Leaf Script - Calligraphy Flourish Friday

Happy Friday everyone!
I thought I'd share some more from my IAMPETH experience.  Another session to which I was really looking forward was Master Penman Rick Muffler's presentation of Leaf Script Capitals.  I love ornamental capitals.  Rick's Leaf Script was influenced by the work of both Master Penman Bill Lilly and engraver Sam Alfano.  Rick directed us to Sam Alfano's excellent online tutorial.  See it by clicking here. 

First, rough out your capital. I based this L on Bill Lilly's Engrosser's Script but without the thins.  I intentionally made it pudgy.

I then outlined the letter - or attempted to - with a .05 marker.  You don't have to do this step, but I want to save my original L, warts and all, in order to use it again. :)

Using my light table, I sketched the L onto my good paper.  Next, add an inner line just inside the outer line.  This creates a narrow channel of space. Then place the left and right strokes for the leaves.  Rick warned us this part can be a bit tricky, and he's correct.  Sam Alfano's tutorial does a good job explaining this step.

Add the details of the leaves.

Go over the lines with a technical pen. I used a .03 Millennium ZIG marker.  Erase the pencil lines.  Add texture and shading.  Rick gave us plenty of cross hatching and stippling ideas for adding texture. 

I added a bit of shading with a pencil. I could spend hours playing!!

Rick also taught us how to create lower case letters to pair with the capitals.

Putting it all together.
I think Leaf Script is beautiful; what do you think?

Thanks to Rick Muffler for introducing me to Leaf Script.
(Sorry, I couldn't find any website or blog links for Rick.)
Thanks to Sam Alfano for his online tutorial.  To visit Sam's websites, click here and also here.

Go forth and flourish!