Issue #14
May, 2012
THE B I RM ING HAM C ALLI G R A P HY G U I LD ’S N E WS LE T TE R www.birminghamcalligraphy.org
The “Versal”- tile Barbara!
We had a fabulous two-day workshop with Barbara Close. The first day, Flowing into Watercolor, Barbara taught us a mulitude of techniques for watercolor backgrounds. We did wet washes and sprinkled gold powder into the wet wash. Then we sprinkled salt, epson salt, and mustard seeds into the wet wash for texture. Other techniques were masking tape resist, streching plastic wrap and letting it dry into the wash, scratching into the wash, layering tissure, and alcohol ink onto glossy paper and combing into the wet wash. Barbara even had us painting flowers with ease! We amazed ourselves with what we turned out. The next day, Italic variations, we sketched italics, gave them weight, made them thin, rounder, increased and decreased the slant and ended up with many different italic variations. At the end of the day we compiled all our work into a porfolio that we made, exhibiting all the fun we had. We thank Barbara for such a awesome workshop.
WorkDay Ahead! Deb Warnat May 5th see inside!
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars Upcoming Events: 2012 May 5 - Mini-Workshop - EOL Library -9-3 Deb Warnat- Watercolors Free to members
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May 19-20 Kathy Milici Workshop Divine Flourishing and Decorated Letters www.24karetdesigns.com June 11 - Night Meeting - Library
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July 14-15 Heather Held MBBE Flourishing and Enchanted Letters
July 28 - Workday with Gloria Nelson “Get the Best Foundation” EOL Library 9-3 Free to members
Deb Warnat Watercolors Calligraphy Workday May 5th Free EOL 9-3 This workday is free but please RSVP to melinda_sapp@yahoo.com so there are enough supplies
Are you going?? If you are interested, check out the website: http://www.iampeth. com/2012_convention.php
August 25 - Orientation Fair Emmet O’Neal Library 9-1 Free Event- Open to ALL October 13-14- Annie Cicale Workshop www.cicaleletteringdesign.com December 8 - Christmas Brunch / Card Exchange...Leah Dueffer
Reminder:
If you are participating in the card exchange- don’t forget to send your envelope each month. It is not fun to have a “chink” in the chain!
This is from Buddy Bland, husband of Betty Bland who passed away in early March. The guild sent a donation to the Humane Society in memory of Betty.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the Birmingham Calligraphy Guild, Thank you so much for your memorial gift to the Humane Society in Betty’s name. All our pets have been humane society dogs and this organization was close to Betty’s heart. Also, thank you so much for the Guild and for inspiring Betty in calligraphy - you all have meant more to Betty than I have words to express. She loved calligraphy and she loved you all. Love, Buddy and Rascal (the dog).
Nibbler Bits Photoshop Elements Tip:
Layers
Normal Layer: Where your image layer is stored Layer Effects (Styles): Special effects applied to your image layer. Noted by the little f. Each effect will be listed. Here only the drop shadow is used, multiple effects may be used at once. Type Layer: The same as an image layer, except this layer contains type that can be edited; (Change character, color, font or size) Background: Always locked, cannot be moved or have layer effects applied to it. The little icon of the padlock on the right, indicates it is locked. Can be changed into a regular layer by simply double clicking on the thumbnail. Thumbnail: A small picture of the layers contents.
www.photoshopcafe.com
Show/Hide Icon: If the eye is showing that layer is visible. Click on the eye and the layer will still be there but invisible until you click on the eye again.
Niblet:
Simon Garfield explores the history of type from Times New Roman to the overused Comic Sans in his book Just My Type. The study of fonts has never been more fun and entertaining! All calligraphers and lover of letter forms will enjoy this clever book. Best not to buy on an e-reader because the pictures and variety of fonts need to be enjoyed in print.
