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Barb Sutherland gave an in-depth presentation about lettering on fabric using various writing implements, gouache and acrylics. Thanks, Barb for researching, experimenting and giving us an organized, hands-on approach to lettering on a different medium.
After our Elections, the "Phantom Forum" began with questions from the membership and answers from experienced calligraphers.
Here are a few samples:
What is a good Copperplate nib? EF66 Brause, Gilotte or Mitchell #1 (with the elbow in the nib).
How do you clean nibs? You can use Coke, or keep a water container handy when writing to clean your nib as you work.
If my gum arabic is like "taffy" can it be reused? Yes, just reconstitute it with water.
How do you clean acrylic from nibs? You can use methyl hydrate from the hardware store or buy fondue fuel (which is the same thing.)
What is the best paper for calligraphy? Some excellent papers are Diploma Parchment, Strathmore 100% rag, Canson Mi Tentes, and Arches Hot Press.
How do you use gouache? Squeeze 1/4" of gouache from the tube, add 4-5 drops distilled water, mix with a brush to the consistency of milk. Use a brush to load the pen. Add one drop gum arabic to gouache to help it adhere to the page. First, coat pen and rub in with one drop gum arabic, then use the gouache.
What are some gouache tips? To use a new tube, squeeze out the glycerin and lubricate the threads of the tube with vaseline or vegetable spray for easy opening later.
What are the advantages of gouache over ink? If you want colour in your art work, use gouache.Gouache is easier to erase because it sits on the page whereas ink is absorbed into the paper.
What can be used to erase mistakes? You can buy a Kohinoor electric eraser or scrape ink gently from the page with a razor blade while holding the paper over a cardboard tube to make the page "rounder". Another option is to overwrite the error with the new "letter" and erase what is left.
How do you use gum sandarac? Grind the crystals into a powder, tie some into a small bag of silk, pounce the bag on the page and flick off the excess with your fingers. It makes the writing surface ready for lettering after you have erased or scraped off a mistake from your page.