Italic Calligraphy: Calligraphy One

To sign up for the Wednesday evening class, Nov 14th -  Dec 19th, 2012, contact Jacob Gunter at Jacob@bindersart.com.

Calligraphy One: Italic with Anne Elser

Beginner to Intermediate | $190 | Min. 5/ Max. 8

The Italic calligraphic hand is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It is highly legible and can easily be dressed up or down. Italic is the perfect hand to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced.

During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands.

Palatial Palm Tree

It's finished! Save the Date monogram for a wedding in Miami. Stay tuned for the Invite monogram next.

Pixel/Paint

Working on a monogram today and within Illustrator CS5. With this new version comes a WIDTH tool and it's pretty amazing. It gives you the ability to mimic up and down strokes, creating stress where you want it. Totally different from what I used to do - trace the drawing from the outside contour. It feels more calligraphic now. Really, really interesting.

I love the asymmetry of this piece and can't wait to see how it changes when we do the wedding invitation version.

An Amorous Palm Tree

New sketch for a couple to be wed in Miami, who asked for a monogram with palm leaf accents and tropical flair. I will bring this sketch into Illustrator today and have some fun. Wish me luck!

Tool Bed

A fellow dribbbler asked me recently to upload shots of the tools I use. This is a pouch Barbara Calzolari made to carry her own tools. She's an amazing Italian calligrapher from Bologna, who just did a workshop here in Atlanta at Binders called Pointed Pen Variation.

I traded a book I'd made for this pouch. The brushes I use for brush calligraphy are sized 00, 0, 1 and 2. The strange looking pen in the middle with the large screw at the top is called a Ruling Pen. It makes similar strokes that a brush makes and the screw increases or decreases the distance between the 2 parallel plates. Can be dipped in ink and drawn at the very tip for a fine line, or on the side at any angle. An amazing tool.

There are a couple of calligraphy pen holders next that are set at an oblique angle I use for Copperplate. In this oblique pen holder is a pointed pen nib. Currently my favorites are the Nikko G and the Zebra G nib.

For broad edge work I use a Brause nib. The three pens at the very end are automatic broad edge pens called Pilot Parallel pens. Another amazing tool.

This tool pouch came SPOTLESS with no ink spills, splatters or stains. That's how clean a good calligrapher keeps their tools. It's all about a sense of care, wonder and very good craft.

Brush Work

Writing with a brush is tough to learn. Creating interest in your strokes and crisp, defined marks is tricky, too. Been doing a lot of brush work practice lately, especially since Barbara Calzolari's Pointed Pen Variation Workshop.

She had me practicing with a brush, then the pointed pen and back again to the brush. They are essentially the same tool - just the brush is more sensitive. HIGHLY sensitive - which can be maddening. But it's good. I am in search of a brush lettering workshop and my goal is to take one from John Stevens.

While practicing with the brush, I started with black in. Then Barbara introduced me to the idea of using gouache. Now gouache is my preference. It makes my brush slow down because there is a slight chalky texture to it. It takes curves nice and slowly and I can feel the slight vibration in my hands. It's an amazing feeling.

I've been using the cheapest brushes I can find to practice with, but have just upgraded to a nicer version - Windsor Newton Series 7 Miniature Sable brushes in #00, 0, 1 and 2. They have a lovely waist on their short blue handles.

Hand Painted Calligraphy on Vintage Handkerchief

More hand painted calligraphy on fabric. Created with thinned fabric paint in black and white, onto a vintage linen handkerchief. I used a #0 brush, kept it clean and sharp and went very slowly.

This particular item is a gift to the Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine editor, Shira Savada. Came with my most recent package of calligraphy wedding envelope samples. Wish me luck!

Hand Painted Monogram on Fabric

I am still digesting all of the fabulous things I learned from Barbara Calzolari's Pointed Pen Variation workshop last weekend. And I think you'll see a good many posts about the new tools and techniques I've adopted. My most urgent need was to get better at brush lettering. And this is a start. Barbara had me switch back and forth between the brush and nib - each sift improving the other. Then, with a very clean, size 0 brush, I used thinned fabric paint on this cotton doily. I am in LOVE. Will show you a handkerchief tomorrow. :)

Bjork: Virus

I have just listened to Bjork's new Biophilia single, "Virus" and am completely blown away. This is an enchanting, loving and entirely different view of our relationship with viruses. "My sweet adversary" nudges me closer to the opportunity illness brings. Take a deeper look at your body the next time you're down with the flu, sniffles or even something greater. Understanding always brings opportunity. Opportunity brings change. And that's a good thing.

Anton's first day of school!

My little bird goes to school (Coralwood) via school bus this morning. I kept it together until waving goodbye to him and blowing a kiss. Just feeling wonder at the flow of life - picking me up, picking Anton up - higher and higher and higher. I can't stop crying. Heavy morning.

And here he is coming home after a great first day. :) Sigh. Of. Relief.

F as grape vine final

And here's the final!

Letter as Grape Vine

This is a new sketch for a Save The Date I'm currently working into. Delving into the twists and turns of William Morris patterns, I used his manner of bringing plant life to the surface as a breathing art form.

This couple share the same first letter in their last name, so when they told me they wanted a logo of a grape vine and leaves for their wedding materials, I thought it would be smart to combine the letterform with the plant. Theirs will be a destination wedding in a vineyard/flower farm in California.

