The Personality of Letterform (Randall Hasson: 5 day)
Skill Level: Intermediate and Advanced
The jumping off point for much of the experimentation with marks will be to explore writing systems, both ancient, archaic and modern, many of them non western and non recognizable to the traditional western sensibility.
The goal of this workshop will be to experiment with a variety of tools, traditional and non traditional, in order to give letterforms a personality of their own. Some of these results will be legible words or text, and other results can be representations of letterform that may or may not be legible. Experimentation and invention are the key words here and the intent will be to develop the calligraphic marks based on the personality of the participant.
A variety of surfaces or grounds can be explored, including heavy papers and canvas. Because many of the techniques for texture can translate to either, students can work on both. Participants may work in a large journal (optional), creating textures from early experimental letterforms as the class progresses, and others will be able to focus more primarily on loose sheets of paper or on canvas as a ground. Techniques using acrylic paints and mediums to prepare these surfaces and achieve painterly effects will be explored.
Supply List:
Required: Heavy watercolor paper (cold press) 1 sheet quartered Nujabi Watercolor Paper 200 lbSoft Cold Press 10-Pack 22×30″ (or already quartered: Nujabi Watercolor Paper 200 lb Soft Cold Press 10-Pack 12×16″). The list of choices can be found here: http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-supplies/paper-and-sketchbooks/watercolor-sheets-and-blocks/nujabi.html
Suggested and Optional: Large Punjab or Nujabi Watercolor book (http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-supplies/online/2416/art-supplies/6 or: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/handmade-watercolor-journal-320457/); Normal calligraphy supplies; walnut and/or Sumi ink; acrylic ink; acrylic paint; permanent markers (Zig, Sharpie, Faber Castell Pitt Artist pens); paint palette (9×12 piece of glass works well); quotes or text; water jar; 1-2 old credit or gift cards; Brushes (1- 1 ½” flat brush, some smaller flat brushes, cheap white bristle brushes from the hardware store are good); round palette trays with 7 modules that are ceramic or baked enamel metal “art” trays with the blue rim.
Optional: colored pencils; large Automatic type pen; ruling pen or folded pen.
Supply Fee: $15.
About the instructor: Randall M. Hasson brings a multi-layered experience to his approach to teaching and to his art. He is best known for his large-scale paintings that include image as well as calligraphy, where both symbolism and philosophy through text play a vital role. The Randall M. Hasson Gallery was established in Solana Beach, California, in 2000, and in late 2006 relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it remains today. Hasson has taught and lectured at nine International Conferences. He has also taught at various other locations ranging from weekend workshops to his Santa Fe based weeklong retreats. www.randallhasson.com
