Art 103 - Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy
Fall 2019 M/W 2:30 p.m.- 5:15 p.m.
Instructor: Amy Davis
Office Hours: By appointment, Tuesday and Thursdays. (Email me to set up)
Class Blog:
https://calligraphyfall2019.blogspot.com Please check for additional video tutorials and resources posted weekly.
Textbook:
The Encyclopedia of Calligraphy Techniques, by Diana Hardy Wilson. 978-1-84448-810-0
Course Description:
From the illumination of the Book of Kells to the announcement of a marriage, calligraphy is the artist’s way of illuminating the written word. Use of design and creation of an artistic letter by pen or brush makes this art form a creative and historical endeavor.
Aims:
The purpose of the calligraphy class is to give students an opportunity to learn basic Western calligraphy and lettering techniques. Students will learn how to hold writing implements and create basic fonts along with a variety of other writing styles. This class enables students to create artwork based on letters as the main design focus while they experiment with the use of various art media. Students can assert their own levels of creativity as they use their lettering skills for their projects throughout the semester. They will be able to discover their artistic niche through the beauty of using the various tools to create art with the use of letters.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about the history and culture behind Western calligraphy and of each of the alphabetic types practised.
- Learn basic pen strokes and forms of decoration and borders.
- Learn how to make a ladder for each script learnt so that proportions are correct.
- Learn how to proportion letters by using a grid.
- Practice writing various calligraphic alphabets (including, Gothic, Italic, Roman Capitals) by focusing on its group characteristics.
- Learn Modern Calligraphy script styles, techniques and tools
- Be able to practically use calligraphy in craft based projects
Course Materials | Supplies
Important tip: Please do not pay retail for these art supplies! AMAZON.COM is usually the least expensive. Materials may be also purchased at Green’s in Rochester MI (small discount) or Dick Blick. These supplies will not be required until September 11th, 2019, so please save money by buying these supplies online. Thank you!
- binder + plastic sleeves, 3 hole punch (keep this with you at all times to record your process)
- Spiral Calligraphy Pad or Sketchbook
- #2 pencils with erasers
- Eraser (Magic Rub or Staedtler Mars White Plastic)
- Hand-held pencil sharpener
- pad of grid paper + tracing paper
- Pilot Parallel Pens, sizes 6.0mm and 3.8mm
- Pilot Parallel Pens refill six pack of cartridges, black ink as needed
- Tombow Calligraphy Brush Pens
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
- Colored pencils
- Metal or plastic T-square, or wooden with an acrylic edge,or CLEAR plastic Ruler at least 18” long
- Plastic triangle, 45–90 degrees, 12”
- Tackle Box for pens and art supplies
- Drafting tape or painters tape
- Drafting table OR wood drawing board with metal edge, 18” x 24”
- 50 sheets of practice paper, 32 lbs
* Depending on class interest, we will also need Speedball nib, holder and ink. I would like to a two-week workshop using the dip pens, but hold off on buying this until confirmed.
Course Load:
Homework assignments will consist of referencing resources on the computer such as quotes, varieties of texts, gathering reference photos and recording ideas in sketchbooks for further use in the classroom.
The classroom rules will be observed upon entering the classroom. Students will demonstrate respect for the equipment and materials of the classroom. They will also respect each other’s projects and most importantly show respect and tolerance for one another and the teacher.
About the Sessions:
Each session can be divided into four main parts:
- Appreciation and Understanding – discovering art history and culture, and the
artistic traditions through powerpoint presentations.
- Presentation & Practicing –Demonstrating an aspect of calligraphy and how to go
about it and practicing it.
- Craft based Project Demonstrating how to integrate calligraphy with a craft based idea and practicing it creatively.
- Gallery – Artistic appreciation of each other’s work
TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS
You should believe in yourself, embrace your talents, learn from your peers and try to work outside of your comfort zone.
- › be on time
- › feel free to research what others have done and get inspired
and learn from them, but create your own masterpiece - › learn through making
- › talk with your peers and exchange views
- Your efforts do not let you down
- › if you need help, do not hesitate to ask
- › no electronic distractions (While in class, please give your full
attention to our work and refrain from using electronic devices that divert your attention away. It will be considered as a tardy.)
