The Framers Forum

As requested on another thread - here is some calligraphy - I don't have much to copy.

Calligraphy is not handwriting - rather a series of connected, but separate strokes - all about the contrast between thicks and thins.

'scuse some of the carp shots ....








Can you guess what it is yet?! Put a bar across and you'd have an 'A'












Not the same 'M' here - stuffed up the 'oglet' bit on that one!






This is a rough - for layout for something I am working on 'A Celtic Benediction' First line of each verse with the rest to follow in smaller text between and right of those and the last verse underneath.

But I don't think italic is right - it should be 6th century uncial as per what the celts used.

All done quite quickly with some experimenting here and there.



This is uncial - modified a bit and with Gothic capitals



Each large 'D' will be gold leafed and in the bowl of each will be something relevant to the verse - leaves blowing off a tree here - the planet Earth below, etc



Here is how the whole thing reads - if I ever successfully complete it I'll stick it on here. I wish these words to you all.

Deep peace of the running wave to you,
of water flowing, rising and falling,
sometimes advancing, sometimes receding...
May the stream of your life flow unimpeded!
Deep peace of the running wave to you!


Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
which fans your face on a sultry day,
the air which you breathe deeply, rhythmically,
which imparts to you energy, consciousness, life.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you!


Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
who, herself unmoving, harbours the movements
and facilitates the life of the ten thousand creatures,
while resting contented, stable, tranquil.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you!


Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
which stay invisible till darkness falls
and discloses their pure and shining presence
beaming down in compassion on our turning world.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you!

Deep Peace of the watching shepherds to you
of quiet unpretentious folk, who whilst watching and waiting
Spend long hours out on the hillsides
expecting, in simplicity, some coming of The Lord
Deep Peace of the watching Shepherds to you!

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you,
who, swift as the wave and pervasive as the air,
quiet as the earth and shining like a star,
breathes into us His Peace and His Spirit.
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you!

Beautiful work John!

You're not just a pretty face after all!

I only wish you were a little closer so that I could get you to do the odd item for me sometimes!

Very nice John

Interesting that two of the regular posters on this forum and the Grumble are also do Calligraphy...............Jim (James) Miller who posts here and on the G is also a trained calligrapher..........

I trained as a black and white artist in the days before letraset - spent many hours as an apprentice trying desperately to produce perfect text - my journeyman took great pleasure in destroying it. It took many years to understand both perfection and why I couldn't thump my tutor.

I still enjoy picking up a brush and drawing text but have lost the control I used to have.

I was given a calligraphy pen recently - looking around my desk I cant see it - which generally means my younger daughter has nicked it for her school art coursework project - The reason I mention it is that its significantly better than anything Ive used in the past - with a really nice smooth flow. I think Lion were selling the same pen for drawing pin lines.

Oh, John! Beautiful work and beautiful blessings!

I like the themes for the illuminated D's. With regard to the italics, to me they seem to compliment the flowing nature of the verse.

I sincerely hope that you complete the project. I would really love to see the finished work.

And a special thankyou for my "Moglet". How ugly the word looks in computer text, compared to your delightful, flowing script.