Online Group Class

Since 2014, I’ve offered private online teaching from wherever I’ve been in the world. In 2019, I began hosting small-group virtual classes with just 5–6 students per session. While I no longer offer live group classes through this site, you can join select courses through partner organisations or explore a recorded session that is available anytime.

CLASS TYPE

Live Virtual Classes

This classes are done in zoom live session, and no longer offered directly through my page.

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Replay Classes

This classes are the recorded sessions from the previous class.

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"The connection of movement in art and nature is the stillness of a feeling expressed through the abstract wording and painting in fine and thoughtful artwork. It is my mission to bring my students' and clients' visions to life in my unique style & methods."

~ MARTHA LAURENS

Available Virtual Group Classes

Announcement:
Live Virtual Classes are no longer offered directly from my page unless requested by organisations.

Storyline
Illuminated Border

Hosted by The Gentle Penman

Class Starts: 7 September 2025

Immerse yourself in a five-week course with me and explore the creation of illuminated manuscript borders with a narrative focus.

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I like how thoroughly and detail-oriented the workshop’s structure is. The workshop handouts are very useful too (especially for personal study after the classes) I like all the recorded videos and handouts. It has helped me a lot to pass my IAMPETH Certifications!

Love it! What an Excellent Class!!

Kalo Chu, Kalo Make Art, HongKong

(Attended Martha's Spencerian Intensive Class & Private Coaching 2020-2022)

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 by closing the year with a selection of work that shaped my practice in 2025.

Thank you to those who were part of the journey. Warmest hug to all of you 💕 Happy New Year! 🥂🍾

👩🏻‍🎨 A small piece I completed for an entry in the 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸’𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Miniature painting and foundational hand always remind me how meaningful the slow moments can be.

Details was cropped for privacy.
Medium: watercolour + gouache
Nibs: Mitchell #3, #4, #5, #6

A glimpse into the process behind the 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 for Mosman Council, in honour of the Royal Australian Navy (His Majesty’s Australian Ship Penguin).

✒️ All made from scratch and crafted by yours truly 🥰 from designing, cutting and preparing the paper and the scroll, sketching, writing, painting, to creating the scroll with its ribbons and covers, and every step in between.💕

Thank you @bloom.ppa for patiently following and capturing the process.

🌟 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁.

It’s an honour to be able to create something that serves your country. 🇦🇺

During the 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 in Mosman on Friday, 24 October, at 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺, 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, was read before the crowd. It was a moment that filled me with gratitude.

Thank you @mosmancouncil and @royalaustraliannavy for the opportunity to contribute to a day of remembrance and pride.

And thank you @mosmanliving for capturing this moment so beautifully.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 to medieval times when trusted military units were granted permission to enter walled towns to replenish provisions and arms.

✒️🎨🖌️ More images of the process is coming soon!

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀.
🤍
While the studio was filled with the rhythm of pointed pens and gilded leaves, I worked on several commission works and this is one of them, it’s a little different, an obituary poem written by children for their beloved Nanaji.

It reminded me that calligraphy isn’t only about form and flourish, it’s also about giving shape to love, memory, and grief in the gentlest way possible. It is also a way to keep someone’s light alive.

Creating this piece while teaching the Foundation to Calligraphy and Illuminated Realms courses made me reflect again on why I do what I do, to preserve meaning through beauty, even in farewell.

Paper: BFK Rives, Paper size: 560 mm x 760 mm
Nib: Text in Mitchell #5, Title in Speedball

✨ 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 - 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮 - Such a fun session today! @thegentlepenman ~ We rolled up our sleeves and focused on the big picture: planning the initial, deciding where the text should live, matching the script style to the story, and finding the right spots for leaves and motifs to grow. 🌱

The handouts were buzzing with ideas (yes, those little rabbits and birds are waiting their turn 🐇🕊️), while our tracing papers became a playground for layouts.

And that shiny little gilded triangle? That’s your sneak peek 👀 — next week, we dive into modern gilding techniques, troubleshooting, and getting everything ready before the painting stage.

This class really is for everyone, whether you’re new to drawing or already doodling away; there’s a place here for you to explore and enjoy.

✨ Can’t wait to see how your borders begin to glow next week!

