Messages

31

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Buying a new oblique

« on: July 24, 2016, 07:26:11 PM »

@Empty_of_Clouds - Chris rocks.

I told him that I wanted a holder than was slightly thicker than my hourglass, and he made me this one that was in his signature carrot shape and had a 9/16" x 3/8" grip...I am very, very pleased!

Interested to hear what you end up with!!  I am sure that your email was fully detailed and because of that (and because, again, Chris rocks! ) you're going to end up with a holder that you really enjoy using.

32

Tools & Supplies / Re: To inkjet or not to inkjet...

« on: July 24, 2016, 07:14:12 PM »

Oh my gosh...ya'll are officially way cooler than me!  I have never heard of a Goco...or a Mint!  I will check them out.

I haven't tested any rubber stamps yet...so they are still a possibility.  And, I need to try to mess with the settings more on my laser printer - I had reached a frustration saturation the last time I posted.  I'm a little more refreshed - I went on vacation with my family this past week (Rosemary Beach, FL!  So fun!).  So, I will give it another go on Monday.

Thank you for being invaluable (as always!  ) !

33

Word of the Day / Re: Terrible pun of the week

« on: July 24, 2016, 06:59:23 PM »

@prasad!!!  Your quote looks wonderful!  I am always happy to see pictures of your expertise on the Forum!   

I'm loving this thread...as a high school chemistry/physics teacher, I feel like I'm in my element!

34

Tools & Supplies / Re: To inkjet or not to inkjet...

« on: July 14, 2016, 08:16:58 PM »

@JanisTX - I like the way you think!!   

35

Tools & Supplies / Re: To inkjet or not to inkjet...

« on: July 14, 2016, 05:25:29 PM »

I think it's weird that it's pixelated too - the image was scanned at 400 dpi and I shrank the original WAY down.  I'm using Photoshop - one day I will learn Illustrator!  It's not pixelated at all on the inkjet print.  I may play with it some more later.  I want the laser printing to work so bad! ...oh the joys of the shimmer!

36

Tools & Supplies / Re: To inkjet or not to inkjet...

« on: July 14, 2016, 04:04:01 PM »

Bianca - I do have a laser printer!  And I just tried it, thanks to your suggestion!  And...it does solve the ink opacity problem!  But you're right - it does curl the envelopes.  And, the output is pixelated, even when I max out the resolution on the printer settings.  Boogers!  Do you think I could get it done at Kinkos or Office Depot or something like that?  Or is that crazy talk?  Maybe I'm just hoping that their laser printers are less curly and more accurate than mine...haha!

Janis and Linda - I've definitely considered the rubber stamp route.  I'm just scared that the impressions will be too inconsistent...the bride and mother want it to look as close to hand-done as possible.  I will have to experiment!

37

Tools & Supplies / To inkjet or not to inkjet...

« on: July 14, 2016, 02:47:46 PM »

Hi Friends!

I have a mini situation.  I'm doing a set 81 outers for a friend's family, and I sold them on printing the return address on the back of their envelopes (woohoo!  writing return addresses makes me crazy!).  The wrench: the envelopes are metallic and the inkjet ink sinks in to the paper so much that you can see the glitteriness in the letters.  This makes the return address look different from the addressing (which is fully opaque and sits nicely on top of the paper)...and I don't like that.

I've got an Epson Artisan 1430, if that helps.

Can ya'll think of any alternative methods or inks or tools that I could use that would make a nice finished product where the ink sits on top of the paper?  I really would prefer to not write the return addresses...but I will if I have no other alternative...

Including a picture of my test envelopes.

Thank you!!!

38

Tools & Supplies / Re: acrylic ink with a walnut ink look?

« on: July 01, 2016, 08:20:45 AM »

Well...your calligraphy looks great!! 

And...your gradient looks just like the sample.

Good luck with it all - I hope you find a method/ink that makes your job easier, not harder!

Does the stationer know who the calligrapher of the original inspiration is?  Contact with that person could really help!

39

Tools & Supplies / Re: acrylic ink with a walnut ink look?

« on: June 28, 2016, 09:12:01 AM »

That looks very cool!  ...but also like a lot of work!  And, a lot of dipping (I count 8 dips total)!  So, the ink must be veryyyy thin.

Maybe she meant to say "WaterCOLOR ink that looks like walnut" instead of "WaterPROOF ink that looks like walnut."

Most waterproof inks that I have had experience with are pretty opaque...as an alternative option to acrylic, a fountain pen ink might fit the bill if you want the gradient look.  The majority of fountain pen inks that have any defense against water are "water-resistant" and not full-on waterproof.

Here are some fountain pen inks that might work (there are more color options if you surf):
- Platinum Pigmented Sepia (Link to Goulet Pens)
- Rohrer & Kligner Sepia (Link to Goulet Pens)
- Noodlers Kiowa Pecan (Link to Goulet Pen)

You may also want to check out this thread and this thread if you are planning to use pointed pen vs. a fountain pen.  Goulet Pen offers sample options on some of their inks...that might come in handy for testing for pointed pen compatibility.

If you don't want to go the fountain pen ink route (and it is a testy one!) or the acrylic route, you could go with a sepia-toned calligraphy ink.  Calli ink offers a waterproof brown...but in the description it claims to be very opaque.

Hope this helps!! 

Please let us know what you go with!  I'm always interested to hear!

I hope you can use walnut!  That would be sooooo much easier...

40

Kind Critique / Re: Please RIGHT if im WRONG

« on: June 16, 2016, 03:09:19 PM »

Hi!

I'm loving what I'm seeing - great work so far!!  You've done a lot and practiced a lot and it shows.

Something to work on: I'm looking at the first drill sheet that you posted.  The fifth line has an upstroke-downstroke-upstroke drill.  When you do that drill, aim for keeping the shades and hairlines parallel and spaced evenly.  The shades and hairlines should also be on that same slant line.  In general, it looks like the over-turn is consistently wider than the under-turn - you want to try to get those to be as close to the same size as possible. 

That being said, your hairline and shade transition is really nice!  Especially on the last figure in that drill line.  Keep going!!  And, please keep us updated on your progress! 

41

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Best way to mail work

« on: June 09, 2016, 08:00:34 AM »

This is probably the least efficient way, but I use a USPS Priority Mail flat rate envelope and 2 pieces of chipboard and a cellophane sleeve.  And, I write "Please do not bend!" on the envelope really large.  I haven't had any issues with bending using that method yet.

Your cereal box would work!  Moya's foam core idea is great!!  Or, if you have any sketch pads that are almost out of paper, you could steal the back.

I worry more about water damage than bending.  It's rainy down here in the south! 

42

Flourish Forum News / Re: Please read regarding emails!

« on: June 09, 2016, 07:49:37 AM »

Oh my.  I second the wine!  Yikes!!!

43

Kind Critique / Re: Feedback Please

« on: June 09, 2016, 07:39:31 AM »

What did her horse look like?  I'd do a light watercolor version of that specific horse, if possible.  If not, it's still an awesome sketch!! 

44

Kind Critique / Re: Feedback Please

« on: June 08, 2016, 08:25:58 AM »

I don't have any experience with broad-edge, but I really like the overall look of the piece!

Is there a part of the poem that sticks out to you as the most impactful?  Maybe you could play with enlarging or reducing parts of the poem to create a hierarchy.

Again, looks great! 

Please say you're going to add color!!  That horse sketch at the top is on point!

45

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Winners of the 2016 Graceful Envelope Contest

« on: June 04, 2016, 06:09:34 PM »

Oh my gosh!  These are great!!

Chantelle's is definitely my favorite!