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.
Read MoreRibbon Book
All the participants at the February meeting had a wonderful time making their ribbon books.
Thanks to Eugenia Uhl for another terrific bookbinding project!
Read MoreFebruary Meeting
Ribbon Book
Saturday, February 13, 2016
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
East Bank Regional Library
4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie
Book making has always been a much requested topic. So once again we have called upon Eugenia Uhl to lead us in a hands on demonstration of the construction of a Ribbon Book.
For the covers of these delightful books, you will need two pieces of thick decorative paper. Eugenia has printed photographs onto Arches paper using her home printer.
Please be sure to have you paper & ribbons cut to the specified sizes as this will speed up the process.
Materials List
Ribbon 1.5 x 21 inches, cut in 3 equal pieces (7” each) OR thick decorative paper works too
Covers, thick decorative paper, 2 pieces: 9.5 x 8.5 inches
Bookbinding thread 1 ply, 9x height of book (8.5″) = 76.5 inches
Inside pages: 28-8.25 x 9.25 inches, we will fold these to make 7 signatures, use whatever type paper you would like on the inside of your book
Bookbinding needle
Piercing Cradle (a phone book works well) We will have some to share
Bone folder
Awl
Pencil, eraser, extra piece of scrap paper (3×8.5”)
Xacto knife, ruler, cutting board
PVC glue, cheap glue brush, scrap paper (to glue on)
Paper Towels
2 medium book binding clamps
Calligraphy Classes
Several of our members teach calligraphy classes throughout the year. Roxanne Beard will be teaching “Calligraphy Basics Series-Italic” on March 5th. Eugenia Uhl teaches several classes in bookbinding and calligraphy at the New Orleans School of Art & Craft. Please click on Calligraphy Classes in the main menu for contact information on Roxanne and Eugenia and for a listing of current classes at the New Orleans School of Art & Craft.
Read More
January 2016 Meeting
Seastones–Adding Ovals to Your Copperplate with Maria Helena Hoksch
Saturday, January 9, 2016
9:30 AM to 5 PM
Carlo Ditta Meeting Room
1445 MacArthur Ave., Harvey
Many great artists borrow inspiration from nature. Platt Spencer, the father of American penmanship, was no exception. While visiting Lake Erie, he pocketed numerous small stones which became for him a guide to good form.
Over many years of intense study local calligrapher, Maria Helena Hoksch, has developed her own way of using ovals to enhance her copperplate lettering. She calls this style Seastones.
Please join us as Maria Helena guides us in exploring this lovely style, turning a lettered page into a beach covered with polished pebbles. We will then apply the Seastone script to addressing envelopes.
Lined guide sheets will be provided. Prior knowledge of any pointed pen script is useful but not essential. For those who don’t feel comfortable with pointed pen, you may work with fine tip markers or sharp pencils.
You may participate in a morning session or stay for a full day of more in depth study.
Workshop Fee
Members–$25 for 1/2 day, $40 for full day
Non members–$35 for 1/2 day, $55 for full day
To register please print out the registration form below & mail in by January 5, 2016.
Supply List
Hard and soft pencils
Sharpener
Ruler
Eraser
Lighter or Matches
Fine Black Marker (Sharpie Pen)
Oblique Penholder
Hunt 101 nibs, at least two
Palace Moon Palace Sumi Ink
Winsor Newton Ivory Black Gouache
Mixing Brush
Water Dropper
Water container for cleaning/rinsing the nib
Soft Paper Towel
Little Inkwell or Container, for dipping your pen
Canson Pro Layout Marker Pad, 9″x12″
Drafting Dots or removable tape
Optional Supplies
Blotting paper for cushion, slant board,Ott light & long extension cord, your favorite pointed nibs, Cranford black paper (smooth, comes in pad), Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof white, another dipping dish, extra envelopes (smooth & thinner), protractor & old toothbrush
You can obtain supplies from David Art or on line through Paper & Ink Arts or John Neal.
Maria Helena Hoksch registration form
Read More
2015 December Meeting
It’s Christmas once again & time for our holiday card exchange.
Please join us on December 12th at 10:00 AM.
Bring a handmade card & your favorite cookies to share.
We will meet at the Keller Library & Community Center
300 North Broad, New Orleans, 70119.
This is a lovely way to greet the holiday season with calligraphy & good friends.
Read More