Italic Masterclass combined with Dangerous Lines | Denis Brown

Calligraphy with attitude: Write it like you mean it! The workshop will
focus on developing expression in italic calligraphy by adding dynamics of speed and pressure. Denis will explain italic as a set of six principles which can be applied to a whole range of styles. Clear analysis which will expand your understanding of structure, and beyond that, we'll explore writing as rhythmic movement. Ultimately, Denis will coach you to incorporate a range of fast manipulated pen strokes developed for free writing. Don't expect to master these 'dangerous lines' in a few 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 expand your view of calligraphy. Over a longer period of practice at home, you'll find aspects from this
workshop filtering into your own writing and helping it to be more lively.
Denis will give multi-media presentations discussing his own work and that of other calligraphers, in detail as you've never seen before, and will offer an encompassing philosophy for all levels of calligrapher.

Gestural Writing | Yves Leterme

Gestural writing of good quality is, more than anything else, a matter of premeditation, a supple mind and wrist, and a keen eye for detail.

In this lettering class the student will learn about the hidden rules of gestural writing, he/she will make purposeful exercises (with a pencil and a speedball pen as tools) to develop controlled swiftness, to stimulate inventiveness (regarding letterforms, joins, spacing and scripts ) and to obtain consistency in form. Various aspects as spacing, pen angle, pressure, variation, retouchings… will be discussed and demonstrated.  Finally, by having a closer, critical look at their own letterforms the students are bound to improve them in future. This training, in which we will deal with the cursive lower case letters and the capitals will be softened from time to time with playful exercises (textures, walking the edge of legibility…) still relating to the subject.