What Don's Been Doing Lately

SUMMER 2011 NEWSLETTER

TEACHING

COACHING BY MAIL

Don has recently added several correspondence students to his teaching endeavors, and you, too, can take advantage of the opportunity. Anyone who has a desire to improve their calligraphic skills but cannot attend a class or workshop may sign up for Coaching By Mail. Tuition is $60 for three mailings, a mailing being two or three samples of your latest work. Don will apply his infamous red pen to the sheets and give you the benefit of his critical eye in a constructive way guaranteed to help you improve your skills.

Send your practice sheets along with your check for US$60 (made out to D. King Calligraphic Studio) to D. King Calligraphic Studio, 317 Killington Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609. Include your mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number.

COURSE OFFERINGS FOR 2012

In 2012, Don will again be offering a wide variety of calligraphic and calligraphy-related workshops and classes for your edification and artistic growth. Everyone, whether or not they’ve had any previous calligraphy instruction or experience, is encouraged to enroll for one (or more) of the subjects specifically oriented toward beginners in the craft. Samples of the styles (hands) named may be seen on this web site.

Except for “Enhancing Your Copperplate” in May and “Refining... Your Italic” in August, all of the offerings are open to anyone who wants to get a fun, challenging and educational introduction to the fascinating world of the calligraphic arts.

Feel free to with any questions you have about anything listed here.

Jan 28-29 | Roman Minuscule | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm both days | 13 hrs, $150
This two-day workshop is designed for those who have never had any calligraphy training, and will provide the basic knowledge of tools, materials and techniques necessary for effective personal study and practice. Those who have tried to teach themselves using a book or kit will agree that they really needed someone to explain why they couldn’t do what the instructions said they could; this workshop will provide that and more. A knowledge of Roman will provide a very valuable basis for those who intend to enroll in other courses. Materials fee about $100.

Feb 25-26 | Basic Copperplate | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm both days | 13 hrs, $150
This two-day workshop introduces both the beginning calligraphers and those broad-edge pen calligraphers who have never tried pointed-pen calligraphy to an entirely different approach to making beautiful letters. The copperplate hand is based upon the flexible-pen scripts of the 16th – 19th centuries and is very popular for invitations and other formal writings, as well as for expressive calligraphic art. Materials fee, about $100.

March 24 | Introduction to Tools & Materials | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm | 4 hours, $46
Working calligraphers use a very wide variety of pens, inks, papers, brushes and other things in their quest to express their words. This workshop is a treasure of these items and many of the “tricks and techniques” employed in their use. For those who have been involved in calligraphy for a while, this workshop will serve to fill some of the gaps in your knowledge and will almost certainly provide inspiration and ideas for future projects. Materials fee, about $20.

Apr 17 – May 22 | Introduction to the Black Letter Hand | 15 hrs, $173
The Black Letter hand is commonly referred to as “Old English”, that being a type face based upon the alphabet which developed about the 12th century. It’s a very formal hand, used mostly for diplomas, traditional certificates of recognition and such. It is a valuable addition to the calligrapher’s repertoire. The six sessions will be on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30. Materials fee, about $100.

April 21 | Envelopes & Etiquette | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm | 4 hrs, $46
This workshop is intended for those who may be planning a wedding or other social event requiring the use of formal invitations, and for calligraphers who want to be better informed about the proper addressing of envelopes. The workshop will address (no pun intended) both the rules of formal addressing and the proven techniques used by working calligraphers to insure accuracy and expedite the process. Materials fee, about $15.

May 26 | Enhancing Your Copperplate | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm | 6.5 hrs, $75
“Copperplate” is a generic term referring to a number of pointed pen scripts, each with different characteristics of design, especially in the capital letters. Some are very plain and unadorned; others are extremely decorative, and many variations lay between the two. This workshop will concentrate on modifying a basic script to be compatible with different type faces/fonts and adding flourishes to letters, words and compositions. A basic knowledge of pointed pen letters (Copperplate, Spencerian, English Round Hand/Engrosser’s Script, etc.) is required.

June 16 | Using Gouache and Watercolor | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm | 4 hrs, $46
Gouache, or “designers colors”, is opaque watercolor; Watercolors are the transparent version of the same paint. Both have an important part to play in the creation of calligraphic art, and this workshop will open up a whole new world of possibilities for the calligrapher who wants to add color to his or her work. Materials fee, about $25.

