ROMAN HOLIDAY 2024 - David McGrail - 'I flamed amazement…

'I flamed amazement… by David McGrail – Level: (I/A) Intermediate/Advanced

The pen grazes the paper and the ink flows...
A journey begins that follows a straight line—the practice and skill of perfecting letterforms.

And the ink spreads...
Perhaps there's another journey we can take. One where the emphasis is on the creative process and where individual skill or even lack of it, is valued as a part of this process. This is a workshop that zigzags—a wayward one, where we meander and deviate, linger and occasionally get lost. Gathering up anything we find useful and interesting; techniques, thoughts and ideas that may influence or play a role in our artistic projects.

This workshop will encourage us to explore ways of making our work more personal. We ourselves, our thoughts and experiences, are the essential source for creating work with real depth and meaning.

In our wanderings, we will cover many areas. With expressive, gestural arabesques, we will capture the vitality and exuberance of the cursive stroke. We will develop those marks to achieve atmosphere, subtlety and nuance, using incised strokes in compositions, dealing with harmony, spatial relationships and contrast. Exquisite pieces will be achieved with delicate tones, fine shifts and balances, and using metallic powders and watercolours.

The beauty of a simple, unadorned piece of calligraphy is evident, but it is in the juxtaposition of elements where a work becomes truly interesting and transcends beyond the level of craft. We will use subtle masking techniques and graphic details to enrich both your work and the pleasure you get from doing it.

We will explore the different kinds of power that can intensify your work: the overt power of the energetic, the latent drama of tension, the potency of the personal element. A raw excitement spilling eloquently into your work arrests and engages...

With impish fervour, we will "flame amazement" with the passion of Ariel conjuring up the lightning storm in Shakespeare's “The Tempest.”

Class Supplies

All your usual standard calligraphic supplies:

• Broad-edged and pointed pens, a range of nibs, ruling pen
• Ruler
• 2 or 3 large Automatic pens

Paper:

• For pen work, a plain, smooth drawing paper about 80lb x 25 sheets, approximate size 11" x 17"
• For acrylic and painterly work, similar smooth plain paper but about 135lb x 25 sheets, approximate size 11" x 17"
• One A4/8.5" x 11" pad of matte black paper for pen work, about 160/180 gsm
• Two sheets of hot press (smooth) watercolor paper (i.e. Saunders or Fabriano), cut to approximate size 11" x 17"

Watercolor Paints:

• 1 Schmincke Horadam (or similar) watercolor half pan of gold
• 1 Schmincke Horadam (or similar) watercolor half pan of silver (or they can be purchased in tube format: 5 ml)
• Small selection of watercolors in tubes or pans about 6 colors

Acrylic Paints:

• Small selection of colors, including a metallic gold or silver
• Small jar of fine imitation gold powder
• Gesso (these can be shared as we will only need a little): one small jar (about 8 fl oz) each of white and black

Brushes (something near these sizes will be fine):

• ½" flat brush
• 1" flat brush
• 2" fine synthetic flat brush (not expensive)
• A couple of small watercolor brushes (synthetic is fine.)

Ink:

• Small bottle of black ink, preferably sumi

Miscellaneous:

• Metal scalpel (like Swann Morton) and a packet of five 10A scalpel blades
• A4 / US 8.5" x 11" cutting mat
• White ceramic dish or similar for mixing watercolor paints
• Small metal palette knife
• Two glossy, quality color magazines with plenty of large photographs of house interiors, fabrics, architecture etc.

Essential Item:

• 1 roll of Scotch 3M Removable transparent tape (This is a clear tape that can be easily removed. It comes in a blue packet. Small size is fine)