Workshops

Word a Month - Castle

Dear Members and Followers,

Whether it was from a chess set, or a medieval one, built from sand or a dream one, the results were wonderful.






Dear Members and Followers,

The last one day workshop for 2015.



It was a sunny Saturday and 6 seasoned scribes, 1 novice calligrapher together with a wise and erudite tutor (Valerie Keevers) came together to learn the ancient script of Jerusalem Hand. 

The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters. It does not have case, but five letters have different forms when used at the end of a word. Hebrew is written from right to left. Originally, the alphabet was an abjad consisting only of consonants. As with other abjads, such as the Arabic alphabet, scribes later devised means of indicating vowel sounds by separate vowel points, known in Hebrew as niqqud. In rabbinic Hebrew, the letters א ה ו י are also used as matres lectionis (the use of certain consonants to indicate a vowel) to represent vowels. When used to write Yiddish, the writing system is a true alphabet (except for borrowed Hebrew words). In modern usage of the alphabet, as in the case of Yiddish (except that ע replaces ה) and to some extent modern Israeli Hebrew, vowels may be indicated. Today, the trend is toward full spelling with these letters acting as true vowels.  (This paragraph was taken from Wikipaedia by way of historic value only)
Under the tutelage of Valerie, we endeavoured to master this most wonderous and ancient text to best of our abilities…..writing from left to right some managed and some floundered but a most enjoyable day was had by all. It was wonderful to learn of the history surrounding this  interesting script and by end of day the challenge was set to then start scribing from right to left just to make it interesting…..as if writing left to right wasn’t  difficult enough…..however most rose to the challenge others …well…just gave it their best shot!!......Thank you Valerie, Dorothy, Patricia, Penny, Linda, Cathy and Karina for an enlightening workshop…….Zita Percival (novice calligrapher).

Swing Cards - Last Calliarts for the Year

Dear Members and Followers,


A very enthusiastic group of calligraphers gathered in the hall for the calliart swing card afternoon.
Glenis Sheather was the tutor.

Glenis gave the group the measurements of the outer part of the card, then the insert measurements.
The outside part of the card was a heavier cardboard whereas the insert was a lighter paper.
Then a part had to be cut out of the outer part of the card, so that when the two parts were put together,
a picture of your choice (usually an old Christmas cut to the desired size and shape) could be added.

Some people in the group got everything together really well, yours truly had a few problems but was very
surprised and delighted that my card turned out well for a first attempt!.
Pictures were taken of the cards for show and tell and some masterpieces were exhibited.
Thank you Glenis for your patience, and for teaching us, how to do these beautiful and eye catching cards.
Kay








Pens and Their Uses

Dear Members and Followers,

Calligraphy Southscribes has had a wealth of workshops or Calliarts in the last few months and I'm finally catching up with all the reports.

Enjoy!



Wow! What a Wonderful Afternoon!

3 Hours non-stop explanations of characteristics of nibs and their uses plus lots more information on applications for the various mysterious calligraphic tools available kept Val talking and demonstrating all afternoon to an enthralled audience.

We looked at the myriad of nibs, some with reservoirs (plus a nifty use for micropore tape if the reservoir breaks and of course, replacements are usually unobtainable).  Examples of monoline and the drawing pens, commercial and handmade automatic, shadow and specialty nibs, plus ruling pens, with displays of their uses, were most helpful.

Quills, and how to prepare them, found objects including reeds, paddle-pop sticks and balsa, and quirky items such as the aluminium from softdrink cans making butterfly nibs were described.  Tools of heavy card covered with Chux, fountain pens and parallel pens, chisel edge felt tips and chunks and sticks of graphite were also there.

There was maintenance advice on sharpening nibs with a fine (emery) stone, and an invaluable demonstration of correcting a writing error using a fine scalpel blade used gently, a small piece of kneadable rubber to carefully remove the colour, and a burnisher to smooth the paper.
Cut down 2 commercial pencils on 1 side each to the inner graphite and tie together to get a narrow double line. 

Keep vellum flat and dry, but to remove light mildew on vellum, lightly and carefully rub over the surface with a cloth soaked n lemon.
It is so difficult to get detailed information on these specialist tools and other art materials and this helped enlighten us on many important aspects of our gear.  Valerie has an enormous range of knowledge and we all thank her for such an exciting afternoon.

Kath

Stop the Presses!

Dear Members and Followers,

Fresh from the presses to you is:


Postscript - October - November 2015
On Calligraphy by Alan Loney - the Guest Speaker at their 'Behind the Lines' exhibition. Is the writing in the wall for handwriting? Antony Funnell investigates. And workshop reports - Little Things and Fraktur.
 The Dancing Pen - Spring 2015 - No. 109
The official website for the Society was officially launched 7 August 2015 - calligraphytas.org.au
A review of their exhibition - 'The Word Around the Square Is .....' 2015
Christine Farmer takes the reader through the society's first Back to Basics - Foundational. Italic session in February 2016, should be just as interesting.
Recipe and technique for Paste Paper, the Milk and Ink effect, and Sumungasashi.



Colophon - September 2015 - Vol. 36. No. 4
With Vincent Jeanerot visiting the ASC, they publish a review of Vincent's workshop 'Perfect Peonies and Captivating Camellias!' The illustrations are exquisite. 2015 is the 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta, so Margaret Layson writes about the copy she made for the committee touring schools and colleges around the country. Also included 'Introducing Ironshizuku Inks' and A Modern Batarde Script - Workshop by Lexie Arlington. 

