“Improvisation” calligraphy with Japanese Brush © Iskra
I have been having a great time in the studio recently exploring new brushes, forgotten brushes, strange inks and archived papers —and exploring the connection between music and calligraphy. I think this was done while listening to tango, probably my favorite group for that, Gotan Project. Check out my my recent work on Instagram and see more of the process involved in lettering design.
Details on this project soon, but I couldn’t resist posting these shots of work in progress. Watching ink dry as it sinks into paper is one of those rare occupational perks of being a calligrapher. The scent is heavenly on plush white rag Fabriano. Calligrapher’s perfume….
Ink on Paper: Expressive Lettering by Iskra. © Iskra Design
Here is a new book cover for The Hidden Man demonstrating the use of historical hand-lettered script. I did this with a pointed metal nib and ink on charcoal paper.
Below are a couple of other versions with notes on the process. Because this is hand done calligraphy it can be customized in ways not possible when working with a font.
Double letters are always tricky, and d’s especially. How to make the most of them, yet remain legible? These are two of the more complex variations for a double d.
Subtle refinements, experimenting with different ways of treating the H to balance the loops on the d’s, letting the handwriting evolve and see how the negative space between lines can be adjusted for the best balance.
One of favorite drawing tools is the ballpoint pen. Here are two examples of this technique from my sketchbook. "Rosary" is scanned directly and unaltered. "Forgetmenot" has been reversed and colorized.
Illustrated Lettering, "Forgetmenot" © Iskra Johnson
Illustrated Lettering, "Infinity Rosary" © Iskra Johnson
What I love about this technique is its slow meditative quality. And there is no lovelier blue than ballpoint pen ink. I do wish it was archival. If anyone has found a true archival pen please let me know. I have tried all the surrogates, I must have every fine point marker ever made, and they just don't work the same as the ballpoint, with it's little burr of ink and the way it responds to gradual pressure and building up values.
Here's to the inspiration of the garden, where you can find every letter if you look hard enough!
For those of you who saw the earlier process on this piece and wondered how it turned out, here it is. The phrase "the butterfly effect" has been in my mind for a long time. How to express it? There are many directions I could have gone, but I chose to show the light and airy flight of the butterfly and also the interconnectednesss of all things through the design of the forms and the contagion of color moving through the shape.
This script was started with a brush, and then finessed with French curves and a pen, with watercolor dropped in digitally. For Spencerian purists this may seem a bit of a scandal, but note the word "modern….." © Iskra Johnson (click image to view larger.)
Designer, calligrapher, lettering artist. Read more 