Pencil Lines for Glittering Vines

Class Description

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The process of designing in pencil is a core skill for calligraphers to pursue. In this two-part class, we will deconstruct the process of designing and colouring these ornate Victorian vines. Rather than copying designs, you will learn how to see the underlying structure and create original designs every time you approach the paper.

During our first class we will be working with pencil and paper. This simple skill of using pencil on paper is peaceful and enlightening. We will look at methods of study, research, and finding inspiration from a variety of sources for your designs. You will have enough time between the two classes to work on your pencil designs. Students will be encouraged to keep a small journal for sketches and recording inspiration.

Our vines will come to life through pointed pen drawing, watercolour, and gold leaf during the second class. These wonderful vines are so ornate and luxurious when they are completed and can augment your calligraphic work. You will be amazed at what you can create. I hope you will be able to build on these skills for years to come and access the portable peace of pencil on paper anytime!

Class Details

Suggested Materials

Class 1

• Graph paper

• Mechanical Pencil with any size lead

• Eraser

• Small Cork Backed Metal Ruler

  • Optional: Small Gridded Journal suggested such as A5 Squared Leuchturrn 1917

Class 2

• Tracing Paper or Light Pad (we may not use these in class but can be handy for complex work)

• 140lb/300gsm Hot Press Watercolour Paper cut to 5”x7” / A5 size ( an extra piece of watercolour paper is helpful for testing technques)

• Waterproof ink such as McCaffery Brown, Ziller Buffalo Brown (Sepia Copic Multiliner size 0.3 may be substituted if waterproof ink is unavailable)

• Straight Pen holder with a medium flexible nib such as Hunt 22 or Zebra G

  • Optional Gold Supplies: 23K Gold Transfer leaf, Miniatum Ink Gilding Size with Size O Pointed Round Synthetic Brush, or Size 0 Taper Point Clay Shaper (Students may choose to use gold watercolour or gouache as a substitute gold leaf)

• Watercolour: Any colours you want. Pink, Green and Blue are always safe options for this class.

• John Neal/Jacksons sell a dot card of my favourite Daniel Smith watercolours which are more than enough for this class.

• Small Pointed Round Watercolour Brushes: I use sizes 0, 1 and 2

• Water dish and small white china plate for palette

• Any optional embellishment supplies you want to add to your work. I will be using a green or blue chalk pastel, Sakura Gelly Roll Pen Clear Stardust, Swarovski Crystals. If you are using 23K gold leaf, a small piece of silk or velvet can be used to burnish the gold.

The Teacher

Heather Victoria Held is a Canadian freelance-lettering artist who operates The Victorian Pen studio in St. George, Ontario. She has studied extensively with Master Penman Michael Sull and Master Penman Brian Walker. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Spencerian Heritage Award given through Michael Sull at the Spencerian Saga.

She was a long time member of Master Penman Brian Walker’s Spencerian Review Study Group, CLAS, The Copperplate Special Interest Group, and a faculty member of several International Calligraphy Conferences.  

During 2013-2014 she served as the President of IAMPETH and continues to support IAMPETH on the Board of Directors as an advisor and as an instructor for the conferences. Her teaching style is gentle and encouraging while helping students to achieve the next level in their skill sets.

Her work in promoting handwriting skills has attracted television, magazine and radio coverage in Canada. She conducts intensive workshops in Offhand Flourishing, Decorative Lettering and Ornamental Penmanship world-wide.

Her art work is in private collections around the world and has been featured in Pen World, Bound and Lettered, Calligrafia, Somerset Studio, Romantic Homes, The Penman’s Journal, The Spencerian Review, 1000 Handmade Cards. The Speedball Textbook, The Copperplate Manual and Good Mail Day. She and her husband Chris create hand dyed or painted Held Pens, which are highly sought after and in the hands of artists throughout the world.

Important information

Terms

Your place is secured once your payment has been processed. As the workshop recordings will be made available to students for a limited time after the event, no refunds will be offered for non-attendance.

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Contacts

Email: info@pointedpencollective.com (managed by Kate)
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