So I've discovered fiverr.com

Here's a neat venue to provide affordable calligraphy from me.  Visit my gigs at fiverr.com send a post card on your behalf in gothic italicized hand lettering. Click the link to see how to I've set my gigs up.   Watch for updates for new idea's and gig's I'll be posting.

Here's the photo's I listed for my gig;

Wish me luck with my new venture so I can earn enough money to purchase books and advanced classes in calligraphy.

Here's a video I made and uploaded to youtube.  I'm no marketing guru, but it's a start.  The first third is an ad, the last 2/3rd's is a sped up video of the hand lettering in action.

Also, this past month I did a card for our secretary at work.  I got carried away with the gilding I learned last month and the boarder design so it's harder to see the "Z".    She loved it anyway!

A Celtic Design with Christian Prayer



I took inspiration from Celtic designs for this piece.  Used sepia ink for the lettering and a size 3 nib for the Uncial handlettering.  The letter "B" I  created from a design you can find in "Designs from the Book of Kells" which is altered to work in the piece. Her books are very useful as she has a couple books I have learned from.  The boarder was inspired by multiple designs I found using "55 Classic Celtic Boarders"  There are many good Celtic books to learn from about this and a search on amazon.com will show you many. 

If you interested in calligraphy, my supplies and instructional books come from John Neal Books as you won't be able to get your techinal tools from places like hobby lobby.

Please visit this professional calligraphers webiste Hollymonroe.com.  She is an active leader of the Cincinnati calligraphy guild and has many products that are far better then what you find in any mainstream store with comparable prices. 

Consider supporting your local calligrapher and artist in your hometown.  You may be suprised at what you can get.

Mark 1:1-5 Gothic theme boarder

Click on a picture if you would like to zoom in for greater detail.

A Gothic themed manuscript; this was my first attempt at a piece that was 11" x 14".  Turns out the matt frames aren't framed for 11"x 14" the actual working area is 10 1/2 "  x 13 1/2".  The hand lettering was completed with a size 3 nib and H Graham gouache.  Drew the white lines using a Haff Ruling Pen by taking a small amount of white gouache and watering it down to get a just the right consistency.  I found using a ruling pen had more control than a paint brush and it kept the line thickness more consistent for the white lines.

Here's a link to research some Gothic themed Manuscripts:

14th to 15th Century; calender of January

Dominus illumination, a 14th to 15th Century;  Full page of manuscript with historiated initial 'D': David kneels on one knee pointing to a cloud above.

A gothic birthday card w/ decorated boarders

A birthday card, completed with Gothic theme, hand lettering is Secretary.  The photo's were taken outside so it's hard to see the ink is a sepia coloring.  I've used both modern and historical letters for the hand lettering for legibility purposes.

Secretary hand lettering spanned from the 13th to the 17th century.  It was designed for faster writing and may seem cursive.  It has it's own appeal making it distinct from other hand lettering's of the period. Examples of some other hand lettering's of the period are; Gothic Quadrata, Franktur or Batarde.

Follow these links to see actual manuscripts of Secretary hand lettering;

How England was first called Albion; done in secretary hand, dated 1518-1600

Created in the 15th Century, located in the "The Gospel of Nicodemus", completed in secretary hand