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Dangerous lines: Calligraphy with attitude
A two day workshop with Denis Brown.
(May effectively combine with other italic thems such as advanced italic or Polyrhythmic calligraphy for a weeklong course)
Level: Advanced

Read an entertaining independent review of the Dangerous Lines workshop, (with cartoon!): Click Here

Art by Denis Brown

Click image for detail view

Write it like you mean it! The workshop will focus on developing expression in calligraphy by adding dynamics of speed and pressure. Simply accelerating just as you take the nib from the paper at the end of a stroke can add a liveliness to formal and/or informal writing. Beyond techniques such as this, we'll explore a range of fast manipulated pen strokes that I have developed in free writing. Don't expect to master them in a couple of days, but take them home and practice them over a longer period. You will experience thrilling demonstrations that may be too much to take in during the workshop itself, but that will change your view of calligraphy. Over a longer period of practice I hope you'll find aspects from this workshop filtering into your own writing and helping it to be more lively.

 

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In this class, calligraphy will be closer to sport than to meditation. Serious sports people practice a lot, and our training session will include 'target practice' with fast strokes, and rigorous coaching on aspects such as the ergonomics of arranging your tools, and manipulating the angle of the nib, and even the angle of the shaft of the pen.

 

 

 

 

Detail from a class worksheet

 

 

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

Broad edged calligraphy dip-pens: specifically Brause size 3mm and 4mm nibs required; Pen-holder with round barrel that is comfortable to roll in the fingers; Ink; Black gouache paint, (Instructor likes Winsor & Newton ivory black, but you may use your preferred brand); Palette; Round bristle paintbrushes sizes 6 & 8 for mixing paint & loading pens; water jar; pencils; 16" ruler; layout pad or practice paper 11"x17" or larger; a sheet or two of quality paper, e.g. Arches Text Wove or BFK Rives; finely powdered pumice and gum sandarac*; a cheap half inch bristle decorators paintbrush exclusively for applying pumice and sandarac.
*Note; even if you buy sandarac ready ground to a powder, chances are that you'll need to grind it finer again; so bring a ceramic or stone mortar & pestle if you can also.

 

 

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