Flourished Script

with Ken Barber

The personality and allure of flourished script is tough to ignore, making decorative lettering particularly ideal for creating memorable advertisements and identities. During this workshop, students will learn techniques for drawing well-constructed and attractive flourishes to enhance logotype, packaging and publication work.

With the aid of reference models spanning the 18th to the 21st century, participants will begin by drawing formal script as the base for their ornamental linework. Next, students will learn about the different varieties of flourishing (including vine work, cartouches and pictorial styles), basics of stroke construction, as well as entry/exit points for embellished upper- and lowercase letters. Skill-building exercises will reinforce concepts such as fluid movement and spacial balance, while slide shows and demonstrations will illustrate how to combine strokes to devise more complex compositions. Important details such as volume, proportion and shading will also be addressed.

Required Materials

• No.2 pencils (conventional or mechanical)
• pencil sharpener (if applicable)
• erasers (conventional and kneaded)
• pad of tracing paper (9″×12″ pad is recommended)
• pad of quadrille 4×4 grid/graph paper (9″×12″ pad, 4 squares per inch is recommended)
• 12 inch ruler
• Sharpie® Fine and Extra Fine markers
• white-out correction fluid pen
• adhesive tape (for posting sketches)

Please note that much of the flourishing content of this workshop was introduced during my 2016 week-long summer workshop, Advanced Techniques In Script Lettering. The introductory section on drawing formal script is also similar to the information provided in my Script Lettering class.

This course will focus on pencil-drawing techniques intended to reinforce ideas foundational to Flourished Script. Although workshop participants will not be using vector drawing software, a brief presentation on digitization will be given.

Finally, prospective students are encouraged to reference The Universal Penman by George Bickham, and Script Lettering for Artists by Tommy Thompson. The Dover Books reprinted editions are both affordable and easy to acquire. 

Registration opens September 7