Member Spotlight Bettie Perkins It is a delight to talk with Bettie Perkins about her passion for calligraphy. She credits her her 4th grade teacher Mrs. Britt, who could write exactly like the Zaner Bloser cards above the chalkboard. Mrs. Britt was an early inspiration to young Bettie, who loved to doodle and draw. It was in 1984 that Bettie took a community education class teaching the italic hand. She became obsessed with the formation of letters, practicing an hour a day to improve her skills. Volunteering to write the 3rd graders’ names in their Bible every year, she became known for her calligraphy. Later, Bettie’s desire to address wedding invitations led her into Copperplate Calligraphy. Her work ethic of practice, practice and more practice has paid off. She enjoys doing several variations of copperplate to match the font on the invitation. The highlight of Bettie’s calligraphic journey was visiting Bill Lilly at his home for an intense 3 days of instruction. Bettie spoke of Bill’s boundless creativity and inventiveness, even at the age of 84. Bill’s book The Art of Beautiful Script became her favorite along with The Zanerian Manual of Alphabets and Engrossing. Bettie calls herself “a technician”. She loves the technical part of writing, particularly the practicing of letter forms and spacing. Through the Birmingham Calligraphy Guild ( of which she has been president) she has been exposed to the artistic side of calligraphy by attending weekend workshops. An article about Bettie is not complete without mentioning her family. She is married to William and has 3 wonderful sons- Rob (Ashley), Tim (Sarah) and Andy (Cathy). All the men in her family are engineers, so it is no wonder that Bettie is so technical Tim and Sarah are expecting a baby soon which will make Bettie Perkins a very happy grandmother. Both the technical and artistic sides of calligraphy are something Bettie finds “very satisfying”.
All About Nibs
Automatic Pen Chart
How wonderful is this chart shared with us by Ann Rabinovitz? What a great way to record the nibs you have and the results of writing with your nibs. You might want to spend a Saturday experimenting with different nibs and even use the various kinds of ink laying around. Take it a step further and try some different papers. Just do not forget to label your experiments! Then you will have your own guide when picking a particular nib, ink and paper. Your chart will not need to be as beautiful as Ann’s chart, but if it is- please send to me at the Nibbler and I will post your efforts in an upcoming issue! Thanks! Eve (evelond@gmail.com)
N112
N115 N70 N74 N120 N77 N69 N93 N86
Pointed Pen Nibs
JNB Code N118 N113 N72
Nib Zebra G Nib Nikko G Gillott 303 Esterbrook 356 Esterbrook 357 Brause 66EF Gillott 404 Principal EF Hunt 101 Brause Rose Hunt 22B Hunt 56 Line b b a Flex 2 1 2 Point vsh vsh sh
c-d
2
sh
c-d b-d c b b e a c
3 4 1 2 3 4 2 1
sh sm sm sh sh vsh sh sm
Line: a: b: c: d: e: Flexibility 0: 1: 2: 3: 4: Point: vsh: sh: sm: vsm:
Legend
no flex some flex moderate flex Flexible very flexible very sharp sharp smooth very smooth
www.johnnealbooks.com
providing this chart!
Thank you John Neal for
x-fine veryfine fine moderate bold
Here is the prototype of Anne Elser and Victoria Lansford’s awesome new “Nib Nest” for storing lots of nibs and keeping them organized. Is it not the most clever invention you have seen? Anne said she would share the instructions with us after she shows the Atlanta Guild how to make one at their May meeting. Stay tuned or better yet- follow Anne’s blog: http://annepages.blogspot.com
Nibbles
WorkShop report
This recipe happens to be provided by Bettie Perkins- Our Member Spotlight in this issueThanks Bettie! CHEESY SPINACH and BACON DIP
1 pkg. ( 10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained 1 lb. Velveeta , cut into 1/2 inch cubes 4 oz. ( 1/2 of 8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese, cubed 1 - 10oz. can Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained 8 slices bacon, COOKED, crumbled MICROWAVE all ingredients in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 minutes or until Velveeta is completely melted & mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 minutes. Serve with chips
Officers of the Birmingham Calligraphy Guild (Les Elumineurs*) President- Melinda Sapp Vice President-Sharron Adams Treasurer/Membership- Ann Steves Recording Secretary- Accepting volunteers Workshop ChairsMelinda Sapp and Shandra Smith Email Communications: Leah Dueffer Web Site/ Historian: Mary Ann Morrow Hospitality: Elsa Penso-Allen Newsletter: Eve London Exhibits/Publicity: Louise Meredith
* founded 1987
Leah Dueffer’s Zentangle Workday was Zen-tastic! Here are some of the pictures she shared. Thanks Leah!
The Birmingham Calligraphy Guild welcomes both amateurs and advanced calligraphers. All you need is an interest in hand lettering. If you would like to join: Contact Ann Steves p47ams@yahoo.com Dues are $25.00 to Birmingham Calligraphy Guild (September 1- August 31) Mail your dues to: Ann Steves 5637 Hampton Road Birmingham, AL 35210 205-956-5493