Fraktur Flower Power

This is done with walnut ink, a Brause nib and 00 round sable brush loaded with W&N Alizarine Crimson on New Diploma Parchment. This quote rocks my socks in so many ways. And the gold leaf symbol with the red looks so much like a uterus it's not even funny. 

Sparkling Flourished Feathers

Walnut ink, Grey brush markers, and a Sakura Gel Stardust Pen made this flourished envelope lots of fun to make.

Letter Press Wedding Invitation Suite

Hello from the tip of my nib!

This recent letter press printed wedding invitation suite was done through Paces Papers, who are wonderful to work with. We used a chocolate ink on an ivory stock throughout. Outer and inner envelopes were done in a matching ink in copperplate. The inner envelopes were especially fun, in that you've got all that white space all to yourself. Plenty of room to flourish and the mail carrier won't penalize you for illegible caps or numbers.

We also tried something new by including a transportation card. The client asked to include a photo of a trolley. Instead, I create an illustration of one in the same style as the typography and linking it to the headline of the card to propel everything forward. Fun!

Nested Accordion (Slinky Book) Instructions!

Hello friends,

Made this little photo album for my son's teachers as an end of the year thank you gift. All the parents sent in snaps of their kids and I bound them in three tiny albums. They are such fun and easy to make.

Below are beauty shots and instructions! Happy Summer to All,

~Anne

Nib Nest Instructions!

I feel like such an old lady holding up the checkout line trying to make exact change as I sift through my calligraphy nib collection to find the size I need during a class or workshop. :D

If this process makes you feel the same way, then I have the perfect solution for you. Introducing the Nib Nest!

We made these on Monday at the monthly FoTA meeting and had a great time. Mamie Valez made some really beautifully embellished versions that I swear will make your nibs look like they're on stage or stacked neatly in the Castle's Armory.

Below are the instructions. Share and enjoy!

~Anne

Illumination on Vellum Workshop by Reggie Ezell in Atlanta

by Primitive to Modern student, Louona Tanner

Reggie Ezell's next workshop in Atlanta: Illumination on Vellum

June 9 & 10, 2012

8:30am - 6:30pm

Location:  The Mendez Center, Atlanta, GA (between Midtown and Buckhead)

Cost: $300. (plus small supply fee for vellum and other materials payable at class)

To register, please send payment to 

Mamie Valez

6135 Grand Maria Circle

Gainsville, GA 30506

questions: Please email coordinator Victoria Lansford at victoria@victorialansford.com.  We have a few members who are willing to host.  If you need a place to stay, please email.  

Workshop description:  We will traverse no less than 1300 years in seeking to amalgamate illumination techniques from the Codex Aureus with designs from some of the greatest lettering artists of our day.  Techniques include gilding with 23k gold leaf, illumination on calfskin vellum, and more.  Reggie's workshops are jam packed with information and inspiration.  Don't miss this unique opportunity to study with a master.

About the Primitive to Modern:  For those of you who really wanted to take Reggie's second year long class but couldn't commit to the whole year, Reggie has made a very special offer to let people sign up for the remaining sessions a la carte.  

These sessions are project based and fairly contained so even if you haven't been in previous sessions with Reggie, you'll be able to do them and not be lost.

These means you get to learn incredibly cool techniques like gilding and illuminating on vellum and take a finished (or nearly finished) piece home!!!!

You may sign up for any of these workshops at this time.  We only have 4 spaces in each one.   Registration is first come first served. 

  

Green Ink with a Brush

New table cards with escort cards to match for a wedding client. She named tables instead of numbering them, which was really fun for me to paint. A brush is so much easier to use on a larger scale. I had a blast!

Pink, Spotted and Silvered Flourishes

Did these place cards this morning on New Diplomat Parchment. Used a gelly roll Sakura pen for the silver accents, pink & white liquid acrylic inks, and a light grey warm brush marker for depth. Fun, fun, fun!

Schmincke is da Shiznit

Great news for all the Atlanta calligraphers out there. Binders now carries Schmincke Tro-Col metallic water-based powders in 5 fabulous colors. They are beautiful and great to work with. I love to mix mine with distilled water and a tad bit of gum arabic. Makes a tasty, intense ink. Comes highly recommended by Heather Held and Barbara Calzolari.

The powder can also be used to dust your work with a metallic glow. Really versatile and can also be added to any other water based medium (ink, gouache, watercolor) to give it that fairy dust feel. LOVE working with this stuff!

Thank you Stacey Smith (who is also the Shiznit) for bringing this great product in!

Tro Col Bronze Pwdr Rich Pale Gold (4012380019097)

Bronze-powder with dry dextrine-glue-binder. Combined with water you obtain highly brilliant bronze colours. Mixable with all kinds of gouache (poster Tempera) and water-colours. To maintain gloss and luminosity of the bronzes mix right before painting.

Regular Price: $14.35Your Price: $11.79  You Save: $2.56 (18%)

Tro Col Bronze Pwdr Pale Gold (4012380019103)

Bronze-powder with dry dextrine-glue-binder. Combined with water you obtain highly brilliant bronze colours. Mixable with all kinds of gouache (poster Tempera) and water-colours. To maintain gloss and luminosity of the bronzes mix right before painting.

Regular Price: $14.35Your Price: $11.79  You Save: $2.56 (18%)

Tro Col Bronze Pwdr Copper (4012380019110)

Bronze-powder with dry dextrine-glue-binder. Combined with water you obtain highly brilliant bronze colours. Mixable with all kinds of gouache (poster Tempera) and water-colours. To maintain gloss and luminosity of the bronzes mix right before painting.

Regular Price: $14.35Your Price: $11.79  You Save: $2.56 (18%)

Tro Col Bronze Pwdr Silver (4012380019127)

Bronze-powder with dry dextrine-glue-binder. Combined with water you obtain highly brilliant bronze colours. Mixable with all kinds of gouache (poster Tempera) and water-colours. To maintain gloss and luminosity of the bronzes mix right before painting.

Regular Price: $14.35Your Price: $11.79  You Save: $2.56 (18%) Tro Col Bronze Pwdr Rich Gold (4012380019080) Bronze-powder with dry dextrine-glue-binder. Combined with water you obtain highly brilliant bronze colours. Mixable with all kinds of gouache (poster Tempera) and water-colours. To maintain gloss and luminosity of the bronzes mix right before painting. Regular Price: $14.35Your Price: $11.79  You Save: $2.56 (18%)