Flourish Friday with Bill Lilly

I have been doing wedding work all week and haven't played with any new flourishes. Instead of my work, today's Flourish Friday features the amazing work of Master Penman William Lilly. How about this gorgeous envie he sent me this week?! His Old English and Engrosser's Script are stunning. These next three photos show you why Bill is famous for his Engrosser's Script.

My family had the pleasure of visiting Bill and his wife, Sandy, at their home this past summer. We had a great time. Bill treated us to demonstrations of his script writing as well as his paper cutting. He can cut the most intricate and amazing shapes out of paper - all freeform, no guide lines. Tom, Rachel, Matt and I were amazed. The walls of Bill's studio are filled with examples of his work as well as the work of others from around the world. Bill has inspired and instructed many people over the years.

This is a peek at a copy of Bill's Flourished Capitals Exemplar. This photo doesn't do it justice. It is full of beautiful and elaborate details. Bill is selling color copies of this exemplar on his blog. Order yours today by clicking here. To visit the main page of Bill Lilly's blog, click here.

Here I am with the incredible Mr. Lilly. In good weather he bikes up to 25 miles per day. He also loves to rollerblade. He's a woodworker and makes beautiful oblique pens. I really look up to Bill. He's a great encourager and friend. Wishing you all a Flourished Friday!

Anniversary Calligraphy - Flourish Friday October 23

Tom and I celebrated our 24th anniversary on Monday. Yay us!! I wanted to do a special piece for him, and I especially like the first few lines of Anne Bradstreet's poem "To My Dear and Loving Husband."
Tom really liked the piece. Here's to 24 more years with my guy! Happy Flourish Friday!

Pointed Pen Calligraphy & Photoshop

Pointed Pen Calligraphy
Originally uploaded by carmelscribe

I have been trying to use my ancient version of Photshop Elements and familiarize myself with the different filters. This is a photo we took last year in Venice with the Graphite Pen filter applied. I lettered "Venezia" after I printed it. Of course, I should have lettered Venezia separately and scanned it, so I could use it again and again - but that would have taken something I'm lacking in: forethought! :-)

Flourish Friday October 16 and Pointed Pen Lessons

This flourish is based on one from page 8 of Dover Publication's "E.A. Lupfer Ornate Pictorial Calligraphy." I saved the original with an empty banner. This is a copy that I then lettered my info onto the banner, so the blacks are not as rich as the original.

I want to thank everyone for your continued support! As far as pointed pen lessons, PLEASE! Go to IAMPETH's website. Dr. Joe Vitolo has done an incredible amount of work to post videos, pdfs and wonderful directions on learning a number of pointed pen scripts. These lessons are FREE! However, membership is only $30-$35 and includes access to IAMPETH's wonderful newsletter "The Penman's Journal." This is an inexpensive investment toward learning or improving your pointed pen calligraphy. Click as fast as you can over to the lessons at IAMPETH: here.

Do something to Flourish your Friday!

Beginning Online Calligraphy Class

Martha Lever is teaching an online, beginning calligraphy class through Creative Workshops.

This is an excellent opportunity for a beginner to learn the basics of the Italic alphabet, or for anyone wishing to refresh their dormant calligraphy skills. Martha is a professional calligrapher and lettering artist, but better than that, she is a great and encouraging teacher. Calligraphy is an art, but it is also a craft. I believe the master/apprentice approach is critical to preserving the integrity of the art and craft of calligraphy. A good, solid understanding of the fundamentals is important. Below is Martha's video detailing what she will teach and the supplies she will use.

Registration is now open. International participants are welcome. To learn more or to register, click here. To visit Martha's blog click here. To visit Martha's website, click here.

Flourish Friday October 9 - Calligraphy Cake

Fill in the blank, sing, make a wish, blow out the candles, cut and eat!

Happy Flourish Friday!

Flourish Friday - October 2

This past week I've been working on a wedding envelope job. You can't really tell in this photo, but the envelopes are translucent. This is a special, keepsake envelope I did for the bride and groom.

This image gives you a better idea. I believe the couple's guests are going to love finding these in their mailboxes. Happy Flourish Friday!