Grading:
Component Examples of Components Points
Technical Proficiency Projects, Daily drills, Quizzes, Exercises 40%
Participation (incl Responses) Class Discussions, 25%
Artist Presentations Critiques, Peer Feedback, Concepts 15%
Deadlines & Following Instructions Assignment completion and content, Readings 20%
Total 100%
Projects will be graded in the following categories:
- Visual Appeal
- Concept
- Development
- Presentation
Process Binder
Keep your process documentation in a large three-ring binder. Use letter-size plastic sleeves and/or punched holes to place items into your binder. You may use a sketchbook for notes, brainstorms and sketches, but remove the pages from your sketchbook and place them in your binder. Date and label all entries. Keep your binder organized. This is where you will keep your sketches, final projects and personal assessments of each project and the course. This will be due on the Final exam day.
Attendance + Participation:
All students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly, and for the duration of the scheduled instructional time. A MAXIMUM of 3 (THREE) absences will be allowed before your final grade is affected. For example: If you have a ‘B’ in class, but are absent 4 times, your final grade will be a ‘C’. I’m super strict on this and WILL NOT ACCEPT excuses, so use your allowed 3 absences for illness and family emergencies only. It is your responsibility to keep track of your absences. Students that acquire 3 absences will receive a written warning from the instructor reminding them that any further absences will lower a student’s final grade. Excessive tardiness will be counted as an absence. Repeated absences may result in a grade of "F" for the course. *Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.
Critiques:
Each week or at least every other week, we will try to make time to discuss each other’s work. This will take the form of a discussion where each of us should have an equal footing, with myself serving as something of a moderator. From the beginning, you should try your best to speak from your hearts and to learn from each other’s comments. Please respect each other’s voices—often many of the true gems of a workshop experience come from your peers. Remember from the outset when discussing someone else’s work to keep comments and criticisms as constructively honest and helpful as possible. This is very important. Hopefully, when we look at work, we will be looking at and talking about art. So please remember: in matters of art, there are no facts, only opinions. Please act accordingly.
What this class is:
A very, very, very, very slow and almost meditative approach to the meticulous learning and practicing of creating beautiful writing. This will be a very relaxed class and should be a time for you to check all of your daily stresses about life and other classes at the door. Think of this course as a yoga class for writing -- it takes time and deep focus to learn proper form and to create a proper practice.
What this class is NOT:
This is not a fast-paced course. Yes, you will get bored to tears at times as you work to perfect strokes and letter forms. It takes a great deal of time to perfect letterforms, so if you’re uncomfortable extremely slow-paced course instruction, and a lot of in-class time to work silently, this will not be the class for you.
Proposed Course Outline *subject to change per Instructor’s discretion
- Italic
- Basic calligraphy techniques
- Practice worksheets
2. Gothic
- Practice worksheets
- Practice projects
3. Roman Capitals
- Practice worksheets
- Practice projects
4. Modern Brush and Script Calligraphy techniques and styles
- Practice worksheets
- Practice projects
Schedule*
Session +
Distribute materials, set up, rule lines, holding the pen correctly, holding the pen properly, making basic Session 1
marks/strokes In-Class work Assignment
Session 2
3 Introduction
Review
In-class work
The Italic Hand
First family group a, d, g, q, b, p
Assignment
Session 3
Review In-class work Second family group: n, m, h, u, y, r, also v, w
Assignment
Session 4
Review In-class work Third family group: o, c, e, k, j, f. t, s
Assignment
Critique
x. z; alternate forms: g, ll, ff; ampersands; punctuation
Session 5
marks; the numbers; basic flourishes; writing sentences In-class work
that contain all the letters in the alphabet.
Assignment
Session 6
4 Review Critique
In-Class Work
Majuscules (upper case letters), practicing/using majuscules with miniscules (lower case letters)
Discussion/explanation of next week’s (Session 7) Project I Assignment
Session 7
Review Critique
In-Class Work
Project I: To be announced (Students are asked to provide appropriate paper for their projects). Completion of project in class. Assignment
Session 8
Review Critique
In-Class Work
Transfer to steel nibs. Learning to load the reservoir with ink. Making basic marks/strokes. Practicing the italic hand using steel nibs. Assignment
Session 9
Review
Critique
In-Class Work
Color: using gouache. Mixing gouache to proper consistency, loading the nib with gouache, lettering with gouache.
Discussion/explanation of next week’s (Session 10)
Project II Assignment
Session 10
5 Review Critique →
In-Class Work
Completion of Project II in class.
Student feedback of our course.
*Lectures and Projects subject to change throughout the course determined by the Instructor.
Proposed Assignments/ Projects
Name
Bookmark
Family Coat of Arms
Engagement Painting
Quote from book
Panagrams
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