this skill from her own observation and experimentation.

We will begin by examining some classic examples, and then hone our powers of observation to determine sources of foliation on several capital letters. We will then foliate one or more of our own capitals. Ann will have some pre-lettered caps you can use for planning, or you may create your own letters to foliate. To stimulate your creativity, Ann’s handouts will include several complete alphabets of foliated letters.

Tools and Materials:

Bring to the workshop: A sharp pencil, an eraser, watercolors or colored pencils, a small Pigma Micron (.005), and your usual materials if you wish to letter your own caps to foliate.

About Ann Erickson:

Ann served as president of Birmingham Calligraphy Guild for six years. During that time, she also served for two years on the board of IAMPETH.

After moving to Georgia in 2000, she became a member of Atlanta’s Friends of the Alphabet. Happily, she now has added Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild to her list of professional organizations. An educator by profession, Ann has had a long list of calligraphy students over the course of 35 years.
As a professional calligrapher for more than 35 years, she has used her gifts to produce illuminated manuscripts, resolutions, poems, quotes and scripture verses, as well as all aspects of wedding work. Illuminating with 23k gold is her favorite.

Saturday, Jan 14, 2017
Don KingBlackletter: A Two-Hour Introduction to the Black Letter Hand and its Variants

Introduction:

Popularly referred to as “Old English”, after a type face of that name, the Black Letter hand came into being in northern Germany around the 12th and 13th centuries. It is speculated that the style came into being as a result of the scarcity of paper and vellum and a growing trend toward compressing letter forms in order to get more writing on a page. Another speculation is that it was the preferred hand of the educated elite, created to be as difficult as possible to read in order to keep knowledge away from the riff-raff, and many examples can be found of Black Letter documents which are, indeed, impossible to decipher without very close study and dependence upon context.

The workshop:

In this workshop, we will be studying the alphabet that I developed for my own use many years ago. It preserves the traditional “blackness” through the use of very heavy verticals and relatively narrow white spaces within and between the letters, but is much more legible through the use of a couple of subtle modifications. We will work with two historically-based versions of the hand – Quadrata, or “footed”, and Prescissus vel sine Pedibus, or “without feet.” Most of the time will be spent on the minuscule letters, but I’ll make a few meaningful remarks about the capitals, and will have some handouts of those also.

We will be working with handouts I’ll provide, over which you’ll tape a piece of paper upon which to do your writing. I’ll also provide several exemplars for your future study.

Tools and Materials:
  • A pen -The 4mm Brause nib is preferred, but these may be used with some compromise of the forms:
    • Mitchell 0;
    • Speedball C0 (slightly too large) or C1 (slightly too small);
    • Elegant Writer Broad (a little too small);
    • 3.5 Y&C Calligraphy Marker….
    • Or whatever broad-edged marking tool you have that comes as close as possible to 4mm wide.
  • Black ink, and a filling brush, if desired
  • Slanted writing board, if desired (It’s much easier to control the ink flow and to view your work.)
  • All the normal stuff – water can, paper towels, tape, pen-cleaning brush, pen rest, glove, note book
  • Practice paper – I prefer the 9”x12” Borden & Riley Marker Layout Bond, but anything that’s translucent and bleed-proof will do.
About Don King:

I started teaching calligraphy in about 1986 and taught fairly regularly until 2014. Many TCG members, past and present, took their first few classes from me. I’ve been asked to name my favorite hand to teach and write, and my standard answer is, “which ever one I’m teaching/writing at the time.” I’ve completed an extensive course in heraldry from the Heraldry Society in London which qualified me to emblazon, design and illustrate coats of arms, crests and other heraldic art.
At present, most of my commissions involve the creation of individual pieces using texts — poems, prose, citations, certificates, resolutions, etc. — chosen by my clients. I also provide archival framing services for most of these. I have no plans to stop doing what I love for as long as my right hand and two eyes continue to adequately function.

12/10/2016 Social

We had a great party, full of food, conversation and gifts; hosted by Ann!

Saturday, Nov 12, 2016
Deb Averitt –  Lettering for Journals

Journals are meant for an audience of one: you. That’s what makes them such a great place to try things out, make mistakes, mess around, experiment, practice, learn, think, vent, color, paste, and whatever else you can think of.
Lettering is one part of the process. In this program, we’ll explore ways of using letterforms to add visual interest, enhance meaning, and create texture. The first step is to build on your own handwriting, using a variety of tools and techniques. Next, you’ll learn a couple of casual “hands.”

