Calligraphy

An amazing way to preserve thought throughout time and communicate today's issues for all to see tomorrow. What you write today may be studied 1,000 years from now for not only its content but how you communicated it.

Showing posts with label illuminated letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illuminated letters. Show all posts

Friday, October 14, 2011

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.





Friday, September 16, 2011

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;