The Festive Flourish with Heather Held
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Unleash the magic of pointed pen flourishing! My introduction to the pointed pen world was through offhand flourishing. It was the first skill I learned with the pointed pen and remains my greatest ally in my calligraphic journey. The Festive Flourish workshop takes an exciting look at the magical skill of offhand flourishing. At first glance, offhand flourishing can look overly complicated and confusing but once you see the underlying structure of compound curves, these ornate flourishes can be structured to suit any design need. Every holiday season, our senses get overloaded with poinsettias, holly boughs, glittery wrapping paper, evergreen trees and mistletoe. It is a time when ornamentation rules the day. Whether you want to add a special touch of delight to an envelope or card, enhance your calligraphic work or create unique stand-alone designs that are suitable for framing, this class will give you the skills to pursue endless ideas. You will not be limited to festive designs, but we use the season to springboard our ideas.
Throughout this workshop, we will explore the basics of offhand flourishing and the skills that make the designs intuitive rather than pre-planned. With the knowledge of a few basic rules and strategies, you will be able to create stunning designs that are unique and one of a kind. Bring a sense of play and imagination as we work on refining our skills. Happy flourishing!!!!
Skill Level: Students should feel comfortable using a pointed pen.
Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:
Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.
Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.
Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom.
Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.
Supply List:
Pen Holder: Straight or Oblique: Flourishing can be done with either a straight or oblique pen holder. Left handed students may find a straight holder easier to use. I will be using a straight holder exclusively.
Pointed Pen Nibs: Bring your favourites. If you are new to pointed pen, try a Zebra G, Hunt 22 or Gillott 404. More experienced pointed pen artists may want a Leonardt EF Principal, Hunt 101 or Brause 66 EF.
Ink: McCaffery Black or Old World Iron Gall Ink. Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White for working on dark paper.
Cookie Cutter: Please bring your favourite holiday shaped cookie cutter. Any size!
White Chalk Pencil or Plumber’s Soapstone Pencil: This is optional, but it is easier to erase a white chalk line than pencil on dark paper. Fons and Porter make a mechanical quilting pencil which is available from John Neal or Paper Ink Arts.
Practice Paper: Rhodia blank or Gridded, or Maruman Imagination ( Blank or Gridded) Both are available from John Neal Booksellers.
Project Paper: Cardstock in a variety of your favourite holiday colours cut to 5x7 size. Canson Mi Tientes paper also works well. We will be working mainly on dark backgrounds, but pastel effects look best on light backgrounds. I would bring a few ivory pieces as well as your darker colors.
Supplies for Adding Color:
Colored Pencils: a few colors suitable for florals and foliage. Any brand will work. (If time allows, you may want to try watercolor pencil or watercolor. This is completely optional. If you bring any watercolor material, you will need small brushes and a water dish to apply the color.)
Special Effect Supplies: I use the following supplies extensively for adding depth, color, and a hint of sparkle to my designs especially on envelopes and cards. Hot Foil Pen, Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll Pen, Swarovski Hot Fix Crystals with applicator tool, Finetec Metallic Watercolors, Soft Pastels such as Dianne Townsend or Sennelier, Holbein Brilliant Gold Metallic Gouache. These special effect supplies are optional but are fun to have with you for this workshop. If you have other favorites for adding sparkle and interest, please bring them along.
Miscellaneous: Paper towels, toothpaste and q-tips for nib cleaning and pastel application, a few sheets of newspaper to act as a cushion, pencil, ruler, clean kneaded or white vinyl eraser, pen and note taking supplies, eye dropper or pipette, two small water dishes, 2 inexpensive mixing brushes for applying metallics and bleedproof white.
Heather recommends John Neal Books for supplies.
About Instructor Heather Held
Heather Victoria Held is a Canadian freelance-lettering artist who operates The Victorian Pen studio in St. George, Ontario. She has studied extensively with Master Penman Michael Sull and Master Penman Brian Walker. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Spencerian Heritage Award given through Michael Sull at the Spencerian Saga. She was a long time member of Master Penman Brian Walker’s Spencerian Review Study Group, CLAS, The Copperplate Special Interest Group, and a faculty member of several International Calligraphy Conferences. During 2013-2014 she served as the President of IAMPETH and continues to support IAMPETH on the Board of Directors as an advisor and as an instructor for the conferences. Her teaching style is gentle and encouraging while helping students to achieve the next level in their skill sets. Her work in promoting handwriting skills has attracted television, magazine and radio coverage in Canada. She conducts intensive workshops in Offhand Flourishing, Decorative Lettering and Ornamental Penmanship world-wide. Her art work is in private collections around the world and has been featured in Pen World, Bound and Lettered, Calligrafia, Somerset Studio, Romantic Homes, The Penman’s Journal, The Spencerian Review, 1000 Handmade Cards. The Speedball Textbook, The Copperplate Manual and Good Mail Day. She and her husband Chris create hand dyed or painted Held Pens which are highly sought after and in the hands of artists throughout the world.