“Italic Rhythm to Polyrhythmic Calligraphy” was first published in 2012 as a hand-packaged multi-DVD set. Later a standard package with the same DVDs replaced the hand-made edition. These were computer-playable disks offering higher definition than the DVD movie format. In 2016, web browser updates meant that most people could no longer play these discs. I responded by withdrawing DVD sales and making the program available online to buyers. That version is now ageing as support for Adobe Flash, upon which it depends, is being withdrawn. This updated version has many improvements and advantages, namely:

We are fortunate to live at a time when master calligraphic artists are willing to share their work and methods with the world through teaching and publishing. In many fields, this is not the case. I used to hear the term trade secret from advanced musicians when asked questions about technique or sound. We might be a more open society today, thanks to the digital realm. However, not all information is equal in its authority and that is a drawback to free videos and articles on-demand.

Denis Brown needs no introduction. His work is known internationally, he is an authority. I originally met Denis in 1999, when he first came to teach at Cheerio*. His reputation was already established, however, our interaction was polite around the dinner table, apart from a few pranks. It seems that serious creative people often also have a highly evolved sense of humour.

 *Cheerio Calligraphy Retreats in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, US. John Stevens is advisor, designer and instructor for the regular retreats. 

After meeting several times in the meantime, Denis invited me to contribute work as a featured guest artist in the program. From that collaboration, our friendship stepped up to to a new level, particularly when our conversation turned to music and studio production. During these interactions, I experienced at first hand what a complete artist he is. This is evidenced in the fact that he produced every aspect of this program, not only the calligraphy. Our common interest in music and production allowed us to break through overwhelming mutual respect and individual modesty, to finally get around to talking about calligraphy, a subject where we each hold individual opinions, in a more in-depth way.

Apart from being one of the finest calligraphers in the world, Denis is an experienced teacher of the art. He has technical mastery but also ideas that have advanced calligraphy. This experience, combined with refined production skills, uniquely qualifies him to create a program such as this. You are in for a treat, as he has put so much thought into it. Perhaps as never before, we have total integration between artist, author, teacher and production. In many cases, the video itself is hypnotic; you will enjoy watching as a film in its own right. The material covers the simple to the complex, yet coherently speaks with one voice. New ground is broken in both content and form.

There has never been a time like this when you can learn from a master at your own pace, in such an intimate and affordable medium. I expect this program to be very successful. I hope it advances calligraphy in the world; in universities, schools and every art institution. Beautifully conceived, written, filmed, produced and directed by Denis, this Masterclass gives a good account of where calligraphy is now and where it is heading. It is a new tool that teaches fundamentals and next steps for calligraphers at any level.

John Stevens
North Carolina, US
calligraphycentre.com

Thank you for engaging with calligraphy. The art form is broad enough to be many things to many people. I endeavour to find in it a more deep and complex means of communication than simply transcribing a text, or of merely quoting somebody else’s idea. Now that former functions of writing have been largely displaced by every other means of textual communication, calligraphers might centre on the spirit of writing. Such spirit has always been tangible in great works of any time or culture. It cannot be replaced by technology and it is easily missed in a world of mass production. Spirit is as individual as any of us, yet as universal as life itself. Spirit in writing is connected with flow, with rhythms and dynamics.

The program begins with the normal mode of learning calligraphy, that is, with the copying of letter-forms. However, from the start, video demonstrations place value on dynamic gestures. While it is emphasised that students need not match the speed of my pen-strokes, I hope that by witnessing them and the life in resulting marks, you may be encouraged to expand your writing dynamics gradually, a little at a time and as you are able. Your goal is not to emulate me, but to advance your own calligraphy.

Letterforms demonstrated may be copied; indeed, guide-sheets are provided to aid this. Thanks to video, gestures may also be observed, helping students to find fluency in stroke performance.
Spirit, however, eludes copying, and each person must connect with their own. Over an extended period and informed by a disciplined process of self-critique according to guiding principles offered in the program, practice may gradually shift from copying to performing. In this manner, an individual spirit will begin to shine through one’s writing.

As the program develops, later modules offer demonstrations less as models to copy than as illustrations of principles, to be applied by students in their projects. The perspective expands from a focus on letter-forms to a broader view, also incorporating rhythmic composition of the page and creativity with textual semantics.

Demonstrations grow to become documentaries, revealing every stage of making calligraphy; from concept and planning, through materials and techniques, via mistakes, improvisations and changes; the full journey to completed works of calligraphic art. I know from experience that students are relieved to see the master make mistakes, so I have no shame to show them, and how I work around them.

I expect that different people will follow the program in different ways. Those eager to get the most from their investment may want to start at the beginning and work progressively, one stage at a time. A sensible approach. It may suit others to jump straight to modules/movies that attract them most. Bearing in mind the huge amount of material, I recommend that even the most diligent students might occasionally jump off-course to sample other parts of the program, before returning to sequential viewing and practise.

Inevitably, many will encounter exercises in the program which they are unable to perform at first. If you find this frustrating, gloss over those parts, knowing you can return any time and repeatedly as you gain experience and skill. There is an enormous amount of material here; enough to keep serious students re-watching over years. I also appreciate that many viewers will lack time to commit to serious practise and I have aspired to make the program inspiring and informative for those people also. Beginners, however, may need to take some classes to act as a foundation for lessons offered here. Those attending calligraphy classes may easily find parallel stimulation and inspiration in these videos. Innumerable books have been published targeting novice calligraphers but few programs have dealt in any depth with advanced practice.

The module “Featured Calligraphers” highlights work by a personal selection of internationally respected artists. Their works are widely varied, but all have a bearing on ideas I present in one part of the program or another. I am indebted to my esteemed colleagues, first for inspiring, then for contributing and participating.

I hope the program will engage passion, commitment and learning; as it has done for me in producing it. I have been the sole director, writer, narrator, cameraman, editor, sound engineer, musical producer and web designer. All mistakes are mine alone. As in my way of calligraphy, I have not cared to aim for perfection, but rather have aspired to engage you, as deeply as I can at this moment.

Denis Brown
Dublin, Ireland
www.calligraphy.tv 
www.quillskill.com