![]() It’s a fascinating script from an extraordinary period of history.īelow are all the links to tutorial pages where you will find step-by-step instructions for a flexible, basic, bookhand version of the Gothic alphabet that will give you a good foundation for developing your own ideas.Give your text a bit more swish with our free calligraphic fontsĬall your graphics team to attention - get going on some fun new crafting projects with our free calligraphy fonts. Well – that has hopefully given you an inkling of the origins and uses of Gothic lettering. It formed the basis of many printed fonts, developed into italic calligraphy, and established standards for modern handwriting. (Humanistic roundhand was supposed to echo the clarity and learning of the great classical Greek and Roman thinkers and their no-nonsense scripts. Often, the lettering in Gothic texts is so closely packed together, so formulaic, so regular and rhythmic, that it is difficult to read them.Īnd that is part of the reason why, during the Renaissance period in Italy, a new script arose - the humanistic or Renaissance roundhand script, which is an open, graceful, curvaceous calligraphic hand - extremely elegant and easy to read! However, there was (and is) a downside to all this efficient saving of space and animal hides. (It wouldn’t be fair to say ‘cheap books’ because even the less-expensive books cost more than many people could afford.) But, in fact, Gothic lettering was used to copy all kinds of less expensive books – not only Bibles – before the invention of printing. And the Gothic period is especially famous for absolutely tiny copies of the Bible that would fit into a small pocket. So Gothic was quite important in helping make books become more available. It’s perhaps no coincidence that this was a period during which book-production in western Europe expanded rapidly outwards from the earlier confines of the monasteries and into secular scriptoria, where townsfolk made a decent living from it. which meant, in turn, more available books again. which probably meant that more people became scribes or illuminators. That brought production costs down.Īnd that meant that more people could afford to buy such books … which must have meant more income for the scribes and illuminators. ![]() And in the days when all books in Europe were written on animal skins, employing Gothic lettering in book-copying meant fewer animal-skins per copy. ![]() That means you can fit more words on a line. Its pen-strokes are very closely packed together. And it’s not difficult to produce an impressive effect in Gothic, so it’s always been a favourite with calligraphers.Īnd why were those medieval monks in their day so besotted with a Gothic style of writing?īelieve it or not, mainly because a Gothic alphabet was cheaper to use than other calligraphic scripts! Gothic lettering actually evolved its dense, vertical appearance partly as a method of saving space. (For this reason, it is best used for decorative purposes, where people don't need to be able to read the text easily.) A Gothic script has a very definite medieval ‘feel’ to it. Nowadays, Gothic lettering is valued for its formal, striking, and ornamental qualities. Why was it so popular? And why is it still so popular today? Basically, it derives from around the time when Gothic architecture was the predominant building style in western Europe, and the lettering does indeed share some characteristics with the architecture, such as a heavy emphasis on the vertical, lots of decorative elements, and an ornate regularity of style. However, Gothic lettering in one form or another has been used all over medieval Europe at different times. … usually in slightly curly Gothic letters.) Gothic fonts were used in printed books in Germany right up to the twentieth century! (You can still see the traditional Gothic lettering on chemists’ and pharmacies’ signs in Germany they say ‘Gothic’ also suggests Germanic origins, and it is indeed a very Germanic script. ![]() The word ‘Gothic’ derives from the name of the historical Gothic period when such alphabets were most used – basically, the Middle Ages from around 1200-1500. Illustrated step-by-step lesson. Meanwhile, though, do keep reading if you wish for a nice light account of the history and use of Gothic alphabets to get you in the mood :-) You'll find more tips and techniques on exactly how each letter is formed in the Drawing short, straight diagonal lines, both thin and thick, in different directions.The most important calligraphy skills for writing Gothic letters are: This makes Gothic useful for spoofs, too it is, if you like, the Spinal Tap of calligraphy. Notice, though, that - as with heavy-metal bands - it's easy for something so exaggeratedly serious to go too far and then it starts to have a comical effect. Colour temperature for calligraphy and art.
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