Art for the Non-Artist

In calligraphic interpretation of words, we sometimes need to create a mood or enhance a theme, add excitement, power, serenity or drama to our calligraphy. Have you ever been stumped as to how to get that passion and expression down on paper? This class gives you the tools. It will be an exploration into artistic expression through mark-making and background techniques for the artistic and those who think they're not artistic.

Through a series of exciting and fun exercises, participants will learn techniques using a variety of media such as watercolor, acrylic, inks, metallic powder and metallic leaf and innovative tools such as wood veneer, folded metal pens, plastic, pine needles and cardboard in the process of making expressive art. The objective for this class is to give the participants an introduction to the use of a variety of media, tools and techniques. We will create a soft-bound book to journal what is learned. We will also make some experimental writing tools. Lots of sharing and personal attention in this hands-on environment will assure a successful, fun experience and will develop a sense of familiarity and competence with tools to add to your repertoire. Lots of "Aha's" happen in this class. (See sample Art for Non-Artists)

 

 

 

Big Bad Bone
The Bone alphabet was designed by Jacqueline Svaren as a "loosening up" exercise. It is based on the Humanist Bookhand, but uses manipulation of the pen to the "MAX" to give it a totally unique and playful look. It is fun to learn and use, and as a bonus, the freedom and manipulation skills developed using this alphabet will creep into your other alphabets and give them new "life." (See sample of Big Bad Bone)

 

 

Foundation
The Foundational alphabet is a beautiful, legible, very versatile and very useable hand based on Roman forms. The name foundational was coined by Edward Johnston as it was his feeling that this alphabet is the foundation for all the others. It is a must for your calligraphic repertoire, and one you will find yourself using over and over. (See Foundation sample)

 

 

Gothic
The Gothic letterform--more appropriately titled blackletter because of it's dense, dark appearance correlates with the gothic style of architecture in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is often seen in historical manuscripts and scrolls as it's narrow form and tight spacing allowed for more letters to a page as vellum became more dear. It is used in modern work to give strength and drama and sometimes a sense of history. It is powerful addition to your calligraphic education and will aid in spacing and pen control as well as give you a very exciting and dynamic letterform to use in your work. (See Gothic sample)

 

 

Beginning Italic
Have you always wanted to write beautiful invitations, greeting cards, gifts and correspondence? Italics is a beautiful, flowing and consistent style of calligraphic lettering. It is a good alphabet to begin your calligraphic education or early in your training. You will find yourself using this alphabet most often. (See sample Beginning Italic)

 

 

 

Mastering Italic
Are you happy with your italic alphabet? Would you like a good formal italic that you can count on because you can see what's wrong and fix it? Do you look at other calligraphers' italic and wish it were yours? Then "Mastering Italic" is the workshop for you. It will be an in-depth review of the formal italic alphabet. We will study each of the components of the alphabet--what makes it look the way it does--and use this information to determine how your personal italic can be improved. You'll learn how to fix new, old, and "yucky" pens so they become good pens. You'll learn to use watercolor and gouache so they flow well out of your pens. Individual attention will help you to learn to be your own teacher. (See Mastering Italic)

 

 

 

Italic--Formal to Funky
Italic "Formal o Funky" starts with an in-depth review of the formal Italic alphabet. Individual attention will help to sharpen your Italic hand. We will study each of the components of the alphabet--what makes it look the way it does--and use this information to determine how your personal Italic can be improved. We will then use those component parts as a basis for a series of simple, fun, exercises to explore the boundaries of each component. You will discover ways to give your lettering expression and personality, stretch your perception of what Italic is, and broaden your vision of what it can become to give you the tools to commit emotion to paper through lettering. (See Italic--Formal to Funky)

 

 

Neuland, Cuneiform, & Beyond
This modified Neuland alphabet, based on Rudolf Koch's designed typeface, is a wonderful addition to your calligraphic repertoire. For those of you who are not familiar with it, it is an easy-to-learn, remarkably useable and adaptable hand. We will be experimenting with many new tools for writing, including wood veneer, cardboard and dental tools, which will allow us to achieve magical results from gossamer, transparent letters to bold, powerful ones. As this alphabet consists only of majuscule letters, it can be learned quickly which will leave lots of time for discovering its many variations and applications.

The Cuneiform is an ancient alphabet which dates back even to before paper, when clay tablets were used and a stylus was pressed into the clay to form letters. No, you don't have to bring 50 lbs. of clay, but we will be using some unfamiliar and wonderful tools to create this alphabet. It has a primitive quality about it but can be used in a surprising array of applications. It can be learned very quickly. (See sample of Neuland, Cuneiform, & Beyond)

 

 

Playful Letters: Dance of the Pen
So--OK. You've been studying calligraphy for awhile. You've disciplined yourself to maintain pen angle, slant, proportion, and spacing. Your letterforms are respectable, but they look stiff. You look at the work of other calligraphers and admire the liveliness and expressiveness of their letterforms, but aren't sure how to get it into yours.

That's what this workshop is about. It gives you the tools to make expressive letterforms but better yet, gives you permission to PLAY! But this is serious play that will open up new doors and potentials to your letterforms. We will study the elements of an alphabet and learn ways to alter them to make your letterforms more expressive. We will then use those techniques plus lots of weird and wonderful new tools to innovate new alphabets. This class will help loosen you up and give you a whole new slant on your letterforms. You will risk, drop your guard, fail, succeed, make a mess, have a great time, and surprise yourself with some of the liveliest and best lettering you've ever done! (See sample of Playful Letters)

 

 

 

Roman Capitals
The Roman Majuscules, or Capitals are at the very heart of most of the letterforms we learn as calligraphers. Therefore, it is vitally important to develop a respect and understanding of them. They are the most versatile of all the letterforms, (despite the fact that they are only the upper case), and one of the most beautiful. They can be tall, thin, and elegant, or short and funky. They can be bouncy and fun, or bold and powerful. They supply all your needs for expressing any sentiment. (See sample of Roman Capitals)

 

 

Uncial
A beautiful, open and round, historical alphabet as used in the Book of Kells. It is sometimes called the early Christian alphabet as it was used in much of the early Holy writings. It is a majuscule alphabet, so is quickly learned by the more advanced but not too difficult for beginners. You'll love its smooth flow and beautiful open quality. There are many variations and uses for this wonderful alphabet, which can be explored in a weekend workshop. (See sample Uncial)