Registration Open for "Italic Variations" Workshop with Yves Leterme

Woo hoo! Registration is open for Yves Leterme's Italic Variations Workshop this Fall at Binders!
October 5, 6, & 7 2012.

Many thanks go to Victoria Lansford for bringing Yves here, Jacob Gunter for coordinating the workshop and to Binders for hosting and coordinating this fabulous opportunity!

I've heard from so many of my students how much they prefer creating the curves and swing of Copperplate with a pointed pen over the meaty march of Italic with a chisel nib. Let me tell you - there IS a way to accomplish both and a great way to begin is with an Italic Variations class. Yves will point the way and I am so excited to have him here.

I think his approach sounds fascinating and I can't wait to meet and learn from him. The Italic hand can seem stiff and unbendable to the new calligrapher, because of its broad, rigid nib. But you can add spirit and life to anything and the italic letter and the chisel nib is more fluid and versatile than you might think. Yves will show us how to tap your own life and spirit and unique personality into the nib your hands are gifted with through polyrhymthic writing and more.

If you've taken a beginning Italic Calligraphy course, this would be a terrific opportunity for you to take your work to the next level by allowing your hands to really dance with variety, soul and meaning. And if the Italic hand has been your friend for many years, this would be a great opportunity to introduce it to its rebellious variations - the ones that currently live inside of you, the ones you haven't met yet - the ones that will set you free.

Yves will be demoing on Friday night from 6-8PM at an Atlanta Penablers event. His workshop is on Saturday and Sunday.

Variations on Italic 10/5 (ARTZ1241)

Variations on Italic with Yves Leterme
All Levels | Price: $ 200 (includes demo) | Min. 10 / Max. 16 | Demo: Fri. Oct. 5, 6 - 8pm | Workshop: Oct. 6 & 7, Sat. 10am - 4pm, Sun. 11am - 5pm | Registration Deadline: September 23rd

In this course we'll explore the possibilities of the versatile Italic, changing pen angle, serifs, guidelines, slope, connections, shapes, etc... We deal with lowercase and capitals. All writing will be done with nibs and at normal speed (no gestural moves here), but we'll introduce toward the end some polyrhythmic writing. The workshop is conceived in such a way that by the end the students are able to make their own personal variations. 

Want to do some more research on what Yves has to offer? Take a look at some of his calligraphic videos.

Beethoven Herschreven
A film featuring Yves Leterme's calligraphy with Beethoven's 'Pathétique' (first movement) as musical score. 
Made for the calligraphy exhibition at Heist-op-den-Berg (B) in April 2012.
Yves Leterme Cleans UP
This video documents Leterme's exhibition in Antwerp during the summer of 2011.
The Crown of Ariadne - harp and calligraphy
The first cooperation of harpist Andrea Voets (www.andreavoets.com) and calligrapher Yves Leterme (www.yleterme.be), inspired by the piece 'the Crown of Ariadne' by the Canadian composer R. Murray-Schafer. 

And here's some more delightful information about Yves:

Yves Leterme (°1959 Bruges, Belgium) spent more than twenty years trying to influence the lives and thoughts of young Brugean adolescents by reading and explaining the works of Virgil, Plato, Cicero and the likes. But since even Latin grammar cannot keep a man happy and satisfied for a whole lifetime, he now devotes all his time and energy to the fine art of calligraphy. Being a freelance calligrapher he continuously shifts from various commissions (lettering and artistic works) to artwork for exhibitions and galleries. He has been teaching calligraphy mostly in Flanders, but in recent years also in the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, South-Africa, the U.K., Germany, Switzerland and France. 

Having been a close student of Brody Neuenschwander for a number of years, he was (and still is) favourably influenced by his vision on contemporary calligraphy. Already at an early stage he devoted a lot of time developing his gestural style, for which he has gained international acclaim. Other typical features are his carefully drawn capitals and unusual compositions on richly textured backgrounds. 

He was cofounder, coach and chief master of the Whitespace-system, a school for contemporary calligraphy in Flanders. 

Throughout the years, Yves' work has been selected for inclusion in many juried shows and his pieces can be found in museums and private collections all over the world. He's the author of 'Thoughtful Gestures', the first book on gestural writing.

For more information and pictures, visit his website www.yleterme.be 

Blackletter Logotype

This is a recent proposed logo I did for Malachi's Storehouse, a food kitchen to feed the hungry.
Below are some details of the history of the hand, why it was chosen, and why the u served as a metaphorical and visual portal.

The calligraphic hand chosen for this logotype is called Blackletter. It's what Gutenberg set his first printed copy of the bible in and is also what the monks used so long ago when illuminating manuscripts on vellum.

