Layered Calligraphy: Text into Texture

A 2 or 5 day workshop with Denis Brown Longer duration features additional content plus time for students to develop personal projects with Denis' assistance 
Level: intermediate to advanced
Twenty students maximum
 
Join us for a workshop with calligrapher Denis Brown, where you will delve into the world of layered calligraphy to transform text into texture. You will explore the art of writing text on top of text to create a variety of textural effects. In the 5-day version, you will also learn how to collage layers of translucent material to produce rich and intricate designs.

Discover the impact of colour and value on overlapping layers, whether you want to keep them distinct or merge them into a single textured layer. Drawing inspiration from the spatial shallow depth found in high modernist paintings, you will learn how to incorporate such concepts into your work.

The 5-day workshop includes a special Shadow Box module, where you will experiment with writing on multiple layers of translucent materials to create stunning designs that can be back-lit for added visual impact.

Denis will discuss the ideas behind a range of his layered calligraphic works brought to show and share. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your skills and create textured art under the guidance of a master calligrapher.

List of Student Supplies

- A variety of your favourite writing tools: e.g., dip-pens, brushes, ruling pens, droppers, automatic pens, etc.
- Heavy tracing vellum or preferably matt polyester drafting film (e.g., Duralar or frosted Mylar) for architectural drawings.
- Finely powdered pumice or a draft cleaning pad.
- Optional: other translucent materials for experimentation.
- Ink, ruler, and pencils.
- Pad of practice paper A3 size or 11" x 17".
- Several sheets of better quality paper, including some coloured sheets, such as Canson Mi-Tientes.
- Gouache colours, palettes, mixing and loading brushes.
- Scalpel or scissors, needle and thread.
- PVA glue and 1" glue brush.
- Texts: a quotation book or Google.

Supplementary Materials for a 5-Day Class

- Wooden canvas stretcher (approximately 10"x 14" or similar size) for supporting translucent papers
- White household emulsion paint or acrylic gesso primer
- 6 or more sheets of heavy tracing vellum (at least 5" larger than the canvas stretcher in each dimension)
- 6 or more sheets of Polyester drafting film (such as Duralar or frosted Mylar, at least 5" larger than the canvas stretcher)
- Optional additional translucent materials like fabrics or Japanese washi for creative experimentation
- Powdered Pumice or a draft cleaning pad
- Staple gun