T i g o n C r a f t s
Fiona Graham-Flynn . . . Calligraphy Artist
Latest Major Works
ere by popular request is a page (launched July 2003) describing a few
of my most recent
calligraphy projects,
wedding stationery commissions,
craft product creations and other artwork in more detail.
The examples are updated periodically, so look in again soon!
Fiona Graham-Flynn - Scribe
he Simple Art Of Celtic Calligraphy - published September 2008
A new self-teaching calligraphy book (my fourth!) for beginners and
intermediate students, detailing 20 varied projects worked on different mediums such as paper, wood,
slate, stone and fabric. Each is described in a step-by-step process with colour illustrations.
The book also demonstrates four Celtic scripts - Uncials, Irish Half Uncials, Square Capitals taken from
Ireland's famous Book of Kells and a Cursive Capital script from Northumberland's Lindisfarne Gospel.
Photographs show how to start by ruling up a stave, how to use double pencils and how to form
each individual letter. Common errors are also illustrated so the student can learn to
correct any early mistakes (something especially useful for beginners). Celtic design
templates at the end of the book make it easy to apply alternative designs to each project as well.
128 pages (in colour thoughout).
Book inner page:
"Half-Uncial" script
lettering guide |
Book inner page:
"Ex-Libris"
project detail |
Book inner page:
"Chinese Proverb"
project detail |
aired Bible Verses - December 2007
Two more commissioned Bible passages, this time from the New International version:
"He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea" (Job 9:v8)
with slight Celtic decoration and an end-piece boat illumination (see left -
Enlarge: 62kb),
paired with the verse
"And we know that in all things ... according to his purpose"
(Romans 8:v28) which differs by incorporating four end-line illuminations (right -
Enlarge: 74kb).
Both are composed of Celtic Uncials and also illuminated with traditional letter infill in gouache (where again the
first piece differs by utilising letter infill to a far greater extent).
ible Verse - November 2007
A decorative piece composed of a short passage from the 'King James' version of the Bible:
"In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:v6).
Celtic Uncial lettering executed on stout display
card, illuminated with symbolic motifs and with a partially goldleaf-infilled knotwork surround (left -
Enlarge: 89kb).
The shine of the gold illuminated capital letter "I" is visible in the right-hand image
(Enlarge: 86kb).
lpine-Themed Wedding Table Cards - July 2007
Table cards commissioned by a bride whose husband-to-be was a mountaineer.
The place tables for the wedding banquet were named after different alpine peaks.
Those shown here are of Finsteraarhorn (left -
Enlarge: 45kb).
and Zinalrothorn (right -
Enlarge: 45kb).
Lettering executed in Gothic script with added pen and ink sketch illustrations
in black line, based on photographs received. A page about
table cards shows a third (Dufourspitze) sketch.
ridal Initials / College Crest - April 2007
Two recent "crests" for different clients. The first is a work on parchment
commissioned by a bridegroom's mother for the engaged couple's wedding day,
displaying the couple's marriage initials (J&S. L.) executed in Italic (ie. Italian)
16th-17th century script finished with gilding and decoration.
(Enlarge: 32kb).
The second is a display on card (size A5) made for a religious college and depicting the
college name, shield and motto executed in Uncial (7th-8th century) script with Celtic Knot
corner decoration and single colour gouache finish.
(Enlarge: 37kb).
usiness Stationery - February 2007
A piece commissioned by a Devon manufacturer of medieval-style Wendy Houses
for children. The client requested a surname decoration for use on business stationery.
Based on a medieval illuminated design and executed in gothic script on 10"x8" card,
with raised and flat gilding (i.e. gold leaf) plus gouache infill and vine
leaf surround.
(Enlarge: 59kb).
The second image shows the gilded and illuminated capital letter in more detail.
(Enlarge: 104kb).
ow Do I Love You? - August 2006
Commissioned by a client as a special birthday present for his wife. A 13th century
styled piece consisting of a poetic dedication that also incorporates his wife's
name in vertical red lettering.
(Enlarge: 162kb).
Executed in gothic script on 10"x8" vellum with
raised and flat gilding (i.e. gold leaf), a fully decorated vine
leaf border surround and traditional coloured pigment end-space line fillers. The second
image shows the gilded letters and border decoration in more detail.
(Enlarge: 138kb).
amily Tree Commission - April 2006
Created for a client as a 60th birthday present to his mother detailing a full seven
generations of her family ancestors, descendants, siblings and cousins. The client
provided the genealogical information and I co-designed the tree setting with a friend.
Executed on A1-sized card for mounting and framing.
(Enlarge: 63kb).
The lettering is in 16th Century italic script with two family surnames
(paternal and maternal) set large over, decorated in flat gilding and gouache.
