By Ravini Perera
With the digitalisation of most means of communication, the once most relied on snail mail has now decreased in importance. Nevertheless, regular users of the postal services, even today, understand its significance and appreciate the beautiful stamps that go hand in hand with envelopes.
New stamps are printed annually and customarily represent many different themes and iconic figures. However, not many people are well informed of the process behind the production and of the designers who dedicate their time, efforts, and skills to creating world-class postage stamps.
Philately is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It deals with the collection, appreciation, and research of stamps and other philatelic products. Brunch took a trip down memory lane with Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe, a veteran philatelic art director, as he celebrated 40 years since the design and publication of his first stamp.
[caption id="attachment_148760" align="alignright" width="304"]
"My educational background in engineering has never gone to waste. In fact, it has come in handy and has assisted me immensely with stamp designing. My attention to scaling, perspectives, light and shade, measurements, and minute details with regard to buildings and architecture has been admired by many. Thus, this has landed me many opportunities of creating stamps with architectural themes" Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe[/caption]
A creative eye
Wickramasinghe, who is an old boy of Mahinda College, Galle, developed an enthusiasm towards arts and crafts from a small age. Taking part in competitions since 1967 when he was in school, he has frequently topped lists with his creative masterpieces. In addition to his naturally gifted creative skill, he was a philatelist from his early days, collecting multitudes of stamps that ignited his passion for designing stamps.
Completing his schooling, he went on to study mechanical engineering at the University of Moratuwa, a career he pursued for a limited time. The urge within him to continue his creative work and to further develop his artistic talent was satisfied when he joined the advertising industry. Even today, Wickramasinghe is a creative director by profession.
“My educational background in engineering has never gone to waste. In fact, it has come in handy and has assisted me immensely with stamp designing. My attention to scaling, perspectives, light and shade, measurements, and minute details with regard to buildings and architecture has been admired by many. Thus, this has landed me many opportunities of creating stamps with architectural themes,” Wickramasinghe shared, adding that he has never limited his interest to architectural stamps, designing a versatile collection of stamps over the years.
Wickramasinghe also diverted his knowledge and academic background in the fields of mass communication and journalism towards researching and conserving items of philatelic and cultural value to Sri Lanka including our national emblem and flag. “I am a perfectionist and I tend to conduct an intensive study prior to designing stamps, hence sidestepping any errors that may occur,” he added.
Sri Lanka’s youngest stamp designer
He began his journey as a philatelist designer by entering a competition some four decades ago. “In the year of 1980, I entered a competition open to the public and received a merit award for my stamp design. This boosted my confidence and motivated me to try again. I knew that I could achieve my dream of designing a stamp in Sri Lanka one day and that dream came true the following year when I designed a stamp for the scout movement in Sri Lanka,” he stated.
In 1981, 19-year-old Wickramasinghe entered another competition to design a stamp to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Founder of the World Scout Movement. “The scout movement of all countries were asked to issue a stamp to honour this significant day. However, unlike in other countries, Sri Lanka gave the opportunity of designing this particular stamp to the scouts rather than professional artists. My stamp was selected from Sri Lanka, making it my first stamp design and me the youngest person to have ever designed a postage stamp in the country even to date,” he said.
Wickramasinghe, a recipient of the President’s Award as a scout, has been a boy scout since his school days and continues to render his services even at present, training scouts in the dying trade of philately. Scouting trips that have taken him to foreign countries have afforded him the opportunity to enhance his philately knowledge and ideas with visits to many printing presses, postal departments and stamp bureaus in different countries.
Subsequent to having his work recognised in 1981, he registered as a designer and has since gone on to design approximately 160 stamps. His collection includes commemorative stamps and 22 centenary stamps designed for various schools including his own alma mater and universities of Sri Lanka such as the University of Colombo and the University of Peradeniya.
Another significant stamp designed by Wickramasinghe is the commemorative stamp marking the 20th anniversary of the moon landing. This month of July marks 32 years since its issuance in 1989.
Among his many skills of designing a variety of stamps, he also specialises in designing stamps depicting scientific, aeronautical, and communicational themes.