Blackletter today has many variations to ease in its legibility and to suit each artist's creative flow. It's typically seen as very tall and blocky and monks used it because ink was less expensive than vellum. They could cram in as much text as possible on the page, while still emoting a message. It was beautiful looking, but at times difficult to read. This particular variation has a softer, rounder, more horizontal, and fluid feel. It's masculinity is balanced by an equally strong feminine flow and swing - look at the tails and endings to the ascenders and descenders.

My variation features a strong vertical mass for each letterform and most are linked together to give a very strong feeling of interconnectedness and unity. This is how I see Malachi's Storehouse and the parish. The letterforms also remind me very much of the architectural style of Saint Patrick's. Grounded, earthy, solid, reaching upward, but with a horizontal flow that echoes the inner flow of the building. 

I chose to extend the u in house and make it appear as a threshold, entrance and exit - it is the very idea that Malachi's is a place to give and receive and both apply to all involved. It is a conduit. This threshold is also a metaphor for the altar, where time and space intersect. And it is also the space within each of us where the capacity for generosity both in giving and receiving live. It is one of Saint Patrick's unique talents and each person/letterform stand united in this idea. The letterforms are all unique, yet linked and holding hands. The tail of the e also gives a major nod to it's ancient Christian roots and purpose.

June-July Calligraphy & Bookbinding Courses begin Next Week!

Hello friends,

Just a heads up about 4 new classes that begin next week at Binders.

We have two Bookbinding One classes: Tuesday afternoons and Tuesday evenings.

The Wednesday evening Italic class is full, but we've created a waiting list for an overflow class on Thursday evenings. To sign up for the Thursday night class, you'll need to contact Jacob Gunter at Binders to get on the list. We have two folks interested right now and all we need is a third for it to make.

Below is more information. Happy summer to all!!

~Anne

Bookmaking 1 Begin 6/19 130pm (ARTZ1191)

Bookmaking One: Beginning Bookmaking with Anne Elser 

6 sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190| Min.3/Max.7
ARTZ1191 | Tues. June 19-July 31, 1:30-4pm (No Class 07/03)

Learn the fundamentals of making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The anatomy of a book is fascinating, the covers, spine, folios, signatures, fly sheets, headbands and more are all waiting for your heart and hands. Folding, gluing and stitching goes a long way. Make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and a need to share the FUN!

For more information about this instructor and supply lists, please see Instructor Bios & Supply Lists in the menu to right, under Art School at BINDERS.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bookmaking 1 Begin 6/19 6pm (ARTZ1193)

Bookmaking One: Beginning Bookmaking with Anne Elser
6 sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190| Min.3/Max.7
ARTZ1193 | Tues. June 19-July 31, 6-8:30pm

Learn the fundamentals of making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The anatomy of a book is fascinating, the covers, spine, folios, signatures, fly sheets, headbands and more are all waiting for your heart and hands. Folding, gluing and stitching goes a long way. Make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and a need to share the FUN!

For more information about this instructor and supply lists, please see Instructor Bios & Supply Lists in the menu to right, under Art School at BINDERS.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Calligraphy 1 Italic 6/21

Calligraphy One: Italic with Anne Elser
6 Sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190 | Min. 3/Max. 7
ARTZ1195 | Thursdays, June 21, 28 - July 5, 12, 19, 26 | 6-8:30pm

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. 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. It's 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.

The Atlanta Penablers July 6, 2012 first meeting details: Filigree Flourishing with Finetec

Join us for our very first Atlanta Penablers meeting!

 Friday, July 6th, 2012 • 6-8:30pm at Binders Art Supply in Buckhead.

 Don’t miss Victoria Lansford’s new demo “Filigree Flourishing with Finetec.”

 What to Bring:
 • A snack or drink to share
 • Your recent work (optional)
 • Your Bad Self

 To participate in the guided activity after the demo, bring: pointed pen and nib, Finetec gouache set or other inks/gouaches, brush to load your nib, pencil, eraser, and dark cover weight paper.

 Membership to Atlanta Penablers is free. To become a member, contact Jacob Gunter at Jacob@BindersArt.com or call 404.237.6331 x203.

 Visit facebook.com/theAtlantaPenablers for more details and inspiration.

Filigree Flourishing with Finetec:

 Below is Victoria's yummy description of her presentation during the first Atlanta Penabler meeting July 6th. If reading this doesn't send calligraphic shivers (the good kind) up and down your spine, come to the meeting to see what all the fuss is about!

 "Victoria Lansford will demonstrate her unique style of pointed pen flourishing with Finetec metallic gouaches and share with you her techniques for building dramatic shapes, letter forms, and large cartouches on dark colored papers. She'll also show how she mixes and combines colors to make compositions pop as well as some handy tricks for making Finetecs and other paletted paints easier to work with and take on the go." 

