June 2021 Number 143

Dear Friends, Katie Leavens, and Raoul years of publication, was The last few months have been Martinez. Nancy Noble released in March, and FOC’s full of activity in terms of FOC’s continues as Editor of the Bulletin, own Carl Rohrs is one of the events. On May 2, and Carl Rohrs continues as co editors, along with Suzanne we held the 46th Annual General Editor of the . You can Cunningham and Sachin Shah. Meeting, via Zoom. The AGM is see the beautiful election slate, Carl gave a lecture about the where we elect the officers and below, calligraphed by Cynthia book and its contents to FOC in Council for the coming year. Cravens. Maria Giudice’s talk April, and you can read about the There were no big surprises, at the AGM about the journey lecture on 6. because everyone was willing she has taken through her Several classes have helped fill to serve another year, for which calligraphic and design career time while we are still on various I am grateful. The officers are was surprising, entertaining, stages of stay-at-home. You can yours truly as President; and inspiring. See Page 16. To find articles about them in the Elena Caruthers, Vice President; find out more about Maria, pages of this Bulletin. Dean Robino, Treasurer; Fredi check out her website at Juni, Secretary. Council members https://hotstudio.com/. Stay safe and well, folks. are Martha Boccalini, Cynthia The 25th issue of the Speedball Cheers, Cravens, Darla Engelmann, Textbook, celebrating 105

Evelyn FOC Council Members President Evelyn Eldridge Vice President Elena Caruthers Treasurer Dean Robino Secretary Fredi Juni Council Members Martha Boccalini Cynthia Cravens Darla Engelmann Katie Leavens Raoul Martinez Alphabet Editor Carl Rohrs

Letter from the President

Bulletin Editor Nancy Noble�

Friends of Calligraphy 1 Moved to Abstraction Gold By: Barry Morentz

If the arrival of Spring heralds producing sophisticated, elegant through varying weights and rebirth and renewal, so it was letters … but that is not his contrast. Elements were pushed that Mike Gold’s provocative primary concern. together to interact with one workshop Moved to Abstraction In this workshop the goal another, and line spacing was planted potent seeds for the was not to create a traditional eliminated for the sake of discovery and creation of calligraphic composition, but abstraction. The culmination of audacious and unconventional to design a visually arresting these disparate elements resulted calligraphic works. Thirty-four piece out of known letterforms in an asymmetrical composition curious students eagerly that would be extensively generally more dynamic and assembled on April 9 and 11 to modified to establish a mood visually involving than a be guided through relatively and an emotional climate. traditional calligraphic work. unfamiliar corridors of bold and Letters were considered in terms The potential provided by this daring design. of line, shape and form, thus method of design was staggering Mike began his workshop permitting us great latitude to and almost infinite because we well before it actually started bend them however we desired. were urged to create shapes by sending each participant The designs were spontaneous, that would in turn create other an elegantly designed booklet eschewing any pre-conceived shapes that are not simply letters outlining what would be covered notions or planning, but rather by themselves. This opened an in class over two full days. Yes! one of ongoing reaction to the exciting new world of design two FULL days, 7 hours with a one last created mark. If this sounds potential with legibility taking hour lunch break. Any misgivings like chaos, it was not! We were a backseat. Wow! Talk about for sitting in a Zoom class for such steadily reminded to see where liberation! an extended period were quickly our eye was led, and to remember Collage was the focus of the allayed by the swift and steady some fundamental principles of second part of the workshop, tempo of the proceedings and the sound graphic design, such as and it was really an extension ongoing interaction of Mike with rhythm, contrast and movement. of playing with letterforms and each student. Various media including colored shapes. Colored papers were cut pencils, pastels and brushes Many participants initially and/or torn into different sizes could be used at our discretion expressed a certain timidity and forms, and then placed on to enhance or intensify the about the very abstract designs a ground to create a structure overall tone of the piece. to be attempted, declaring it to utilizing the same design be out of their comfort zone. It Some exercises certainly pushed principles as when working with was especially heartening to us in new directions, and Mike’s letterforms. One or two letters, see the gamut of experience in intention was for the work to or a word, or a phrase could then the class, with many seasoned talk to us, even if the language be used atop the collage in an scribes and with a few who had was only fleetingly familiar. We ancillary capacity, and whether never used a calligraphic tool were urged to push the forms to or not it related to the cut papers but were simply intrigued by become unreadable to express made no difference whatsoever. the concept of working with feeling and to create visual jazz This exercise of working with handwriting and imagery. forms and shapes was far more The reticence was soon challenging than designing a dispelled by Mike’s encouraging traditional calligraphic text. admonitions that we would be Moved to Abstraction was an Mike Gold Workshop Gold Mike working with line, shape and eye-opening experience for all form, and that pristine, super the students as it freed us from refined letters were quite beside the strictures of conventional the and far from the goal. design and enabled us to see Indeed, he declared that he such avant-garde compositions is more interested in being a from a fresh perspective. And Picasso-like calligrapher rather Mike Gold, with his superlative than one in the mold of Zapf, teaching, impish smile and although he certainly did express deliciously affable personality, great admiration for Zapf’s awesome lived up to the meaning of his contributions to the calligraphy last name and enriched us all world. And be assured that beyond measure. Mike is eminently capable of June 2021 Darla Englemann’s Collage — Day 2 Additional Images on Next Page 2 Participant Work from Mike Gold’s Workshop

Clockwise from Top Left: Dean Robino, Martha Slavin, Vicky Lee, Valerie Franco, Valerie Sopher, Meredith Klein & Maria Fernanda Valecillos, Center.