(Enlarge: 57kb).
andooshki - A Poem - April 2006
Commissioned by the bride's father as a wedding day gift. Executed in italic script on
parchment paper (size A3), with a decorated
full column of curling vine.
(Enlarge: 93kb).
The second image (right) details the title decorated in gouache and
the first three words fully gilded.
(Enlarge: 87kb).
oomorphic Design - Winter 2005
One of many pieces created for a new calligraphy book
("Get Started With Celtic Calligraphy"). The publishers commissioned me to write
the section about Latin Scripts and how to create them, and to supply step-by-step illustrations.
The examples include celtic lettering. Celtic scribes decorated their work with comic or fantastic
animal designs which often had symbolic meaning.
Their flourishes can be either geometric or zoomorphic
(ie. animal-like), and can be part of the letters or additional decorations.
This piece was created to show both types in combination, and has 11 creatures.
(Enlarge: 70kb).
The script is in Irish Half-Uncial capitals, decorated in gouache.
(Enlarge: 98kb).
he Art Of Marriage - July 2005
A poem commissioned by a husband as a surprise first wedding anniversary gift.
Executed on A3 size card in
Gothic script with a decorated full border in gouache
colour and further illuminated with two inset figures (a knight and a princess).
(Enlarge: 78kb). The second image shows the right-side princess in more detail.
(Enlarge: 49kb). The piece also demonstrates how the same poem can be set in a
variety of different ways, having been previously set in a 16th C. Italic (rather than
Gothic) style in Feb. 2004 (see further below).
edding Venue Illustrations in Miniature - June 2005
Table plans can be commissioned to include an illustration
of the bridal couple's
chosen wedding reception venue. Among table plans ordered for June 2005, two were designed to include miniature line drawings
of (left) Gatwick Manor
(Enlarge: 60kb) in West Sussex and (right) Bickleigh Castle
(Enlarge: 64kb) near Tiverton in Devon.
hakespeare's Henry V, Act IV Scene III - Dec. 2004
Full text of the "St. Crispin's Day" speech given by Henry V before
the battle of Agincourt in William Shakespeare's play. A commissioned
gift piece in gothic script with illuminated W,N,T,T majiscules
(capital letters), column vine decoration
and gold leaf. Executed on mounted card, and photographed before framing.
(Enlarge: 83kb). The second image (right) shows the text of the closing lines
(".. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers .." etc.) in detail.
(Enlarge: 71kb).
eraldic Shields Themed Table Plan - June 2004
A framed wedding table plan on a theme of Heraldry, with each group of table guests listed
under ten different shields. Executed
in Indian ink and gouache on size A1 card with gold coloured mounting.
(Enlarge: 44kb). The names of the bride and groom are further decorated
with interwoven trailing vines.
(Enlarge: 46kb).
reek and Irish Texts with Celtic Surround - Mar. 2004
A commissioned gift for a Greek Orthodox Marriage couple. Showing two blessings
(one a Homeric text written in ancient Greek, and the other a famous Irish blessing
written in half-uncial script) all set in a pre-Raphaelite design (Celtic Knot
border and Knot
centre with couple's initials) on parchment, with raised gold leaf border and centre.
(Enlarge: 48kb).
The second image (right) shows the lettering and borderwork in more detail.
(Enlarge: 95kb).
he Art Of Marriage - Feb. 2004
A commissioned wedding gift, composed of a poem set with an illuminated
medieval design capital "T" and a decorated left border.
Executed on A2 size card in 16th Century Italic script, gouache colour and gold leaf.
(Enlarge: 57kb). The second image shows the illuminated "T" in more detail.
(Enlarge: 65kb).
ords & Ladies Table Plan - June 2003
A framed wedding table plan on a theme of "Lords & Ladies",
illustrated with castles and dragons and detailing the table
allocations for guests listed under
Dukes, Knights, Jesters, Archers, Outlaws etc.
(Enlarge: 51kb). The second image shows a detail of the bride's name
with an initial capital letter "A" illuminated by a dragon.
(Enlarge: 39kb).
edding Day Poem - May 2003
Commissioned
to commemorate a blessing used in a wedding service.
The blessing is a poem by American writer Kelly Schwenk. Size A2, mounted and framed.
(Enlarge: 75kb). The second image shows a detail of the
illuminated initial capital "I" letter.
(Enlarge: 52kb).
olden Jubilee 2002 Gift Piece
Fiona delivering a framed presentation gift to Buckingham Palace
(Enlarge: 62kb) in June 2002 on the occasion of
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee.
Executed on parchment and mounted on card behind glass, the wording incorporates
gilded (ie. gold leaf) lettering while the central coat of arms consisted
of flat gilding and gouache colour.
(Enlarge: 49kb).
