3 UNCIALS – Guidance Session 3 | September 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, IG or FB www.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.”

A fine example of the “insular-uncial” from the Book of Kells.

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 THREE: UNCIALS

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

In this third session you will be re-introduced or introduced to three types of pen uncials. Because there were many letterforms with “uncial” in their title and were present over quite a few centuries. We will be looking at the differences and, the similarities of the Stonyhurst Uncials (quite generic these days), the Insular Uncials (think Book of Kells and Lindisfarne Gospels) and the Vespasian Uncials (for flat pen).

Because the Uncial form in one way or another was used for centuries, they played an important role in the “hierarchy of the scripts” – something else we will look at in our guidance session. Be ready for a fun-fill afternoon of information, clarification and possibly a small project.

Material list:

Essential:
Pens: broad-edged nibs sizes 1mm & 3mm 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 Chinese ink and a small jar/film container to decant it into. No coloured inks.
Water Jar: 2 x small to medium size
Papers: A3 cartridge/bond/layout paper pad plus 2 x A4 sheet of good quality fine art paper 250gsm – 300gsm such as Arches or Fabriano in neutral colours (white, ivory, tan) plus 2 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 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.