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
