First commission of 2015

Chosen paper stock was Fabriano Artistico 180gsm which is perfect for scrolls as it has that lovely deckled edge top and bottom. But there was a challenge when all the names were scribed; a 80-100mm gap between last line and the end of the paper....illustrate it...or do something creative with the date? So I decided to emboss the year '2014'. The paper stock is perfect for blind-embossing, but it requires careful application so as to not puncture the paper but keep the indentation gentle and consistent. So I cut the template on board very carefully and used my dog-tooth gold burnisher to push out the letters. Here is the result;

It may have been the christmas holidays...but calligraphers NEVER take time off! I was delighted to have a commission to work on and this piece was a family gift; a scroll listing everyone's name along with a special date for the recipient. My client had already produced a draft for the piece and her layout really worked; compressed lines of text which were not centred, and in a modern versal style. Names would be in black Sumi ink, apart from the recipient family who's names would be in a deep Cadmium Red.

Some gold flecks and a matching ribbon completed the piece, here is the final;

Sumi ink, gouache and gold ink on 180gsm Fabriano Artistico, 750mm x 380mm, ©oonatully