Capital Expression
A three to five day workshop with Denis Brown
Longer classes will allow a fuller schedule
Level: intermediate to advanced
Illustrated: students work from this workshop when taught in Italy, 2004.
Work illustrated by (top to bottom) Anna Schettin, Luisa Urgias, Enzo Pelli, Anna Schettin, Marco Campedelli, Maya Huber, Anna Schettin, Anna Schettin, Marco Campedelli, Luisa Urgias. All photographs by Anna Ronchi.
The expression of various quadrilateral shapes will be discussed in abstract terms, and alphabets will be derived from each form.
The square and the circle give us formal Roman capitals as a starting point. These will be systematically distorted over several stages, ultimately yielding a free form and expressive capital. Exercises with writing as texture will be included and we will look at the expressive potential in composition of: line, form, space, negative shapes, scale, position, tone and color. In 4 and 5 day versions of this workshop, we will also experiment with free expressive mark making, and students will work on projects, aiming to visually express specific emotions.
Duration: 3 days minimum, but up to 5 days for a more complete exploration
Level; Intermediate. Familiarity with Roman Caps. and their skeletal proportions required.
Tools and Materials: Pencils, ruler, scissors or scalpel, glue-stick, compass, calligraphy dip-pens. Automatic or Coit pens, any other writing tools you have; incl. brushes, eye droppers, ruling-pens, sticks, etc.; pad of paper A3 size (12 "x 17") or larger, a few sheets of cheap black and gray paper; a few full size sheets of quality paper, e.g. hot pressed watercolor papers; a few full size sheets of heavy tracing vellum or Polyester Drafting Film.
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Illustrated: students work from this workshop when taught in Italy, 2004.
Work illustrated by (top to bottom) Anna Schettin, Luisa Urgias, Enzo Pelli, Anna Schettin, Marco Campedelli, Maya Huber, Anna Schettin, Anna Schettin, Marco Campedelli, Luisa Urgias. All photographs by Anna Ronchi.
