Blackletter is a genre of calligraphic hands that is characterized by its bold, angular, and dense texture. This popular letter style has roots that go back hundreds of years. It was the prevalent writing style of Europe in the mid-12th century, and has endured for centuries in different regional styles and historical instances. Upright forms were most commonly used in books and famously became the very first printing types in the hands of Gutenberg and his colleagues. For more than 900 years blackletter styles have remained in common usage; today blackletter is not usually found as long passages of text, but usage ranges from packaging and logos to mastheads of printed and web-based news media.

In this workshop, participants will learn to write Gothic Textura with broad-edged dip pens. The first day of the workshop will be spent learning the basic letterforms with emphasis on spacing, rhythm, and consistency. The second day will be spent exploring variations of letter construction and ornamental features that could be applied to these letterforms.

This workshop will also introduce, through short lectures and printed hand-outs, the historical development of blackletter providing a broader view of the many styles and the evolution of the Latin script, such as Batârde, Fraktur, and Schwabacher. Participants will take away from this workshop basic practical skills and the visual vocabulary that lays the ground work for broader and deeper study of calligraphy and letter arts. All levels of experience are welcome.