Came across your informative video, and made sure I would not leave without thanking you. I enjoyed it, and I cannot wait to try it out on my own work.
I’ve been in love with illuminated lettering but have been unable to find much assistance. You’ve explained everything so well. Thank you! So helpful. Gorgeous work!
Stunning work, Joanne. Thank you for sharing this. I'm an illustrator just new to calligraphy and illumination. This video was incredibly helpful o me. Thank you again.
If you use Pergamena (fake parchment) or parchment, you can correct calligraphy mistakes by scraping the ink off, then burnishing the parchment smooth with a polished stone (agate is one).
Yes, that's a great idea. I have fake parchment, but it's much too thin to scrape without creating a hole. I'll have to try the thicker version and see how it works... after all, that's how the ancient manuscripts were able to be done without visible errors, such as the Book of Kells.
I still can't believe how magnificent your work is. I loved this video. Starting with calligraphy but hope once i can write a decent text to make illuminations on them as i'm very comfortable using watercolors. (or as comfortable as one can get with such a difficult medium) The gold leaf i have never tried. seems to be very difficult. but i have the feeling that more than difficult is meticulous task. you are very good artist. i just found your channel but loving it so far.
Thanks for sharing - great video. I know you really like the stiff brush for cleaning up the edges of the gold leaf but it really does scratch up the leaf - even if it’s not real gold- a sable brush might be better - and you can prevent the little grains of the paper from showing through the leaf by burnishing the paper (where size will be applied) before putting on the size. Cheers.
Thank you, Suku Mac, for your suggestions! I used hot press watercolor paper to gain a fairly smooth finish and to make the calligraphy look more even, but didn't think about burnishing the paper under the gold leaf. I'll try that next time! Also, I haven't noticed any scratches in the leaf, but certainly if a soft sable brush works well enough to eliminate the excess it would prevent potential damage. I found that the softer brushes I tried needed much more effort, and my result was not as sharp on the edges. Best wishes!
Very useful information. Tried my first gold leaf project and the edges are terrible. Now I have a plan to fix. I'm a little fascinated by that strange angled pin. Years ago, in a precomputer architectural drafting class I was taught to hold my pen at a 90 deg. angle. I just never got comfortable with that.
@@dennismitchell5276 Thank you for your message, Dennis. The oblique pens are used in calligraphy - if you want to try an inexpensive one, Speedball sells them for under $3. Find them at Dick Blick, Hobby Lobby, John Neal Booksellers, or any store that carries writing implements. Don't forget to purchase a nib, too. I'd recommend a Nikko G to get started. Good luck!
I have been discouraged by how my gold leafing does not seem to come out well. The whole leaf comes off. It is my how maniest trial yet... I have watched a million youtube videos, some really good. What I love about your video is your details, very pleasantly. However, sadly I realized you are not posting anymore or once in a blue moon, otherwise I would subscribe to your channel. You are so pleasant to listen to. Please find a way of posting more. Not all products have to be genius art but for me, I think it is the dedication combined with some amazing outcome that is sometimes so unexpected. Je ne sais quoi. You certainly have it. I hope you can post more.
You have encouraged me to post more. I've taken lots of footage but often get bogged down in the editing and processing. I'll try to become more disciplined... the art just keeps calling me!
@@joannemayarts6765 There was a time when RU-vid valued short videos and some RU-vidrs felt pressured cutting down their videos, so they could be part of the RU-vid Search Engine Optimization. During that period, some of the videos became ridiculously short and lost their attraction. Finally, RU-vid has these shorts now and lets people post there regular videos. The short, I find, attract to your channel and still give some nice income. I see more and more posters now putting out long videos, some really long, where you can watch the paint dry... like literally😁😆 But we have this tool that we can skip. Don't let yourself be discouraged by editing. Just put it out there. Thank you for your reply.
Thanks for the great video! Can you please give the exact name of the Gold Metal Leaf/ brand so that I can search for it on the Internet. I thank you in advance!
Hello Ilona, It has been a while since I purchased the gold metal leaf, but I know I got it on Amazon in 3 colors of gold. Probably this company or another similar one: www.amazon.com/Imitation-Gilding-Crafting-Decoration-Furniture/dp/B078YNHWWL/ref=sr_1_2?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Craft+Gold+%26+Metal+Leaf&qid=1604521149&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-2&ts_id=3298705011 Best wishes, Joanne
Probably missing a thing or seventeen but why not simply paint with gold? Based on the rest of that page I'm assuming this isn't a demo piece to show technique.
Thanks for your question, Sygarth Null. Gold paints are significantly less reflective than gold metal leaf, unless using an expensive 23K or 24K paint. The liquid media in the metal leaf paints that are used to move the gold flecks over the paper tend to diminish the shine of the gold.
Sorry for my delay in responding... I put sealer only on the gold letter, but after 2 coats I then use a spray clear varnish for the whole piece to seal both the gold once more and also the ink.
I bought the leafing on Amazon.com and the glue at our local arts & crafts store. Here's a link to some of the products--I've used "gold metal leaf," also called "imitation gold leaf." www.amazon.com/gold-leaf/s?k=gold+leaf
