Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Tuesday May 19 Westchester
Westchester Tuesday, May 19, 2009
It is a pleasure to come into class and listen to “Mozart” and write pretty copperplate writing. We wrote on color paper with gouache, watercolor or ink. Everyone is working on a poem using the small (1/8th inch) guidelines. Most copperplate is written at this small size. The large writing is usually for embellishment, titles or flyers, otherwise most is written very small.
We learned how to paint flowers last week that are “dot” flowers originated by Etchie Mura at the County of Los Angeles Graphic Arts. We incorporated these flowers into the design of the piece.
The roman capital people also combined these flowers into their graphite pencil pieces. The result of the graphite and watercolor was stunning!
This week we critiqued the pieces from last week and I used some of the work to demonstrate how to add leaves and other embellishments to enhance the designs. Wow, some were really gorgeous! I wish I could figure out how to up load the pictures so you could see them. The homework is to create pieces of artwork with good materials, writing text on good paper. Remember, this kind of practice is a “Rehearsal” for the performance. So you want to work with the same materials that you would use for the “real” thing. And if it turns out well it could “be” the original finished piece.
Copper Plate Course
Class of Copperplate for May 18, 2009 at Beverly Hills.
Today DeAnn covered writing with watercolor and decorative capitals and addressing envelopes in fun ways.
Decorative Capitals: look at the handouts of different styles of capitals. For the primary stem stroke and terminal dot, envision an oval in the curve.
The flourish of the capital should be at least as wide as the distance to the terminal dot on the left (e.g. T). Don’t finish the flourish close to the primary stem stroke, it creates a dark area. Most of the letters are pretty skinny, it’s the flourishing and slant that make them wide (e.g. the space within the H isn’t wide).
Analyze the decorative aspect of a capital. For example, on a T, the primary stem stroke and the horizontal cross bar are the main elements of the letter. The terminal dot and flourish on the cross bar are decorative. So you can create your own flourishes in these areas. Think of slant, thicks & thins, ovals, figure 8s, circles, proportion. A more interesting flourish than two ovals within each other (a spiral-like shape) are ovals on different axes (more of a pretzel-shape).
Be careful of where you end the flourish – instead of finishing the stroke so that it points outward, finish the flourish so that it points back into the direction of the letter. This draws your eye back into the letter, not away into space.
Be aware of overlapping flourishing – the top & bottom can overlap but should not create a dark spot or be too busy.
TIP: Cross with thin over thick but NEVER thick over thick.
Be careful how wide you make the flourish on the right side of the capital – the rest of the word needs to be written there.
Another flourish accent is the carrot – set, press & release.
Remember: Flourishes should be BIG!
Writing with Prang watercolors: 2 water containers (1 for dirty, 1 for clean); Royal #3 brush, rag. Put a few drops into the watercolor pans to soften them. Load brush with color and put into a clean palette space; add water to ink consistency. If you use the watercolor pan itself as the palette, the ink will get thicker and thicker.
Feed pen nib with brush away from your work, not over it, to avoid splatter. Initially, brush color on top and bottom of nib. Then feed by just brushing the top of the nib. Hold the envelope or paper with your left hand holding the brush pointing away from the work.
For envelopes, pull the flap out so that it’s easy to tell which way is right-side up.
Start with one color and add a 2nd color to the nib before the first one is completely gone so it blends. When switching colors on your brush, first rinse it in the “dirty” cup, then in the “clean” cup. Wipe off excess ink or water on rag. Be careful of colors on opposite sides of the color wheel (e.g. red & green), the blend may be brown/gray. This look can be organic though.
If the color changes too abruptly, go back and touch some of the 1st color into the still-wet strokes for a smoother transition. As long as it’s still wet, the color will continue to migrate out.
Tip: Red-violet and yellow-orange make a good combo
When addressing envelopes with copperplate & watercolor, look at the overall look to do your flourishing. Try to balance top and bottom.
Ergonomic Tip: if your shoulders ache from writing, try writing at a slant with a board against the table so your shoulders are relaxed. Write at table-level to keep your shoulder from becoming raised.
Reminder: no class next week, 5/25, Memorial Day)
Homework: Look at all the capitals handouts & put a check mark next to the ones you like. Practice those. Then make an exemplar of all the capitals you like so they’ll be on hand when you need them. Practice with the medium guidelines and small guidelines. Write out text on the small guide (1/8” x-height with 2-1-2 ratio). DeAnn uses the 1/8”, 2-1-2 ratio size the most.
Nibs for writing small: EF 66 (very sharp but also very flexible, so use very light pressure); Hiro 40 (blue pumpkin); Gillot 303 (also very flexible so use light pressure); Gillot 1068 (sharp but stiff); Mitchell Copperplate
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Class Schedule
DeAnn Singh
Designing Letters
4032 Marcasel Ave, LA. 90066
DeAnnSinghCalligraphy.blogspot.com
Continuing Studies
(All Levels Welcome)
Stampin’ from the Heart
(Rubberstamp store)
11720 Washington Place
LA CA 90066 310-391-0466
Beginning and continuing studies.
For info and exact dates see
Begin Sept. 23, 2009 Usually Wed nights
except for 3rd week of each month when it’s held on Thursday night.
Classes are $20 per class with a minimum
commitment of 6 weeks. You can pay for as many classes as you would like to commit to up to 10 classes. This class is considered “guided studies” so you can learn at your own rate. I will teach the letterform and give assignments and correct homework. Choose the subject and the project.
12 students maximum
Contact the store at 310-391-0466
Private classes
Located at my home studio
$35 per hr–learn at your own pace.
See my website for more details:
Beverly Hills Adult School
701 Whittier Dr, Beverly Hills
310-551-5150
Summer Class Journal your vacations and Special Events
Call or go online to register for this 2 session class. See advertisement for this class in last entry. June 29, 10-2pm and July 6 10-2pm.
Fall semester begins
September 14, 2009 10 weeks
Intermediate & Beginners
Subject to be determined
Emerson Adult Learning Center
8810 Emerson Ave.,
Westchester, 310-258-2000
A new system is in place at Westchester.
The classes will be 6-8 weeks long with a determined subject and letterform. You will pay for each session separately. Subjects and tuition will be posted on my website. It’s an exciting new time for LA unified School District.
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