Finding Foundational

 

At our September meeting Valerie Van Hartingsveldt, one of our long-time members and one of the Niagara Calligraphy Guild's founders, presented the Foundational Hand. Valerie has been doing calligraphy for many, many years. She has taught annual courses from her home and at the Pumphouse Visual Arts Center in Niagara on the Lake. She has participated in the "Poets and Painters Night" at the Pelham Art Association where one artist does the painting and the other creates the prose or poetry.

 

Valerie is also an accomplished watercolor artist. We had an opportunity to try this hand under her careful guidance and Valerie's enthusiasm spilled over into our work. Foundational is done with the pen at a 45-degree angle and the shapes are round. The "O" begins with a stroke beginning at 11 o'clock and ending at 5 o'clock and the other stroke slightly overlaps. This technique will give the "thick and thin" lines. The serifs are also drawn at a 45-degree angle.

 

The capitals are a little more difficult to construct especially the "M" which incorporates different angles. Foundational has many uses the most common of which is poetry but it can be used for invitations, broadsides or books. Edward Johnston made this hand popular .

 

We thank Valerie for her fine presentation, her humour and her dedication to teaching calligraphy in the Niagara area.