Finally, you’ll put the lessons into action, creating a small book of quotations about art, creativity, writing, and self-knowledge.

Supplies:
Please bring a pad of layout paper or your journal, and some of your favorite pens and markers (no dip pens, please).
Deb will provide a range of mark-making tools for you to try and a sample of relevant quotes. TCG is providing the paper for making your books.
 About Deb Averitt:

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’s 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, Oct 8, 2016
Harriet Davis – Enhancing Your Calligraphy With Cartouches and Colors

In our October 8 meeting program, learn to dial up the vitality of your work as you Enhance Your Calligraphy With Cartouches and Color. TCG board member Harriet Davis will be the instructor for this program.
We’ll get off to a good start with some basic pointed pen flourishes, then create a few
combinations of our own by adding color with colored pencils and pastels. After that, we’ll use what we’ve developed to create a flourished word, name or design to further enhance with pastels. We’ll also explore the technique of writing with bleach on black paper, then enhancing with color.
It’s worth making a special effort to be with us for this great program! See you there!
Supply list for this program:
The supply list is below. Harriet will also bring black cardstock, bleach and containers for everyone, plus her colored pencils, Finetec colors, pastels, sponges and sandpaper to share.

  • Pointed pen holder and a few of your favorite metal nibs
  • Smooth practice paper that won’t bleed or feather
  • Your favorite black and/or walnut ink
  • A few pieces of smooth, good white or ivory paper, or card stock– approximately 8×10 or 8-1/2×11
  • Masking tape
  • Water container and paper towels
  • Bring what you already have of any or all of the following:
  • Colored pencils (especially soft pencils such as Derwent coloursoft)
  • Pastels, plus any extra make-up type sponges and fine grit sandpaper (helpful for applying pastels)
  • Stardust Gelly Roll pens, Finetec watercolors or metallic gouaches to add sparkle
About Harriet Davis:

Harriet Davis has studied with such widely-known teachers as Heather Held, Dan Mooney and Peter Thornton, as well as great local teachers including Jessica Yee, Kerr Pelto and Don King. She was a member of the year-long class with Reggie Ezell held in Cary. Last summer, at A Show of Hands –the International Calligraphy Convention, she studied pointed pen calligraphy with Pat Blair and folded pen calligraphy with Carol DuBosch.
Harriet loves flourishing and adding color with pastels and colored pencils. She also serves as the Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild librarian, so ask her about some good books to borrow from our extensive collection!

Saturday, Sept 10, 2016
A Show-n-Tell of ‘A Show of Hands’ International Conference, June 2016

Several TCG members who attended A Show of Hands 2016 in Asheville during the summer will present information about the classes they took, their teachers, what they gained, their views about the experience, how the week unfolded and more.This program could help you spot teachers you’d like to study with, subjects that might interest you, and other valuable information. If you’ve never been to a conference like this, it will be your opportunity to ask questions and get information to help you determine your approach to this type of learning experience.

A Show of Hands!: International Calligraphy Conference 2016, held in Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. The 35th international calligraphy conference, one week of classes: 06/25/2016 – 07/02/2016.

The yearly TCG membership dues are payable in September, so bring your $30 to the first meeting!

Previous Meetings: 2015-2016

June Events:

A Show of Hands!: International Calligraphy Conference 2016, held in Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. The 35th international calligraphy conference, one week of classes: 06/25/2016 – 07/02/2016.

Saturday, May 14, 2016
Jessica Yee — Lettering Numbers: Can you Digit!!

Imagine you’re writing along … paper and ink are cooperating, the letters are behaving… and then… you encounter an address, a date, a meeting time! Yikes! You need NUMBERS!

At our May meeting, come and build your number skills with TCG board member Jessica Yee. “We are going to attempt to make a sampler of numbers like the needlepoint peeps do,” Jessica says.

Materials for this meeting:
Good quality paper, at least 8.5 x 11″
Also, layout paper or tracing paper
Pencil, sharpener, eraser,
Broad edge nib/pen
Pointed pen
Your finest-point Micron (or similar) marker
Ink (your favorite color — please just one color)
Paper towels
Cup for water
Ammonia to clean your nibs
Gum Arabic to prep your nibs (A good thing have in your “kit”; but if you don’t, fear not. It’s something people will share.)
Ruler to make sort of straight lines
Open heart and open mind. (“Very important!” says Jessica. “If you forget this, return home, pack them for travel, and head back.”)