Friends of Calligraphy 3 teaching at Trivial Pursuits and Fort Mason. One day he stopped By: Mary Ann Wight David Winkler at the Berkeley Black Repertory well as bookmaking with many Theater where rehearsals were in workshop teachers, but had the progress for Purlie Victorious by discipline to develop his own Ozzie Davis. He was recruited Copperplate exercises, which to join the cast, and even created he would regularly submit for a proclamation as a critique to his tai chi teacher and prop for his role. friend, Alice Sink. After nursing his first partner I first met David in Carla Tenret’s through the end of life, David 1985 summer calligraphy class was able to travel. His family at Albany Adult School. Another recounts his trips to Lake Titicaca young mother and I had carved and the depths of Colca Canyon out a brief haven during the short in Peru, Beijing to Hong Kong in biweekly session to socialize China, and a trek to the 18,000 while learning. At the end of ft. level of Mt. Everest. David the class time, David turned began a touching and beautiful to us and said, This is a class, tradition of presenting travel not a visiting room. When I saw journals, containing keepsakes his work, I David Winkler’s home was understood like a jewel box, full of light, how seriously art from his travels to Europe, he took the Peru, Nepal, and China, a practice of music room, exercise room, calligraphy, and a studio which was like and we tried a shrine to calligraphy. David to be less was generous with his treasure distracting under the trees in the Berkeley after that. hills where he hosted visiting friends, family, workshop David was teachers, and jolly FOC holiday born the oldest parties. His large drafting of eleven in table was surrounded by tools, Salt Lake City, inks, and exquisitely executed UT. After passages and broadsides. high school, He modestly described his he joined the collection as largely unfinished, Navy, where of their shared journeys, to but his execution was so perfect he enrolled in Chinese language Carl N. Lester, distinguished that it was never incomplete. study in Monterey. Following public health administrator and David maintained his mastery service in Taiwan, he earned a educator, who became David’s of Chancery cursive by using BA in English at UC Berkeley. He long-time partner and congenial it to record minutes and other worked until retirement at the co-host for many calligraphy routine writing tasks. He Unemployment Insurance Branch events. studied lettering and design as of the California Employment Development David’s life, like his well-curated Department. home, was filled with a wide David was knowledge and expertise which devoted to went beyond music and art, all of the healthy which he shared without reserve. practices of tai Our lives are richer for the patina chi and serious of our contacts with him, his walking. He passions, and his wit. In Memoriam: David Winkler David Memoriam: In was a good Thanks to Bonnie Winkler volunteer, House, one of David’s sisters, for serving as FOC sharing the family remembrance. treasurer for eight years, as well as June 2021 � 4 Spice It Up with Colored Pencils By: Charm Brown This was a two-day workshop tape are best as they do not lift or May 8 and 9, 2021, each lesson tear your paper when removed. consisting of three hours. We learned about watercolor As my previous colored pencil underpainting with pencil work experience was pretty limited over it or writing with white

to keeping within the lines, this Janet Glessner’s Work gouache on black paper, letting class was a revelation. Colored it dry and then putting pencil pencils at a professional level. horizontal, diagonal—followed over the letters. White gouache by tonal qualities, glazing, works best with this technique as Jane’s 15-page handout is an burnishing, gradation or value it dries completely flat. The color absolute reference library for changes, and impressed lines. was not taken to the very edges anything you ever wanted to of the letters—leav a thin white know about colored pencils and These are great little exercises border. how to use them, for which we which give a visual to go with thank her sincerely as it was a the words. It also shows the We drew letters with a fineliner lot of work. quality of your pencils as the and then colored and decorated, non-artist grade do not give the and also used gold or silver gel The first two pages are all about same results, and it is good to be pens or other metallic pencils the characteristics of colored aware of this going forward if and again added color. pencils; papers, lightfastness, you plan on doing more pencil tools and materials: sharpeners, work. Something else to buy, The final exercises: using colored erasers, masking tape, pencil and I thought I had just about pencils with actual words or extenders—who knew you could everything. We learned about phrases, doing thick and thin do that!—fixative, burnisher, the wonderfully named Grisaille, pressure letters, drawing the graphite pencils, templates Sgraffito and Frottage, and I have letters in colored pencils and and solvents. double-checked the spelling. adding decorative touches to more ornamental letters. Pages 3 and 4 are color info- Then came techniques such rmation including definitions as lifting color, water-soluble This was where we got to use all of the terminology, which is pencils, paper surfaces, and color the techniques we had done, and incredibly useful, as are the to complete 31 of the exercises. there was lots of time to practice. two color wheels showing the This is where we finished Day 1. Jane provided examples of how difference between the theo- It was a very intensive three to use colored pencils in a truly retical color wheel and an actual hours with only a 10 minute amazing range of styles. color wheel. break. Like calligraphy, the Some of the techniques we After a very brief chat about her making of the strokes determines learned were: making letters background, we started on the the quality of the finished with two art sticks taped color techniques, which we were product. The strokes are made together or shaving a hard pencil able to do along with Jane. carefully and direction of the to a chisel point for calligraphic strokes and the speed is just as letters; embossing and coloring In the first hour and a half important. The slower the speed in the recessed spaces; coloring we completed 20 of the 42 the better the finish was usually negative spaces, of course, but techniques listed, by doing small the best approach. also the negative spaces in the examples of each type starting letter forms themselves when with simple strokes—vertical, Day 2 we completed the remaining exercises which made with double strokes such involved more work. as with a scroll pen. The combi- Jane Shibata Workshop nations are almost endless. You can use solvents to dissolve wax-based pencils, but these Throughout i all Jane emphasized do not work with vegetable the importance of: sharpen your oil-based pencils such as Faber pencils often. You cannot make a Castell Polychromos and Lyra crisp edge with a fat pencil! Rembrandt Polycolor. Using Thank You, Jane! stencils and masking was fun Charm because the stencils can be Brown’s Elena Caruthers’ Swatches handmade by cutting out shapes, Exercise Work. or bought, and masking tape also More on works. The low-tac varieties of Page 16 Friends of Calligraphy 5 Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular By: Jessie Evans stories that slides of artwork and layouts and Carl told designs from the book—those about the that made it into the book and making of the those that didn’t—along with 25th edition of lots of other stories. At the end of the Speedball the talk a lot of attendees spoke Textbook. about their memories of getting started in calligraphy through First, a little The Speedball Textbook. The first bit about image that Carl showed in his Carl: Carl is presentation was the back cover the editor of the 7th edition of the book. It of Alphabet, was a black and white Speedball the quarterly showcard with the phrase “The magazine for pen is mightier than the sword” The Friends of shown here. Carl joked that the Calligraphy. word spacing on the card was As a kid, Carl mighty but said that the showcard handlettered is a beautiful example of the kind the comic of letter that was aimed at artists books that who did movie cards because he drew. He they were one of the main target The Speedball Textbook is one of learned calligraphy in a college audiences of the Speedball pens the most well-known lettering art class, then sign painting and books then. books ever published. It has after college, and has never quit oodles of ductus on the most either of them since. He has The idea behind the cover of common lettering styles and taught in the Art Department at the book was to have all three calligraphic hands, and it’s a editors cornucopia of lettering samples of this and calligraphy wonders by edition some of the world’s greatest repre- lettering artists. As its subtitle sented says, The Speedball Textbook is on the a comprehensive guide to pen cover: his and brush lettering. It’s an 8.5 lettering by 5.8 inch booklet that really is at puts the pen in compendium. For the top: beginners in the lettering arts Speedball and veteran calligraphers alike, Textbook th this mighty little textbook is 25 something to celebrate. Edition, Sachin’s The Speedball Textbook has been “S” is around for 105 years, and it in the just so happens that the 25th Cabrillo College near Santa Cruz middle, and Suzanne’s lettering edition was published in in California for years, and he at the bottom: A Comprehensive April of this year. The 25th teaches workshops around the Guide to Brush & Pen Lettering. edition was expertly edited by world. Carl is especially well- Carl explained the details of superstar calligraphers Suzanne known for his beautiful brush the cover a little more. Carl’s Cunningham, Sachin Shah, and calligraphy and for being an all- letters on the title page were FOC’s very own Carl Rohrs. On around wonderful person. done on the last sheet of a very April 10, 2021 Carl treated The loud laid surface paper, which Friends of Calligraphy to an Carl’s talk about The Speedball he described as being like a online presentation of the new Textbook was wave upon wave synthetic material. He said he edition, and we were enthralled. of inspiration. He presented can’t remember where he got it

Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular Textbook Speedball & The Rohrs Carl anecdotes about the decisions This aticle attempts to describe and can’t find it anywhere. He and work that the editors put the magic of Carl’s presentation didn’t write Speedball Textbook out into the 25th edition through and to capture some of the in order—he just did the letters June 2021 Continued on Next Page 6 over and over again and pasted and quills, then you know that ears” but so fortunate to have a it together. Sachin’s “S” was they bring things to lettering class with a legend. But honestly

Continued taken from a design he did of the that metal pens don’t. Carl Carl, same, same. That’s what we words The Speedball Textbook, and showed a plate from the 7th think when we get to have a class Carl enlarged the “S,” cut it out edition of Reed, Pen & Brush with you. of paper, and mounted it to get a for Writing and Lettering What Carl said he mostly floating effect with a little bit of that shows the same kind of built remembers is those famous first shadow. And Suzanne’s lettering up letters using a pen. Carl took words from Father Catich about on the cover gives pointed pen a class from Father Catich at the Speedball and a glorious pink letter representation on the beginning of his calligraphy “R” on slate that happened so cover, so readers get a sense of education. OMG, can you fast that he couldn’t believe what the spectrum of what’s inside. even imagine! he was seeing. Carl pointed out The title page of the 25th edition The first words Father Catich that Lee Littlewood was in the uses Julian Waters’ lettering, The said to the class were, “To the Speedball Textbook from the 22nd true calligrapher ‘Speedball’ is edition from 1991 and combines a dirty word”. But, Carl said, it with Carl’s brush lettering, Father Catich and Ross George 25th, which was originally used were kindred spirits in the way for a Paper and Ink catalog for they worked. Father Catich was a their 25th anniversary. Hobie Chicago sign painter early in his MacQuarrie gave Carl a big career. He said that people who selection of Speedball Textbook ads would have painted the letters to use in the new edition. Carl on stone to be cut into stone picked the most calligraphic one could walk into a Chicago sign and used it for the verso page shop in the 1920s in a toga and of the title page. Carl showed get a job, that they had the skills us a few more of the vintage that a modern-day sign painter Speedball ads from Hobie’s had. Author’s side note—okay, collection. Hobie sent Carl about Friends of Calligraphy, when are 15 to 20 of these ads, cut out from we making a movie about time- various art magazines and sign traveling sign painters in togas Father Edward Catich works on a large painting magazines. And they from ancient Roman times who calligraphic piece next to the first editions of were originals! Hobie has an show up in 1920s Chicago and his book “Origin of the ,” recognized as the best scholarly work on how the ancient incredible morgue that he’s been get jobs as sign painters? Romans designed & cut inscription letters. gathering since the 1940s. For 10 years Hobie self-published a audience. Lee is a sign painter magazine based on the contents friend of Carl’s that he met in of his morgue. 1982. Ten years went by before he Carl then showed a couple of and Lee started comparing notes, vintage Speedball ads from and it turns out that Lee drove an article on Ross George and down from Portland to take the Speedball that he published class with Father Catich. Years in Alphabet back in the 1990s. after that, he found out that Gina Carl was the editor of Alphabet Jonas had also traveled down from 1989 to 1992. The ads were from Seattle to be in that class. interesting because, as Carl So, Carl said, it was really an explained, Ross George decided The next slide Carl showed auspicious class.

to attack the reed pen and the was a picture of Reese Bullen An image of a poster of Catich’s quill in the ads to imply that and Father Catich from the lineage of the Roman alphabet the Speedball nibs had replaced Spring of 1973, where Carl’s first demonstrated the evolution those and made life easier. But calligraphy class took place in of lettering and how all the Ross George inadvertently Eureka, California. Reese Bullen calligraphic hands lead to started a bit of a feud with none was Carl’s first calligraphy modern show card and sign other than Father Catich. Father teacher. Carl said that he started writing. Once again, Father Catich wrote the book Reed, Pen that class in January, and Reese Catich showed how he thinks & Brush Alphabets for Writing and and Lanore Cady brought Father Chicago sign painting is the

Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular Textbook Speedball & The Rohrs Carl Lettering, and believed in writing Catich to teach in the class about last evolution of the history of with a reed pen. Carl said that if two months later. Wow! Carl said lettering, of Roman lettering you have worked with reed pens that he was “so wet behind the at least. Friends of Calligraphy Continued on Next Page 7 this group of calligraphy friends Getting back to the ephemera attended years ago. On the day for Speedball and showing an th Continued the picture was taken, they ad from the 12 edition, Carl were having a Romans day, and explained that the editions came Susie pulled out the incredible out irregularly. There were large showcard Alan did where he had gaps and short gaps in between painted the words of the Roman editions, and it sometimes came inscription like a signpainter’s down to whenever Ross George showcard. got around to it. An interesting Another interesting story about change from older editions of The Speedball Textbook and the a piece that is now a part of th the Harrison Collection in San 25 edition is that older editions Francisco is a small stone carving had pages and spreads devoted by Annika Peterson that reads, to the different lettering tools. For ye are the temple of God.” Carl and the other editors chose “ th Annika based this carving on a to save space in the 25 edition A great picture from Paul Shaw’s lettering piece by Michael Clark by putting them all on one book, The Eternal Letter, showed from 1997 that was designed spread. Carl was pleased that Catich doing a rubbing of the to look like a rubbing. He did they got to keep Ross George’s inscription of the Trajan a pencil rubbing on tracing terrific illustrations of the tools in around 1950. See next page. paper on vellum, then used a the spread. Another image showed a Catich chromatech transfer of white The editors planned to add a slate that is in the Harrison on top of it. Last year, Annika lot of new artwork to the 25th Collection in San Francisco. The and Michael were talking and edition, but they also knew Harrison Collection has three decided to see how the lettering that there would be artwork Catich slates. And if you’re up in would look if it was actually that carried over from previous Portland, several carved stones carved in stone. You can read editions. One piece of artwork are in the Reed College library. about these pieces in the Spring that carried over from edition Alphabet th You can also see Catich’s carved 2021 issue of , page 35. to edition, including the 25 , is stones if you live in the Midwest. Carl spoke a bit more about Julian Waters’ Italic. For example, you can go to the Hobie MacQuarrie, who has Showing an old show card Catich Museum on the campus some work featured in the 25th of Speedball nibs and Steve of St. Ambrose College. Carl edition. Hobie has a three-story Hosmer’s collection of emphasized that there are plenty house with studios on all three Speedball Textbooks, including a of places to see Catich’s work floors. How neat is that? He photocopied version of the first in person. has done sign painting, comic edition, Carl spotlighted Steve The next slide contained a book lettering, and graphic Hosmer’s method of doing poster compilation of images. One design lettering, and one of designs. There are lot of ways to picture showed Susie Taylor’s the things he concentrated on get letters onto signs and posters. was silkscreening. He is as hand for scale over the letters The Construction of Gothic Show comfortable with a knife in his of one of Catich’s rubbings of Card by Ross George is Alan hand as a brush or a pen. He the Trajan Column inscription. Blackman’s favorite alphabet designs and silkscreen prints Another picture featured exemplar in the world. Carl likes a showcard that Alan the spurred version, and Blackman did of the Trajan he likes the dry brush Column inscription in show version so much he used card lettering style. The it as a background image story behind the picture on pages 3 and 6 of the of Susie’s hand is that 25th edition. Carl turned Philipe de Bauss took the the spurred gothic into a picture during a visit to the that he and the Harrison Collection when other editors used for the he was visiting from Paris. headings at the top of And the picture of Alan’s the pages and the page showcard of the Trajan numbers of the book. inscription was taken at Page 7: Some Notes on Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular Textbook Speedball & The Rohrs Carl his own Christmas cards. Hobie one of the monthly Saturday Left-Handed Writers and the meetings that Linnea Lundquist worked as a comic book lettering artist for the Steve Canyon and Broad-Edged Pen by Georgianna and Susie Taylor organized that Greenwood. Carl walked us June 2021 Denis the Menace comic strips. Continued on Next Page 8 through specific pages from the Pages 16 and 17: Capital Variations book, starting with Georgianna by Julian Waters and Ewan

Continued Greenwood’s left-handed writers Clayton. Two great contrasting page. This page appeared in pieces of Roman capital a different layout in the 24th variations are featured on pages edition. With a nod to Randy 16 and 17. Julian’s piece, On Hasson and Angie Vangalis Power, is part of his John Stewart who edited the 24th edition, Mill series of pieces. Carl described this page as a Page 19: Capital Variations by “glorious composition” and Jean Larcher, Alice, and Carl explained that he was able to Rohrs. The piece in this section turn this plate into a two-color by Jean Larcher was done for page. Pages 12, 13, and 15: Roman the Friends of Calligraphy. Page 9: Gemma Black and Capitals by John Stevens. The The individualistic square Randall Hasson. The Blossom Roman capitals exemplar by John capitals in this piece were done artwork by Gemma Black Stevens was another page from for silkscreen cards for the and the pangram by Randy previous editions where the Kalligraphia membership exhibit Hasson demonstrate what kind editors had the perfect exemplar in 1994. The original cards had of letterforms can be achieved already and used it again in this Jean Larcher’s capitals at the top with the A and B nibs. Randy edition. The exemplar on page and Susie Taylor’s calligraphy went down the rabbit hole of 13 was originally in a horizontal at the bottom. Also featured on Ross George, as Carl put it, and format, and John agreed to let page 19 are a more traditional wrote a book about him. We Carl reshape it into a vertical take on Roman capitals by Alice, hope the book will be published format to fit the book. followed by the only Rustics in sometime soon! Kelley Braun Carl took the photo of the the book, done by Carl. During was the executive producer of the discussion after the talk, th inscription on the base of the 25 edition, and it was Randy Trajan’s Column in Rome from Carl showed a piece with Susie who recommended Carl as one Taylor’s Rustics. th 113 AD in 2017. Carl said that of the editors of the 25 edition. the day he took that picture and Page 22: Uncials by Yukimi got to see the inscription up Annand. The Uncials section of close was one of the best days of the book has a beautiful piece his life. How cool that a picture by Yukimi that is so classic but from that day is included in the so so personal. Carl loves that Speedball Textbook, as well as the this piece by Yukimi follows the issue of Alphabet that features piece in the book by Jean Larcher Roman capitals and this trip that because it’s a quotation by Jean Carl took. Larcher about one of his feelings John Stevens let the editors about lettering. include his 1984 Society of Carl also showed some of Scribes piece, featured on page Yukimi’s work from an issue 15 in the Capital Variations. This of Alphabet from a year ago, is one of Carl’s all-time favorite which was greatly influenced by pieces of lettering. He said it’s Herman Kilian. Herman Killian in his top 5 favorites of all time. is featured in the latest issue of What are your all-time favorite Alphabet. Pages 10 and 11: Chiara Riva pieces of calligraphy? and Michael Clark. In the section Page 26: English Foundational by called A & B nibs starting on Sheila Waters and Irene Wellington. page 10, Chiara Riva’s innovative Carl created a ductus of ductus shows how to lose contact Foundational for the book with the paper to get thick and based on Irene Wellington’s thin strokes with a bent nib Foundational, which you and achieve “unexpectedly can see at the top of page 26. expressive calligraphy.” She used However, Carl consulted with dots for a pen scale for these Sheila Waters and Julian Waters, letters! Michael Clark used an and they convinced Carl not to use the Foundational ductus Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular Textbook Speedball & The Rohrs Carl A nib that is rounded. When Carl asked him why, he said he prepared. Carl figured that “because it was fun.” if you’re going to ask Sheila Waters for advice, you should Friends of Calligraphy Continued on Next Page 9 take it. So, they replaced Carl’s breakdown of Italic variations there are so many possibilities Foundational ductus with as a teacher. Carl thinks there with it. In developing the

