Online Workshop

The Lost Arch: From Basics to Diversity
with Christopher Haanes

Having just completed his first English-language instructional book, Norwegian calligrapher Christopher Haanes now treats us to a 3-week study on one of the basic elements of letterforms—the arch that branches from the stem—and shows how it holds the key to mastering multiple scripts. An ideal workshop for those willing to venture beyond the exemplar.

The arch of a key letter such as n can be used as a key to unlocking the characteristics of an alphabet. We will look at the basic shape of letterforms—using the principle of “related shapes,” which Edward Johnston called “unity” or “family likeness”—and how these basic shapes can be used to breed diversity. Foundational, gothic, italic and civilité will be studied, along with other scripts.

1. We will explore the simple underlying structure of The Foundational Hand, and how it relates to the broad edged pen. 

2. What happens when letters become gradually more condensed and heavy, and start to travel towards gothic?

3. What happens to the letters when the basic arch changes from round to pointed, square or pointed oval? 

4. It is vital to stay focused on the related shapes of a given script, but what on earth is happening with the civilité? Throwing a curveball to see what happens.

All live sessions will be recorded and available for students to view online until April 4, 2021. There will be no individual critiques, but students are encouraged to submit work to an online forum so the instructor can gauge the progress of the class and provide general guidance.

Selected images above are from the forthcoming book Calligraphy & Lettering, by Christopher Haanes (copyright C. Haanes/Matura Press 2021)

MATERIALS LIST

John Neal has the materials list available for your convenience.

Paper

Some or all of the following choice of papers:

• Arches Text Wove

• Zerkall (comes in 2 surfaces)

• Rives BFK

• Khadi Indian Handmade papers (these come in several different textures)

• Daler layout pads in A3 size are good for practicing

Pens / Nibs / Brushes

• Brause, Speedball and Tape Hiro nibs are recommended

• Round pen holder

• Pencil (2H,4H)

• Pointed brush, for loading nib with ink

• Colored pencils

Inks / Gouache

• A good quality Chinese Stick Ink

• Ink Stone

• Higgins Eternal is a cheaper substitute, but the Chinese stick ink is highly recommended

• Colours are optional, Winsor and Newton gouache is recommended

Other

• T Square

• Dividers

• Compass

• Scalpel blade (#22 for scraping)

• Adjustable drawing board

• Sandarac powder (mortar for grinding)

• Ruler

• Eraser

• Old cloth

• Water jar

• Guard sheet or cotton glove (as you prefer)