See you soon for this, our final meeting of the year!

Member Show and Tell
Before we settle down to our wonderful program, help us wrap up the year by bringing a sample of your favorite things calligraphic for others to enjoy. Arrive a few minutes early to set up on the tables in the back.

Saturday, April 9, 2016
Kerr Pelto — Come and Learn How to Letter in a Circle

Spring is a good time to try something new! At our April meeting, TCG President Kerr Pelto will teach us a technique for lettering in a circle. Of course, to letter in a circle, it’s probably a good idea to actually have a circle. Kerr will begin by teaching a technique for setting up a circle template using a compass, ruler, protractor, and pencil. Then we will letter a short phrase, or just words, or maybe as much of the alphabet as we can in that circle. You can use whatever calligraphic lettering tool you are most comfortable with as well as any Hand. (For you newcomers, a Hand is the term for any lettering style.) No need to worry about perfection here: If this is something new to you, get started with a solid good try!Supplies and Materials
Listed below is what you’ll need to bring for this meeting. If there’s a tool you don’t have, don’t worry: Come anyway. We’re big on sharing.

Compass
Ruler
Protractor
Pencil
Eraser
Tracing paper
Grid paper
Parallel pens or any type of pen you want to letter with (bring ink if you are using a metal nib)

Other April Events:

The Carolina Lettering Arts Society’s (CLAS) 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) CLAS AGM, held in Raleigh. This year the CLAS members of TCG are hosting the annual meeting, a weekend of workshops and meetings.

Saturday, March 12, 2016
Visiting Calligrapher — Tim Zerkel: Making Signs the Trader Joe’s Way

Have you noticed the signs at Trader Joe’s? They’re engaging, colorful and creative! And they’re great for selling stuff! At the March 12 meeting, we’ll learn how Tim Zerkel and his fellow Trader Joe’s staff members create the bright and engaging signs that customers find so captivating.Tim will bring us our own version of the art materials that he modifies for a brilliant look and flexible application. He will demonstrate both markers and brushes, and we will each use markers to create our own sign. He’ll talk about how he preps boards and will bring each of us a reusable, primed 12 x 18 board, along with markers to share.

Continue reading…

Saturday, February 20, 2016
(Third Saturday due to Valentine’s Day and President’s Day holidays.)

Anne Cowie — Paste Papers Program and Workshop

For February 20, we return to our regular location: Resurrection Lutheran Church, in Cary.
Meeting: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Workshop: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (for info on how to register, see link for blog post, below)Note: For free delivery from John Neal Booksellers to the meeting, order by Thursday, February 18 and tell them it’s for TCG.On Saturday, February 20, we will create beautiful paste papers with artist and calligrapher, Anne Cowie. If you find yourself longing for something more than plain paper to write on, you’ll find it here! In addition, paste papers have many other creative and functional uses.See our blog post for info on the meeting, registering for the workshop, as well as a short bio on Anne Cowie!

Saturday, January 9, 2016
Julia Silbermann — Drawing Fundamentals

“Drawing Fundamentals: Crosshatch, Stipple, Scribble — Come Draw with Julia and Enhance Your Calligraphy”

Click here for Julia’s Drawing Class handoutsTCG member Julia Silbermann to teach Drawing Fundamentals. Julia not only uses drawing skills to create her own calligraphic pieces, she is also a trained art teacher. Come to this month’s meeting and learn more techniques to help your work engage the eye, the mind and the spirit.

“Everyone can draw!”Julia said. “Come and get introduced to, or brush up on, different ink drawing techniques, such as crosshatching, stippling and scribbling, and how and when to use them in a drawing. We’ll also have step-by-step instructions for transforming a photo into a simple ink drawing.

They make for great accents in your calligraphic works, in travel journals or seasonal greeting cards, and they can be colored using your favorite technique.”

“For this class, it will be easiest to work with Microns or similar markers, as they are fast to use and no clean up is required,” Julia said. “But all the techniques shown can also be done with nib and ink. You decide whether you would like to use Microns or nib and ink, depending on your skill level.”

