Category: calligraphy

Yesterday I was struggling to create a wedding invitation in a stunning handmade paper.

It had to be kind of an elegant/dreamy/romantic theme for the invite so I started sketching first.

When I had something that I was ok with, I started the inking process and following suggestions of other colleagues I attempted to use the Brause Rose Nib. And then, the struggle began.

It wasn’t that I was catching fibers of the paper or anything like that. It was just that I felt that it was too hideous to do it and it took me forever and even waste 2 pieces of that luxurious paper.

Anyhow, I did it. I created the wedding invitation and the RSVP.

Today, the final part came.

I had to finish the suite with a hand-drawn map. So I chose to go, for this project, with one of my favorites nibs: a Nikko G.

First I did my practicing sketch on pencil and just a regular US letter paper and then I started the inking process on the handmade paper.

I drew it all at once and in only 15 minutes. I was so surprised.

And then it hit me as a thunder. First, I was doing something that was totally out of my comfort zone (I was even trying a different lettering style, not one of my own) and that was what made it so uncomfortable and difficult.

But folks, we don’t need to stay in that uncomfortable place forever! Otherwise, life would suck!

I think that just trying new things, getting out of that safe place for a little while, leaves marks that will help create a bigger, richer, even more complex reality.

As in life we need time to be awake and time to rest, we also need to explore out of our comfort zone but then go back to our safe place in order to create with a wider vision after that experience.

But then of course, creative life doesn’t work this way but all together, like on a Möebius strip!

Now, a quick video from this morning sharing all of this on social media.

Folks, I have a new date available for my Introduction to Modern Calligraphy Workshop!

It will be on Sunday May 21st from 3-5pm. Be sure to register here.

Now, some pictures of the last one on April 13th.

Each one of my workshops have different colors, this one was holographic, a very trendy theme at the moment.

morning workshop with fresh donuts from my favorite spot in willow glen, san jose

nibs and ink JARs

silver, white and HOLOGRAPHIC everything AND OMG THAT FOLDER ENVELOPE IS SO HYPNOTIC!

There’s still one more workshop in April but that one is already sold out.

But don’t forget you have another chance in May!

See you soon!

<3

Hi there, today I have a new post with a new idea for the printable files that you can get at my etsy shop.

Sometimes a simple printable file for a greeting card can be use in multiple ways, for instance as gift tags!

Or some other times we want to use the same file to create several mini greeting cards. For those times, this idea will be super useful!

HOW TO CREATE MULTIPLE TAGS FROM ONE FILE

On your printing options, choose to print i.e. 16 copies per page. Print them, trim them and you’ll have 16 adorable tags to add to your gifts.

I did this for last Valentine’s Day treats for my son’s school and they were the cutest and one of a kind treats’ tags!

Have a great week folks!

Hi folks!

A new tip to get a better quality print of the digital files that you can buy on my etsy shop.

Choosing the right option

When you’re about to print your digital file, choose “photo” despite of using a photo paper; choose the “photo” option even if you’re using a plain paper.

By choosing this option, you’ll get a brighter print with a better quality.

Here’s a short video guide on how I do it.

See you soon with more ideas! Have a great week!

Printable files are an affordable, super fast way to get some art for your wedding, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, holidays and also art that you can print at home, frame and hang it as decor on your walls.

These days you can buy online and print at home a greeting card, a dessert table sign or even an alternative guestbook for your special celebration avoiding the shipping fees or the wait!

Sounds great, right? But printing at home is not always easy… I get that. So, today I want to share a quick tip to help you get a better quality print for the printables that you can get at my etsy shop.

-One of the things that makes the most professional look on an art-print is to having the design to reach to the edges of the paper, leaving no white margins.

How to achieve this?

When you’re going to print, choose the option “Scale to fit” and then “Fill the Entire Paper“.

Following this simple step will make the whole design to occupy the entire page and there will be no white edges to trim later!

Isn’t that cool?!

Now, be sure to stay tuned, I’ll be posting more useful tips like this to bring the best out of your home printer soon!

Happy week everyone!

Hi there!

Today I wanted to share some pics of the Modern Calligraphy workshop that I offered at A Work Of Heart Studio in the charming Willow Glen neighborhood in San Jose, CA.

For this opportunity, Bonjour Bloom prepared a beautiful flower arrangement for the chalkboard sign that I did and another one for the table.

The workshop lasted 2 hours and it included a Beginner Calligraphy Kit and some extra goodies.

The beginner calligraphy kit includes 2 (two) different kind of nibs, a straight pen holder, 2 (two) jars of professional white and black calligraphy inks and -most important- a lesson handout with useful information about how to prepare your nibs, hold your penholder, clean and maintain your tools, alphabet and numbers sample and more!

I also added a list of my favorite tools like brands of papers, nibs, inks in the handout, something that’s so useful to continue the practice on your own calligraphy journey.

In this opportunity, I gave the students some personalized notebooks that I prepared with their names. I love to be in those little details!

The students and I had a lot of fun!

I’ve added a new date for the workshop!

So come join the fun and learn the beautiful art of Modern Calligraphy on April 2nd or April 30th at A Work Of Heart in San Jose, CA.

I hope to see you there!

Hi folks,

Quick post here just to share with you the video from last year’s Styled Pop Up Series for which I did some of my favorite calligraphy pieces from 2016!

Gorgeous inspiration for winery weddings!

Event: www.styledpopupseries.com
Venue: www.guglielmowinery.com
Wedding Planner: www.theblubookevents.com
Make Up: www.TheIsabelJackson.com
Hair: www.oneofakindbeauty.com
Bride’s Gown: www.bonny.com
Bridesmaid Dresses: www.trudysbrides.com
Bridal Garter: www.thegartergirl.com
Furniture Rentals: www.viewpointevents.com
Floral Design: www.bonjourbloom.com
Catering: www.organicopia.com
Cake: www.pamscustomcakes.blogspot.com
Calligraphy: www.andreacomenta.etsy.com
Jewelry: www.goldstarjewelers.net
Bride’s Shoes: www.badgleymischka.com
Videography: www.marioandfranproductions.com
Host: www.quiannamarie.com

Hi friends!

I’m so happy to share the news that I have two upcoming dates for my Introduction to Modern Calligraphy workshop.

It’s a 2-hour program in which we’re going to learn:

-How to assemble your pen, inking up you pen, proper holding and basic strokes.
-Practicing exercises
-Uppercase letters
-Lowercase letters
-How to clean and maintain your nibs.
-Tips on paper, ink, brands.

A beginner calligraphy kit it’s included and it brings some great tools to start practicing calligraphy:

-1 Straight Pen Holder
-Starter nib
-2 small jars of ink
-Different papers (grid for practice, white and black 4×6 for projects)
-Alphabet Sample

Join me on Wednesday 8th or Sunday 12th at A Work Of Heart Studio in the charming neighborhood of Willow Glen to learn the beautiful art of modern calligraphy. Register here.

See you there!

Friends,
More happy news to share! My Etsy shop is open for business and now you can buy my art as a downloadable file and print it at your house. That’s right, downloadable/printable. However you want to call it!
Those digital files are ONLY available at my Etsy shop!

Art-prints, frames, clothing and accessories items are as always available at my online gift store.
Thank you for visiting and see you around!