Tuesday, March 7, 2017

T Stands for 26 Seeds

Another Tuesday, another T Stands For. No doubt you will all get really sick of me talking about Reggie Ezell's year long calligraphy class, 26 Seeds. This is a nuts and bolts back to basics class. Reggie taught this class to Masscribes, the Massachusetts, and Rhode Island calligraphy guild back in 1997. I wasn't ready at that time for a class like this. I waited and hoped he would come back. I'm so fortunate to be able to study with him as after this class, he will be retiring from teaching 26 Seeds.

The class is held at the Norwood Sportsmans Club in Norwood, Massachusetts. There are 22 students in the class from 5 different states. Most of the photos were taken before class, during breaks, or after class while cleaning up. There was just so much information that I'd miss a lot taking pictures. Not to mention I was in Reggie's line of sight so it felt like doing something wrong.


Setting up. Blue water bottle filled from home. I'm spoiled as our well has very pure water, and I wasn't sure if Norwood treated their water with chlorine. The smell of chlorine makes me nauseous and dizzy.  A jug of distilled water for mixing gouache (opaque watercolor, pronounced gwash) with more than enough to share. Ott light, stack of handouts and my traveling tea mug.



I found this metal travel mug at Walmart. I really like it because it's small and holds maybe 10 ounces of liquid instead of the typical quart that people seem to like to carry. The mug is insulated and will keep a beverage hot for 4 hours or cold for 6. It has a lid that snaps securely shut. There's a reason my mother didn't name me Grace. I crocheted a kitty cat mug cozy so I wouldn't burn my hand. I also had a plastic beverage container that could be put in the microwave to heat water. It has been a long time since I've taken a workshop with the guild so wasn't sure what the set up for tea would be. Fortunately, the workshop coordinator is a tea drinker and there was an electric kettle. The water was wicked hot from the kettle, and I burned my tongue.

The first exercise was starting from the very beginning with Roman capitals. These are the letters our Western language writing is derived from. Just like in first grade, we used a (mechanical) pencil to lightly render one-inch, tall letters on the grid pad.


Calligraphy isn't like the handwriting we do or learned to do. It's really about drawing the characters. The letters all have specific proportions and various lines have more or less weight. Just like in figure drawing, you need to understand anatomy and physiology to draw a human form. In calligraphy, the skeleton shapes help us to train our hand, eyes, and brain to render the letters. Learning is repetition and repetition builds muscle memory and experience. Think of learning a muscial instrument. In order to play well, one must practice endless hours of scales and drills.


Reggie deer instructs the class on the materials needed for the next lesson. Take out a ruler, a blue pencil or blue lead for the mechanical pencil, a pencil sharpener or lead pointer, and page 8 from the handout.

This exercise involved choosing either the word, calligraphy or the word, languidly. Page 8 was the alphabet printed in the font or typeface, Palatino, which was designed by calligrapher, Hermann Zapf. We drew a non-repro blue pencil line under the letters and then carefully cut them out with an Exacto knife. I chose the word, languidly.



Back in the olden days before computers, all text for newspapers, magazines, and flyers was typed and then words were cut up and positioned onto a form. Words would be moved around to get the best layout and design. Old school. You need to understand the past to have an appreciation for the modern.

We placed our letters on a waxed grid. We could reposition letters as needed. The idea is to have the same volume of space between letters. Done not by measuring with a ruler, but by eye.

One of the homework assignments will be to photocopy this word onto plain paper and then onto an interesting paper (scrapbook paper, a painted background, calendar page) some colored paper which will visually interpret the word. The pale blue lines of the grid and the blue lead pencil lines will not copy onto the paper.


A little disconcerting having all eyes on you.



Table arrangements were two table pushed together to accommodate four students. It was particularly difficult for the students who had to sit with their backs towards Reggie. They had to crane their necks to see him demo on the overhead projector. Sunday after class with the room cleared out of bags and materials, we spent some time trying to arrange 11 tables so everyone could sit comfortably facing front. The room will be set up in the new arrangement next month.

We were told to bring a power strip or extension cord and an Ott light. I'm glad I bought a power strip with an 8 foot cord. The outlets were high up on the wall. I had to stand on a chair to reach the outlet. Which reminds me. Note to self, get an adapter. I had to borrow an adapter. The power strip had a ground plug and the outlets were old-fashioned two prong outlets.



As I said there was a lot going on so not much time to take interesting pictures of what I was working on.  Except I did get a photo of the jackalope at the back of the room.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang are up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

36 comments:

  1. Happy T Day

    Sounds like a great class and I am sure you learn so much.

    The mug is terrific and the mug holder is something I must make as it looks wonderful

    Love Chrissie xx

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    1. The cozy was real easy to do. Email me and I can send you a link to the instructions.

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  2. The accommodations for your class look like they could be better BUT it sounds like a fantastic class anyhow. I bet you'll get lots of expert info. Glad you shared the photos, as I enjoyed seeing all about your class so far. happy T day. hugs-Erika

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    1. I think the new table arrangement will work out better. Reggie is extremely talented and an amazing, and patient teacher.

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  3. Wow - I think this is an amzing class! Sounds super!
    Happy T-Day !