Julia was trained as an art teacher at the Art Academy of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. During her studies she focused on lettering, drawing and bookmaking. Last spring, she won the 2015 Purchase Prize awarded by the Newberry Library of Chicago in connection with the Chicago Calligraphy Collective for her handwritten and illustrated book Dante’s Prayer.

WHAT TO BRING
– Pencil, 2H or harder
– Eraser
– Microns, 005, 01, 03 AND/OR pointed nib with a rounded ball tip (Don’t have one? Julia said she has plenty to share.)
– Black, WATERPROOF ink
– Cleaning materials for your ink equipment (paper towels, water container…)
– Your favorite drawing paper, letter size or bigger (bring whatever you have)
– Scissors
– Stylus (if you have one, or everyone shares)
– 12″ metal ruler

WANT TO ADD COLOR?
Bring colored pencils, watercolors, brushes, whatever your favorite technique.

Ordering Supplies for Delivery at the Meeting
To order supplies from John Neal Booksellers for free delivery at the meeting, call (336) 272-6139 by THURSDAY, January 7. You must mention Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild and tell them to include your order with the items that are being delivered for the TCG meeting on Saturday, January 9.

Meeting at Residence Inn Raleigh Crabtree
This month’s meeting is at Residence Inn Raleigh Crabtree, 2200 Summit Park Lane, near Crabtree Valley Mall. We are renting the room for 3-1/2 hours only, and if we go over we’ll be charged extra. Before and after the meeting, we can congregate in the lobby. If needed, ask for the room location at the desk.


NOTE:FOR JANUARY 2016 MEETING — DIFFERENT LOCATION:
Our JANUARY 9, 2016 meeting will be at the Residence Inn, Raleigh Crabtree.

MEETING AT RESIDENCE IN at RALEIGH CRABTREE:
This month’s meeting is at Residence Inn Raleigh Crabtree, 2200 Summit Park Lane, near Crabtree Valley Mall. We are renting the room for 3-1/2 hours only, and if we go over we’ll be charged extra. Before and after the meeting, we can congregate in the lobby. If needed, ask for the room location at the desk.

DIRECTIONS: How To Get There …
First, note that Crabtree Valley Avenue runs directly behind the mall.

From Edwards Mill/Creedmore Road (the name changes, but it’s the same road):
Turn onto Crabtree Valley Avenue, cross Blue Ridge Road, and the road you are on BECOMES Summit Park Lane. Go up the big hill and you will find the Residence Inn.

From Blue Ridge Road:
Approaching Crabtree Valley Avenue, turn onto Summit Park Lane. There is a MacDonald’s at the intersection. Go straight up the big hill and you will find the Residence Inn. If you turn onto Crabtree Valley Avenue, you are going the wrong way. Turn around, cross Blue Ridge and go up the hill.



Previous Meetings: 2014-2015

Saturday, December 12, 2015
Christmas Social at Harriet Davis’s house.

Saturday, November 14, 2015
Accent with Watercolor Squares (as developed by Sherri Kiesel Thornton)
Mary Lou Young will teach us how to create watercolor squares and clothesline capitals.

“Watercolor squares are fun and easy, definitely not highbrow,” Mary Lou said. “I think of them as a way of doing watercolor without getting out a bunch of materials. It’s more like play … very informal.”During the approximately two-hour program, Mary Lou will share with us the lettering and decorating style she learned 15 years ago from Sherri (Kiesel) Thornton and has been using ever since. We will use a fine marker to create the letters, then apply watercolors and other materials to decorate them. While we pause to let the first steps of our squares dry, Mary Lou will teach Sherri’s clothesline caps lettering, a quick, easy and fun style to use with the decorative squares.

Watercolor squares are an updated and fun style based on Romans. They can be used plain or dressed up. To see many examples online, search “Sherri Kiesel Squares.”

