X-ray calligraphy
Thinking about the X-ray images in our collection and taking inspiration from the calligraphy artwork below, by Christine Marr, why not have a go at this activity yourself. The artwork is one of a pair installed in the Radiology Department at Salisbury District Hospital. Created in 1993, Christine uses inks and gouache paint to illustrate the historic developments of X-rays. The central drawing of a hand has been made up with words to look like the bones they represent, as seen on an X-ray.
Phalanges = finger bones
Metacarpals = palm bones
Carpals = wrist bones
Ulna & Radius = arm bones
You will need
- printed calligraphy sheet (download below)
- tracing paper *optional
- ink fountain pen or chisel tip felt pen
Instructions
- Using the printed sheet, either copy the letters with some tracing paper or follow the outlines in the space below each printed letter.
Other tips and ideas
- Trace around your own hand and fill in the names of the bones using your calligraphy skills!
- Look up the medical names of other bones in your body – do a group calligraphy drawing by tracing round a whole body on a piece of wallpaper and fill in names of bones that you have researched.
- For smaller children draw around your hand, let them draw in the bones using a white wax crayon or candle and then paint over the top with dark coloured paint for a wax resist picture
- Why not try our X-ray painting with light activity or X-ray cyanotype print activity
