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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra

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Painting Leaves and Wreaths: A New Workshop

September 15, 2017

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

A couple of months ago, I introduced a new workshop—painting leaves and wreaths using watercolour. I’ve been teaching calligraphy and brush lettering classes for a few years now, and I use foliage to frame my lettering pieces. I was super excited to be able to share how I paint my green tea, fern, eucalyptus and olive leaves to make lettering prettier!

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

It was a beautiful bright morning at Fika Swedish Cafe. You’re gonna love the Nordic feel of this place—it’s cozy and well-lit—which makes it perfect for classes like this. They also serve us delicious Swedish canapés so nobody goes hungry.

What’s so special about this class is the instructional booklet that the participants get to take home (on top of all the tools and materials for painting). It contained instructions on how I paint different kinds of leaves and how to form them into a wreath.

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Oh, there were a lot of familiar faces as well. A lot of those who come to the modern calligraphy classes come back for the intermediate classes I introduce, so it felt like seeing old friends once again. Looking at everyone’s works, the olive leaves were most popular. And the Swedish meatballs from the canapé boards were a hit, too. I was soooo proud of how these ladies began the class with no painting experience at all, and finished with a beautiful wreath to take home!

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Here are some more photos from the Leaves & Wreaths Workshop’s ‘maiden voyage’. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to join the next one!

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Watercolour Leaves Wreaths-Workshop via Happy Hands Project

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Hello! I’m Pauline and welcome to the Happy Hands Project! I’m a lettering artist and calligrapher located in Manila, Philippines.
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When was the last time you wrote a letter to yours When was the last time you wrote a letter to yourself? 💌 
 
During ou workshop, everyone received these pretty Cafe Mary Grace greeting cards. The prompt was simple: write something heartfelt. It could be for a loved one, or a message for your future self. 
 
I decided to write to my future self for this demo. No need for perfection, just enjoying the ink touching the paper, especially when the paper is this smooth. 
 
Save this for the next time you need a reminder to slow down and check in with yourself. 🤍 
 
#cafemarygrace #cursivepractice #pointedpen
A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍    I recently taugh A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍 
 
I recently taught the very first workshop for @cafemarygrace ‘s Art of Slow series at their gorgeous Parqal Mall branch. Instead of worrying about perfect technical form, we focused entirely on intention, mindful creation, and embracing the simple joys of slow living. 
 
The afternoon culminated in everyone writing a heartfelt letter to themselves or someone they love, finished with a traditional wax seal. ✉️✨ 
 
To cap off the experience, we treated our senses to Mary Grace’s delicious new menu additions: the Vigan Longganiza Pasta, refreshing Lemon Basil Soda, and their delicious Mango Mousse. 
 
Thank you to everyone who paused their busy days to create with us. Here’s to more moments of slowing down. 
 
#artofslow #cafemarygrace #calligraphyworkshop #cursivewriting
So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile h So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile hihi 
 
This time I’m trying it out with my Pilot parallel pen and On Ink’s ‘turon’. We Filipinos like lumpia and turon is a version of it that’s filled with brown sugar, jackfruit strips and sweet plantain bananas (called ‘saba’ bananas locally). 😊 
 
#frenchroundhand #parallelpen #frenchronde
French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ I got two French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ 
 
I got two new inks from @inksbyvinta during the @manilapenshow. Haribon turned out to be a desaturated version of lavender, kind of like its introverted sister. It’s a beauty and I love it. The shimmer didn’t show up on the Rhodia pad, so I have to try it on a different kind of paper. 
 
Makopa, on the other hand, is loud and screams ‘main character’. It’s mostly a bright magenta when used with a broad nib. It reminds me of the fruits from our makopa tree we had when I was a kid. 🩷 
 
#frenchroundhand #inksbyvinta #frenchronde
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