WHAT TO BRING:
Here is Mary Lou’s list of tools and materials:
— Arches Text Wove or any watercolor paper (choices need to hold watercolor well). You’ll need only one or two pieces, and they should be about 10″ x 15″ (exact measure not critical).
— Watercolors. In Mary Lou’s words, “Bring whatever you want.” (If you don’t have any, don’t worry, others will have some to share.) Mary Lou will be also be sharing samples of Neocolor water-soluble pastels. “These work well, are not messy and last forever,” she said. “I’ve had mine 15 years.” She said Jerry’s Artarama has sets with 5, 10, 15 and more colors. “I haven’t found the need for large sets because the colors blend easily to make many shades.”
— A couple of short quotes or haikus
— Micron or other ultra-fine sharpie size 0.01 or 0.05
— 1/2″ or 3/4″ low-tack painter’s masking tape, blue or purple is best.
— Pencil
— Metal ruler
— X-acto knife
— Water container
— Paper towels
— A few brushes of various sizes, including smaller sizes (1/2″, 1/4″ or 1″), a couple of round ones, and maybe a tiny one for accents.
— OPTIONAL: “Texturing” materials, such as bits of stamps or old dictionary pages, small collage items, petals. She will bring some things to share, as well as examples she and others have created. “Be inspired and let your imagination go,” she said.

Remember to Place Your John Neal Order by Thurs., Nov. 12 at 3 p.m.

Do This Before the Meeting If Possible
On one piece of the watercolor paper, use the painter’s masking tape to make a grid of 1.5-inch squares. The tape should will create borders around each of the squares. (Alt: You can also come a little early and do it before the meeting.)

Saturday, October 17, 2015 (Third Saturday because of Columbus Day)
Visiting Calligrapher: Joyce Teta walks us through: “dot the walk”
Meeting Program and Afternoon Workshop

MEETING PROGRAM: “dot the walk”
… “A line is a dot going for a walk.” Paul Klee …
This class investigates a way of taking a line for that walk. It’s an easy way to access your design skills and learn to enjoy process.MATERIALS: Bring a pencil, colored pencils or water colors, and an 8×10 piece of Arches text wove.THE WORKSHOP: “a brush with sumi”
Creating a thread through mark making. This class stimulates a conversation with the page — responding to marks with remarks, then bonding and binding our story. (Bring a thesaurus.)MATERIALS: Half of a 20″ x 25″ sheet of Arches text wove and four 8″x10″ sheets of decorative paper for cover, a bookbinding needle, sumi ink (only if you already have it), a favorite brush (any brush), a metal ruler and a pair of scissors. Joyce says she will also bring favorite brushes to share and some sumi.WE KEEP SAYING THIS, AND IT’S TRUE: Come for the meeting, stay for the workshop. If you need a nudge, ask anyone who has studied with Joyce. She’s a great teacher, and you’ll be glad for the all the time you are able to spend with her.THE COST: The meeting program is free to members. The afternoon workshop is a great bargain at $30 for members and $45 for non-members. In addition, there is a materials fee of $2.50.

Saturday, September 12, 2015
Visiting Calligrapher Annie Cicale Teaches “The Brush, from Contemporary and Backwards to Classic”
Meeting Program and Afternoon Workshop

Starting with simpler, contemporary forms of brush lettering, Annie will move “backwards” in time toward elegant first-century letters. She says, “Our goal will be to understand the flow of the paint from the brush, giving you letterforms you can use on everything from garage sale signs to elegant calligraphic broadsides.” The approximately 2.5-hour monthly meeting program will be a useful and interesting hands-on session with great examples of brush lettering’s versatility and beauty. After a break for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m., our 3-hour workshop will continue the journey backwards in time toward the elegance of first-century letters. (Members will have received a supply list.)Learn more about Annie at http://www.cicaleletteringdesign.com/.

May 9, 2015
Hands-on practice with video: Learning Flat Brush Lettering with Fran Strom

This Saturday is yet another knowledge-filled TCG Meeting. We will be watching a DVD by a noted calligrapher, Fran Strom. It is called “Flat Brush Writing.”

If you have never used a flat artist’s brush to do lettering, this DVD is worth watching. Fran is an expert at this brush manipulation to form exquisite Roman capitals. I have watched this DVD 3 times and am still amazed at the ease with which she makes her letterforms.

Here is the Supply List:
1. The Classified Ad section of the newspaper – bring lots, to share
2. Pencil
3. 1/2″ Winsor Newton flat edge brush with golden nylon bristles
4. Paint – any color gouache or even Tempera Paints
5. A pallet for the paint to go in
6. Water, to dilute the paint
7. Paper Towels, to wipe off your brush after use

There is a lot to take in while watching this DVD. If you are just interested in watching and not actually trying to make brush Roman caps, that’s fine too. Do whatever you feel you can do.

