(BUILT-UP ROMAN CAPITALS)
The 'versal' letters of 20th century calligraphy are characterized by their informality. They are sans-serif in form, however their structure still generally evolves from the classical traditional inscriptional letters.
Subtle deviations from the classical models combined with their use in freer calligraphic compositions give the letters their distinction as modern letter forms. The lively capital letters in many works of Ann Hechle, Donald Jackson, and Suzanne Moore stand as excellent examples.
This program will provide a step-by-step method of learning the letters as well as to explore ideas and themes related th their use as expressive modern calligraphy. Students should have had previous formal study of pen-made Roman capitals or traditional versals.
The principles which guide our evaluation and execution of traditional letterforms are also the essential guideposts for the creation of new letterforms. In this workshop we will explore the relationship between traditional and contemporary with the goal of improving our execution of historic letterforms as well as venturing into the realm of expressive writing.
The course will will give students the essential understanding of letterform relationships, letter and work spacing , interline spacing, and page scale and design. Students should bring a sample of their minuscule writing, e.g. italic, foundational, or uncial.
Expressive Calligraphy and Design Workshops
FROM ANCIENT TO MODERN: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONTEMPORARY CALLIGRAPHIC HAND
The writing of the ancient calligraphy masters serves as the source and foundation of all the writing that we do today. However, most teaching methods make only a superficial connection between the two. Students generally learn form models developed by their own teachers. This workshop will attempt to make a stronger link to the past by presenting a precess for developing “contemporary” hands which utilize the work of the writing masters in a direct and logical manner.
Italic hands by two Renaissance writing masters, Palatino and Arrighi, will be used as prototypes. Students will learn techniques for carefully analyzing copies of manuscript pages which will help them to see and comprehend the essential characteristics of the writing. Various exercises will then be employed as a means of exploring and creating contemporary italic hands. The student work will be executed in a small hand-made book.
Bartolomeo San Vito
Bartolomeo San Vito (1435-1518) is considered by many scholars to be one of the greatest calligraphers of the Italian Renaissance. Born in Padova, he was one of the earliest scribes to base his capitals on Imperial Roman models.
His letters were quite unique and his manuscripts were also particular because of his technique of alternating various colors with gold in the production of modern looking letter patterns. Students will examine reproduced pages from various San Vito manuscripts and analyze those characteristics which make his writing unique among early renaissance scribes.
The final project will be to produce a page using the alternating gold and color pattern technique.
Versal is a term coined in the 20th century that refers to a broad variety of both historic and contemporary majuscule letter forms. In early manuscripts these letters were often large, decorated in various colors, and used to designate the beginnings of verses- thus the origin of the name.
The contemporary forms are generally sans serif and used informally in textural presentations of words. The characteristic common to all the various forms lies with their construction. The letters, comprised of compound strokes, are as much drawn as they are written.
This workshop focuses on the study of the classical versal letters that were characteristic of the 11th and 12th century Caroline manuscripts.The study presents a step-by-step method of learning to make the letters that also includes a basic review of classical Roman letter form, proportion and spacing. Students should have prior calligraphic training. A knowledge of pen written Roman Capitals would be helpful, but is not required.
Traditional Lettering Classes
The Language of Modern Calligraphy
Book-making and Book Design workshops
Long Term Extended Studies Programs
