Dictionary Word of the Day: Majuscule

majuscule
\MAJ-uh-skyool\ , adjective;
1.
Of letters written either as capitals or uncials.
noun:
1.
A large letter, either capital or uncial, used in writing or printing.

Inspired by today's Dictionary Word of the Day, this is my first attempt at broad brush calligraphy.  There's a learning curve so I'm not entirely satisfied but I thoroughly enjoyed playing with this new (to me) technique.

Master Calligrapher Paul Antonio

Here's a great video of Paul Antonio, a master calligrapher, featured in The UK Guardian online.

What a remarkable talent!

Where has the time gone?

It's been since January 5th?  I've been busy but I haven't taken the time to upload more images.  Maybe next week.

WIP: Trial Layout

Walnut ink

Here's a piece I'm working on. This is the first layout. I thought it might be fun to post up images as I go through the process. There are a few things I know I am going to stick with--the focus words will be 'BE' and 'A GOOD MAN.' I like the way it forms a sentence that summarizes the idea in the quote. I'm also going to stick with the signature--I researched his signature and 'copied' it.

Eventually, it will be finished in gouache, and I'll be adding some color. I've thought about changing the hand. I've thought about switching from a formal arrangement to an informal one. I've thought about doing an illuminated letter. I've thought about adding a vine border. I'm still thinking.

I'm walking away from it now and I'll look at it again tomorrow.  Have an opinion or suggestion?  Leave it in the comments!

winter blues

Hastily lettered over random test sheets of watercolor.

Playing with Zigs

 My son's bedroom is right below my studio and when he's home, I can hear his music drifting up.  He's been listening to the Beatles today. . .

Carolingian miniscule--practice

Update on Friday, December 25, 2009 at 6:11PM by Kim

I had a some time today so I thought I'd see if I could fix the spelling error in the word 'calendar.'   With a little fooling around, I was able to replace the 'e' with an 'a' but the overall result was less than pleasing.  There's quite a bit of pixellating and distortion, but I learned a few things--next time I want to fix an image I'll go back to the original scan.

Family Christmas Card 2009

Card front:  Hand painted using Derwent water color pencils, embellished with silver pen

Inside card

(First stanza of the Christmas hymn "As with Gladness Men of Old" by William C. Dix, 1851

Christmas Card 2009

7 x 3 1/2 inches

Embossed, Deckle Edge

Gothicized Italic

Gouache

Winsor and Newton, Mistletoe Green, Alizarin Red, Gold

Whew!

My goal was to get all the Christmas orders done and in the mail no later than December 15th.  I finished up the last two that need to be sent through the mail today, so I hit my target.  Now I can buckle down and finish my own Christmas projects and if I'm lucky, I'll be able to design our Christmas cards and get them in the mail by Friday. That's a tall order, but I'll give it a go!