March Meeting

Tricks of the Trade

Saturday, March 12, 2016

9:30 AM to 1:00 PM

East Bank Regional Library

4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie

Have you ever become frustrated because your ink will not flow from your pen or your letters don’t appear crisp or your paper feathers?  Don’t throw up your hands in dismay, instead come and learn some tricks of the trade from master calligrapher, Maria Helena Hoksch.  Here is a class that will benefit beginners and experienced calligraphers alike.

Concentrating on the broad edge nib, Maria Helena will share her knowledge of why one nib is better suited to a project than another.  What to do if your nib is dull, your ink too thick or your work surface too flat.  She will also explore papers.  So bring your favorites or you can purchase samples from Maria Helena for a small fee .  Copies of catalogues from Paper & Ink Arts and John Neal Bookseller will be available so that you can see the price of the materials.

The following supply list is long but don’t run out and buy anything new.  Bring what you have along with a notebook to write down all the amazing hints Maria Helena will impart.

Supply List

Blotting paper for cushion
Your favorite practice paper (one piece)
Your favorite good paper (one piece) such as: Frankfurt paper(white and/or cream), Nideggan, Frankfurt Smooth, Zerkall Book paper, Arches MBM paper (Ingres de’Arches), Arches Text Wove

Few sheets of Canson Pro Layout Marker

A few sheets of inexpensive copier paper
Gum Sandarac
Staedler white eraser
Scalpel or exacto knife
Very fine Sand Paper or Arkansas Stone
Slant board
Paper towel
NO Grid paper, PLEASE
Tracing paper (one sheet is enough)

Your favorite ink: Sumi or Walnut or whatever you like to use

Winsor & Newton Gouache: Ivory Black or other color

 Watercolor in a tube:  Ivory Black or other color

Gum Arabic
Mixing brush
Feeding brush ( I prefer small, soft and flat, it can also be your mixing brush)
Dipping container (about 1″ deep)
Mixing palette or mixing pan
Water rinsing dish for cleaning tools
Water dropper

Pencil and sharpener
Flexible Centering Rule by Letterlines, or just a plain ruler
Lighter or matches
Straight pen holder or several
Speedball C series nibs (C-0, C-1, C-2 only)
Mitchell nibs, various sizes, and at least one reservoir
Brause nibs, Various sizes
Optiviser for small nib lettering

Remember it is not necessary to bring everything on this list.  Bring what you have on hand.

You will go home with a wealth of new knowledge.

The end of our year is fast approaching and we must now look to the future by nominating a new slate of officers.  Please consider running for office yourself or nominating a fellow member.  Getting more involved pumps new blood into the guild and is a great way to bond with fellow calligraphers.

Please bring examples of your latest projects.  Everyone loves to see what you are working on.

Don’t forget that there is still time to register for Denis Brown’s workshops.  This is an opportunity not to be missed.  An exciting addition is that you can now pay using PayPal.