Calligraphy, Second Revised Edition. Margaret Morgan
be used to write with.
Scissors: Good, sharp scissors are an alternative to a scalpel for paste-ups, but they won’t give an accurate enough line for trimming out finished work.
Triangle (set square): Get an adjustable one if possible—it helps with checking pen angles and ruling lines easily at different angles as well as the normal, right-angle lines.
T-square: Using one of these makes ruling up writing lines much easier as it hooks over the left-hand edge of the drawing board, allowing you to make an accurate horizontal line.
specialty extras
The following tools and materials are needed for specific tasks or processes. Some of these items are available only from specialty shops (see page).
Arkansas stone: Used for sharpening nibs (see page). A cheaper alternative would be to use 400-grade wet-and-dry paper.
Ink stick and ink stone: The ink stick is ground into a little distilled water on the ink stone to make your own ink (see pages).
Gum ammoniac: This plant resin is soaked in water to make a size (glue) for gold leaf. It is also available as a pre-made solution.
Gum arabic: This substance helps paint flow when the paper surface is slightly shiny or greasy. It can be bought as crystals to be crushed or dissolved in distilled water, or as a pre-made solution.
Gum sandarach: In ground form, this material can be dusted over the surface of greasy papers to achieve a crisper line.
Masking fluid: A rubber solution that can be applied with a pen or synthetic brush as a resist fluid, repelling paint or ink laid over the top of it.
Ox gall liquid: Like gum arabic, this substance aids the paint flow from a pen or brush.
Pounce: This fine powder is used to remove grease from the paper surface.
White (PVA) glue: A permanent adhesive that dries clear. Buy an acid-free variety to avoid long-term damage to paper. Mixed with water, it makes a gesso for gilding. Can also be used as a varnish.
looking after your materials
Taking care of your tools in the following ways will ensure that they continue to produce great results for you.
Rinse and wipe nibs and reservoirs during and after use, to keep them from getting clogged with ink. Agitate the pen to loosen the ink, then dry off the nib and reservoir on a paper towel, but avoid catching loose fibers in the nib tines. Change the water from time to time.
Always wash brushes out thoroughly after use. Rinse first under running warm water, then rub over a cake of soap and lather gently to loosen any paint or ink. Rinse again in warm water, repeating the soap and rinse stages until the water runs clear. Dry carefully on a paper towel and repoint the bristles. If any hairs stick out, another touch on the soap will help them back in place.
Replace caps and lids on containers to prevent evaporation and spillage. A pad of masking tape on the bottom of the bottle is a good way to prevent accidents.
Save your blades by pushing them into a cork or piece of eraser when not in use.
Setting Up Your Studio
The setup of your studio or workspace is essential to your comfort and health, but for the beginner this task need not be expensive or time-consuming. There are just a few basic points to remember.
Commercially made drawing boards are quite expensive, but a sheet of plywood or MDF, about ¼” (5mm) thick with the edges sanded smooth, makes a good substitute. This can be propped up at an angle against a table and rested on your knee. The angle will depend on how comfortable it is for you and on the work you are doing. Diagrams (A) and (B) show ways of maintaining the board angle.
Pad your board with several sheets of blotting paper or newspaper under a sheet of drawing paper, secured with masking tape. This will give a more responsive base than the hard board.
You will need a guard sheet of clean, plain paper taped over the bottom half of the board to protect your work from greasy hands and spills. It keeps the work in place, but allows you to move it easily as necessary.
Slit a cardboard tube lengthwise and slip it over the edge of the board to prevent large sheets of paper from getting creased. Secure with masking tape.
Board angle and penshaft angle should work together for best ink flow. Experiment to find what works best for you.
are you sitting comfortably?
Set your board up in an area with good light to avoid eye strain. Daylight is best, with a north-facing window giving the most even light. If this is not possible, use an adjustable anglepoise (balanced arm) lamp with a bulb that imitates daylight. Light should come from the left if you are right-handed and vice versa for left-handers. Aim to avoid shadows over the working area, which is important when you are mixing and matching colors.
Make sure the table is large enough to give you room on either side of the board to lay out your pens and other materials.
The chair should support your back and help to keep you sitting up straight. At all costs resist the temptation to lean forward as you work, as this will soon cause back and neck pains. A height-adjustable chair is the ideal solution.
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