Capitals & Uncial II
The study of Pen capitals and Uncial pen forms with John Stevens: Work from Uncial to Roman Capitals.
Capitals & Uncial II
A study: Uncial pen-forms to Pen capitals & variations
“Uncials are true pen-forms—more quickly written than the “Square”, and clearer than the “Rustic” Capitals—having the characteristic, simple strokes and beautiful, rounded shapes which flow from the rightly handled reed or quill.” —Edward Johnston (Writing, Illuminating & Lettering, 1906)
Course Summary (recommended for intermediate to advanced)
You may ask “why Uncial?” Actually, this class is ulitimately about Capitals. We will start with Uncial so that we have a basis of relatively pure pen forms.
The Uncial hand was prevalent from the 4th century to the 8th. It is regarded as a specialist hand in today's calligraphy scene, however, John often combines elements of Uncial with Pen Capitals when the effect is warranted. Furthermore, Uncial makes a great book-hand and has much to teach us about formal calligraphy and text hands in general.
John’s creative range in lettering is well known, and in this class we will be working with lettering design in general, not just Uncial. Uncial can train us in a pen-made "capital" hand that can teach us about both text or titling.
It will give us a foundation for Pen Capitals with the added benefit of being interchangeable for some creative alternatives, using Uncial and sometimes alternating between with Pen capitals.
Course Begins
October 23, 2021 @ 2pm EDT
Saturdays (x 5 sessions)
90-minutes sessions
by Zoom (recorded for playback at your leisure) $160.
Dates: October 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20 (as always, class is recorded and available for 2 months from the last class, January 20th).
- Overview of Pen Capitals, starting with Uncial.
- Insights into lettering, expanding knowledge and vision.
- Video of each session and some extra video as needed.
- Your work can be posted to either FB group or Dropbox links.
- Exemplars are sent in pdf format approx. 2 days in advance.
- Work at your own pace.
We will do a detailed analysis of the forms and as with all of John's workshops, bring in design and good solid, lettering principles, along with calligraphy best practices. Most “hands”(styles) have existed in a particular time in history: “peak” times, where it was in everyday use and evolved to something we may use as a seed, or source material. To be able to study and “see” the hand in context, offers us insight and perspective and avoid the pitfall of “reinventing the wheel.”
What we find in history is a developed Uncial, where the letters are rhythmically spaced, well-formed, and reliable models. This can be a road map. It is true that one has to walk before they can run, yet, some never get to the advanced (running).
Topics covered:
• Study and modify a historic hand
• Modify and adapt for modern use
• Formal pen calligraphy
• Improve technique and design of letters
• Learn the important differences between “text-hand” and “titling”
• Possess a working Pen Roman, both simple and advanced
• You can watch videos repetitively and study into 2022
There will be 5 sessions of 90 minutes each, with recorded video for replay and review. Assignments are given at each session, and there will be a place for the group to post your work for review.
Exemplars will be sent 2 days before each class.
This class is not for total beginners, but rather intermediate to advanced students, who have experience writing a few hands.
A supply list will be sent after enrollment.
John Stevens
John Stevens is a well-known and accomplished letter artist known for a wide range of exemplary work. Beginning as a sign painter in New York, his insatiable inquiry into letters and their design led him into type, calligraphy, and lettering, learning to use various pens, brushes, and later computers. His clients are in publishing, packaging, advertising, television, and film. (Lucasfilm, Life, Time, Newsweek, Tiffany’s, New York Public Library are a few of them.) He also gets called on to create hand-written documents on paper and vellum, the calligraphers’ traditional work.
He has been invited to teach at many national and international letter arts conferences throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America as an instructor of this art. His original works are included in the San Francisco Public Library, Berlin’s Akademie der Künste, La Casa del Libro (San Juan, Puerto Rico), and many private collections. John's calligraphy and lettering have been published and reproduced in dozens of books and publications about Lettering and calligraphy; in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States. His book Scribe: Artist of the Written Word was published in 2013 to critical acclaim. The new book, Mastering Broad Brush Capitals, is expected to be posted by John Neal Bookseller.
John will be on faculty of Roman Holiday| 2024 International Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Conference
You can follow him on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook. Website: www.johnstevensdesign.com
Recent lecture: The Letterform Archive (2019)
Well first, thank you for a wonderful class. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have so much to practice.I had multiple chats with other students that were also very happy with your presentation. I felt strongly that your talents needed to go out to a wider calligraphy world and this was the perfect time. It was something the calligraphy world needed.
I am very grateful for these 5 weeks of study. It was a great course, every lesson was super informative and inspiring, I loved the way you summarized important feedback on our practice, the handouts became a wonderful book with nice examples and notes. Thank you very much, John!
