Grateful

This week for the Documented Life Project journal the challenge was to show gratefulness in a creative way.  I think this is week 47 or maybe 48? Just a few more and the year will be completed. You should see my chunky journal. I will take a picture of it when the weeks are finished.

DLP-Week 39--And some splatter and drips

This week was a fun one because I decided that I would really go for it and put some Italic lettering as well as some pointed pen lettering.  Since I taught my Italic class the past Thursday and Friday I was feeling confident to just write it on the page.

Fun challenge!

Week 34-DLP--Put numbers on it!

I love this verse in Psalms so I decided to get out my Speedball C nib, which has become my favorite,
and write out this verse. This is an Italic variation that's fun to do. My Documented Life Project art journal is getting very chunky. And you know how I love chunky!

Writing in a Circle

I actually haven't written in a circle in a long time because usually it doesn't work out and I am too lazy to write it over and over to make it fit. Somehow this one just happen to fit since it was only two words and I could see that one word was about half of the circle. Yes, I would have been very bummed out had it not fit. Sometimes I just throw caution to the wind. This is actually a book cover that I am making for my Westwind graph pad calligraphy practice sheets. I have come to the conclusion... if I don't know what to do with it or how to file it... make a book out of it! So that's what I am doing with this. The cover is scrapbook paper and I used a calligraphy marker for the lettering.

This is Italic Calligraphy (which by the way is starting November 2nd!) Another shameless plug!

What is the world is this?

I have tried to resist... yes, I have... tried and tried with all my might but I guess I have given in to my weakness for trying something new---can you guess what I colored this with?? Now don't read any further...can you guess? So, before I tell you (have you read down further yet?) I wanted to first say that these are the calligraphic letterforms that I am teaching in my new upcoming online "Italic Calligraphy" class coming November 2nd. We will learn this basic letterform and a few little variations.

Ok, they are Copic markers. I really don't know what the heck I am doing even after looking at several Youtube videos and a DVD but I must say, they really are fun. You know how I love markers anyway! I need to take a class and there is one here in Jax soon that I am planning to take. The problem is....oh so many colors and oh so expensive! And you really do need many colors to do the shading correctly. I bought some at Hobby Lobby on sale and I guess I will have to get more. There are about 350 colors! Oh goodness....goodness me...

More from Calligra-Fun class!

More pieces from all my wonderful and talented students!!!

This is Debbie. Good job!  :)

Possible Upcoming Calligraphy Class Demo

I have just been thinking about all the wonderful results from my students in the Calligra-Fun class and it has spurred me on to think about an online calligraphy class. I would go into this with some trepidation wondering if people would think it was too hard, too much practice, not fun enough, not what they expected---all those things keep rolling around in my mind. And also with me not right there to tweak little strokes and to give constructive advice. But I have a  passion for calligraphy and teaching people to catch the spirit of this wonderful ancient and historical art that has been around really from the beginning of written history. Like I said in the video, calligraphy is a journey, it is a marathon and not a sprint but, oh!,  the rewards for those who condition themselves, persevere and stay in the race. It will change your artistic life. And the journey is fun and exciting! It never gets old, and there is always something else to learn.

So below is a little vlog with some thoughts and examples I have about filming a class and the progression that I am planning to take. I want it to be fun along the way with color and a stopover for some embellishments and doodlings.  So here is a little demo.

UPDATE :  I just found out from Jane Farr, a wonderful calligrapher and blog buddy, informed me that these Parallel Pens (shown in the video) can actually be filled with archival and lightfast fluids and can be used for just about every calligraphy project you might have. Yea!!! I will study up on this one!

Update #2--Check out Sue Krei today. What a great Journal page and some great Calligra-FUN letters!!