Blackletter typeface textur9/1/2023 ![]() I have an entire post on broad edge calligraphy resources. Also referred to as a “flat”, this style of edge is simply one which can produce thick and thin lines, depending on the direction it is moved. However, the key factor is that your writing utensil is “broad edged”. You could use brushes, pens, markers, or even classic quills. There are many tools at our disposal and what works best for one person might not work best for the next. In this day and age, writing blackletter is much easier than it used to be. Once again, it’s hard to sum up centuries of history in just a couple of paragraphs, but hopefully this gives you a high-level understanding of blackletter’s origins and it’s four core styles. Those assholes inevitably tarnished the hand’s reputation. This was the font used by Hitler and the Third Reich. In the 18s, German blackletter evolved into Fraktur (from a hand called Schwabacher), a more formalized and rhythmic rendition of Bastarda hands. Hence the name, it’s truly a bastardized version of Textura and Rotunda, often written quickly (which results in more flow of gesture and expression). Over the centuries when it became more common for the everyday person to learn to write, Bastarda. Rotunda is inspired by Textura, but features many round forms. Shortly thereafter, Rotunda emerged in Southern Europe. ![]() Textura, a rigid and vertically structured form of blackletter started in the 11th century in Northern Europe. Here’s a simple and roughly loose way of explaining: Why? Well, simply because it evolved over time, across lands under different rule, through the instruction of people that were all trained differently, and with access to different tools and materials.īut don’t overthink it. ![]() This tends to confuse or overwhelm people when they first attempt to learn blackletter because it becomes tough to understand the differences and why there are so many variations of each of these four core styles. But to distill things down for the sake of simplicity, you accurately categorize the main classic varieties of blackletter into to the following four styles: Different Styles of Blackletterīlackletter is simply a reference to a variety, or school, of gothic calligraphy styles. I could go on about the history and evolution of blackletter, but it’s well beyond the scope of this article. This was arguably due to a blackletter font called “Old English Text”, which is often found in newspaper headline text. It was later disproved, but the name stuck, at least in our modern era. In regards to the “Old English”, it was believed the Old English language was written in blackletter style. This particular alphabet was used by bishops and missionaries in bible translation many centuries earlier. This style of architecture is not meant to be confused with the actual Gothic tribes from or the Gothic alphabet. Interestingly enough, the rigid vertical structure was written to mimic the architecture of gothic cathedrals (hence the name “gothic”). It evolved as it spread throughout Europe until the early 1900s. The style itself originated in Northern Europe during the 11th century. All of this terminology is interchangeable and over centuries, has become common slang to describe the style. You’ve probably heard the terms “Old English” or “gothic” in reference to blackletter. Blackletter 101: A Primerįirst off, let’s get our vocabulary straight. And that’s what you’re reading right now. As a result, I decided to compile all of those posts into this single big one. Upon revisiting those posts, I realized the content was lacking in regards to what I’m now able to offer instructionally. I’ve also published a series of workbooks dedicated to learning each style of the four styles of blackletter. Since then, I’ve written many posts on blackletter technique. Years back, I posted a series of posts that dove into learning Blackletter (specifically in Textura and Fraktur styles). But believe it or not, it’s incredibly popular and its rich history predates scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian by centuries. You might not think of this classic script style when you think of calligraphy or hand-lettering. No matter what style I would pursue, I would always find myself coming back to the “gothic” school of letterforms. It was actually blackletter script that got me into hand-lettering years back. Learning Blackletter Alphabets (Free Downloadable Guides)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |