Pretty Paisley Letters

Class Description

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In this short workshop, we will learn about the interesting design possibilities offered by a type of paisley decoration that was used in the 16th and 17th century. 

These decorating elements, that look like a pattern, but are not, are particularly suitable to accompany the elegance of the magnificient Roman capitals used for monograms and drop caps at the beginning of a sentence or line.

The visual contrast between the softness of the shapes of the decoration and the tension of the Roman letters is so very enjoyable and creates the perfect ensemble.

We will observe the shapes used originally and make them contemporary by drawing them with pointed nibs, tempera, watercolors and metallic pigments.

We have endless possibilities of coloring with modern materials and we will play with tones and shades that will make for even more interesting and varied design possibilities.

We will explore the decoration of drop caps, compositions for separators or frames.

Class Details

Suggested Materials

If you wish to work along with the Cecilia, please have the following with you:

• Layout / cartridge / Fabriano Accademia or your favourite paper (A4 size will be fine for pencil drafts, smaller sized paper to ink your final work)

• H pencil, sharpener, rubber

• Ruler (10cm or longer)

• Pen holder

• Pointed nib (medium flexible pointed nib, avoid the Gillott303 for this class)

• Either ink or diluted gouache / watercolour paint (Pelikan 4001, Walnut ink, iron gall)

• Round, square or other shaped flat templates to create a design around your letter

If you are going to use thin / lightweight paper such as layout, then you can use the sample letters/designs provided with the handout.  If not – it will save time to have a letter or two in Roman Capitals penciled, not taller than 1.5in (about 3cm).

The Teacher

Cecilia started her calligraphy journey in 2013 specifically developing her eye for pointed pen styles.

She has been a member of The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH) for several years and was awarded the IAMPETH Certificate of Proficiency in Engrossers (part of the new Master Penman Program) in April 2018 .

Since 2019 she has explored new forgotten calligraphic styles such as Bastarda Italiana, which she teaches. In 2022 she was invited to do a demo at the online IAMPETH Virtual Conference of her Pointed Pen Roman Capitals.

She is the founder at CeciliaB Calligraphy offering her students classes and private lessons and her clients bespoken calligraphy.

Find Cecilia online at Cecilia B Calligraphy and Instagram

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.

DATA PROTECTION

As a stricter data protection regulation came into place in 2018 (GDPR), we follow specific guidelines on what we do with your personal information. In the case of booking a workshop, we will use your email address to keep you informed of everything you need to know in the lead up to the event. Please make sure our email address (info@pointedpencollective.com) and no-reply@squarespace.com is in your contacts or safe list to prevent it going to your junk or spam folder. We may contact you via phone if absolutely necessary. We will not use your contact details for any other purpose.

If you would like to stay informed about other upcoming events, please be sure to sign up to our mailing list or opt-in to this mailing list at checkout.

Contacts

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