Hello!

Thank you for your interest in the Celtic Design and Lettering Class at Augusta.  I want to emphasize that this class is open to interests in all arts media and all skill levels, as the underlying idea is to give each participant the tools to figure out some of the elements of Celtic design and apply them to their own field of interest.  I also encourage the student to try out other media and techniques as well.  This class will be interdisciplinary in its outlook and we should have some very interesting things happening here during the week.

To start with, there will be exercises for the class as a whole, including basic elements of drawing in pencil and pen-and-ink, and an introduction to layout work (those with experience may choose then to work on other topics).  Perhaps the major topic of the week will be the deciphering and unraveling of some of the Celtic knot-work designs, and there will be some basic math involved with this in figuring the layout and design of motifs that include knot-work and borders.

Calligraphy was (and remains) very important in Celtic design, so I will be touching upon some of the simple and straightforward lettering styles that were historically used in the Celtic culture.

Other topics will include large-letter design, decoration and illumination, colors, making inks from gouache, papers and parchments, and I will be demonstrating in gold leaf work and gilding techniques as well.  Each student will also make, or have made for them, goose-quill and reed pens--and use them too; I believe that these will enhance the course as these were used for writing and drawing in Irish manuscripts for over 1,500 years.

I strongly encourage you to consider applying these skills to your own field of interest, be it general drawing, engraving, stone-carving or whatever, and you should bring your own tools and materials if you are doing stone-carving, wood-carving, wood-engraving, fabrics or needlepoint.

There will be a lot of one-on-one instruction in this class--so bring all of your questions, too.

Basic materials for this class are few and simple.  You should bring the following:

··  some #2 pencils and art erasers

··  a pad of Bristol smooth-finish paper or equivalent – 8½x11" or 9x12" is good

··  ruler, either clear plastic or metal, 12 or 18-inch

··  drawing pens and calligraphy pens if you have them already

··  a good black ink, either India or non-waterproof

··  Those with books or other references might also want to bring them, too.

··  And--do bring a pad or pillow to sit on as those seats can get hard after a while!

I will bring plenty of reference books and illustrations, and all handouts will be supplied.  I will also bring other supplies, including graph paper and other paper stocks, graphic-arts clear rulers, gouache and other colors for inks and illuminating, gold-leaf and gilding supplies, my wood-engraving tools and materials, calligraphy supplies, including extra pen nibs and inks, as well as goose quills and reeds ready for making pens. I will also have on hand extras of the basic class materials for sale if you wish to purchase these from me..  Our class will be held in one of the rooms at the Science Center.  You should be able to leave your materials there on Sunday evening (I will find out more on that). 

Also, remember also that you are welcome to attend the afternoon Irish Week daily gathering, and to participate in the other activities at Augusta.  I will have my bass hammer dulcimer and harpsichord on hand, too, and intend to use them heavily for the evening sessions.

Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me if you should have any questions about this course or materials.

Looking forward to meeting you at Augusta,

R. P. Hale
603/225-7516
Email: HaleRP@cs.com
59 Penacook Street
Concord, NH 03301-3148

Master-Calligrapher & Illustrator
Wood Engraving & Paper/Fabric Marbling