Hi Everyone,
Last week I came across a marvelous video produced by the Getty Museum, featuring the work of master calligrapher Thomas Ingmire, and master bookbinder William Anthony. The video showcases the step-by-step process of making a manuscript book, from preparing the parchment, to making ink, cutting quills, illuminating the finished text with gold leaf to binding the book. For those who are interested, I shared the video in the Zenspirations Create, Color, Pattern, Play FB Group.
Although it’s been a long time since I worked on parchment or cut my own quills, I feel blessed that I learned the ancient techniques of my craft when I was a young scribe. This is a photo of an ‘illuminated’ piece I was commissioned to do in the early 2000s. The large Hebrew letters form the word ‘Mizrach’ (East).
The finished piece is quite large; each of the illuminated letters are more than a foot wide. I drew the original design on tracing paper, then transferred it to a huge sheet of watercolor paper that I had ordered specially for this project. I remember struggling to find a place to work on the finished piece because it was so large! Here is an in-progress shot of the watercolor background:
Once I finished the large letters, I used gouache, which is an opaque water-based paint, to letter the smaller text.
As a finishing touch I applied two different types of gold; the outer border was painted with shell gold, and for the border around the large letters I applied two coats of 24 carat gold leaf to a raised gesso surface. I wish I had better photos, but I hope you can see the difference between the flat and raised gold in this close-up.
Not too long after completing this commission, I embraced more contemporary tools upon discovering all the wonderful things you can do with Sakura’s fabulous pens. In the photo below, I used a combination of Sakura’s Metallic & Moonlight Gelly Roll® pens to create birthday messages which have their roots in medieval illumination:
Not having to make your own ink really speeds the creative process! I find it helpful to make color charts for each type of pen, so I can compare the effects each one produces before selecting what tool to use on a project.
Having a color chart like this is especially handy when you want to contrast two different types of finishes (the way I did with the different types of gold I used in the Mizrach piece above). I drew the heart design below using a black glaze pen, and then filled the squares in with Sakura’s metallic, stardust, moonlight and Souffle pens.
Check out the Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine video I filmed for Sakura if you’d like to watch me draw the heart:
While I love the timeless traditions of my craft, I have recently become inspired by the things I can do with the iPad Pro and Apple pencil. I especially enjoy lettering in the Procreate program.
Most days, after doing my morning journaling using my favorite tool– Sakura’s trusty Micron® 01, I then spend a few minutes lettering something on my iPad. This is how I’ve created most of the “Care-Moji” and “Prayer-Moji” Stickers that are almost ready to launch. Here’s some of what will be included in the first pack, Get Well Wishes:
Several people have asked me how I’ve been doing the lettering for the stickers, so this morning I made a quick video showing the process:
If you enjoyed the videos I shared in this week’s blog, feel free to share them. If you’d like me to include videos in upcoming blog posts, please leave a comment letting me know whether you’d prefer me to focus on lettering or drawing, and if you’d rather see me work on the iPad or on the drawing board. Thanks, as always, for your input!
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
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The Hebrew lettering is amazing, I love your process videos – particularly on lettering. My preference is for drawing board, since I use an Android tablet and smartphone, with SketchBook – draw and paint (Autodesk Inc) App.
Your Prayermojis & Caremojis are lovely – remember Android!
Hi Joanne,
Beautiful work, Thank you so much.
Love and Respect
Gerard
FabFabFabulius!!!! Thank You!
WOW!!!! I am very impressed! David remembers you lettering signs by hand for our kids at the Jewish summer fair in Commack years ago that looked like your computer lettering! Xo
WOW!!!! I am very impressed! David remembers you lettering signs by hand for our kids at the Jewish summer fair in Commack years ago that looked like your computer lettering! Xo
Joanne, what a great post! (I would love to learn your ‘gold leaf with raised gesso’ technique. And, as you might guess, any iPad videos are fascinating to me, so I would appreciate future videos along that line! Thanks for all of your inspiration!
wow! Just awesome!!! Thanks for sharing with us! <3
You are so cool & creative Joanne. Beautiful work. Look forward to getting your care moji and prayer moji apps.
So inspired to get some more Sakura pens! I got a set of Gelly roll pens after I saw one of your videos a loooong time ago. Now I’m going to look into the sparkle and glaze! Thank you!
I’m really looking forward to purchasing the mojis!
Thank you ever so much, Joanne, for the Procreate tutorial. I’m wondering if your lettering brush is available anywhere?
I’m ready to buy your stickers for my iPad when they are released for sale. They are so pretty!
Loved watching you work on your iPad pro. All of your variations looked great to me; and it looks like so much fun too! Thanks for sharing.
Love your moji line. Also would love to see more of your Procreate posts. Beautiful work, Joanne. Thank you for all you do for us.
Hi Joanne.
Your video is great and very instructive. I have a question. How does one design ones own brushes? I just got an iPad Pro and am anxious to start working on it. Thanks.
OH MY! Your work with the gold and letters, was simply awe inspiring. THANK YOU for showing it to us. You touched my heart and soul with that piece. What an incredible gift you have. Sharing it with us in videos would be awesome. I love watching them as they always either teach me something new, or remind me of something I have forgotten. Also, I prefer hand done works as that is the essence for me. And watching you work, completely soothes and thrills at the same time. But, truly, I am appreciative of anything you choose to show and teach us. Thank you again. That was a thrilling one!
Loved checking out the different videos especially Procreate that looks like fun! Can’t wait for the emoji to go on sale
Wow such beautiful work. Joanne, as always. I enjoy both lettering and drawing, but with an emphasis on lettering. I would love to see it on the drawing board more than the ipad. I think I will make some color charts for my pens now. Thank you for showing this and explaining the reason for it…..Linda E.
Wow! I am inspired. I would like to see a little bit of all the choices you offered. I’m eclectic.
You do such beautiful work!
Hi Joanne,
I just ordered your iTunes Get Well Wishes collection! Looking forward to playing with them.
I loved watching your video using Procreate. I have the app but was never able to figure out how to use it. You make it look so effortless.
Toni (and Bud)
Hi Joanne,
Beautiful demo of Procreate capabilities. I would love to see more like it. When you’re filming, could you verbalize the “taps” you are making with your pen? Are your custom brushes available? Also, do you know if brushes are available for Sakura pens?
Thank you
Linda