Continued Sheila’s and turned it into a two- is nothing more exciting for a exemplar on page 52, Carl tried color piece. beginning student of calligraphy to be faithful to the Neuland Page 27: Italian Humanistic by than this series of 11 variations of typeface. The typeface he used is Elmo van Slingerland. English italic showing what you can do a digital typeface from a defunct Foundational and Italian when you change the variables in Chicago called Humanistic both came from when you’re writing. Referring Alphabets Incorporated that Carolingian models back in the to the example pieces of Italic was started by the late Peter 9th and 10th century, but they had on page 33, Carl said that John Fraterdeus, who Carl described two different histories. It’s neat Stevens’ piece Mufaro’s Beautiful as a Renaissance man. The that they are presented together Daughters is one of the most Alphabets Incorporated version on the Minuscules spread on beautiful examples of Italic of Neuland is Carl’s favorite. pages 26 and 27. Sachin Shah you’re ever gonna see. And he The Neuland ductus on page asked Elmo van Slingerland added, “That ‘M’ is something 53 is by John Stevens. Carl to do the exemplar for the else.” explained that John usually likes Italian Humanistics on page The spread across page 36 is to start from the concept of the 27. The original artwork for the one of Carl’s absolute favorite typeface and let it go in a more thick and thin alphabet in the spreads in the book. For the individual direction. A 2015 issue banner by Elmo had a quotation example pieces of Italic featured of Alphabet features a laser-cut in between each line of the on the verso side of the spread, cover of John Stevens’ Neuland alphabet, and Elmo allowed Carl everyone thought it was neat seen on page 54. to alter the artwork digitally to that the head in the piece by Carl asked John to do an get the final version that’s at the Georgia Deaver for “Aesthetic exemplar of his Lyrical Neuland top of page 27. Dermatology & Cosmetic lettering, based on a birth Pages 30 and 32: Julian Waters’ Surgery” faces the piece “Letters announcement piece John did, Italic that appears on pages 30 and from a Headmaster’s Study” which you can see on page 55, 31 are taken from the 22nd edition by Howard Glasser. The layout but ultimately John didn’t feel from 1991. Along with the tools of the pieces by Alice, Georgia like it was Speedball material. pages, pages 4 and 5, this Italic Deaver, and Howard Glasser How amazing to hear from page was one of the very first on page 36 across from Susie these master calligraphers about things Carl tried out when he Taylor’s classic Italic on page 36 determining what is Speedball was starting the design of the is also something Carl was material. It makes me think book. He knew he was going pleased with. about how to self-critique and to use it because it’s such a Pages 38 and 39: Losing Contact evaluate my own lettering. It wonderful classic. Previous by Carl Rohrs. Carl has taught also makes me think about deep editions weren’t able to use this technique for a long time. study and how to engage with color because of limitations and He usually is able to explain it the letterforms to achieve a real costs at the time of printing, in person and had to get it down understanding. but now a two-color printing is on paper. He said showing it in more expensive than a full-color this talk was an excuse to show printing. Julian agreed to let Carl some of Christine Colasurdo’s change the original ductus from work on losing contact with the 22nd edition. Carl got the the paper. You can think of the ductus away from the exemplar losing contact technique as, when and presented a concentrated you lift the pen, the bead of ink ductus, which you can see is like a curtain dragging the ink on page 31. Carl said that the across the page. A direct quote letterforms in the concentrated from Carl about this is that “it’s a ductus represented the action really exciting way to write and of the alphabet that everybody I love it.” This technique works needed to see, and getting the best when the pen is really wet. Page 56: Monoline by Liesbet ductus away from the letters So even if you are trying it with a Boudens. The pen alphabet themselves so that they could Pilot Parallel pen, have some ink featured on page 56 by Carl is an shine on their own. available to dip it in. alphabet that began in Liesbet Page 32: Italic Variations by Sheila Pages 52, 53, 54, and 55: Neuland Boudon’s bathroom! Liesbet Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular Textbook Speedball & The Rohrs Carl Waters. This was the other classic by John Stevens and Carl Rohrs. The had painted the letters on her piece that had to be in the book. Neuland section turned out to bathroom wall. When Carl Carl fell in love with Sheila’s be a pretty big section because visited Liesbet’s house, he saw June 2021 Continued on Next Page 10 these letters and couldn’t stop from other incredible pointed of the artwork and instruction thinking about them. Liesbet sent pen artists like Nina Tran and in it, for the inspiration it gives