#marthalaurens #marthascribes #storylineilluminatedborder #thegentlepenman #illuminatedmanuscript #gilding #gildedarts #painting #gouachepainting #foundationalhand

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬
with Pointed Pen Academy @learnpointedpen ✨

Today’s session felt like a turning point, moving slowly from drills and names into full, flowing sentences. We’re starting to step gently into Ornamental Penmanship, guided by rhythm before all the flourishes and the poems from C.C. Canan book.

Every individual is different, some are still exploring finger movement, others have moved into arm or combination movement. No pressure. No perfection. Just refinement.

We’re not leaving the basics behind, we’re deepening them.

🌟𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 🌟 “𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲, 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗲… 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲. 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵. 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲, 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹. ”

Thank you to everyone who joined today’s Zoom class 💌

𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗼 — here’s what we’ve been up to in 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 at the Beginners Academy from 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 @learnpointedpen these past 9 months 👀✨

From learning the movement in the simplest way and in depth, creating our style of writing and exemplar to the graceful uppercase curves to swashy lowercase loops, numbers, and even fancy names — we’ve been slowly stretching from classic spencerian into a touch of ornamental flair.

This sunday’s catch-up session with pointed pen academy is all about refining those moves, flexing our muscle memory, and adding a little sparkle to our script ✍️ writing more in order to practice more.

See you soon, pen friends 💌

🌻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 to right before I flew to Europe, I wrapped up one of the most meaningful projects I’ve done this year ~ I had the honour of creating this large-scale piece for the 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁.
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They commissioned me to write their full mission statement in my formal hybrid hand… on a scale I don’t often get to work with (imagine the x-height to be around 2cm high). The final piece is about a metre long—roughly two-thirds of an IKEA Skogsta dining table, just to give you an idea 😅
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At the heart of it is their motto:
“𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼” — 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.
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This piece wasn’t just about scale, but legacy. Every stroke had to carry the weight of discipline, duty, and the regiment’s enduring motto.
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I also painted their insignia in 3D to ground the work, an anchor for the eyes and the heart.
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𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: thank you for entrusting me with your words.
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Swipe through to see details of the calligraphic work, scale, and the emblem that anchors it all.

“𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹.” — 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘃 𝗢𝗴𝘂𝘇
And sometimes, the most honest work happens when you simply let go.

Back again for her birthday 💙 #spontaneousart
This client asked me last year to create something special for his daughter’s preteen birthday—The soft indigo butterfly in Japanese ink (𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿). This year, as she turns 13, he gave me the same brief but asked me to create something different.

So I did :) 😊 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻, 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀. 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱.

A loose watercolour bloom, a delicate blue butterfly with glittery wings, and a little Spencerian note inside. It came together in one sitting, spontaneous and full of feeling.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, watching clients smile or pause quietly as they take in something you made?
It’s everything.
Like being a chef, watching someone take the first bite and softly say “mmm.”
It’s that silence, but deeply rewarding.

#birthdaycardart #marthascribes #watercolourillustration #calligraphycommunity #artistatwork #butterflypainting #glitterink #japaneseink #handmadecards #spencerianscript #customartwork #creativefreedom #sydneystudio #calligraphyandart #artwithmeaning #trusttheprocess #artistsonreels

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 | 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁.
Some pieces don’t fit neatly into one style.
They move between drawn and written, structure and gesture.

This one was created in the Umbrian Hills, Italy, shaped by a phrase that stayed with me longer than I expected:
“𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺.”

There’s something about working in a quiet place, the lines come slower, the decisions feel softer. Sometimes what shows up on the page feels more like a response than a plan.

This was added behind a page written “Better late than Never”, a small phrase that felt like part of the same thought. And as the piece unfolded, it naturally led me back to the work I’ve been building around illumination since 2016.

Right now 𝗜’𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀— one online course with @thegentlepenman ~ focused on narrative borders - The 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, and another in-person class that goes deeper into the kind of gilded, story-driven work I keep coming back to ~ the 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗺𝘀

They’re both about the process: where we are starting with a line… and letting it become more than just text.

Thank you for being part of this week!

#speedballtakeover #marthascribes #umbrianhills #betterlate #calligraphyart #narrativeillumination #gildedborder #illuminatedmanuscripts #storythroughink #scriptandmeaning #calligraphystorytelling #modernscribe #victoriantype #marthalaurens #marthascribes #sydneypenmanship #penmanship #iampeth #elegantspencerian

𝖲𝖯𝖤𝖤𝖣𝖡𝖠𝖫𝖫 𝖳𝖠𝖪𝖤𝖮𝖵𝖤𝖱 | This is where I landed. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?

