Calligraphy with Powerful Gothics

20 lessons & 23 downloads

The course is an immersion in the world of calligraphy through the Gothic fonts. Why Gothic? Well, because it allows you to quickly and easily acquire all the fundamental concepts associated with calligraphy and typography, such as rhythm, structure, formal coherence, the importance of spaces, and counterforms.

Once you've mastered these concepts and have a well-established foundation, the idea of the course is to make more personal versions of the Gothic lettering. Experiment with different formal variants and with a multitude of nibs, feathers, and unconventional instruments, many of them homemade.

Work with two styles of Gothic calligraphy. First, the medieval Gothic style, based on the letter models from the 1409 book The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry for a coherent basis of the letters in its historical context. It makes little sense to study the modern Gothic lettering models from typical manuals such as Learn Calligraphy. It's much more effective and interesting to study the original sources, in this case Gothic manuscripts. Next, study the Gothic lettering models of the German calligrapher Rudolf Koch (1876-1934). Koch was the greatest calligrapher and typographer of his time, and, at the beginning of the 20th century, he redefined Gothic calligraphy written with a square-tipped nib.

Make a logo for a beer label and/or compose a calligraphy piece from a short text.

Designers, typographers, illustrators, novice calligraphers, expert calligraphers, tattoo lovers, lettering-junkies, nib and ink addicts, heavy metal sommeliers, beer lovers, and lifelong lettering artists.

No previous experience is required.

For materials, you need a 3mm square tip Brause Bandzug metal nib, a wooden handle, fountain pen ink, and paper.