These are PREVIOUS workshops
[Current workshops] [...more previous
workshops]
Denis Brown workshops
Portland Society for Calligraphy is delighted to welcome Denis Brown from Dublin, Ireland for a series of workshops in October. Download the registration form to register for any of these workshops.
Advanced Manipulated Italic with Denis Brown
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 17&18, 2006 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Level: Advanced
Location: TBA
$90
This is Denis’ own style of italic with fast gestural pen manipulations,
which aid the fluency of strokes. The class will include acute analysis
of structural rhythm, and fluency will also be encouraged by the incorporation
of pen flicks and fast manipulated strokes. These took me years to develop
one by one, and in just two days the students are not expected to master
them. The workshop will, however, open your mind to many new dynamics
of calligraphy which can be taken home and practiced by students in their
own time.
Sharpness in Writing, Sharpness in Calligraphy with Denis Brown
Thursday, October 19, 2006 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Level: Novice to Intermediate
Location: TBA
$45
Sharp, fine hairlines can enormously improve the quality of broad pen calligraphy and this class will help you achieve them in large and small writing. The class will cover choice of papers, nib sharpening, use of gum sandarac, and adjusting your touch in writing. The difficult task of writing solid white on black will be included.
Get Rhythm! with Denis Brown
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 24&25, 2006 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location: TBA
$90
Learning alphabets is the first stage of calligraphy, but without rhythm in the writing, the work dies. Rhythm gives letters energy and allows them to breathe with life and vigour. It really is a key ingredient in all good calligraphy and distinguishes writing from lettering. This class will introduce you to the concept of rhythm via pattern based exercises. It will also provide tips about dynamics in writing that help both sharpen and "free up" your own letter styles. Additionally, we will make large abstract compositions, "playing along" to Denis specially composed audio patterns and music, and the analysis of these will help you understand rhythm as a compositional element in painting and design.
Experimental Gilding with Copper & Brass with Denis Brown
Thursday & Friday, October 26&27, 2006 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Level: All
Location: TBA
$90
In exploration of the nature and uses for the calligrapher of copper and brass leaf, (schlag or dutch metal), and of bronze powders. This is not a class about imitating real gold, rather we will capitalise on unique properties of cupric metal for stunning effects. Using various binders, we will make our own gold inks, superior to and more adaptable than those available commercially. A beautiful (yet easy!) technique will be explored, where broken leaf-gilt surfaces partially reveal colour washes underneath the metal, and the whole surface will be prepared as a background for fine calligraphy. Patination of the gilded surface, to oxidise the metal into unexpected new colours, will also be demonstrated. Participants will be advised on layout as they prepare designs incorporating the various gilding techniques learned.