For this last day, I didn’t start with a plan....
Just a moment of movement, I needed to get out.

At first I used Hunt 101 on this handmade paper, it didn't go as I wanted, and then I decided to change the tool. I used Brody’s @brody_neuenschwander Ruling pen with a Japanese ink stick to write “THICK.” It felt that it missed something. Then, I wrote “thin” over the top with a Hunt 101 and Herbin Red, fast and without hesitation -- forgot that it didn't work. I added drops of ink with a brush.

Then a water dropped - again. The marks left behind were unintentional, I let the water do what it wanted. I realised that sometimes it's not you, sometimes you need adapt the tools you use, the pointed pen in fast speed was not meant to be used on the rough handmade paper.

--- Earlier today, I was working on a client project using that same paper.
I made a mistake.
Then a spelling error.
Tried to fix it. Failed.
Redid the whole thing.
And yet, I liked the first version best.

That seems to be the pattern lately.
The more I try to get it “right,”
the more I come back to the first thing I felt.
Who can relate to this?

This week has been a lot of things—formal, fluid, messy, reflective.

It reminded me that calligraphy isn’t only about control. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. And that’s the kind of things that we will learn in my in-person 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗻 class. In September. It's about listening, feeling, the pressure and release movement.

Thank you, @speedball_calligraphy , for the space to explore. And thank you to everyone who followed along.

𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿.

#speedballtakeover #marthascribes #rulingpen #hunt101 #japaneseink #herbinred #handmadepaper #calligraphyexpression #pressureandrelease #calligraphy #calligraphyjourney #modernscribe #lettinggo #markmaking #calligraphymistakes #scribesandsoul

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿?

SPEEDBALL TAKEOVER ~ Before Spencerian becomes graceful script, it begins with movement: finger, combination, muscular, whole-arm.

Each action leaves a trace. Each motion shapes the line.

After years of studying the letterform—its rules, proportions, and spacing, I created Spencerian Twist during the pandemic. A way for my students to honour structure while learning to dance with mistakes. A space where breaking a rule becomes part of the rhythm.

But not everything goes as planned.

A broken nib.
Then… an ink blob.
My allergies flared. My mind went blank.
I almost changed the paper.
(A few years ago, I would have.)
But I didn’t stop.
I let it happen.

That page—messy, splattered, alive—taught me something the books never did.
It wasn’t planned. But it was honest.
And in that moment, I found the joy of not fixing it.

That moment taught me to let go.
To let the ink remember.
To let the story move through the body—
not just the pen.

How about you?? Are you still stay on the same strictly to rules? But not all rules are bad, sometimes it help us to develop that foundation on our hand. :)

This is the Elegant Spencerian #elegantspencerian class Series that I built since pandemic

Let’s keep writing. ✍️🏼

#spencerian #spenceriantwist #spencerianvariation #pointedpencalligraphy #speedballtakeover #marthascribes #indiaink #calligraphymovement #scriptwithsoul #lettinggo #fromstructuretoexpression #modernscribe

Hi it’s me again, Martha. It’s a joy to return for the 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿. And this time, I begin with a question:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲?

Ink and paint have become more than just tools for me, they’re mirrors. They reflect memories, emotions, and the silent spaces between.

One commission work I’ll never forget is a love letter written for a client to his partner, not for show, but for love. Written with Speedball’s Hunt 101 nib, it became something lasting.

Another lives in a manuscript I bound myself. In it, I wrote of the light in Vienna as someone pausing between worlds. I had just come from Rapicciano, Italy, where I took 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 with @brody_neuenschwander and @amityparks. A class less about craft and more about letting go. The page became a reflection, shaped in my own visual language.

And then there’s a piece in the same book, drawn from my roots: a hybrid foundational hand, wrapped in Chinese mountain forms, where I lettered the words big and small (大 - on the left / 小 - on the right). A meditation on my heritage, and the balance it continues to teach me.

This week, I’ll share how I use my tools not just to shape letters or paint but to shape meaning.

Coming 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, I’ll be guiding others through this kind of story-making:
• 𝗔 𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 with [@thegentlepenman], where we’ll illuminate our narratives in gold
• 𝗔𝗻 𝗶𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 in Sydney, the Foundation to Pointed Pen

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, we will go deeper: a full immersive course in Illuminated Manuscripts.

