Italics from Pen to Brush by Viktor Kams – Level: Intermediate.
This class explores the evolution of the italic hand from a formal classic approach written with the broad edge pen all the way to a more dynamic and gestural calligraphy with the flat brush. It is a class that offers the chance to work the more traditional version of the talic and then transition to the more informal and loose way of writing that the brush helps to achieve. By the end of the class students will be encouraged to create one or more final pieces applying their choice of techniques learnt during the workshop or combining them so we can make a group review of everyone’s work and debate about the choices and the challenges presented by them in the execution of those.
Class Supplies:
- Broad edge nibs of different sizes 2mm to 5mm (Brause, Speedball or both other nibs like Mitchell or similar are fine too).
- Automatic pens, pilot parallel pens and scroll pens might be helpful too.
- Flat brushes, different sizes from number 6 up to 14 or 16. Winsor and Newton, Raphael Kaerell flat, Manet Galaxy or similar are good but not necessarily have to be those brands.
- Other tools such as folded or ruling pens and pointed nibs of your choice are optional but can be helpful
- Sheets of different kinds of paper, drawing or kraft paper are good for practice. A few sheets of quality paper such as Arches, Saunders, or similar for final work.
- I recommend walnut or sumi ink (either liquid or ink stick), gouache and watercolors can also work well (Winsor and Newton, Schmincke or similar are good)
- Acrylic ink of your choice.
- Regular brushes for mixing and containers for mix media and water
- Optional: A large piece or two of fabric (preferably cotton) to write on with brush and acrylic ink. An apron or T-shirt can also do.