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  4. The class sounds wonderful, I would love to be able to do calligraphy, I'm in awe of your work! The class setting made me smile as did your beautiful kitty cat mug holder - amazing :-). Wishing you a Happy T Day! J :-)

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    1. Thank you, Jo. The club is a good sized room so plenty of room to spread out stuff. You just have to get used to the heads on the wall and the eyes following you areound.

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  5. Have fun with your calligraphy class, looks very interesting. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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    1. There's a lot of fun stuff coming up, too. Like gold work

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  6. Sounds like an enjoyable class that will include fabulous instruction. Burned my tongue once using the water from an electric kettle too so I feel your pain. Cute mug cozy:) Enjoy your classes and happy T day!

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    1. There is a lot to learn. From now on, I just think I'll nuke my tea water in another cup and transfer it to the insulated cup. Even with the lid cap up, the insulated mug keeps the tea HOT.

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  7. The mug holder looks great. It sounds a really interesting class you are taking and I enjoyed seeing the calligraphy work.
    Happy T day
    Yvonne xx

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne. The mug holder worked great, too.

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  8. My thoughts on your meeting space were similar to Erika's. It seems they were lacking. But I really enjoyed the way you described the class. Old school indeed.

    I remember making banners back in the late 80s before computer fonts were big enough to be useful. I know you start with the center letter, then work outward on both sides. I DO remember a few things.

    I have a friend who took a calligraphy class and she has the most beautiful handwriting. She said learning to write each letter properly actually improved her writing skills, too.

    I love kitty cup holder and your OTT light. I couldn't live without mine. The secret to mixing anything, including gauche, with water is to used distilled. When I create my handmade shimmering mists, I always use distilled and tell people it's the only thing that won't turn your mists moldy once they have sat for awhile.

    Thanks for sharing this class and your darling kitty mug holder with us for T this Tuesday. I look forward to the next lesson.

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    1. I think the new layout for the classroom will work out better next month. This stuff is hard enough to do without being uncomfortable doing it. Love the Ott light. Had one that was battery charged so you didn't need to be near an outlet. Either the battery went and/or the bulb went, but the light is kaput.

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  9. Very interesting to read about your calligraphy efforts CJ... So glad you could join us for T with your cute little mug.. Happy happy T day!! Hugs! deb

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  10. Isn't it great you got into his last class! Lucky you! I hope you learn lots and have a ton of fun!

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    1. I'm so glad I got in! And my mind set is to have fun while learning lots of stuff

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  11. Fascinating class! My husband was good at calligraphy years ago and enjoyed the work he did.

    Finding the perfect cup isn't as easy as it sounds lol. I'm glad you found one that works for you :)

    Happy T Tuesday

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    1. Finding the perfect cup was a trial. I wanted it to be dishwasher safe, microwaveable, with a lid that securely closed, and a regular size 8 to 10 oz. A lot of mugs were like 55 gallon drums. They could go through the dishwasher, but were metal. Wouldn't go through the micro. Though metal in the micro makes pretty cool lightning arcs. So this one can't go in the micro. It is dishwasher safe, a regular size, and the lid is secure. About as good as it was going to get.

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  12. A draw from 5 states. Wow. Calligraphy is truly an art form isn't it?

    You know those cozies and cups would make wonderful bday and Christmas gifts.

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    1. :-D I can make the cozies in my spare time. (-;

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  13. Such an interesting post! When I learned calligraphy in High School, I got really tired of practicing the letters over and over...now I'm glad I learned the basics. It's harder than it looks! Hope to see some of your finished work from the workshop! funny audience you had...especially the jackalope! loved your cute kitty cozy too!

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    1. the jackalope was kind of cute and creepy at the same time.

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  14. Calligraphy is something really special to be able to use. Hope your class continues to inspire. Fun mug you have there.
    Happy T Day oxo

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    1. Reggie showed us some work done by students from previous classes. quite a lot of inspiration

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  15. This was absolutely fascinating, CJ. I love fonts and was thoroughly engrossed by your detailed explanations.

    I promise not to get bored as you update us all year long. IF you promise not to get bored as I gush about Life Book 2017 ;-)

    My mother didn't name me Grace either. But God bless her for enrolling me in ballet so perhaps I could learn some. However I still have a tendency to walk into walls and stuff because my mind is elsewhere.

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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    1. It's a deal. Will enjoy hearing all about Life Book 2017. Ma, enrolled me in ballet class when I was 6. I hated it. It was cold in the dance studio and I hated wearing pink beginner tights. I think I cried a lot so the teacher told Ma to take me out of class. Dad started taking me to the library on Saturdays. So much more enjoyable than ballet.

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  16. Returning your visit to my blog, and found myself fascinated by your description of this class! I took a beginners calligraphy class nearly 30 years ago, but it was different from this. No lights and cords, for one thing. Very interesting to read about this approach!

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    1. this is an advance class and very intense. thanks for dropping by

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  17. Good morning and Happy T day but on a thursday lol just now getting to the computer this morning.
    wow what an interesting post-love your mug too

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    1. Hi Kathy! Really every day is a tea day. So glad you could make the party.

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  18. This sounds so interesting and fun! Sorry you burned your tongue!

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  19. Sorry for being late. Better late than never!
    Well this sounds like a very interesting course! I would love to learn lettering.
    Happy belated T-Day,
    Lisca

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