For those who feel called to bring more story, soul, and even a touch of gold into your work… I’ll have something special to share with you soon.

Let’s begin. 🍻❤️

#speedballtakeover #marthascribes #storythroughink #calligraphyart #lovelettersinink #viennalight #hybridcalligraphy #calligraphy #foundationalhand #speedball #slowart #scriptwithsoul #modernscribe #gildedart #marthalaurens

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽 𝗮𝗶𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗸-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🍂✨
Sharing some favourite scenes and scribbles from the last season full of work, wonder, and warmth.

Whether in the studio or out and about, I’ve been reminded that— “𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙨, 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨, 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙪𝙣.” — Mary Lou Cook.

Here’s to all of it 💛

#reelitfeelit #marthascribes #autumninspo #calligraphylove #behindtheink #commissionwork #slowmade #moderncalligraphy #handmadewithlove #australianartist #sydneystudio #calligraphyreel #artistatwork #calligraphycommunity #creativelifehappylife #painting

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮 ✨ Envelope addressing in gold ink on deep Amethyst by Colorplan. A joy to write on, and such a rich pairing for a special evening.

#envelopeaddressing #calligraphyartist #goldink #amethystenvelope #eventstationery #luxurystationery #colorplanpaper #pointedpen #calligraphy #galaevent #customcalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #eventcalligrapher #marthascribes #calligraphydetails #goldengala @schf.kids

𝗖𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 ~ I’m packing as I write this 🫣

But before I go, here’s a little glimpse of one of my favourite things to work on: handwritten place cards and invitations. I wrote names on the labels and dates on the invites ~ all same-day delivery. It was rushed but so worth it.

Also, a quick reminder to my Pointed Pen Academy students ~ see you today at 5PM AEST for our catch-up class, “𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.” ✍🏼 - We’ll continue working on our Spencerian foundation, developing our muscular movement and slowly easing into the beauty of Ornamental Penmanship 🤍

I won’t be taking on any custom writing services in June (✈️ travel mode activated), and July is already fully booked. In-person classes are coming soon—I can’t wait to share more!

#calligraphyartist #handwritteninvitations #placecards #pointedpen #spencerianscript #moderncalligraphy #luxurycalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #australiacalligrapher #marthascribes #stationerylover #calligraphylove #eventcalligraphy #customcalligraphy #calligraphydesign #calligraphyservices

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀, 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵. ✨
A little sneak peek of what’s to come in Calligraphy Therapy Part 2 — this time, we’ll explore flourishing, freeform expression, and the gentle magic of a flat brush… all in shimmering Copperplate Gold by Dr. Ph. Martin.

📅 Date TBA — stay tuned for the next free live session. Let’s write, play, and unwind together.

#calligraphytherapy #flourishingpractice #flatbrushcalligraphy #copperplategold #phmartinsink #calligraphycommunity #mindfulwriting #calligraphytutorial #calligraphylive #calligraphyvideo #marthascribes

Throwback my contribution to the Sydney Gold Dinner 2025, this time for the preview event held just a few weeks ago in support of the Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

Each menu and place card was handwritten with care—quiet details that honour a cause so deeply meaningful. The official event begins June 11, and I’m humbled to play a small part in its journey.

🖌️ I created the style for the event based on the fun Spencerian Twist 🥰 -- and handmade the glittering metallic paint!!! -- The paint is not for sale tho 😄😃

#marthascribes #sydneygolddinner2025 #calligraphywithheart #eventcalligraphy #childrenhospitalshoundation #luxurystationery #handwrittenelegance #quietlux #mlcdh #calligraphy #menucard #placecard @schf.kids

✨𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁ü𝗰𝗸, and for helping keep penmanship alive.

Writing has a way of bringing you back to the present, especially when done with your arm movement. It’s a rhythm, a flow, a practice in patience.

This 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟬 reminded me 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, not just for the techniques but for its presence. It’s calming, mindful, and a beautiful way to take a deep breath and slow down.

Thank you 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰 for the Meisterstück, 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 and 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟬 for the opportunity to share this moment. 🙏🏼

Photo courtesy of Montblanc (thank you for capturing it and sharing it with me 🙏🏼)

#montblancmoment #calligraphycommunity #meisterstück #elegantwriting #marthascribes #capellasydney #modernscribe #calligraphyartist #MLCDH #marthalaurens #sydneypenmanship #poeticwriting #armmovementwriting #businesspenmanship #penmanship #calligraphy #writingwithsoul #scribesandsoul #MLCDH

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗶𝗻𝘀—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, countless nibs, and a heart full of ink.
Honoured to have received the @iampethofficial IAMPETH Certificate of Excellence.