Continued Carl a pencil drawing version of David Grimes. The exploded its readers, and the dedication, the letters, which you can see at “Copperplate” piece in the expertise, and creativity of its the top of page 56 in the book. banner at the top of page 58 is editors. Carl and Leisbet are thinking of really amazing as an Below: Judy Detrick’s fold-out, one of only two, opposite Amity Parks & Harvest developing the alphabet further instructional piece and it’s just Crittenden’s page. Next Two: Mike Gold and and calling it Zeep which is really fun to look at. Tania Crossingham’s pieces. Flemmish for soap. For the rest of the talk, Carl took us on a whirlwind tour of some of the examples and pieces in the rest of the book, dashing around and pointing out neat things about the pieces. There’s an artists index at the back of the Page 43: Blackletter by Ward book listing all of the artists who Dunham. The Blackletter spread have pieces in the book and what on pages 42 and 43 are another page the artwork is on. of Carl’s favorites from the book. The energy and excitement of The two illustrations and the text the discussion that followed on Blackletter are all by Ward Carl’s talk shows how important Dunham. The circle alphabet The Speedball Textbook is to the piece on page 42 featured Ward’s audience. For so many people, famous Gothic buzzsaw style The Speedball Textbook was their Blackletter. Many editions of first introduction to calligraphy. the Speedball Textbook have It was for me. Thanks for that included the Blackletter circle Christmas gift all those years alphabet by Ward, but when ago, Aunt Sharon! Originally Carl approached Ward about intended as a professional tool rerunning it in this edition, Ward and resource for draftspeople, wanted to redo it. The version on The Speedball Textbook has come page 42 was especially made for a long way. Its 25 editions are this edition and it’s brand new testimony to how much the fresh buzzsaw Blackletter trade, hobby, and art of lettering by Ward! and calligraphy have changed Carl altered the Blackletter piece over the years. The success by Raoul Martinez on page 45 of its publications show how to fit the vertical space in the calligraphy is more in the public spread. It was so interesting to eye than ever before. hear how Carl asked artists if he The 25th Edition of The Speedball could change their artwork to fit Textbook is a treasure—because into the book. There were many pieces, including pieces by Raoul Martinez and Meredith Klein, that Carl wanted to use in the book that they couldn’t get permission to use. Sachin Shah loves to use alternative pen sizes in his pieces, which has a really neat effect. Pages 58: Pointed Pen by Suzanne Cunningham. Suzanne is really well known in the pointed pen

Carl Rohrs & The Speedball Textbook Spectacular Textbook Speedball & The Rohrs Carl circles, and she was in charge of the pointed pen section of the book. She organized work Friends of Calligraphy 11 Prompt Renewal: Membership Extra Support: My annual pitch. We deeply Thank You to everyone who As we remind you from time appreciate it when you renew joined and supported FOC over to time, regular membership promptly. If you renew in June the past year. Our membership dues don’t cover membership or July, it means I don’t need to has increased by 29 members costs, and we are grateful when send you a follow-up remind- from the previous year. some members can renew at er. Also, prompt renewal saves higher levels because this is money. If you renew before the New Members: one way to help cover the cost first mailing of the year, you are in the bulk mailing, which costs FOC extends a warm welcome to of administering FOC. But us around 65¢ per envelope. our newest members. We’re glad please know that we appreciate After the mailing, I have to send you joined! your renewal at any level of membership. We know many first class, and the cost increases Edgardo Castro people have experienced during the year, from $2-$3 in Kristen Doty hardships during this very October to $7.95 after the Decem- Jen Grove challenging year, and if you ber mailing, when the weight Guinevere Lee cannot renew, we hope to see means we must use priority mail. Paullette McLaren you in the future. Pamela Rodey Changes To Contact Carole Taylor Membership Forms: Information: And apologies to new member Jenny I create individualized Allen for misspelling her name in membership renewal forms. If We try to keep our information the last Bulletin. you can return your form to me, current. When you receive your Heads-Up: it REALLY helps. At a glance I mailed or emailed renewal form, can tell if I need to revise the please check the information and

Our next Kalligraphia exhibition database. I love mailed renewals let me know of any changes. It

is set for 2022, and only FOC and a special thank you to the helps me so much. members may submit work to members who decorated envelopes this unjuried triennial show. or enclosed art this past year!, but — Love, Meredith I send you my best wishes for sending a scan or photo of your your continued health and safety. form via email is terrific.

FOC PO Box: Thank You By: Evelyn Eldridge Laura Bernabei, monitors FOC PO Box, picking up mail and Thank You, Volunteers!! Friends Social Media Committee: distributing it. of Calligraphy could not exist Evelyn Eldridge, Fredi Juni, Alphabet Back Issues: without the tireless efforts of its Katie Leavens, Raoul Martinez, Hobie MacQuarrie, for storing, volunteers. We are so thankful Dean Robino for the efforts of everyone who organizing and mailing out back FOC Membership Directory has helped out during the past : issues of Alphabet; Dean Robino year, particularly considering Rick Paulus, cover art and for processing the requests. ; Judy Detrick, graphic the challenges of reinventing Fort Mason Committee: what we normally do in order to design; Meredith Klein, files and proofreading. Georgiana Greenwood, Dean

Membership & You’s Thank function during the pandemic. Robino, Laura Bernabei: also the Proofreading Publications: registrar and a class monitor; Katie FOC Council: Evelyn Eldridge, Sandi Collins, Evelyn Eldridge, Leavens: also designed the brochure President; Elena Caruthers, VP; Meredith Klein, Dean Robino, Workshop Committee: Dean Robino, Treasurer; Fredi Raoul Martinez. Juni, Secretary; Elena Caruthers: Committee FOC Mailings: Council Members: Martha Chair and Cora Pearl, Judy Boccalini, Cynthia Cravens, JoAnn Brand, calls the crew; Detrick, and Mike Gold Darla Engelmann, Katie Leavens, Dean Robino: handling Coordinator; Dena Sneider: Raoul Martinez international mailings; Meredith Yukimi Annand Coordinator; Membership: Meredith Klein Klein, mailing prep and Darla Engelmann: Carol handling domestic mailings; DuBosch and Cherryl Moote Bulletin Editor: Nancy Noble Mary Ann Wight and Cynthia Coordinator; Nancy Noble: Jane Alphabet Editor: Carl Rohrs Wight, help with mailings at PO. Shibata Coordinator; Dorothy June 2021 Continued on the Next Page 12 WOTE: 2022 International Calligraphy Conference

Debra Ferreboeuf and Rick Paulus, co-directors of Write on the Edge, are pleased to report that planning for the conference continues with great enthusiasm. We were saddened to learn, after being allowed to visit the campus again after over a year of pandemic restrictions, that Mills College did not meet several critical criteria for hosting an international calligraphy conference, and we had to turn to other venues under consideration. We were very happy to be welcomed by our former campus event coordinator at Sonoma State University who, quite literally, was awaiting our return after the successful 2000 and 2015 conferences. Our discussions and tours with Sonoma State are very encouraging. This would be the third international calligraphy conference to be held at Sonoma State, and we feel very comfortable moving forward with planning on this campus that we know so well. In addition to their already stellar facilities, we would have complete access to their art department classrooms and gallery, and many of the dorms have a private bathroom for each bedroom. Our workshop proposal deadline has come and gone, and we are pleased to report that we received close to two hundred workshop proposals from over 90 instructors. The selection process is underway; courses will be announced in the fall. Our committee chairs are all well-positioned to hit the ground running as things begin to take shape, and the business of putting this magical week together becomes more tangible with each passing day. We look forward to working more closely with our team as the year progresses. We are still interested in speaking to anyone who would be interested in chairing our Welcome Bag department. Write on the Edge will be officially announced at the Legacies III closing events, at 10:00 am PDT, on July 9th. Please visit the Legacies III website: https://www.calligraphyconference.org/

