Scribbled Lives Week 21—Experiment

This week’s prompt gives forum members the freedom to experiment with a number of options:

1. text saved for a rainy calligraphy day
2. writing tools, papers, media squirrelled away, again for that rainy day
3. techniques learned in a workshop waiting to be refined
4. technique or lettering style that needs practice.

I chose 2, 3 and 4.

In an online course with Yves Leterme, Built Up Capitals, I’m learning to draw letters—this week using pencil and fine broad-edge nibs. My waking hours are spent creating letters: one stroke at a time. It’s actually quite addictive in a nerdy way! I get into the zone and lose myself for hours in the studio, writing in complete silence.

“Grit” is 20 mm tall and is drawn with a small nib rather than a single broad edge. I suspect this skill development exercise will lead to something else. The other two words are drawn using a sharp pencil, one stroke at a time. Ignore the smudgy erasure marks; this lovely watercolour paper hides no secrets!

Pencil, 1 mm Brause, crow quill, and gouache (opaque watercolour) on Rives BFK. 

During this season of sheltering in place, is there something you’ve been holding for experimentation?