What started as a fun challenge esp with high adrenaline became a quest to motivate me to practice. These IAMPETH pins now feel like little relics of each chapter—each one earned, never just given.
On to the next one…

Thank you to teachers and friends who’ve taught me and inspired me along the way.

More on the full story and process soon.
Stay tuned.

#iampethpins #calligraphygoals #marthascribes #calligrapherlife #penmanshippassion #calligraphyaward #iampethcertificate #calligraphylove #marthalaurens #excellenceinpenmanship #modernscribe

CALLIGRAPHY THERAPY #1.
Moved the session to IG Live! 😂 -- for Chatty Monday!

Thanks everyone who’ve stopped by!

Chatty Monday: Live session
Chatty Friday: Me talking to myself on Friday Post (If I have Friday Post) 😂

I need a dummy sheet on working the YouTube Live 😂

Join my Scribes Soul channel for a lot more practices ✍️🏼🤓

#theartofslowingdown #calligraphytherapy
#marthalaurens #marthascribes

☕ A quiet glimpse behind the desk this Mother’s Day — Honoured to be part of today’s Mother’s Day celebration and at the same time grateful to be invited by 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 and 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟬 to bring calligraphy to life for their on-site celebration, with beautiful stationery and ink and pens provided by 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰.

It’s always a joy to write with the Meisterstück range — Extra Fine, Fine, and Medium — each with its own lovely rhythm.

Wishing a gentle, love-filled Mother’s Day to all the mumsies today.

#mothersday2025 #capellasydney #montblanc #livecalligraphy #marthascribes #sydneycalligrapher #handlettered #meisterstück #calligraphyartist
#stationerylovers #luxuryhandwriting#bespokepenmanship #montblancmoments #quietluxurylettering

A new perspective on a treasured commission—
Created for the part of Sydney Gold Dinner 2025, these handwritten place cards were part of a deeply meaningful commission in support of the Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

Each one inked with custom made Amerhyst colour ink on soft purple card stock by Colorplan, left unembellished so the script could speak for itself.

The celebration begins on June 11, but the beauty of intention begins long before.

#marthascribes #calligraphywithsoul #marthalaurens #childrenhospitalsfoundation #quietluxury #handwrittenelegance #eventcalligraphy #storyinink #pointedpen #calligraphy #lettering

☕ 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 after another Non-stop Same day delivery type of commission work. It was fun work, as I had to create the flowers too one by one, prepare the paper, and write this fun style called.. Pointed Pen-ish — 😜

... I’m joking 😂 Any kind that looks like Copperplate or Spence or in between, I call them Copperplate Style. This one is upright. I used the Spencerian Twist idea that I created during the pandemic.

The pre-recording class of Spencerian Twist is coming soon! Stay Tuned!

Nib: Nikko G
Paper: Colorplan
Ink: Ph. Martin

#spenceriantwist #copperplatestyle #marthascribes #marthalaurens #pointedpen #calligraphy #placecards

𝗔 𝗦𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗣𝗲e𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ~ It was pretty wild yet a worthy last-minute decision, with 24 hours non-stop painting (don’t do this, pls) did it only a week before the postmark date. I’m glad it passed the @iampethofficial Certificate of Excellence on Illumination and Border! Thank you, IAMPETH!

Although I worked with oil painting backnin 90’s and I have never stopped creating art pieces, I mostly did it together with my school team, especially during my university years. But this water medium was my nemesis.

All thanks to all my teachers, whom I have learned from the start.
I couldn’t have done it without you all!

--- Speaking about my artwork, I’ll explain more when I receive it back. :) -- 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗜 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁?

Did this for fun and the high adrenaline that boost my brain with ideas, colours and focus. 😆

It’s me taking a break ☕
Till next time
M

#marthalaurens #marthascribes #illuminatedmanuscript #gilding #gildarts #painting #gouachepainting

“𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲. 𝗜𝗻𝗸. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁.” ~ the wait is over! At the beginning of Last year, I did Calligraphy Therapy with the Washington Calligraphy Guild, and because of many requests, it is BACK again!

