Here are some observations from a few of our past workshops.
Who would have thought you could cover so many types of gilding in one day? I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I signed up for Jo Mabbutt's 'Experimental Gilding' workshop in March, especially when we knew her expertise was gilding on fabric and lace in particular, but she focused on paper for us calligraphers and left us with loads of ideas and options to follow up in our own time. Here was my creation:
In this workshop on 25th January 2025, participants were given the chance to explore a new script or to improve on a more familiar one. Tutor Sylvie Gokulsing demonstrated a variety of scripts throughout the day, including Uncial, Foundational, Italic variations and Gothic/black letter. Under Sylvie’s expert guidance, beginners learned the basics and refreshers delved more deeply into their chosen script. The class was fast-paced and culminated in a collaborative piece which Sylvie will bind for display at SLLA’s exhibition this summer.
Archibald Knox, from the Isle of Man, was a designer for Liberty's at the height of their success. His work is a unique combination of designs from the Arts and Crafts Movement, Celtic knotwork and Art Nouveau.
The Online Zoom Workshop with Josie Brown, on 30th November 2024, introduced lettering that is suitable for the interwoven decoration and we approached how to create the designs in a step by step manner. We also looked at which mediums work most effectively and tried out a technique that gives the effect of stained glass or enamelling.
On Saturday 2nd November 2024, a Zoom Workshop with Joy Daniels.
This class offers a chance to take your Celtic knot work to the next level. We will be building on the basic skills learned in the first class to make knots in different shapes and a circular Wreath Knot - perfect for a Christmas design! For this class you will need a compass for drawing circles and a protractor, in addition to the previous list of materials. We will be using some very basic geometry, but don’t be put off - it’s not scary!
On Saturday 21st September 2024, a Zoom Workshop with Joy Daniels, suitable for beginners. (There is a follow up workshop on 2nd November )
Learn how to unravel the intricacies of the Celtic Knot and design your own knotwork pattern. With a few simple rules and a square grid you will discover how to construct the simplest knot and then build on this to make more complicated patterns as the day goes on. Use these patterns with calligraphy, stone carving, lino cuts, stencils, embroidery, knitting etc., or just on their own as a beautiful design.
In this workshop we learned how to design and write out a small family tree. Trees could be real or imaginary: they could relate to fictional characters or even toys or pets, the choice was ours! Sylvie showed us several different examples of her own work and these were discussed and studied during the course of the day. We then spent time working with names (and dates) and considering the size, weight, style and placement of the text. By the end of the day it had been possible to complete a rough layout of a family tree with sufficient information to enable us to finish it at home.
Dressed in her trademark colours of red, white and black, Rachel gave SLLA members a one day workshop on abstract designs and large letters using a flat brush. Starting with examples of her wonderful abstract designs, Rachel explained to participants how they would be using a minimal palette to create maximum effect in a piece of work.
Several lucky people enjoyed a workshop on how to bookbind a simple stab-bound sketchbook under the guidance of Sharon Shaw.
We learned how to bind single sheets together for a collection of sketches and colour trials. We began with a simple four-hole Japanese style binding and then adapted the method to create more elaborate sewing patterns.