Month: October 2017

October 2017 Major Workshop – Ken Harris

In October, a major workshop entitled “Traditional Raised and Burnished Gesso Gilding” was presented by noted calligrapher and artist, Ken Harris. Ken demonstrated the mixing and application of white lead gesso using recipes and techniques that date back to the middle ages. Under Ken’s guidance, students then produced amazing projects of their own design applying gesso and 24k gold leaf.

Ken working
Mixing the tablets of gesso, to be used in the process of medieval gilding
Letter L. Student Work
A Table of very hard working students, using a feather quill to put on the liquid gesso, to lay the gold on
The mixing of white lead gesso. The recipe is 900 years old, just as the monks did it
More of Ken’s Work
More of Ken’s gilding, calligraphy and painting
A letter made with a ruling pen. The negative space will be gilded. Done by Ken
Another gorgeous A, student work
Preliminary work on the student’s A
Gilded and painted letter A. Student Work
Student work, color will be added
The gesso base is on the paper, but the 24k gold leaf has not been laid yet. Student Work
Student work
More students working hard
This lettering was done with a ruling pen on papyrus. Gilded Harris by Ken

October 2017, General Meeting

On September 5th, the Guild presented a program that featured acclaimed artist and calligrapher, Ken Harris. In addition to sharing original examples of his of his work, Ken delighted the group with the stories and life lessons from his distinguished career.

 

A sample of Ken’s early work
Great Food and Decorations
Ken Harris reflects on his evolution as an artist and calligrapher
Ken Harris, Guest speaker, October General Meeting
Ken Harris, our speaker, and his wife Jen
Ken showed his works and explained how he approached the process. He was quite Humorous!
Ken showing samples of his medieval gilding
Ken was very entertaining. His gilded version of a Faberge egg
Ken’s shared his original gilded and embossed alphabet work
Lovely Table Decoration
Members at our October General Meeting, Program by Ken Harris
Members Barbara Fry, Fernando Casillas Jr., Bonnie Houser get a chance to talk with Ken after the program