Countershapes are essential to any letterform. They’re an inherent part of any stroke, created by the division of space that ink/pixels make on a white canvas. Learning to see them can help you master drawing letters and molding them into any weight, width, or container you wish.
I grew up looking at “Bardas”, large wall sign paintings, painted quickly to advertise dances or political propaganda. These are often made with the cut-in technique, in which a colorful background is painted first, and then the letter outline is defined on top of it with a second layer of thick paint.
As a type designer, I’ve learned many techniques like cut-in that put counters first. In this workshopAs a type designer, I’ve learned many techniques like cut-in that put counters first. In this workshop (Saturdays on 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 and 10/4) I’ll share them with you, and guide you while you experiment freely with ink, paper, and scissors; then make a small lettering piece; and finally develop a caps-only font starting with the countershapes. I’ll share them with you, and guide you while you experiment freely with ink, paper, and scissors; then make a small lettering piece; and finally develop a caps-only font starting with the countershapes.