Module 4 Chapter 2 Lettering Designs

In this chapter we have been asked to look at lettering designs, blocks of writing and finally pattern making with lettering using the computer.

Drawing methods using inks

We have been asked to select a word to ‘write’  using differing drawing methods and inks to enable us to  experiment with various drawing tools and styles of lettering.

I chose the word ‘message’ to experiment with various drawing and writing tools on cartridge paper.

I’ve posted pages of my sketch book below showing a selection, each method is labelled on the page and range from calligraphy pens, markers, dip pens, brushes, card, toothbrush, glue stick lid, plastic fork,  twig,  cocktail sticks, wire and then progressing to the effects of bleach and wax crayons with Indian and Quink Inks and correction fluid. I really enjoyed the processes and the surprising results and patterns derived especially the effects resulting from PVA piped onto paper and dried followed by a wash with black ink and the results of creating writing with string over which rubbings were made. Wonderful!

    

I then had a go at working with some of the same techniques on different types of papers all of which have different absorbencies which effect the outcomes. These include  a glossy magazine page, brown paper, tissue papers - especially wonderful with the effects of bleach, insides of an envelope - including the plastic window, and the humble newspaper where I was thrilled to see the text appearing through a resist of candle and wax crayon when I added Quink Ink . The word message is often shorter depending on the style of writing and appears as MESS which turned out to be very true – I made a lovely creative mess!

I was inspired by the book entitled Calligraphy by Denise Lach and decided to look into making  ‘Popcanpens’ and  bamboo pens.

I had fun making the ‘popcanpen’ out out a cola can [aluminium] , cotton bud as a handle plus duct tape to secure it. The website mentioned below gave excellent guidance to making it and I used their templates to make nibs of various sizes which gave different writing styles. Nib [a] held less ink than the others and gave a faded effect quickly; nib [b] has a wider nib and gave a lovely ‘two lined’ mark on the paper; nib[c] was more consistent on writing with its bigger reservoir. All nibs varies according to angle and pressure.

The bamboo pens were  easy to make and I followed a Youtube vide [details below], they were a dream to write with and very smooth in effect

Blocks of writing

We were asked to create blocks of writing using a word to put into a repeat pattern covering a square of about 10cms and then look at how we could make them decorative. Some have been left in their simpler state whilst others have been developed further with added patterning and doodles. I’ve used the word ‘information’ which often works out abbreviated depending on the style of writing.

I took inspiration from the books Calligraphy by Denise Lach and Text in Textile Art by Sara Impey as I worked on these patterns.

Fun with methods of rubbing:

Pattern making with collage

Pattern making with lettering using the computer

Module 4. Chapter one

The theme for this module is media, lettering and writing forms plus re-cycling of media items.

Chapter one is all about media research and we have to start by collecting media items such as paper, stamps, envelopes, pens etc.

I have arranged a collection of items to do with communication, correspondence and sending messages within the media including postcards, brown paper, corrugated card, stamps, paperclips and string:

For many years I’ve collected stamps from across the world, I was delighted to use them here. I’m impressed by their beauty, colour ways, and the repeated patterns / negative spaces they offer. The blue and orange of the stamps are very effective against the buff of the envelopes and I’ve used a buff coloured sketchbook to highlight this contrast

Envelopes and their insides! Flaps open up to reveal patterns within plus the lovely repeated shapes they give when the open flaps are placed alongside one another.

We were asked to look at items of stationery and structures which we might consider making as the final embroidered piece for this module . They need to be simple in shape and have a large flat area suitable for an embroidered surface.

I’ve included: from the top and then clockwise  a concertina file case, a photo album with laced hard cover, a little concertina book which opens into a star shape, another type of photo album, a letter rack [I’ve always loved these].

Detail of lovely little concertina book:

I always keep a journal on holiday and this year we were in New York and Boston. The book I used lost its binding so I’ve stored the journal in a box with some images and paraphernalia from the holiday  within. I’m thinking I’d love to develop this idea:

Below is a collection of different types of lettering from newspapers, magazines, packaging. I’ve enjoyed looking at how we use lettering to to get our message across effectively in serious, sophisticated and fun filled ways. The alphabet collection of differently styled letters demonstrates the variety of colour and shape. It was fun to turn words and letters upside down and in a jumble to see  different shapes and to notice patterns / negative shapes.

I also explored beautiful lettering from by-gone days, these are very beautiful, elaborate and formal with great attention to detail. These examples are taken from precious books handed down within my family plus inscriptions from the backs of old photos which I’ve scanned into the computer.

We have language students staying with us most of the time [hence my collection of foreign stamps] but our lovely Korean visitor was pleased to write some of her alphabet for me. I’ve also added some Spanish, Chinese and Turkish script which I don’t understand but the patterns are intriguing.

Chapter 12. Research three artists

In this chapter we have to research and gather images of three artists. These are Zandra Rhodes, fashion designer; Deirdre Hawken, Hat Maker and an artist of our choice. I’ve chosen Sarah Lawrence, Textile Artist and tutor.

Zandra Rhodes, fashion designer

The exhibition brochure and leaflet:

 

The contents of the leaflet:

I visited this exhibition just after I’d started module 3 in which we explored spirals and their application to a finished piece [an accessory]. Straightaway I was inspired by Zandra’s use of colour and shape plus the fact that her work is based upon detailed observational sketches. I love the fact that she draws everyday and this is something I’ve tried to aspire to through this module. She works and then reworks her designs and allows the shape of each garment to be informed by the textile. I was interested in how brought spiral patterns into her work sometimes within the printed fabric or as a beautiful beaded decorative finish [information from exhibition video and leaflet]

Some of my own photos from the exhibition:

Deirdre Hawken, hat maker

Sarah Lawrence, Textile artist and tutor.

Composite sheet for accessory

I’ve added this composite sheet to accompany the finished accessory. Please see the previous 2 posts for details of the completed accessory.

Accessory–some more images!

I realise that I haven’t added the photo of myself working on this project as proof of ID so here it is!

And some more of the turban itself:

 

I also thought of a few more comments I could have made on the evaluation in that I feel the turban fulfils the concept of working with spirals. the turban itself is spiral in nature, along with the addition of the Chinese Knot. The wrapping of the yarn and the weaving were also spiral actions in the making.

This was a joy to make!