Understanding Italic (Denis Brown: 2.5 day)
Level: All—but not geared for true beginners.
Experience: A love of formal writing, a real desire to improve and being prepared to work at it.
Be introduced to a clear and acute analysis of italic, which neatly categorizes a wide range of variations. Practice a less common model of italic with high sprung, symmetric arches. Focus on structure with an emphasis on fluency. Denis busts several commonly believed myths by clear explanation, with a dash of humor thrown in. Experience a thorough grounding that many long-experienced scribes lack. One problem with student’s writing is there is rarely a clear enough mental picture of particular structures (ex. degree of arch asymmetry), which leads to inconsistencies each time that structure is applied in a letterform. Learn about refinement of form using pen angle and pressure manipulations and dynamics of acceleration/ deceleration. Denis’ method of analysis enables you to see exactly where you are going wrong. This can be a frustrating experience but is a necessary precursor to being able to fix it!
Tools and Materials: Calligraphy pens, particularly of the ‘dipping’ kind as distinct from fountain pens or markers. e.g. Brause ‘Bandzug” nibs, or Speedball C series, or similar broad edged nibs plus a wooden pen-holder.Pencils; 18″ ruler; scissors or scalpel. A sponge for wetting papers. Black ink such as a bottle of liquid sumi. Gouache paint in a few colors plus a black and a white. Paintbrushes and palette for mixing paint as well as a paintbrush suitable for making large calligraphic marks, like a flat 1″ nylon brush. Some plastic transfer pipettes or a glass one. Any other tools you have that can make large calligraphic marks- eg. sponge-brushes, ruling pens, automatic pens, or even just a household paintbrush. A couple of plastic cups or glass jars large enough to dip your large tools in. About 10 large sheets of drawing paper (c.22″x30″) which is heavy enough to withstand wetting. 11 x 17″ pad of practice paper. A pad or several sheets of tracing paper 11″x17″ or larger4 or more large (c. 22″x30″) sheets of either heavy tracing vellum or (preferably) polyester drafting film. (This is a sheet like tracing vellum but is made of polyester and therefore is waterproof- commonly used for architectural drawings that need dimensional stability). You need one that has a matte translucent surface (not transparent like acetate).
About the instructor: Denis Brown is internationally recognized as a world leader in the fields of calligraphy and letter arts. Committed to the art from an early age, he received his first commissions at 15, and was awarded fellowship of the UK Society of Scribes & Illuminators while still studying for his degree from Roehampton Institute. At 20 he became their youngest Fellow ever in addition to being their first Fellow from Ireland. His work pushes boundaries while he continually refines and extends his traditional skills. Brown uses letterforms and writing to create three-dimensional layered works of art where a thousand words may paint a picture. http://www.quillskill.com/