November - Calliarts and Meeting

Dear Members and Followers,

November, the final meeting and calliarts for 2015. It would be great to see you at the meeting and if you cannot make that, then the calliarts afternoon with Glenis, ensures we will go out creatively for the year.



SWING CARD





Swing Cards give you the opportunity to recycle greeting cards.  There are a variety of patterns for these cards; the one I’m going to show you has a concertina insert.  I’m suggesting you use a Christmas theme, however you can use any theme you like depending on the picture/s you have.  For those of you who haven’t before used your calligraphy to address envelopes or write a verse for your hand made cards we will cover those as well.



Materials List:



·         A picture from a recycled card, postcard, scrapbooking paper, etc. up to but no larger than 8cm x 9cm.  The picture can be any shape but squares and rectangles are the easiest.



·         1 x sheet of A5 (21cm x approx. 15cm) card for the outer card, with grain running parallel to the short side, to match colours in picture.*



·         1 x sheet of A5 lighter weight card for the concertina insert, with grain running parallel to the short side.  The colour can be a contrast, complementary or the same colour as the outer card.*



·         Double sided tape (6mm wide is best) or UHU glue – whatever you like to use for gluing cardboard.



·         2 paper clips



·         Sticker strips and greetings for decoration (optional)



·         Cutting mat



·         Sharp cutting blade



·         Bone folder



·         Metal and plastic rulers



·         Lead Pencil



If you would like to address an envelope to go with your card bring your usual calligraphy gear.



* If you bring A4 sheets of cardboard you can make 2 cards.

All rights Reserved Glenis Sheather

All rights Reserved Glenis Sheather

October Meeting Summary

Dear Members and Followers,

If you weren't able to attend the October Meeting, then here is the latest update for you.

More Items to Note:

  • Dragons Lair Exhibtion
  • Christmas Party
  • Special Meeting to be called March after the AGM
  • 2016 - 25th Anniversary of Calligraphy Southscribes
 CALLIGRAPHY SOUTHSCIBES SUMMARY for October 2015

Workshops
There are 7 bookings for the Jerusalem hand on 17th October so that will go ahead There are 4 bookings at present for the next lettering course, Colour Calligraphy commencing on the 21st October, it was decided that this would go ahead but owing to unforeseen circumstances it will be reduced to 4 weeks and Gloria Scott will be the tutor for the whole course. Those who have already paid for the 6 weeks will of course receive a refund. Meril is away from 28th September to 11th November so Pat has agreed to take workshop bookings/enquiries for that period.
I do encourage you to book in for the Colour Calligraphy course, the correct use of colour is something we all need to be proficient at as it can really enhance a piece of work as well as being fun.
Workshop Bookings: Please email your booking and payment information (including the code) to Meril Bowyer at meril@bowyer.com.au or post to PO Box 714 Caringbah 1495. Direct debit details are available if you prefer to pay electronically.


Magazine
The next magazine will be in December. Please look out for any articles, good web sites etc that might be worth putting in. It is your magazine and can’t happen without people contributing. Email suggestions/articles to Penny plaver100@gmail.com
Membership: the membership remains at 24 financial members and 5 life members.
Blog: There were 607 page views this month, most being for the visit to the Mary Rose and then the September meeting summary followed by workshops. With The USA having the most viewers after Australia.


Social Activities: The Victoria Barracks Tour will take place next year in late February or early March. There is also a possibility of a behind the scenes tour of the Capitol Theatre later in the year. Further details to follow.


25th Anniversary 2016: The survey to members and past members will go out in the next couple of weeks inviting them to take part in the celebrations and to write down any historical anecdotes/facts/recollections that could be complied into the proposed history of Calligraphy Southscibes.
Apart from the history it was agreed that we would do a piece of collaborative work in the form of a wall hanging with a completion date of late October next year.


Each member who participates will do a designated letter (pulled out of a hat) Each letter will be on a 12 x 12 cm piece of paper. (the paper will be provided by Southscibes so there is uniformity)
 The minimum letter size must be 8cm x 8cm.
 The letter itself can be any colour any design you wish, it does not necessarily have to be centered.
 The letters will form the words CALLIGRAPHY SOUTHSCRIBES
 When all letters are completed they will be mounted on a black background.
 As we have more or less the number of members as the letters we need it would be fitting if every member were to volunteer to do a letter and then the project would be truly representative of Calligraphy Southscribes. The project will be coordinated by Penny so could you please let her know of your intention to participate by email plaver100@gmail.com. as soon as possible.


Exhibition at Dragon’s Lair: This is confirmed and will be for the month of April 2016 .Cathy, Kay and Glenis to have a meeting with Dragon’s Lair on Monday so more details will be available after that. It is confirmed that work needs to be mounted only, not framed. The theme will still be World War 1 and the exhibition title will be the same as for the Hazelhurst Exhibition. Please think of entering a work, even if you are not too experienced, it only needs to be small and you get a real buzz seeing your work hanging in an exhibition!


Christmas Party: This will be on 12th December from 12pm to 2pm at Sylvania as usual. Entry fee is a Christmas card. Do put this in your diary it is a fun day and a good opportunity to relax and just have a chat.


Winding up of Calligraphy Southscribes: If there is a slight possibility that this could happen in the future we should have something in place well beforehand to avoid any difficulties. There is nothing specific in the constitution regarding this.
There will be a special general meeting following the AGM for an amendment to be made to the constitution to allow for this.


Calliart: the next Calliart is 14th November “Swing cards” with Glenis. Glenis showed us some at the meeting and they would be ideal for Christmas cards so do come along.
WORD OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER IS ZEST – a different challenge this month as it is a very short word! We had some great ones for friendship, keep them coming.
Penny Laver
Minutes Secretary