This DVD will give you a glimpse into the wonderful world of flat brush lettering. You won’t be an expert when it is over, but you will have a greater appreciation for those who are!

  • by Kerr Pelto

..Summer break – meetings resume in September…

April 11,2015
Martha Petty: Art book ~ pamphlet stitch on a concertina spine

I will be showing you all how to do a pamphlet stitch on a concertina spine. Reggie folks will have a little bit of an edge on this project since they have covered book boards before and have made a five hole pamphlet stitch book. Thanks to Dara, I will be supplying the already cut book boards. In addition, I will be providing colored file folders for the inside covers and for accordian/concertina spine (I’ve attached a picture to show you the file folder colors). You can bring a plain manilla envelope if you don’t want a colored file folder. The example book that I am showing you (attached) uses the purple file folder and unlined Japanese paper for the cover and Strathmore paper for the signatures. The book is 6″ long by 4 3/4″ high.** Please let me know if you will be attending this workshop. I have 20 sets of book boards covers cut, but I want to make sure that I have enough ready for everyone. Thanks!

You will need to bring:

– Decorative paper (can be Japanese or any other pretty paper for covering the book boards) we will not be lining any Japanese paper in class (for you Reggie Folks)
– PVA glue, ideally, but if you have White Elmer’s Glue that will do.
– linen thread, ideally, (approximately 36″) but other thicker thicker/decorative thread will do (I believe Ornamentea in Raleigh sells linen thread in smaller amounts – call first)
– Paper – Arches text wove (left over Reggie papers) or an inexpensive paper such as Strathmore 400 series drawing paper.
– Awl – or a sharp needle to poke holes in file folder and paper. (I will bring the left over Reggie needles that I have for people to use).
– Bone folder
– a sharp knife to cut/tear paper – a kitchen paring knife or fettling knife used in ceramics works nicely.
– small cutting mat if you have one (I’ll bring some extras).
– 12″ metal ruler
– Pencil
– X-acto knife
-Scissors

The example book shown uses the purple file folder and unlined Japanese paper for the cover and Strathmore paper for the signatures. The book is 6″ long by 4 3/4″ high.

201504_TCG_Pamphlet Stitch__Concertina Spine Book

Pamphlet Stitch book – upright

Pamphlet Stitch book

Pamphlet Stitch book – opened

201504_TCG_Pamphlet Stitch__Colorful File Folders TCG 2015

Pamphlet Stitch book – colorful file folders used for the spine and inside covers

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!
Martha

March 14, 2015
Patty Roemer: A Little Book

Get ready to make up some sample cards and fold out books, so you can use some of that nice paper you have collected for years.Supply List: I will be supplying the paper for the samples that you will be making, but here is a supply list for the additional materials for the “Make and Take” mini workshop for our March Meeting.

Paper and pen for notes
Metal ruler (12 inch ok)
Scissors
bone folder
two kinds of glue:
1) Recollections glue runner
2) Zig memory systems permanent, 2 way chisel tip glue

If you were not able to sign up at our Feb. meeting, please email me at roemerpatty@gmail.com so that I will have a paper packet for you.

This should be fun, we will put together some samples you can use as gifts, or cards for your calligraphy projects. Gonna make you work a little, but it will be worth it for you to get a few projects from classes I’ve taken, or ideas from things I’ve received as gifts. Some good ideas for all that pretty paper you’ve collected along the way. Join us and play with paper folding to make some really neat stuff.

Square Card Instructions (Explosion Book)

Photos of explosion books:
http://www.making-mini-scrapbooks.com/explosionbook.html

Hope to see you there.
Patty

February 21, 2015
Jessica Yee: Off Hand Flourishing

Jessica will be teaching some basics of off hand flourishing. Some cute tricks to make your letters fun. You will need the following:Oblique Pen holder or straight pen holder
Any G series nib or flexible nib (pointed)
Old world ink, ziller ink, mccaffrey, walnut or higgins eternal
Pencil
gum arabic (or share with someone if you don’t have)
potato or ammonia (YES, I said potato)
layout bond paper or smooth white paper that will hold up to a lot of ink being laid on it.
pen rest (so we don’t get the tables dirty)
screw top dinky (SMALL) dips. its easier to clean up the spill of .5 ounce then 3 ounces of ink.