July 10 – August 7 | Beginning Italic | 15 hrs, $173
The Italic hand is the most popular and useful of all the calligraphic hands, and also, arguably, the most challenging to write well. This six-week workshop will teach you the basics of forming the letters, both capitals and small, and spacing them well. The student with a basic knowledge of calligraphic principals (such as is acquired in a Roman Minuscule or Foundational course) will benefit the most from this course, but the instruction is designed for the rank beginner as well. The six sessions will be on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30. Materials fee, about $100.

July 21 | Gold and Silver for Commoners | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm | 4 hrs, $46
Nothing equals the beauty of real gold, and if you know how to use it in your calligraphic work that’s great, but if you don’t have that knowledge, or the time and money required to learn, there are alternatives. In this workshop you will learn about some of these – paints, metals and other media that will lend beauty to your work with much less time and effort expended. Materials fee, about $25.

Aug 18–19 | Refining & Personalizing Your Italic | 9:30 am–4:00 pm both days | 13 hrs, $150
Once you have a sound working knowledge of the Italic hand, you will want to refine your writing by mastering the fine nuances and flourishing/swashing techniques that will set your work apart. This intensive workshop is for those who wish to move toward a real mastery of this challenging hand. Prerequisite is a working knowledge of Italic.

Sept 4 – Nov 4 | Calligraphy For Everyone | 25 hrs, $288
This ten-week course, on ten consecutive Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, is intended to present the novice calligrapher with a sound knowledge and appreciation for the history, culture, art and craft of calligraphy. The basics of three essential calligraphic hands – Roman, Italic and Copperplate - will be taught. An emphasis on homework between sessions will be encouraged. Materials fee, about $100.

*The $100 materials fee cited for several of the courses includes a special adjustable writing board which will greatly facilitate your calligraphic efforts and is useful for other writing and drawing endeavors also.

All classes will take place in suite 101 of the Capital Pediatrics Building, which is wheelchair accessible and located at 3800 Computer Drive, Raleigh. (Computer Drive is directly off Six Forks Road, just one block south of the I-440 Beltline). The classroom capacity is twelve.

FOR SALE

IN RALEIGH...

Jean Rigsbee at the Bare Wall Art Gallery and Framing, 5230 Holly Ridge Drive (adjacent to Holly Park Shopping Center on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh), carries a great selection of artworks for your home or place of business, including a complete selection of Don's prints. She's also a very creative and service-oriented framer.

The Mail Box Plus, 6040-A Six Forks Road (Twin Forks Office Center) in Raleigh, has been operated by Ms. Brenda Burke in the most genteel and customer-friendly way possible for over 27 years. In addition to her comprehensive mailing and shipping services, she carries an extensive display of Don's prints, clocks and plaques. You'll enjoy your dealings with her!

Amazing Grace Books and More at 1657 North Market Drive carries a very complete and wonderful array of Christian literature, Bibles, art works and tasteful paraphernalia, and Don's prints. It is owned and managed by Harvey and Joanna Hicks. Be prepared to get a blessing when you visit with them.

... AND ELSEWHERE

The Riverside Mill, just off of I-95 in Weldon, NC (200 Mill Street) is a recently opened, growing and eclectic collection of shops, galleries and artists from all over Eastern North Carolina. Located in a refurbished mill building in beautiful downtown Weldon, it is well worth a small, restful detour as you travel the Interstate. Don's prints, of course, are one of the highlights of the place!

ON DISPLAY

“RUGGED CROSS” is a three dimensional calligraphic portrayal of the last seven things that Jesus Christ said as He was dying for all our sins at Calvary. The calligraphy was done in dark brown gouache on random pieces of wood veneer which were then arranged on the cross, between visual characterizations of the two other men crucified with Him that day at Golgotha. The piece measures 25” x 40” x 6”. The work was completed in July, 2009. It is presently on display at Don's church, Friendship Baptist Church, 5510 Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh. Everyone is cordially invited to attend Sunday morning worship services with Don and his wife, Edith, and take the opportunity to view the work in person.

Also on display there are his “SIX BIBLICAL PIECES”, a set of six large framed verses, each in a basic color of the rainbow and a calligraphic style appropriate to the verse.

“LIGHT” is a 30” x 22” collection of Biblical verses about God as Light, written in white and yellow gouaches on a purple paste paper ground. It was created in 2006 and is presently on display at a private retreat facility at Kerr Lake. Full-, half- and quarter-size giclee prints are available.

(All of these pieces are available for sale; for details.)

IN THE NEWS

Don was interviewed for the "Midtown Muse" column in the Midtown Raleigh News that appeared on November 21, 2010. Read the online version or see a scan of the print version here.

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