Filip Ciślak - Fraktur : The Lively Letter - Oct 7, 14, 21, 28

During this workshop, student will dive deep into the world of Fraktur – a 16th-century blackletter script that mixes the elegance and refinement of formal gothic hands with the liveliness of Bastarda. Student will explore the fundamentals of Fraktur and dip our toes into the concept of organic, animated letters. Over four sessions, student will uncover its most vital features, practice various letterforms, and delve into the techniques that make this style unique and beautiful. The workshop is designed for students at all levels with at least some experience in broad-edge calligraphy.

Lesson 1

During the first lesson of the workshop, student will be introduced to the historical background, inspirations, and key features of Fraktur calligraphy. Student will learn the basic strokes and techniques used in the exemplar and practice minuscule letterforms in groups of similarity and difficulty, with a focus on addressing unique challenges within each group. Some variations of the letterforms will be presented, and we'll briefly discuss possible stroke modulation using advanced techniques like pen rotation and drawing with a corner of the nib.

Lesson 2

On the second day, the workshop will continue with the practice of the remaining minuscule letterform groups, followed by an introduction to common ligatures, numbers, and punctuation marks. Student will further explore the unique challenges and techniques introduced in Lesson 1 in the context of the new letterforms, as well as discuss possible stroke modulation using pen rotation.

Lesson 3

The third lesson will be dedicated to the practice of Fraktur capitals. Student will explore the structure and features of capital letterforms and variations of the letterforms. The day will also include a discussion on the concept of modularity of capital letterforms.

Lesson 4

The final day of the workshop will emphasize the organic and dynamic nature of Fraktur through a lighter-weight variation of the basic exemplar. Student will explore ways to bring expressiveness and vitality to their calligraphy while maintaining the script's core principles. The session will conclude with a demonstration of various possibilities and potential topics for future workshops.

Homework
After each lesson, student will receive a homework assignment and have the option to submit it for a brief critique.

Fraktur - The Lively Letter
Filip Ciślak, Hosted By The Gentle Penman

Live (Also recorded for later viewing)

7, 14, 21 & 28 October 2023 (Saturday)

22:00 pm – 00:00 am (Hong Kong Time)

Class Cost : HK $1,170.00 or USD $150.00

Registration Link : https://www.thegentlepenman.com/fraktur-the-lively-letter

All Skills Levels

Supply List:

• A set of broad edge nibs in the sizes 2–5 mm. Additionally, you can also acquire smaller sizes to practice writing on a smaller scale. Brause Bandzug, Speedball C-series, and Manuscript Leonard Tape are some recommended nibs, although other options are suitable based on availability and personal preference. (N01, N02, N04, N09)

• A set of pen holders matching your nibs. (H133, H134, H113, H114)

• Alternatively, you can use a Pilot Parallel Pen 5 mm or 3.8 mm. (FP67)

• Good quality, non-waterproof black ink or fine gouache (Schminke, Winsor & Newton, or Talens are great choices). (SG27, WNG1, WNG2, WNG3, TG100)

• A3 paper pads suitable for drills, such as Fabriano Schizzi, Daler Rowney Fine Grain, Canson Marker, or similar, ensuring

guidelines are visible through the paper. (P32, P70, P2027)

• B2 pencil, ruler, and eraser for taking notes and drawing guidelines. (PL38, S270, E13)

• Rag and set of containers for water and paint. (S853, S856, S934, S1005)

• A cheap brush for loading the nib with paint or ink. (BR43)