Behind the scenes
Brunch inquired about the process of designing a stamp and how it takes place, to which Wickramasinghe responded that the Government publishes an advertisement in the local newspapers each year, calling for parties interested in having a stamp designed to contact the postal department. Following this, a calendar is published around the month of October, announcing the new stamps that will be issued in the following year and assigning designers with the task of creating concepts for these stamps. A designer is often allocated two to four stamps to be designed each year. The parties whose stamps are rejected have the alternative of having personalised stamps made from their own funds.
“After receiving the assignment, we conduct discussions with the client on their requirements and design a few rough visuals either four, eight, or 10 times bigger in size. Out of these visuals, one is selected by the Advisory Board of the Postal Department. Once the approval is received, we proceed with the final artwork that includes any wordings, titles, crests, and picture overlays,” Wickramasinghe explained, adding: “Finally, the stamp is issued on the due date with a first day cover and a bulletin giving further details of the stamp.”
Commenting on the selection process of the artists, he explained that designers are selected based on their talents and reputations. “Artists are chosen according to the talents they have showcased in painting portraits, architecture, sceneries, and figures. Hence, there is no formal procedure for selections.”
Decisions with regard to themes, frames, sizes, prices, and the quantity of the stamps to be printed are shared by the Advisory Board, and designers are expected to adhere to these guidelines when designing their stamps. Wickramasinghe explained that for themes of significant value or size such as wildlife, a scenery, or architecture, a larger stamp size would be used, whereas if the theme represents a singular figure or object like a public figure, bird, flower, or a gem, a small stamp size will be allotted from the standard sizes used by the postal service. The Postal Department takes measures to avoid same-sized and themed stamps being issued continuously, thereby adding a variety to the circulation. In addition, if the stamp depicts a theme of significance, it will be printed on a commonly used stamp size. Likewise, stamps that are sent overseas will carry images showing the culture or nature of Sri Lanka to enhance tourism.
Most treasured possessions
Over his four-decade-long career, Wickramasinghe has collected many prize pieces that he values beyond any award. He also holds the record for designing the most number of stamps portraying icons during their lifetimes. This includes Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Sir Lester James Peries, and Sir Arthur C. Clarke, who each personally expressed their gratitude. “The letters I have received from them have surpassed all awards and accomplishments in my life.”
Wickramasinghe has also won awards such as for the best Vesak postcard and the World Communication Award. “In addition to these awards and letters, the personal appreciation of the public and fellow philatelists is what I adore the most,” he stated.
Amongst the many stamps he has designed, he cherishes sports stamps including the Olympic stamp and the cricket and tennis stamps that have been praised by sportsmen such as Arjuna Ranatunga.
Postage stamps: Then vs. now
After the year 2000, the Government press took over the printing of stamps. Prior to this takeover, countries such as Australia, Russia, Japan, and Malaysia were given the contracts. Today, only a stamp of high confidentiality is given to foreign printers, every other stamp is printed locally. “This was a lengthy process and took up approximately eight months. The artwork and proof needed to be shipped back and forth and communications were via telegrams. The tender of my first stamp in 1981 too went to a printer in Moscow.”
Commenting on the digitalisation of stamp designing, Wickramasinghe said: “Back in the day, every picture was hand drawn and painted, and only the final artwork was done digitally. This was a three-month-long process. But at present, photographs and Photoshop are used for most of the stamps and the creation is done within a period as short as one week. Manually done designs are very rarely found today.
“Stamps are an asset and a permanent symbol that represent something or someone of importance. Thus, I invest much energy into the designing process. I also experiment with various techniques when creating these stamps, inventing novel methods and effects.” Wickramasinghe added: “Manual artwork blended with digital artwork, mixed medium images incorporating pencil sketches, pastels, and watercolours, also collages and black-and-white effects are some of the methods I have utilised to create my designs.” Of the many stamps he has designed over the years, Wickramasinghe recalled the University of Colombo commemorative stamp (1993), the drummer stamp (2002), and the twin stamps of Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1999) among many others that came to be the most popular hand-painted stamps he created.
Sadly, subsequent to the year 2017, Wickramasinghe has not been assigned with the creation of new stamps, halting his decades-long career. “Though I continue my engagements with different societies and clubs, I have been excluded from the activities of the registered designers’ panel. My offer to advise and assist new designers has also fallen on deaf ears,” he added.
