Penmen
Before the widespread of computers and modern printing systems, there were a number of artists who specialized in drawing and painting over all kinds of material that was not likely to be printed. Further back in time, before the Industrial Revolution and the world knows or needs advertising, these artists used their calligraphic skills in the creation of various communication pieces. Whether it was over wood, paper, metal, stone or any other medium. Their virtuosity was especially helpful for creating engraved prints to books reproducing, banknotes, stamps, certificates or any other printed stuff. These masters calligraphers — “Penmen”, dominated the lines and the forms with an accuracy able to leave anyone awestruck. Today, digital printers, plotters, and all computer equipment have replaced the overwhelming majority of these graphic needs, which led almost to the extinction of the penmen.
But they still resist. They are a very scarce number. This art form requires an absolutely insane degree of specialization and training. Thousands of hours are needed to teach how to automate the mind in relation to the body until the hand can draw apparently and seemingly natural shapes, lines and incredible sets of all kinds of shapes, either Baroque or modern. Although scarce, there are some absolutely fantastic artists who through their skills were able to create a core of loyal customers. These artists look with some disdain the mechanical and repetitive aspects of digital solutions. They believe in the calm and meticulous work, the physicality of the materials, knowledge, training, mastery, the serene and calm absorbed long periods dedicated to creation.
The videos that I've chosen to show you, are intended to pay tribute and to promote the work of some of these artists: from those that uses this skills to pursue the purest calligraphic tradition up to those who use it in a more practical way with typographical purposes or applied to decorative arts.
Master Penman Jake Weidmann
Jake Weidmann is the youngest and one of the few penmen in the world today. Don't let the young age full you, because their drawing capabilities are absolutely amazing.
David A. Smith
He likes to be presented as a "Reverse glass artist", but their drawing capabilities have led him to perform many other projects.
Seb Lester
Type designer dedicated to typographic art. Seb was gradually becomes fascinated with calligraphy. He demonstrates his calligraphic skills by hand drawing famous logos in some videos that become viral.
Doyald Young
Died in 2011, Doyald Young was an old-school type and font designer. His creation method was closely linked to hand draw, which allowed him to "feel the forms”. He didn't believe or liked the digital solutions. Those "mechanical" and "boring" tasks, usually to rebuild all in digital was left for their students and disciples.