Artist, educator, author, and publisher, Victoria Lansford creates one-of-a-kind wearable art and art objects that evoke the mystery and splendor of ancient masters, yet are infused with her own provocative vision. Her award winning work has appeared in numerous juried and curated exhibits, books, and magazines, and her instructional publications have sold throughout the world. Her artwork is available in galleries in the USA and at VictoriaLansford.com. -- Victoria Lansford Artist, metalsmith, calligrapher, educator, and author of the Metal Techniques of Bronze Age Masters instructional book and DVD series and the iMakeJewelry iPhone app™ www.victorialansford.com 404-388-8348 Connect with me on Facebook on Twitter on Crafthaus and on Google+

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%)

New & Improved PetalPods and MonoPods!!!

Calligraphy Wood Petal PodTM by Anne Elser

Click here to purchase!

Introducing the newly improved Petal PodTM! We've taken the same great design of the world's most innovative calligraphy ink well and added leak proof containers, each with their own threaded cap!!

Whether you dip your nib or like to load with a brush, the 6 smaller pods are perfect for holding just the right amount of ink, gouache, or water color. Use them to create fascinating palettes, creating a subtle flow of value and hue by dipping your nib in two to three alternating colors at a time. Each small pod measures .63 inches wide and 1 inch high. 

The larger center pod can be filled with water/cleaner or to to hold a wet wipe while you work. 

A calligrapher's dream tool, Petal Pods love you and want you to grow. Made of natural pine, Petal PodsTM are handcrafted, signed and embellished right here in Georgia. Designed by Anne Elser, Petal Pods are sold exclusively at Binders. Wooden base measures 4.5 inches wide X .75 inches high.

Calligraphy Wood MonopodTM by Anne Elser

Introducing the newly improved MonoPodTM! We've taken the same great design of the world's most innovative calligraphy ink well and added leak proof containers, each with their own threaded cap!!

Whether you dip your nib or like to load with a brush, the smaller pod is perfect for holding just the right amount of  ink, gouache, or water color and measures .63 inches wide and 1 inch high. 

The larger center pod can be filled with water/cleaner or to to hold a wet wipe while you work. 

A calligrapher's dream tool, MonoPods love you and want you to grow. Made of natural pine, MonoPods are handcrafted, signed and embellished right here in Georgia. Designed by Anne Elser, MonoPods are sold exclusively at Binders. Wooden base measures 2.5 inches wide X .75 inches high.

Tough Day. Nice Evening.

Here's a piece I did recently for the 2012 Atlanta Reggie Ezell year long workshop. We're studying Blackletter and its variations. This is a collage created from the text of my brother's AT hike back in 1987. 

There are also illustrations and text from a children's textbook about the space travel. I thought the journeys paralleled each other. I used W&N gouache, watercolor and walnut ink. I left the paper seams, raw edges and created faux stitching in places. Every letter "o" has two white slashes in the center, symbolizing the AT's "blaze." Blazes are rectangular markings on tree trunks, meant to assure a hiker that they are still on the trail. 

Speaking of journeys - this one has been amazing. Thanks to all in Reggie's class for accompanying me. 

Bill Kemp Workshop: Flourishing & Birds with Pointed Pen

Very exciting news Inkers! The Art School at Binders is bringing calligrapher Bill Kemp to Atlanta this Fall for a two-evening workshop called Flourishing and Birds with Pointed Pen on September 13 - 14, 2012 from 6-10PM. Woo hoo!

We are THRILLED to have him here!

To see more examples of flourished birds, click here.
To read more about Bill and his work, click here.

Below are all the juicy workshop details. I will be there, so scoot on over and sit with me!

If you have any trouble signing up on line, contact Jacob Gunter at Jacob@Bindersart.com.

Flourishing Bird Pntd Pen 9/13 (ARTZ1230)

Flourishing & Birds with Pointed Pen with Bill Kemp
2 Evening Sessions | All Levels | Price: $130 (includes book) | Min. 8 / Max. 16
ARTZ1230 | Thurs. & Fri. Sept. 13 & 14, 6-10pm
Please note that there are no refunds after the August 27th registration deadline

This two session evening workshop covers techniques for using the pointed pen to flourish. Learning basic compound curves and expanding on them to create beautiful flourishes.

The flourishes are balanced shades of thick and thin lines, building on the contrast of the background and your pen strokes. There is no lettering taught in this class, but examples of combining the flourishes with letters will be demonstrated. A comprehensive workbook is part of the workshop for the students to continue to study this art form.

For more information about this instructor and supply lists, please see Instructor Bios & Supply Lists in the menu to right, under Art School at BINDERS.

By enrolling in this course you certify that you have read and understand The Art School Policies and Registration procedures located in the menu to right, under Art School at BINDERS.

THIS CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

My Studio Assistant

I recently put out an ad for a studio assistant to help keep the small of my back warm during the chilly spring mornings. Olaf (aka Puff) has filled the position nicely. And he works for FREE. 

Here are some snaps of him dutifully fulfilling his job description as I work through an envelope job.