SPOTLIGHT ON: QUILL LONDON

SPOTLIGHT ON: QUILL LONDON

I had been thinking about trying calligraphy for a while and when I heard about Quill, I thought this would be the perfect place to learn and I was right!

The beginners’ course was just over two hours long and we were treated to cups of tea and wine and cookies. Matilda our teacher was very welcoming and dazzled us with her skills. The class was made of a mix of people, many on their own like me and with different reasons for wanting to learn. Some were envious of the beautiful handwriting of others and wanted to improve their own, some had dabbled in helping relatives write wedding invitations and wanted to learn calligraphy properly, some found it a very mindful activity to learn. Some people treated themselves to the course, as I did, some were gifted the course by thoughtful relatives and a group of five came together from work. 

The lesson started at the absolute basics of how to use the pen and how to draw a simple line, a line down with some pressure for a thick line and up with very little pressure for a thin line; and that’s really the only thing you have to know for modern calligraphy, that and the angle that the nib should be, a helpful guide to what the letters look like and a lot of practice.

Looking through our practice books at the end you could see everyone had improved just in the short lesson time so you can imagine how good you could get with a little practice. 

The tables were set out neatly with everything we’d need as beginners and we got to take the whole lot home. Everything in the shop is so beautifully curated and we even got a discount while we were there, I treated myself to some coral/pink ink.

See below for some of the beautiful things that they sell in store and if you’re not close by then you can buy online.

1. BEGINNERS MODERN CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS - VARIOUS DATES

https://quilllondon.com/collections/modern-calligraphy-workshops/products/beginners-modern-calligraphy-workshops

2. FINETEC PEARL METALLICS INK PALETTE

https://quilllondon.com/collections/all-modern-calligraphy-supplies/products/finetec-pearl-palette

3. TOM'S STUDIO PEN REST

https://quilllondon.com/collections/all-modern-calligraphy-supplies/products/toms-studio-pen-rest

4. BABY PINK INK

https://quilllondon.com/collections/all-modern-calligraphy-supplies/products/baby-pink-ink

5. ROSE WAX STAMP

https://quilllondon.com/collections/all-modern-calligraphy-supplies/products/rose-wax-stamp

(This is not an affiliate link – I paid for the course myself and am just raving about this independent London business)

https://www.behance.net/gallery/52839693/Bibliophile-Specimen-2

http://mashable.com/2014/09/15/australia-artist-cj-hendry-kanye/#nvmwg9x0CEqC

1. TINY EMBROIDERED ANIMALS BY CHLOE GIORDANO

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/08/tiny-embroidered-animals-by-chloe-giordano/

2. RABBIT LINE AND CIRCLE ILLUSTRATION PRINT - INK- DRAWING – ART

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/111493976/rabbit-line-and-circle-illustration?ga_search_query=rabbit&ref=shop_items_search_1

3. LAURA LEE ROSE GOLD LITTLE RABBIT SIGNET RING

http://dustyburrito.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-daily-bauble-laura-lee-rose-gold.html

4. FORESTRY HOOK

http://www.anthropologie.com/uk/en/product/home-newarrivals/7574600270852f.jsp?color=027#/

5. CERAMICS AND POTTERY SCULPTURE, SLEPPING RABBIT, CERAMIC ANIMAL SCULPTURE BEIGE

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/204669355/ceramics-and-pottery-sculpture-slepping?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_ex=etsy_finds&ga_ref=etsy_finds&ga_utm_source=adhoc&ga_utm_medium=email&ga_utm_campaign=new_at_etsy_2bar_031315_22319878417_0_1&ga_campaign_label=new_at_etsy_2bar&ga_euid=QkJXAdYaupXOF3_jooXMw-24bW9a&ga_eaid=2421896088&ga_redirect=1&ga_filters=sculpture+art+gift&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670773/lovely-typefaces-made-from-bubble-wrap-and-paper/7

1. CMYK PIN

http://thesearethings.com/collections/pins/products/cmyk-pin

2. 1.5 INCH ANXIETY GHOST HARD ENAMEL PIN

http://badvibes4lyfe.bigcartel.com/product/1-5-inch-anxiety-ghost-hard-enamel-pin

3. CIGARETTES PIN

http://www.rosehoundapparel.com/products/cigarettes-pin

4. ENAMEL PIN CORRESPONDENCE SET

http://cityofindustry.bigcartel.com/product/enamel-pin-correspondence-set

5. KISS MAN PIN

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/241856916/kiss-man-pin?ref=shop_home_active_5

A new digital download in the shop today, a poppy for the Poppy Appeal with all profits donated to help to provide thousands of modern veterans, Service men, women and their families with vital advice and support.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/253438960/poppy-appeal-poppy-original-illustration?ref=shop_home_active_1

http://designcrushblog.com/2015/07/16/jone-bengoa/

http://bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem/2015/06/dutch-design-discovering-whats-new.html

https://blog.etsy.com/en/2015/diy-shibori-learn-from-the-experts/

I woke up quite early today, which is unusual for me on a Sunday.  I had an urge to paint.  Unfortunately I couldn’t find any white spirit so I had to wait until everyone got up to paint using oils.  I continued drawing my quotes and couldn’t wait to get started on my paint.  I wanted to try some abstract pieces, which I’ve not really done before, I’m not sure about them but I did enjoy making them.  (While watching some old episodes of Forensic Files (don’t judge me.) I thought while I was all messy and covered in paint I might as well do some marbling. I used one of my canvases and it came out better than expected.  I need new marble ink – if anyone can recommend anywhere I can get some I would really appreciate it.  I would really like some gold or silver!