Join me this May for a Calligraphy Therapy session—a gentle space where rhythm, rest, and the written word come together.

Experience the stillness of slow strokes in our free online session every Monday on Youtube starting May 20th, or immerse deeper with our full in-person classes starting July 11th. Whether holding a pen for peace or rediscovering your creative voice, this is your invitation to return to yourself—one graceful line at a time.

Level for all levels.
DM to register.

#calligraphytherapy #healingthroughwriting #marthascribes #calligraphyclass #sydneycalligrapher #mindfulwriting #spencerianscript #slowart

👩‍🎨 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, I hand-illustrated a vintage key—elongated, elegant, and adorned with classic scrollwork—then finished it with delicate layers of Shell Gold to bring warmth and history to the piece.

Every curve and gilded line was designed to echo the beauty of craftsmanship, permanence, and new beginnings.

For Jose and partner, who recently turned the key to a new home, I had the honour of creating something meaningful to mark the occasion. Thank you for entrusting me to create this meaningful work.

Congratulations, to both of you—may your new home be filled with light, joy, and stories yet to unfold.

Key painted with Handmade Shell Gold 23k
Handmade Paper: @feathersandstone
Ink: Rogue d’Orient @jacquesherbin.official

#gildedshore #marthalaurens #calligraphy #handwritten #letter #newhouse #handwriting #spencerian #lettering #handlettered #marthascribes

It was an honour to quietly contribute to this year’s Sydney Gold Dinner 2025, supporting the life-changing work of the Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

This small place cards detail—but one I poured heart into, hoping it added a gentle touch of warmth to a truly meaningful evening. They are a part of the Gold Dinner that will be held in June.

#marthascribes #marthalaurens #sydneyevent #preparation #calligraphywithheart #quietluxury #handwrittendetails #purposefuldesign

𝟯𝟬 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲. 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭/𝟯𝟬. Handwriting/Cursive/Spence/OP/BP whichever my hand likes to do 😜 ~ key is to write continuously minimise lifting up the pen as much as possible. Do you think I better do longer?

I finally had a time to relax a bit, doing that I’m passionate about from design, painting, writing, calligraphy, gilding etc after a year long of not having a real break LoL.

So I asked chat gpt to create the longest word ever and it has made up to 400 letters word 😂😂😂 not just the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious 😂😂😂😂 it even mentioned the longest word of thunder in a novel 😅.

So here it is. The word of the day:
𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘆𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
1. Hyper- → Excessive, beyond normal
2. Polysyllabico- → Related to polysyllabic words (words with multiple syllables)
3. Vocabulari- → Related to vocabulary or words
4. Magniloquacious- → Grandiloquent, speaking in a highly elaborate or pompous manner
5. Mentality- → A way of thinking or a mindset

Full Meaning:
A mindset or tendency where a person excessively uses long and complex words to sound intellectual or sophisticated.

#learnpointedpen #pointedpenacademy #spencerianfromthebeginning #elegantspencerian #marthalaurens #spencerianscript #cursivewriting #longletters #longword #challengeyourself #calligraphy #iampeth

Wishing a happy married life to the lovely couple, Judith and Peter. It was one of the interesting projects I did: a partially detailed painting and traditional writing of an Italian Hand for a wedding certificate with a space on the cloud for 50 witnesses on Currarong Beach view. 🥰 What do you think? Do you prefer a full-writing wedding certificate or one with a traditional border or the place where you say your vows?

#calligraphy #weddingcertificate #penmanship #italianhand #handmadewithlove #watercolourpainting #painting #calligraphicart #marthalaurens

🎙️ 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 that reminds me why I love what I do... 🥰 Would you like to see more of my challenging projects or drain my weird brain in here?

Happy time is when all the challenges you are looking for come from your clients 🫶🏼✍️🏼 this time is an entirely rough surface on both sides, and I, fortunately, managed to write it smoothly 🥰✍️🏼🙈

Is this calligraphy or handwriting with a dip pen? I choose the latter. Ask me why. 🤓

#calligraphy #calligraphyart #dippencalligraphy #handlettering #moderncalligraphy #modernlettering #marthalaurens #marthalaurenscalligraphyanddesignhouse #mlcdh #marthascribes

🥂 Life Moves Fast and it’s almost the end of January 2025.
Remember to Slow Down

#lifedownunder #calligraphy #penmanship #marthalaurens #calligraphydesign #calligraphydesignhouse #handwrittennotes

🙏🏽 For all clients who have chosen to work with me. Thank you!

