To revive handwriting and introduce the art of decorative handwriting, The Navhind Times Planet J organised a workshop on calligraphy on Sunday, August 20 at Dempo House, Panaji. Open to the age group of 12 to 18 years, the workshop aimed at giving participants some important tips on using calligraphy creatively in a simple and doable fashion. Hundred and seventeen youngsters along with a few parents participated in the half day workshop conducted by Vikrant Fernandes, who has been teaching the art form since the last twenty years to school and college students besides adults.
“Calligraphy is considered to be one of the oldest forms of writing in the world; a practice spanning at least 3000 years, and whilst it was once used largely for religious purposes, it is now evolved and is used for a wide variety of reasons,” explained Fernandes as he gave a brief history about the ancient art. “Considered as a form of visual art, calligraphy has been used by many ancient civilizations in their texts, edicts, etc. Now it continues to flourish in the form of wedding and event invitations, paintings, font design, graphic design, props and moving images for film and television, and other handmade presentations. This budding profession is integrated into the fields of fashion and interior designing as well,” he added while speaking on the merits of learning the art form.
The various tools used for marking and writing calligraphy were elaborated on. Participants were shown the different types of pencils and brushes used in calligraphy and the manner in which they are to be maintained was also explained.
In the practical session that followed, worksheets were distributed and chisel point pencils were given. These pencils were individually and painstakingly hand sharpened with a chisel/blade to have the right thickness and flatness on one side and a point at an angle on the other. Participants were then shown how the pencil was to be held and used. Each alphabet was demonstrated in cursive print and it was amazing to see the skill and ease with which participants were following the demonstration. Fernandes and his assistants went round to each work table, checking on the progress made and each worksheet was corrected by Fernandes. An assistant was also in place to sharpen the pencils used by participants so at any given time, they had the right point and thickness as was required.
After completing the alphabets in capitals, the small fonts were undertaken. By this time, all present had got a hang of the technique and were more than ready for the second worksheet that comprised of tills, sways, swashes and swags in ascending and descending order. The difficulty level of this part of the session was much higher but participants followed instructions attentively and did their best.
In the last session, Fernandes demonstrated how to make cards using card paper and punched paper. The workshop ended with certificates of participation being handed out to all.
Feedback
I just loved the workshop and was happy to be a part of it. Thank you Navhind Times.
It was nice to be a part of the workshop. We learn so much through these workshops organised by Navhind Times.
I enjoyed the workshop and know it will help me in the future.
It was a learning experience and it was great. Thank you Navhind Times.
It was a good experience and I enjoyed it. I learnt the various styles of calligraphy.
I enjoyed the workshop, it was very nice.
It was a helpful workshop and I have now learnt how to use a calligraphy pencil and pen.
It was a nice experience that has improved my writing skills. Thanks Navhind Times.
I had a wonderful time learning calligraphy for the 1 st time. I would like to come for many more workshops.
It was wonderful and I liked it very much.
Now I have something to boast about! It was truly wonderful.
It was an interesting and helpful workshop. I learnt a new art.
Calligraphy will help me in my projects as well as my personal life. I enjoyed the workshop.
The workshop was wonderful and helpful. Thank you.
The workshop was really amazing and interesting. I got to learn many things that will help me in the future.
It was a very interesting session. I learnt the basics with ease and had fun doing it.
The Gothic style in calligraphy that I learnt was absolutely awesome.
It was simply amazing to learn to write in such an artistic manner.
The workshop was well conducted and it was very encouraging to see so many children taking part so enthusiastically.
It was an awesome workshop and I enjoyed it and learnt so much.
It was an amazing experience learning calligraphy from an experienced teacher. I hope to attend many workshops organized by Navhind Times.
The manner in which the art was explained in detail made it easy to understand and practice. Thank you Navhind Times.
It was wonderful and will help me a lot.
I would like to thank sir Vikrant Fernandes for making time and coming to teach us. It was an amazing workshop.
Thank you Navhind Times and sir Vikrant for a wonderful workshop.
The workshop was too good. I loved it.
The workshop was very nice and I liked it a lot. Hope to come back again.
It was an interesting workshop.