January 17, 2015
Chris Mulder: Using Three Design Elements
Game On! — Playing with Design Elements

Do you ever stare at a blank piece of paper and wonder how to start? Have you ever gone for days without holding a pencil or pen in your hand except to add something to your grocery shopping list? Feeling rusty, uncertain, even intimidated? Well, join me on Saturday, January 17, and I’ll teach you some ways to overcome those problems. We’ll get those creative juices flowing again, and get you excited about the possibilities of putting pen and pencil to paper. I’ve got a great game I invented that engages your right-brain to open up that “flow” we all need to tap into when we’re being creative. We’ll circumvent the little “judge” who lives in our left-brain just waiting to point out where we’re going wrong. You’ll be amazed at what you discover.
Supplies:
~ Good drawing paper; something with a light to medium tooth, that is suitable for both pencil and pen. At least 4-6 pieces need to be cut into about a 5 x 5″ size. You’ll need to be able to fold this paper, so don’t bring anything that’s really thick.
~ Colored pencils, if you have them.
~ Pens or markers in various colors. If you have both fine and broad points, bring both.
~ Regular graphite or mechanical pencil with a lead that leans more towards soft than hard.
~ Pencil sharpener
~ Eraser
~ Fine point pen, black ink.


Previous Meetings: 2013-2014

Dates: There are nine monthly Saturday meetings this year, September through May, including a social event in December.

Place: New venue: starting September 2013, Raleigh First Assembly Church, 3249 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. Click HERE for directions on the church campus.

New time: starting September 2013 we will meet from 10 am to 1 pm with the 30-minute business meeting starting at 10 am.

Programs: 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.

Standard Meeting Agenda

10:00 – 10:30 Business meeting
10:30 – 10:45 Show ’n Tell
10:45 – 11:00 Break for program set-up
11:00 – 12:45 Program
12:45 – 1:00 Tear down and clean-up

Dates, Times and Programs

September 14, 2013
Zentangle with Sampada

October 12, 2013
Free your folding pen, Gesture with a ruling pen with Harriet Davis

November 9, 2013
Uncial with Don King

December 14, 2013
Holiday Social

January 11, 2014
Colored Pencil with Chris

February 8, 2014
Creating Kerrlligraphy with Kerr

March 8, 2014
Getting Knotty with Julia

April 12, 2014
Ribbon lettering with Nell

May 10, 2014
Photography for the calligrapher with Nita Whitfield
Supplies:
Bring one of your pieces, that you would like to have a really nice artistic image of it
(not mandatory)

Summer break – meetings resume in September…

September 13, 2014
Elizabeth Porcher Jones will be coming to teach us in September. She is a well-known Charleston calligrapher who has graced many weddings with her talented pen. She will be giving us a slideshow about some of the weddings she has worked in Charleston, telling the ins and outs of weird materials used, what she does onsite at events, etc. There’s even a chance of her doing a workshop that afternoon after lunch! More info to come as becomes available (title, cost, length).

October 11, 2014
Amy Jo Edwards, founder of Healing Ceilings, will be visiting our guild and speaking to us. Healing Ceilings is a non-profit community of artists and supporters dedicated to transforming cancer treatment experiences for Adult Cancer Patients through appropriate, original, evidence-based ceiling art. This meeting is our chance to paint and letter 2’x2′ ceiling tiles that will be placed in the ceilings of cancer treatment centers all over the state and beyond.
Supplies:
You will need to bring with you some acrylic paints, flat and round brushes (for painting and lettering), paper towels, a container for water, and a ruler.

November 8, 2014
Morning session: Catherine Mauney Langsdorf will be coming from the mountains of NC to teach us how to letter on “chalkboard”. Members will buy their own supplies, if they want. Otherwise, they can watch and listen.
Afternoon workshop: She will teach a workshop on “Pointed Brush Lettering” from 2pm – 5pm. The cost will be $30. Both Supply Lists will be forthcoming.

December 13, 2014
December Social! Fun, food, and games!


Previous Meetings: 2011-2012

During the 2011-2012 year, our monthly programming revolved around the subject of “The Decorated Letter.” We studied decorative techniques and methods used down through the centuries in Celtic, Romanesque, Ottonian and other period styles. A major workshop on Versals and Gilding with Peter Thornton took place to reinforce the Decorated Letter theme.