#sydneypenmanship #australiapenmanship #penmanship #calligraphy #handletters #moderncalligraphy #iampeth #sydneycalligrapher #thecalligraphyhub #marthascribes #marthalaurens #dippencalligraphy #penman #australiancalligrapher

🎙𝗔 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 ~ as in any commission works, every self projects to me has the same importance, and at the end of the day it’s not just art, but it’s a piece of my heart. Poem provided by the client.

Paper, this material, is tricky. The air is humid, and surprisingly, our summer has been full of rain. Although we have several electric dehumidifiers all over the rooms, it took me several days to do gilding and watercolour painting on handmade paper (not regular art paper). It was challenging and tested my patience, as I had to stop every time the paper was slightly wrinkled and wait to continue to do it on the next day.

Regardless, every detail has a purpose. There’s something meditative about this part of my day. 🧘‍♀️🪷

Hope it inspires you 🥰

— Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll have to pack this neatly before I ship it.

Xx,
It’s me taking a break.

#calligraphylife #calligraphy #artinprocess #dailyroutines #calligraphyjourney #artiststudiospace #gilding #goldleafart #simplygilded #sydneycalligrapher #sydneycalligraphy #marthalaurens #italicscript

🎙𝗔 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁

Even the smallest detail carry meaning. This is why I do what I do 🥰

#CalligraphyLife #Calligraphy #ArtInProcess #DailyRoutine #CalligraphyJourney #ArtistStudio #Gilding #shellgoldartistry #gildedshore #sydneycalligrapher #sydneycalligraphy #marthalaurens

👩‍🎨𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 ~ when a client asked to paint the State’s Eucalyptus leaves and flowers (Tasmanian Blue Gum), I added the Honeyeater Bird. 🥰

Paper: Handmade Paper @feathersandstone
Paint: Watercolour @m.grahamco

#calligraphy #artstudiolife #paintingislife #watercolour #gilding #illuminatedgilding #artwork #bts

🎙 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 • 𝗔 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 (𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭).

Between ink, gold, and a bit of coffee, this is where the magic happens. ✨

#CalligraphyLife #Calligraphy #ArtInProcess #DailyRoutine #CalligraphyJourney #ArtistStudio #Gilding #handwritting #writingdaily #sydneycalligrapher #sydneycalligraphy #marthalaurens

🎙 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 😊 Four of us stayed in this tiny house off the grid a while ago. It was a time well spent. 💕

📆 To my students and all new students - Several days have been booked each week for the half of the year.

Here are the Available Days for the in-person classes (for you who have not booked the subsequent sessions):
Tuesday, from 1pm-4pm
Friday, from 2pm to 9pm, Sydney time.

If you need an online catch-up session or want to choose a date other than the ones above, DM or email me as usual for confirmation.

Till laters, x
M

#marthalaurensclass #elegantspencerian #elegantspencerianclassseries #illuminatedmanuscriptclass #marthalaurens

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗱.

Too many projects have been done, and too many beautiful souls I have met from the UK, Europe, Asia, and the USA in 2024, from clients, students, and friends to mentors that are more than images or words can express but here’s to embrace the exciting 2025 with a refreshed spirit!

Happy New Year, Everyone! 🥂 🎇🎆

#calligraphyaustralia #sydneycalligraphysupply #sydneycalligrapher #sydneycalligraphy #lettering #calligraphyart #calligraphydaily #handwriting #calligraphypractice #calligraphylove #calligraphyaddict #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #letteringart #calligraphylettering #handlettering #calligraphycommunity

🎄It’s all done for the Christmas Event with Waterford at the David Jones Store. We have Engraved Crystal and Metal on a primarily small scale -- which has been a fun challenge. Thanks @waterford !

🎙️ They have the cute shrimp this year and the tiny bear feet too! 🦐 🐻

🎙️ While I’m here getting busy for the Holiday Break (😝) but we wish you all the very best!

