Novices identify Gothic as the 'Old English' alphabet, but in fact there are many different Gothic styles, and even within any one of these, a particular scribe will display his own character. This script is close to the Gothic style known as 'Fraktur', though has a cursive character influenced by my italics.

The "Fraktur" style is characterised by pointed arches, but curved at the sides, giving a less extreme form of Gothic than "Textura". Advanced calligraphers will notice that there is a lot of pen angle manipulation in this alphabet, (this means dynamic changes of the angle of the nib within strokes), but the beginner should not worry about this aspect yet.

My personal way of writing involves dynamic changes of speed, with quick flicks at the end of many strokes that give an energy and freedom. It's important to try and understand these strokes as dynamic movement, rather than shape, as merely copying the shape will miss the dynamic. Check out the movie link below to understand this point.

• See the whole work from which the colour detail above is taken: click here.
• For another of work in similar style- click here.
• Watch a movie of Denis Brown writing a similar style with surprising vigour- click here.