Abstract patterns of n and u arches.
This morning’s calligraphy warmup
consisted of practicing the n and u arches of a condensed italic hand.
Rather than writing specific letters or words, this was a very detailed practice,
aiming for a consistent abstract pattern.
The practice comes from Denis Brown, a master calligrapher from Ireland
who developed a condensed italic hand to balance the more sweeping and gestural strokes
of what he calls polyrhythmic calligraphy.
