UNCIALS – Guidance Session 2 | June Workshop

Guidance Session: UNCIALS – Greek Uncialis

Tutor: Gemma Black

Gemma Black will be your guide. A founder and life member of the Canberra Calligraphy Society. Her areas of study are calligraphy, bookbinding, printmaking, watercolour painting, research and writing all which feeds into her love of letterform and pursuit of creating written artefacts. For more information visit Gemma’s website & blog www.gemmablack.com & blog.gemmablack.com

What are guidance sessions?
Guidance sessions are short intense, yet fun-in-the-learning experiences suited to both experienced and beginner participants. They are made up of prime specimens in evolutionary sequence i.e. one prime specimen per session. Each session is designed to encourage the participant to take a deeper look at how to achieve strong and beautiful letter forms. To quote Edward Johnston “After all the problem before us is fairly simple: to make good letters and arrange them well.”

Given the parameters of the prime specimen in question the aim of the guide is to motivate and arm you with the information needed to progress along a creative path with knowledge and skill to achieve better understanding and outcomes.


Description:
SESSION TWO: UNCIALS – Greek Uncialis

Please note: This ticket price includes a printed Resource Booklet.

In this second session you will be re-introduced or introduced to Uncial a common term covering a variety of Majuscule book hands from the 4th to 8th centuries. In this session we will jump back to earlier origins of the Greek evolution of letterforms from which the Romans took their lead.
In her book The Historical Source Book for Scribes Patricia Lovett explains “The term ‘uncial’ is attributed, apocryphally, to St Jerome (343-420) who is said to have criticised this deluxe script for being so ostentatious that it could appear to be an ‘inch high’ (uncia being the Latin for ‘inch’)”. Insular uncials will be explored in session three.

Material list:

It is important not to surround yourself with clutter so please bring only what you need, that is, pen paper and ink (basically)!

• Pens: broad-edged nib sizes 1mm through to 5mm and holders. The Brause brand is recommended. Other brands measure accordingly.
• Pencils: Couple of lead pencils H, F or HB sharp and ready to use. Mechanical pencils welcome.
• Brush: small watercolour paintbrush (but no watercolours)
• Ink: Ink stick with grinding stone or a bottle of black non-waterproof ink or a bottle of Chinese ink and a small jar/film container to decant it into. No coloured inks.
• Water Jar: 2 x small to medium size
• Papers: all below required:
  (i) A3 cartridge/bond/layout paper pad
  (ii) x2 sheets A4 tracing paper.
• Eraser: soft white pencil rubber.
• Ruler: a long see-through 40mm plastic ruler plus a clear smaller ruler.

Also add in: tissues or cloth / rag, notebook / artist diary, blu-tac if needed

Optional:
Drawing board: approx. 400mm x 600mm. Make it as lightweight yet sturdy as possible (the board is optional but is recommended for good posture).
Gemma asks that all large items on the floor be moved away from cluttering your desk area.