Co-Director’s, Write on the Edge, 2022 International Calligraphy Conference — Kalligraphia XVI The FOC triennial exhibition Thank You’s Continued of members’ works was scheduled to be held in 2021. Hospitality: Cynthia Cravens, Yuki: Suzanne Cunningham It is installed in the Skylight our Hospitality Coordinator Coordinator: Meredith Klein: Gallery at San Francisco Public Ann Miller and Sharon Zeugin Holiday Party via Zoom: Library in normal years, but Coordinator; Evelyn Eldridge: Evelyn Eldridge, Elena this is not a normal year. Due Risa Gettler and Andrea Caruthers, Cynthia Cravens, to the difficulty of planning Wunderlich Coordinator; Darla Engelmann, our exhibition during the Martha Boccalini: Summer Meredith Klein pandemic, FOC requested

2022 International Calligraphy Conference Calligraphy International 2022 Workshop Coordinator; Dean that SFPL allow us to shift to Lectures Technical Crew: Robino: General Assistance and 2022. They have agreed, so Scheduling; Workshop Flyer Raoul Martinez, Nancy Noble, Kalligraphia XVI will be held Designers: Marcia Friedman, Dean Robino, Cynthia Cravens, in 2022, & every three years Barbara Lande, Nancy Noble. Elena Caruthers, Evelyn Eldridge after that. Friends of Calligraphy 13 Holiday Party: amended, Elena seconds. FOC Council Meeting Minutes Evelyn: The party was very suc- Unanimous approval. Sunday, 17 January, 2021 cessful this year with a slideshow Membership Report: Zoom sharing members’ work. Over 70 Meredith: 68, +6 since last report, participants from all over the country Starting Time: 1:03 pm New, 487, +1 renewed, 7 honorary, and Canada. Attending: Martha Boccalini, 2 honorary spouse, 564 total. Elena Caruthers, Evelyn Eldridge, Retreat: Treasurer Report: Darla Engelmann, Fredi Juni, Meredith: Retreat will not be held Dean: Elena moved to accept the Katie Leavens, Raoul Martinez, this year. Transaction Report for January and Dean Robino Guests: Meredith Trivial Pursuits: February 2021. Darla seconded. Klein, Nancy Noble, Dorothy Yuki Evelyn: Marcia can’t be coordinator Unanimous approval. Excused: Cynthia Cravens for 2022 because she is working on Workshop Committee: Minutes from November 22, 2020, WOTE. If anyone wants to organize Elena 2021: Andrea Wunderlich, meeting Elena moves to approve it, she’s happy to advise, at least for Fresh and Fancy, February 13-14, as amended, Darla seconds, unani- the next year or two. TP for 2021 was 2021, Evelyn Eldridge, Coordinator; mous approval. online with 6 teachers from across Mike Gold, Moved to Abstraction, the US and 65 participants from Membership Report: April 9-10, 2021, Elena Caruthers, across the US: NY, Ohio, Texas, Cana- Coordinator; Jane Shibata, May 8-9, Meredith: 62 new, up 11 since last da, Southern CA, and the usual suspects 2021, Nancy Noble, Coordinator; report, 486 paid renewed, 7 honorary, from the Bay Area. 2 honorary spouse, 557 total. Last Sharon Zeugin, Summer Workshop year at this time total membership Kalligraphia: 2021, Meredith Klein, Coordinator; was 521. Meredith has worked with Andrea An Vanhentenrijk, Oct or Nov, TBD, Grimes to move Kalligraphia to 2022 Darla Engelmann, Coordinator. Treasurer Report: where it will coincide with WOTE; 2022: Elmo Van Slingerland, Fall, Dean: Budget is going well with the three-year cycle will proceed Dorothy Yuki, Coordinator; online events. Council reviewed the from there. Council decision via Lee Ann Clark, Fall, Nancy Noble, Transaction report for November email. Moved by: Evelyn Eldridge, Coordinator. and December; Elena moved to ap- Seconded by: Raoul Martinez, Fort Mason: prove. Raoul seconded. Unanimous Motion carried unanimously. approval. Annual 1099s filed with Dean: Judy Detrick’s Carolingian IRS on time. 2022 Conference Update: Class is going well. Rick Paulus’s Evelyn: Raoul sent an update email four-week Monoline Class begins Workshop Committee: from Rick and Debra to all members April 24; it will be online per Elena: for 2021: Andrea Wunderlich, last week. The conference still needs decision at Committee Meeting of Fresh and Fancy, February 13-14, 2021 someone to chair and lead the March 9. Mike Gold, Moved to Abstraction, Transportation Committee. April 9-10, 2021; Sharon Zeugin, Publications & Mailings: Summer Workshop 2021; Alphabet Back Issues: Bulletin Nancy: Elmo Van Slingerland, Fall. Dean: Need to temporarily pause Bulletin is on schedule. orders during pandemic. Alphabet Meredith: the printer will Fort Mason: have Alphabet to Carl March 25; he AGM Planning Dean: Beginning Copperplate is full will deliver to Meredith for process- Evelyn: We have the speaker lined and going well; Carolingian, starting ing March 26. up already. It’s safe to assume that end of February, is full; Rick’s 4-wk Mailings Meredith: March mailing the meeting will be by Zoom. We will Monoline class begins April 24. will contain Alphabet and Directory use the same procedures as 2020. Rick and the committee will meet in Update 3. March to decide whether online or Adjourn: Time: 3:41 pm. Evelyn not; Fall is Italic and Italic Brush. Social Media: moves, Elena seconds, Katie shared updated language Publications and Mailings: unanimous approve. regarding the electronic commu- Bulletin: Nancy: Evelyn asking Next meeting is, March 14, 2021, nication guidelines. Dean made Andrea to do masthead. Will include 1:00 to 4:00 pm. motion to approve, Elena seconded. some work from Trivial Pursuits. Edited for Publication Unanimous approval. Raoul recently Mailings: Meredith, past and future, reposted #focsheltering. Barry December mailing went smoothly. Foc Council Meeting Minutes Morentz is the current featured Mailing scheduled for March 18 will Sunday, 14 March, 2021 member. contain Alphabet, Directory update 3, Zoom AGM nominations form. Web Administrator: Starting Time: 1:06 pm Raoul: Followers on Facebook and Social Media: Attending: Martha Boccalini, Elena Instagram continue to go up. Katie : Not much activity on Caruthers, Cynthia Cravens, Evelyn #focsheltering; will reach out to Eldridge, Darla Engelmann, Fredi Retreat: more folks to participate. Charlotte Juni, Katie Leavens, Raoul Marti- No retreat this year. Chan is current featured member. nez, Dean Robino Guests: Meredith Klein, Nancy Noble, Dorothy Yuki Trivial Pursuits: Web Administrator: Evelyn: We still need coordinator for FOC Council Meeting Minutes – January 2021 – January Minutes Meeting Council FOC Raoul: Facebook and Instagram hits Minutes from January 17, 2020 2022. We will form a subcommittee both up, website about the same. Meeting: Dean moves to approve as to discuss outside of Council. June 2021 14 Events for 2021: the USPS bulk mailing regulations Friends of Calligraphy So far all 2021 events will be virtual. for nonprofits. She and Dean will is a nonprofit society of people summarize a policy for Council. Kalligraphia will be in 2022. interested in calligraphy and Adjourn Time: 3:43 pm, Fredi moves, 2022 Write on the Edge Conference related arts. Membership is $40.00 Raoul seconds. Unanimous approve. Update, Evelyn: Deadline for teacher annually, open to amateurs & Next meeting is April 18, 2021, proposals is April 1. professionals. 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Posting FAQs: Edited for Publication Mailing address: Dean: Council reviewed the FAQs to PO Box 425194, SF, CA 94142 be posted on the website, with one update coming. This will be a living Copy Deadline FOC Website: document, with future changes as www.friendsofcalligraphy.org needed. Cynthia moved to approve Deadline for articles for Bulletin with pending update, Fredi second- 144: September 20, 2021. Please FOC Facebook: ed. Unanimous approval submit articles or questions to www.facebook.com/FriendsofCalligraphy AGM Planning, Nancy Noble [email protected] Instagram: Evelyn: AGM is May 2, 1 to 4, via www.instagram.com/friendsofcalligraphy Zoom. Need door prizes; Evelyn has a neat fountain pen, Meredith has a FOC Facebook & John Stevens print, Darla has books. Address Change Maria Giudice is our speaker. We Instagram Pages will have a technical strategy meet- If your contact information changes: ing before the meeting to review Check out our Facebook and address, phone or email, the admission and other processes, Instagram pages. At the bottom please send the new information to: Raoul, Nancy, Elena, Evelyn. The of the FOC website home page, Membership Chair group will review Raoul’s procedure click either the F in a blue square Meredith Klein document from last year. Cynthia or the red square camera outline. 707 Spokane Avenue, agreed to do the slate for council While you don’t need an account Albany, CA 94706 members and Carl Rohrs. Nancy [email protected] will put the nomination form on last for a brief look, you do need one page of Bulletin. All current Council to see multiple posts. � 510.527.0434 Members are willing to continue. Colophon Shared Google Calendar: Evelyn: will gather more information Amazon Smile FOC Bulletin #143 and share it with the council for fur- If you use Amazon and make Masthead: Mike Gold ther discussion at our next meeting. purchases through the Amazon Text: Palatino & Optima Smile program, consider Adobe InDesign CC 2020 was Legacies III: Evelyn: This will be a virtual designating the Friends of used for the layout on an iMac conference. The deadline to submit Calligraphy as the charitable Proofreading: Evelyn Eldridge, proposals is March 17 for regular organization when you shop. Raoul Martinez & Dean Robino. classes and May 1 for mini classes. FOC is now a duly registered Photos & ScreenShots: Angie asked if FOC would help get recipient. Laura Bernabei & Nancy Noble the word out. Raoul will post on Facebook. They are going to be mail- ing out goody bags to participants and requested guild donations. The Classes & Workshops council agreed to purchase pencils printed with our website and we will make a monetary donation. Date Time Event Details Fredi will order the pencils. Elena moved that the budget be approved, June Monday — Letters, Lines & Online Martha seconded. 1 Nay: Fredi, 21—25 Friday Images with Workshop via 8 Ayes. Approved. Sharon Zeugin Zoom

