Tom Smith is running our class in May, 6.30pm on the 7th May at Windmill Street. Bring yourself, your usual kit and a pointed brush, ideally a #3 or a #4 sable. Paper slightly heavier than zeta may be more suitable as it will handle the ink/paint better - cartridge is OK. 

Report added 30th May. 

Brush Bash

What a great lesson with Tom Smith, learning about brush lettering, even for those of us who had done this before, it was a good refresher. There was a small group of us but that meant quality for us as students - as Tom was able to give us one to one attention. He made it fun for those who had never written with a brush before and so easy to achieve. Starting with the basic strokes and trying to get us all to be regular and even with our strokes. Then we moved onto joining the strokes up to make a basic one-stroke letter. We looked at making our strokes light and then heavy, he even got us to try dry brush lettering. The whole evening was made very interesting by Tom’s wonderful personality, he made us all feel comfortable with brush lettering. Thank you Tom for a great lesson and let’s hope that you will teach us again soon.  Dale- Cormack Pearson.

Margaret Woollett's piece is on the left and Roselda Stevens with her practise piece is on the right.

We have received an urgent request from Larissa McMillan - please contact her directly.

Is it possible to hire a tall (shoulder/head height) calligraphy brush from any members? It is for a professional calligrapher to use, for a commercial advertising the NZSO orchestra – Tan Dun series. It will be shot in Wellington. Please if you can help, if you could contact me as soon as you can, (we shoot beginning of Jan 2013) We will pay for hireage.

Thanks you very much for your time,

Larissa McMillan

0212588184

A Waikato Calligraphers’ Workshop: 

Pointed Brush Lettering with Alison Furminger

Alison

A workshop organised by Waikato Calligraphers and featuring the art of brush lettering led by Wellington-based professional calligrapher Alison Furminger was held on the 27 October at The Link, Hamilton. The workshop was made possible with the funding support of Creative New Zealand.

Alison demonstrated the skills of pointed brush lettering in the style developed by American calligrapher Marilyn Reaves. Seventeen very motivated calligraphers attended: most from Hamilton, but some came from as far afield as Auckland, Taupo and Papamoa. Many others also wanted to register, but we had reached our maximum number.

Four of the group had been lucky enough to have attended Marilyn Reaves New Zealand workshop in the mid 1990s. A group photo from that long ago workshop was circulated during the day and someone suggested that we too should have a group photo. After lunch we all trooped out for a photo shoot on the steps of The Link.

Left to Right, Standing: Marian, Robyn, Jenny, Kathe, Lynette, Jan, Nigel and Tom. 

Sitting top step: Lesley, Judy, and Pam. Middle step: Alison and Maree. Bottom step: Rose, Rebecca, and Bridget.

Alison started with the basic brush strokes and then gave a letter by letter demonstration. Her approach was especially helpful because she constantly circulated giving advice and encouragement. Many of us experimented with colour and some even lettered a favourite quote.

With all this concentrated effort we still found time to get to know others in the group, with lots of good hearted banter and appreciation of each other’s work. When our catered lunch arrived the room was abuzz with noise - old friendships were renewed and new ones formed.

Everyone had a very enjoyable day.  We are very grateful to Alison for travelling to Hamilton, for her clear instructions, her gentle suggestions and her inspiring creativity.             

Report by Pam Fricker, photographs by Elaine Riddell.

This has only just been bought to my attention and it will be too late for most of us to get there. I am sorry. Perhaps there is a member that attended and would like to write a short piece about the experience, please just send Hillary an email.

Waikato Pointed Brush Lettering Workshop

More information

Click on image to enlarge 

REGISTRATION FORM: 
Pointed Brush Lettering Workshop

NAME: ................................................................................................................... 
ADDRESS: ............................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................
E‐MAIL ADDRESS : ............................................................................................. 
PHONE NO: .......................... FEE ENCLOSED $.............................

This workshop is limited to 16 people, so register early to be sure of a place. We are planning to provide a catered lunch for $14.00 (payable on the day). If you do not opt for this you will need to bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

I would like to have lunch provided: Yes /No (circle one) If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian/ gluten free comment here: ......................................................................................................

Please print and post completed registration form to: E.Riddell, 5 Dunsford Mews, Hamilton, 3204, with a cheque for $30 (made out to E.Riddell). If you prefer to pay online, e‐mail waikatocalligraphers@gmail.com  for the account details. Enquiries to Pamela Fricker (07) 8345605 

Waikato Brush lettering Workshop