Address List Guide

Anne Elser Calligraphy Address List Guide

After you've reviewed what kind of etiquette guidelines you wish to follow (here's Crane's link to every etiquette question you can imagine), list and number your addresses as you want them to appear on your envelopes. List them in one column only and centered on the page without any other columns or notes. When numbering, you can put it on top of the address itself, so I know not to include it on the envelope. Numbering your list makes it easier for you and I to refer to a specific address quickly, if needed.

Your job will not begin until the address list is formatted in the manner you wish me to copy them.

My role in your envelope addressing is to provide technically accurate, legible, and aesthetically pleasing envelopes. If there are unmarked columns, unclear directions or handwritten notes in the list you provide me to copy, I must then attempt to interpret through the etiquette filter you have in mind, your intention for each address. My guess is not always accurate and misinterpretations are often made.

So before you provide your list, make sure it's one that I can literally copy word for word and line for line. Spell out words like Northwest, Road, and Street. Make sure the punctuation you provide falls within the etiquette standard you're comfortable with.

E-mail a PDF file of your list or provide a printed copy with your envelopes. If you have both outer and inner envelopes, list the outer first.

1.

Mr. & Mrs. Han Solo

311 Bright Tree Base

Endor Station, Endor

78621

Mr. and Mrs. Solo

2.

Tom and Glenda Headcold

5678 Achoo Lane

Atlanta, Georgia

30030

Tom and Glenda Headcold

Audrey

3.

The Honorable Padmé Amidala

Mr. Anakin Skywalker

36 Chommell Sector

Theed, Naboo

21174

Ms. Amidala

Mr. Skywalker

The Big C.

Hello Friends,

I have had a glass of wine, so I'll be braver than usual in this post.

If you are wondering why we are wearing pink in this picture, you guessed right - my mom has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I won't tell you what we were doing in the second picture down, but we were feeling frisky and bold and so that's enough details for now. :)

I just bought a copy of Louise Hay's Heal Your Body and accidentally bought two. Mom's getting my second copy. I don't ever want to get breast cancer, so I'm currently devouring Louise's love-infused wisdom and am totally blown away by her story of healing her own cancer. I am also buying a lot of pink things and sending prayers to my mother.

I am sad for my mother - who is robust and wild and loving and very, very funny. It's the quality I love in her most - her willingness to bring on the party. You'll hardly ever hear her say no.

I am thinking that this is a party of a different kind - one where she is gathering her cells together and putting tiny fuzzy pink hats on each one all the while oxygenating her blood through laughter, sleeping and healing and loving her body through this challenge.

I know there are many success stories for people fighting cancer. And I want hers to be one.

My husband Doug and sister-in-law Gloria are running the Chicago marathon this year in honor of Mom's battle with cancer, through the American Cancer Society. They have pledged, through forming "Team Nanny," (that's what her grandchildren call her) to reach their fundraising goal of $10,000.

If you would like to contribute to this story in a positive way through prayers, thoughts or a donation of any amount via this link to the Team Nanny page, all who love Nanny would love it, most especially her.

Life Loves Me.

Life Loves Us.

And don't you forget it!

Methyl Cellulose & Sobo Glue Mixture

Follow this recipe for a brushable bookbinding glue mixture.

Mix one Tablespoon of Lineco's Methyl Cellulose powder with water. It'll be clumpy. Stir a little and let sit overnight. In the morning it'll be mixable enough to be smooth.

Then mix 3 parts Sobo Glue to 1 part Methyl Cellulose mixture.

If you're using Lineco's Neutral PH Adhesive, use less MC.

Try this ratio: 3.5 parts Neutral PH Adhesive to .5 part Methyl Cellulose mixture.

As you're working, your glue mixture will be continually exposed to air and will get thick and clumpy. Simply add a little of the MC mixture to thin it out again. This works both ways - if your glue is too runny, add more Sobo back in.

My favorite glue containers are the 2 cup Ziploc containers with a blue threaded lid. I put a little square of wax paper in between the lid and base as I close it. That way it's easier to open, when you're ready to work again.

And that's it! I've tried Elmer's glue, but it really isn't as nice. If you're en route and need an easy no-mess replacement, use Acrylic Gel Medium. It works great as a low-moisture adhesive, BUT will dry very quickly on your brush. Keep an eye on it as you're working.

~Anne

Brush Script Envelope

This inner envelope was done with a round brush and a healthy dose of black flourished ink. Making a statement to your guest that their name is beautiful enough to take up this much space on the page is loving in a dramatically generous way.

Sarah & Luke Monogram Finished!

Here's another wedding monogram - this time for my side of the family. My cousin Lucas is getting married this weekend. Their lovely invitation in blue, white and red inspired my palette and floral accents. Here's the original sketch.


I used round sable brushes with FW Liquid Acrylic inks atop a very thin wash of blue over a cradled board. This piece can hang on the wall or stand by itself on a flat surface such as a bookshelf or table.

Congratulations Sarah and Luke!

Two new seats open for Wednesday Night's Copperplate Class

Hi friends,

Since creating a new calligraphy class, we've had two seats open back up for the Wednesday night class that begins next week on July 6th.

Calligraphy 2: Copperplate (EVE) Wednesdays, 6 sessions|Jul. 6-Aug. 10|6-8:30PM|Sale price for early enrollment: $190, Regular Price: $205|Min. 3/Max.7|Location: Binders Art Supply 2 seats left.

If you're interested in signing up, please contact eli@bindersart.com.

Sarah and Luke Wedding Monogram Sketch

Yet another wedding gift for an event this weekend. Sarah and Lucas are getting married. Their invitation was in blue and red and white with black text. Going to have fun with this one which will include little red and white flowers.