Philately is an important aspect of postal communication and an art that must be preserved for generations to come. New ideas and concepts must be brought forth to protect this profession and to enhance the interests of people in philately, especially the stamp designers and collectors. Furthermore, talents of veterans should be utilised effectively in the development of the skills of new designers and philately as a whole.
"My educational background in engineering has never gone to waste. In fact, it has come in handy and has assisted me immensely with stamp designing. My attention to scaling, perspectives, light and shade, measurements, and minute details with regard to buildings and architecture has been admired by many. Thus, this has landed me many opportunities of creating stamps with architectural themes" Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe[/caption]
A creative eye
Wickramasinghe, who is an old boy of Mahinda College, Galle, developed an enthusiasm towards arts and crafts from a small age. Taking part in competitions since 1967 when he was in school, he has frequently topped lists with his creative masterpieces. In addition to his naturally gifted creative skill, he was a philatelist from his early days, collecting multitudes of stamps that ignited his passion for designing stamps.
Completing his schooling, he went on to study mechanical engineering at the University of Moratuwa, a career he pursued for a limited time. The urge within him to continue his creative work and to further develop his artistic talent was satisfied when he joined the advertising industry. Even today, Wickramasinghe is a creative director by profession.
“My educational background in engineering has never gone to waste. In fact, it has come in handy and has assisted me immensely with stamp designing. My attention to scaling, perspectives, light and shade, measurements, and minute details with regard to buildings and architecture has been admired by many. Thus, this has landed me many opportunities of creating stamps with architectural themes,” Wickramasinghe shared, adding that he has never limited his interest to architectural stamps, designing a versatile collection of stamps over the years.
Wickramasinghe also diverted his knowledge and academic background in the fields of mass communication and journalism towards researching and conserving items of philatelic and cultural value to Sri Lanka including our national emblem and flag. “I am a perfectionist and I tend to conduct an intensive study prior to designing stamps, hence sidestepping any errors that may occur,” he added.
Sri Lanka’s youngest stamp designer
He began his journey as a philatelist designer by entering a competition some four decades ago. “In the year of 1980, I entered a competition open to the public and received a merit award for my stamp design. This boosted my confidence and motivated me to try again. I knew that I could achieve my dream of designing a stamp in Sri Lanka one day and that dream came true the following year when I designed a stamp for the scout movement in Sri Lanka,” he stated.
In 1981, 19-year-old Wickramasinghe entered another competition to design a stamp to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Founder of the World Scout Movement. “The scout movement of all countries were asked to issue a stamp to honour this significant day. However, unlike in other countries, Sri Lanka gave the opportunity of designing this particular stamp to the scouts rather than professional artists. My stamp was selected from Sri Lanka, making it my first stamp design and me the youngest person to have ever designed a postage stamp in the country even to date,” he said.
Wickramasinghe, a recipient of the President’s Award as a scout, has been a boy scout since his school days and continues to render his services even at present, training scouts in the dying trade of philately. Scouting trips that have taken him to foreign countries have afforded him the opportunity to enhance his philately knowledge and ideas with visits to many printing presses, postal departments and stamp bureaus in different countries.
Subsequent to having his work recognised in 1981, he registered as a designer and has since gone on to design approximately 160 stamps. His collection includes commemorative stamps and 22 centenary stamps designed for various schools including his own alma mater and universities of Sri Lanka such as the University of Colombo and the University of Peradeniya.
Another significant stamp designed by Wickramasinghe is the commemorative stamp marking the 20th anniversary of the moon landing. This month of July marks 32 years since its issuance in 1989.
Among his many skills of designing a variety of stamps, he also specialises in designing stamps depicting scientific, aeronautical, and communicational themes.
Behind the scenes
Brunch inquired about the process of designing a stamp and how it takes place, to which Wickramasinghe responded that the Government publishes an advertisement in the local newspapers each year, calling for parties interested in having a stamp designed to contact the postal department. Following this, a calendar is published around the month of October, announcing the new stamps that will be issued in the following year and assigning designers with the task of creating concepts for these stamps. A designer is often allocated two to four stamps to be designed each year. The parties whose stamps are rejected have the alternative of having personalised stamps made from their own funds.
