Capital Immersion by John Stevens – Level: (I/A) Intermediate/Advanced
Roman Capitals are magnificent and represent stature and purity of form. However, they are also mutable, meaning that there are many variations.
This class starts with studying the Classical Roman Letter with a broad-edged brush. It shows us the kinetics or anatomy of sculptural Roman letters based on insights established by Father Catich. Individual letters’ anatomy and complex contours make more sense when one understands the “Brush Kinetics.” There is a sensual side to writing Brush Roman. We address the techniques and the stability of solid letters and, after working on them, capture a sense of freedom. We tie the inscriptional form to less formal or playful pen forms. We allow room for personal expression as a desirable quality and ensure that we move past the “practice” mindset and veer toward engagement of our creative application through a few simple design assignments.
In addressing variations, we consider what part of letterforms are fundamental or essential (immutable) and which part is mutable/altered. Where are the opportunities for creativity? Everyone knows that The Monumental Roman alphabet is a lifetime of study. In these five days, I want to make sure we can convert our practice and study into meaningful, usable expressions, the more creative side.
Class Supplies
Brushes:
- Broad-Edged Brushes (W&N 995=1/2” or Raphael Kaerell 8796 #10 or #12) For video on brush preparation for broad-edged brushes: http://bit.ly/jsbrush
- Optional: Pointed Brushes (W&N Series 7 #000, #00, #2); Raphael Kolinski 8408; Sho-card brush Rekab #5
Pens:
- Broad Nib Pens (Brause, Mitchells in multiple sizes from small to medium)
- Pilot Parallel 3.8 mm (Green Cap) preferred, and cartridges
- Felt-tipped Pens such as Pigma Micron Black #02, #01 or #005
- Pointed pen (We are going to put an edge on a pointed nib for small writing). Suggestions: Gillott 303, Gillott 404, Hunt 101, or Hunt 56 (school round pointed)
- Optional: Automatic Pens
Pencils:
- 2B-HB (for drawing/writing) / can be mechanical pencils
- 2H-4H (for ruling line)
Ink/Pigment:
- A container of Nicker Poster Color Black. (For brush Roman. If you are going to practice a lot, it is good to purchase 2 of these).
- Pelikan 4001 or Higgins eternal (Black)
- Optional: Nicker Poster Color (a couple of colors)
- Gouache (a couple of colors)
- Ink stick & stone
Paper:
- Smoother paper for ink/pen. Bond paper is fine if it does not bleed. Something like Canson Pro-Layout Marker Pad or Boris Layout Pad (Borden & Riley #37) Size: roughly 11" x 14" / (28 cm x 35 cm)
- Optional: Hot press watercolor paper of your choice (Arches Text Wove, Zerkall, Rives BFK, MBM, Fabriano, W&N, etc.)
Words/Texts:
- Some as short as 2-3 words but also, a sentence or two, and other texts that are longer.
Other Supplies - For shaping small nibs (We’re going to shape pointed or small nib with a fine broad edge for small writing):
- Hard Arkansas Stone
- 32x loupe or magnifying glass
- Polishing Paper (very fine (9 micron) sandpaper. Check the website of John Neal Books code: S107)
Basic Workshop Tools:
- Palette to palette our brushes (glass or porcelain are ideal, but can be coated paper plates)
- Soap to clean brushes
- Pen holders (that fit your nibs, obviously)
- A small brush for loading pens
- Water container
- Eraser
- Paper weights
- Knife (to cut paper)
- Glue stick
- Straight edge, T square, or ruler
- Cutting mat (or back of the bond paper pad)
- Crops (2 “L” crops / you can cut from mat board)
- Masking Tape
- Paper towels
- Note-taking stuff
Optional:
- Writing board
- A palette for color mixing
Supply Fee: $35 for exemplars
