Former student work from Noir Magic Class – new class coming soon.

By former student Mary Kay

I’m always thrilled when a student takes what they’ve learned in class and builds on it.  I encourage students to make what they learn from me their own.  A former student shared this image with me of the work she did in the weeks after the class was over. WOW, right? Join us for the next class.

Marking with the gel pen on black paper is a wonderful meditative process.  I’ve tested a lot of gel pens, metallic pens and paper and provide the best of in class.

Information about the upcoming class in Alexandria, VA is below and the link to sign up is HERE.

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Noir Magic: Lettering, Flora and Fauna with theresa mARTin
Saturday, July 27, 2019
10:00 – 2:30 pm, ½ hour lunch break

All Supplies Provided! Back in the days when monks transcribed books by hand, Illuminated letters were the enlarged first letter in a page or paragraph, often enhanced with decorative elements, flora, fauna and or mythological creatures. In this popular class, learn a variety of mark making techniques to create a modern take on these classic papers. The metallic and color pens against the black paper produce a WOW effect from even the simplest designs. Theresa will guide your through her process and provide a large variety of lettering examples from books to be inspired by (and trace if desired) and other inspiration material, including her own work. This is a meditative and fun process requiring no drawing experience — anyone can doodle a repetitive design! You will leave class with hand made designs perfect to frame, use in book arts or as a greeting card, and more. $48 workshop fee and $20 materials fee, which includes a pack of 10 gel pens plus a white and a gold gel Uniball metallic pen (yours to keep after class!) and the following for use while in class: gold ink, black paper, metallic pencils, woodless pencils, metallic paints, stencils, punches and more. New in 2019! For a $10 cash fee payable directly to Theresa on the day of class, you may purchase a 3 in. x 4 in. pocket journal with 160 acid-free black pages to journal in! Visit Theresa’s blog here, here and here to view student work from previous sessions of this popular class. Her blog also features views of filled pocket journals here as well as here for inspiration!

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ATC’s and a Noir Magic Class in July, Alexandria VA

This is my work page for Artist Trading Cards for the next open meeting of JAMS. Info for the meeting is below.

JAMS (a.k.a. Judy’s altered minds)

When: Sun, June 23, 1:30pm – 4:30pm

Where: Artistic Artifacts, 4750 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304 (map)

Description: Note date change from usual 3rd Sunday to 4th Sunday this month! Judy’s Altered Minds (JAMs) is open to anyone interested in Altered Art — both fabric and non fabric art. There is a sit fee of $3.00 per person. We start with ATC Trade at 1:00, group meeting and announcements. Then one show and tell item. We try to arrange a demo, informational part of each meeting, email us to volunteer.

Earlier I wrote about the little 3″ x 4″ black sketch books by Pentalic. They have 160 pages. I’ve filled two books with drawings and am working on a third. They are addictive to work in and lovely to hold.

In my next Noir Magic class, there will be an option to purchase a little blank book for use during the class and beyond.

Class is Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria VA
More info and sign up HERE

What I’ve been doing:

I’m planning to sell these finished books at the Fall Market at Artistic Artifacts. Date to be determined.

Impulse Buy – Pentalic Traveler Black Sketch Book

I found this little Pentalic Traveler Black Sketch Book on a visit to a local art supply store.  It’s only 3″ x 4″ and was sweet to hold. I opened it and saw all the black pages, some drawn on by customers with metallic pens. It was love at first sight and a quick impulse buy.  I’ve had hours of fun using metallic gel pens free drawing designs.  If you’re interested in finding one of your own, here’s a link to their website where you can read about the different books they make: https://www.pentalic.com/traveler-pocket-journal/  They have a where to buy link. If you get one, show me what you do!   

Noir Magic – Peacock

Lara W. traveled 100 miles to attend the Noir Magic Class. You saw the in process photo in the last post. Today I received a photo of her first finished piece.

Lara added and blended Prismacolor pencils with the gel pens. The piece reminds me of a story book or a fable and certainly reminds me of illuminated manuscripts. Well done Lara! I think it’s beautiful. What do you think?

 

 

Results – Noir Magic Class at Artistic Artifacts

Great class!!! The photos of the works in progress says it all. Enjoy.

 

 

I learned so much from my students! Thank you.

Student work from Illuminated Manuscript Letter Class

My students excel beyond anything I can teach them. I give them some pens and black paper and try to give a way to start out slowly. Then they jump into the deep end on their own with joy and create beautiful work.  It always astounds me.

I need to come up with a different name for the class in the future because it’s never strictly Illuminated Letters.  Any ideas for a new class name welcomed.

Showing here many process shots and having the hope that my students will send me photos when they finish at home.

Beowolf

Thanks to Artistic Artifacts for the wonderful art community.

 

Book Binge

 

 

Group of handmade books

I’ve been on a bookmaking binge using black Artagain paper and Sakura Gelly roll pens.  At the first Illuminated Book Class I taught a lovely student gave me a blank small handmade book and I filled it up with gel pen drawings. I continued making books of my own, and started cutting and punching through some of the pages. It’s fun to see something evolve like this.  You never know where a technique will take you so it’s good to stick with it and see what happens.

The next Illuminated Letter Class is September 9th at Artistic Artifacts. Come along for the journey where I’ll be sharing all these techniques and more.

Shaped Cover

Shaped Cover

Shaped pages inside

Gel Pens on black paper

Gel Pens on black paper