“After receiving the assignment, we conduct discussions with the client on their requirements and design a few rough visuals either four, eight, or 10 times bigger in size. Out of these visuals, one is selected by the Advisory Board of the Postal Department. Once the approval is received, we proceed with the final artwork that includes any wordings, titles, crests, and picture overlays,” Wickramasinghe explained, adding: “Finally, the stamp is issued on the due date with a first day cover and a bulletin giving further details of the stamp.”
Commenting on the selection process of the artists, he explained that designers are selected based on their talents and reputations. “Artists are chosen according to the talents they have showcased in painting portraits, architecture, sceneries, and figures. Hence, there is no formal procedure for selections.”
Decisions with regard to themes, frames, sizes, prices, and the quantity of the stamps to be printed are shared by the Advisory Board, and designers are expected to adhere to these guidelines when designing their stamps. Wickramasinghe explained that for themes of significant value or size such as wildlife, a scenery, or architecture, a larger stamp size would be used, whereas if the theme represents a singular figure or object like a public figure, bird, flower, or a gem, a small stamp size will be allotted from the standard sizes used by the postal service. The Postal Department takes measures to avoid same-sized and themed stamps being issued continuously, thereby adding a variety to the circulation. In addition, if the stamp depicts a theme of significance, it will be printed on a commonly used stamp size. Likewise, stamps that are sent overseas will carry images showing the culture or nature of Sri Lanka to enhance tourism.
Most treasured possessions
Over his four-decade-long career, Wickramasinghe has collected many prize pieces that he values beyond any award. He also holds the record for designing the most number of stamps portraying icons during their lifetimes. This includes Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Sir Lester James Peries, and Sir Arthur C. Clarke, who each personally expressed their gratitude. “The letters I have received from them have surpassed all awards and accomplishments in my life.”
Wickramasinghe has also won awards such as for the best Vesak postcard and the World Communication Award. “In addition to these awards and letters, the personal appreciation of the public and fellow philatelists is what I adore the most,” he stated.
Amongst the many stamps he has designed, he cherishes sports stamps including the Olympic stamp and the cricket and tennis stamps that have been praised by sportsmen such as Arjuna Ranatunga.
Postage stamps: Then vs. now
After the year 2000, the Government press took over the printing of stamps. Prior to this takeover, countries such as Australia, Russia, Japan, and Malaysia were given the contracts. Today, only a stamp of high confidentiality is given to foreign printers, every other stamp is printed locally. “This was a lengthy process and took up approximately eight months. The artwork and proof needed to be shipped back and forth and communications were via telegrams. The tender of my first stamp in 1981 too went to a printer in Moscow.”
Commenting on the digitalisation of stamp designing, Wickramasinghe said: “Back in the day, every picture was hand drawn and painted, and only the final artwork was done digitally. This was a three-month-long process. But at present, photographs and Photoshop are used for most of the stamps and the creation is done within a period as short as one week. Manually done designs are very rarely found today.
“Stamps are an asset and a permanent symbol that represent something or someone of importance. Thus, I invest much energy into the designing process. I also experiment with various techniques when creating these stamps, inventing novel methods and effects.” Wickramasinghe added: “Manual artwork blended with digital artwork, mixed medium images incorporating pencil sketches, pastels, and watercolours, also collages and black-and-white effects are some of the methods I have utilised to create my designs.” Of the many stamps he has designed over the years, Wickramasinghe recalled the University of Colombo commemorative stamp (1993), the drummer stamp (2002), and the twin stamps of Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1999) among many others that came to be the most popular hand-painted stamps he created.
Sadly, subsequent to the year 2017, Wickramasinghe has not been assigned with the creation of new stamps, halting his decades-long career. “Though I continue my engagements with different societies and clubs, I have been excluded from the activities of the registered designers’ panel. My offer to advise and assist new designers has also fallen on deaf ears,” he added.
Philately is an important aspect of postal communication and an art that must be preserved for generations to come. New ideas and concepts must be brought forth to protect this profession and to enhance the interests of people in philately, especially the stamp designers and collectors. Furthermore, talents of veterans should be utilised effectively in the development of the skills of new designers and philately as a whole.