“Everyone take out paper and pencil,” isn’t that how most school classes begin? Our class with Nancy Culmone started with an indexed book of paper samples and a set of Prismacolor pencils. First we tested our tools, examining the sample papers’ textures and the range of colored pencils’ spectra, with varied pressure and blending on black and white paper. We played with scumbling, impressing, white-polishing, erasing and “tape removing” as we used our pencils to highlight simple words. Adding ink with a reed pen and pressing ribbon designs with “Prismacolor” crayons we completed two full days of not only color pencil technique with various awesome papers but also color theory.
   Nancy used small gatherings at the front of the class to demonstrate our projects and to tell us about using contrasting, layering and transition blending. We were immersed in color as she shared some cultural concepts of different colors (green is rated “R”J) as well as color’s affect on people’s minds and emotions. The whole concept of color is a study in itself.
   Our minds were filled with practical, theoretical and creative information. Nancy used the processes of teaching to help us complete our projects and to give us the information to make our color calligraphy luscious and appealing. Best of all Nancy shared herself with us. She told us about her work creating one of a kind books, using paste-paper and her beloved colored pencils. She shared her work routine, philosophy and her inspiration for her work in progress, “The Raven.”
   A sharing circle on Sunday afternoon brought us all together in celebration of what we had learned. The responses to each others work was a testimony to the great group of fellow calligraphers that we belong to. We started with paper and pencil and finished the workshop with the full spectrum of lessons in color. Nancy’s closing thoughts included the idea of taking time to play and taking that playtime seriously. She concluded that the serious work of art is successful when we take time to play.

by Linda West