Jan and Arnie contacted me in the summer of 2024 to create this large calligraphy artwork for their new home. They’d just relocated here from Montana, after a quick stop in Yuma, Arizona. They had a handful of quotes they wanted to display throughout this area of their home, and chose this one to start with:
“Though youth gave love and roses,
Thomas Moore
age still leaves us friends and wine.”
- Completed March 12, 2025
- 60″L 30″W 0.25″D
- Materials: project board, acrylic paint
- Any extra details you see fit. This can be helpful when selling online.
Behind the Scenes of this Large Calligraphy Artwork
Jan and Arnie invited me to their home to get a feel for the space and talk more about the piece. I gathered that they wanted the quote to contribute to the feelings of joy and warmth when they had company. After taking LOTS of notes, I went home to my studio and came up with a sketch and some color samples for them:
While waiting for them to approve the sketch, I ordered the project panel in the size I needed and started collecting paint. Once I had the board, I prepared it by sanding it and giving it a couple coats of primer. After Jan and Arnie approved my samples, I painted the base coat of the board. After that, I enlarged the sketch and carefully transferred it to the board.
I started by filling in the letters, using signpainting brushes from Mack & Meyer. Since I live in Arizona, I had to be diligent about the consistency of the paint!
As soon as the paint started getting the slightest bit thick, I added a few drops of painting medium to thin it down and make it easy to spread.
Next I painted the wine glasses. Part of the reason I chose an off-white background was to make it easier to convey the edges of the glasses in white.
Then, I added the grapes, using a combination of greens, yellows, blues, and browns. The grapes look so scrumptious in person!
I painted the roses last, using a combination of red, green, blue, and brown. I started with the leaves (top of the photo), then painted the roses over them.
You’ll notice my large sketch covering the lettering. This was so I could reference my original sketch as I painted.
Keeping the original sketch on top of the final piece was also to protect the large calligraphy artwork from damage and mishaps — human or otherwise!
Completed Large Calligraphy Artwork
After a few touch-ups, I cleaned and sealed the final painting. After it was cured, I added rings and wire to the back. This made hanging this large calligraphy artwork a breeze. Jan and Arnie were thrilled with their new artwork, just in time for their next gathering.
Get Calligraphy for Your Home
Choose your favorite text to “live by”. Whether it’s a mural or a framed work, custom colors and illustrations will make it feel like it’s always been there.