Amazon Donations to Guilds: August 6:30 – 9:00 pm Italic Location to Evelyn: Carrie Imai shared how SfC 17, 24, 31, Seven Meredith Klein be decided receives guild donations from September 7, Tuesday soon Amazon purchases. Council considered FOC’s using. Evelyn and 14, 21, 28, Evenings Dean will discuss the AmazonSmile October 6:30 – 9:00 pm Brush Italic Fort Mason

FOC Council Meeting Minutes & Calendar Minutes Meeting Council FOC registration process and a Bulletin 5, 12, 19, 26, Seven Melissa Titone announcement. November Tuesday Advertisements in FOC Publica- 2, 9, 16 Evenings tions, Meredith: not allowed under Friends of Calligraphy 15 Jane Shibata, upper left, with her happy Colored Pencil Workshop Participants. Above: Many of the various techniques introduced by Jane. The two above are by Spice It Up with Colored Pencils Charm Brown. Left: Jane Matsumoto’s organizational system for her numerous colored pencils!

Maria Giudice’s Keynote Talk at the AGM on May 2nd, 2021 Maria spoke about her inspiring journey through calligraphy, art and design. As Evelyn stated in her Letter from the President, Maria’s talk was was ‘surprising, entertaining, and inspiring’.

Left: Maria sharing relections during her excellent presentation for the Friends of Calligraphy Annual General Meeting

Left: Maria shared a wonderful story of her meeting with Susie Taylor many years ago when she decided to enter her work in Kalligraphia. Maria said she was so impressed with Susie’s encouragement and kind words. We were in awe of this powerful piece. June 2021 16