It's me taking a break ☕
Till next post!
Xx, M

#calligraphyengraving #handengraving #miniatureengraving

#engraving #brandactivation #collaboration #calligraphyengraving #crystalengraving #christmasevent

🎄𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 ~shipped all complete stationery to my client in France ~ Just in time. From greyhounds owner to another. ⭐️🎄

#bespokestationery #marthalaurens #scribesedit #handwrittenletters #greetingcards #familystationery

💆🏻‍♀️Throwback Thursday to the time when we had a little bit of time to take a break. Getting away at an off-grid area, doing nothing but reading books or even practising calligraphy 😏 #whencalligraphyandpaintingismylife

🎙️If you are there and busy... Hang in there! 🫰🏼Sending you warmth from the Down Under 🥰

But if you are in Aussie and want to feel the winter air, stop by my studio, where we keep all things cool with the UV film on our glass window and door 😁⛄❄️ you might need to bring a sweater tho 😊

It’s me being chatty ☕
Xx

#worklifebalancegoals

✍🏽 ~ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 end of November! ~ Finished writing this commission work for a simple thirty minutes for same day pickup after teaching an in-person class of my favourite Spencerian. 🥰

Written with Micron (not my favourite - for a thicker line effect), glossy cards provided by client :)

🎙️While I have been posting about motivational quotes in my story to ‘hang in there’, I was literally reminding myself about it 😂

🎙️Looking at my schedule for the whole few months, I thought I really need another big break. 🙈🍻

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!
It’s me taking a break 🍻
X,
M

#handwritting #writingdaily #handwriting #notestagram #greetingcards #handwrittennotes #spencerian #calligraphy #oldenglish #blackletter #sydneycalligraphy #marthalaurens #placecards #cursive

✍🏽 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗨𝗽! ~ Coming up this coming few weeks, back again with Wedgewood and Waterford at David Jones starting this Thursday! Check their Black Friday products and have it engraved!

#handcrafting #handengraving #crystals #calligraphyengraving #engraving #calligraphy #sydneycalligraphy #marthalaurens #waterford #wedgewood

🎙 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 ~ is 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞! Let’s create a greeting card for the holiday season with me! 🎄🥰 ~ Everyone is welcome to join! 🥰

While you can use your favourite tools, I will be using a flat brush this time! I’m trying to be back by playing around with the flat brush again! I did this workaround last year in the UK but have been using a pointed brush to play ever since.

Save your date!! And see you on Friday, 8 Nov at 3pm (Sydney, Aussie time)

#handwritting #writingdaily #calligraphyart #flatbrush #handwriting #notestagram #greetingcards #handwrittennotes #spencerian #calligraphy #oldenglish #blackletter #sydneycalligraphy #marthalaurens

👩‍🎨 Last July was a whole month of excitement in Bali! Time Flies so fast that I still can’t believe how my students are progressing with their journey in the craft they like. 🥰 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 from the classes that I taught in Bali for private before my relative’s wedding in July 🥰

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶 for these two talented ladies @emanansang @garetgaretgaret 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲:
• Pointed Pen Calligraphy
• Uppercase Copperplate + Flourishing
• Hand-engraving in any size and type of surface
• Painting in any size and type of surface
• Non-Gesso Gilding
• Gold Foiling on Leather

My students’ achievements, the results of their hard work, seeing their progress from afar, and the fact that they enjoy every step of their process make me happy 🥰🥰 Thank you for keeping the craft alive!

#calligraphyengraving #paintingonglass #goldfoiling #hotfoiling

🌟𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀! ~ We finally have time to visit Blue Mountain Cultural Centre at Katoomba to see the commission work I did for Darug Elder Birrin Christopher Tobin last time. He is a researcher, educator, artist, and volunteer in National Trust NSW.

The document is exhibited at the gallery’s entrance and will be kept as part of the exhibition that is curated by the producer who contacted me, Justin Morrissey, and Freedom Wilson, A Blue Mountain City Council Planetary Health Exhibition. It was written with a Quill and Japanese ink on Calf Parchment, size 6 sqft. The exhibition will end on October 16th.

I am happy to remember my childhood photo about thirty years ago. In the last clip, she is me at my first exhibition of oil paintings, which the school selected among five other talented schoolmates. 🥰

#calligraphy #marthalaurens #exhibition

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GILDING LEFTOVER: KEEP IT OR THROW IT?

CALLIGRAPHY TIPS | CLEANING YOUR NIBS

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LA MAISON

Glacier Crystal Inkwell Holder

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"The connection of movement in art and nature is the stillness of a feeling expressed through the abstract wording and painting in fine and thoughtful artwork. It is my mission to bring my students' and clients' visions to life in my unique style & methods."

~ MARTHA LAURENS

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