Gestural compositions

Even gestural calligraphy, like the more formal one, involves a demanding search, made up of trial and error, disappointment and surprise.

The study of formal calligraphy took me time and dedication but allowed me to fully understand the rules of handwriting and to build a solid base for more expressive and gestural studies.

To make the act of writing spontaneous and personal, I use different approaches.
One of them consists of writing many times the same word or sentence I chose for the composition. I write quickly, almost without taking the pen off the paper. I play with the shape of letters and remove the spaces between words and lines. Repetition allows me to find the right rhythm and the act of writing gradually becomes more spontaneous and personal.

Expressive handwriting, fluid and fast, allows me to instantly stop thoughts, the mind finally becomes silent and calms down.

In order to work more freely, I try to stay focused on the writing as a moment of practice and experimentation and not on the idea of creating a final piece. Sometimes I leave the sheet in a drawer for a while and only later I re-evaluate the result and turn it into a definitive work.

For me, inspiration often comes from reading. I like to transcribe the most beautiful sentences of a book or make folds in the corners of the pages, to read the text again at a distance of time.

I like to underline the words that express an important concept or that give voice to my state of mind at that moment.

The style of writing I prefer for my calligraphy pieces is Italic: a versatile script that developed in Italy from 1400 and that allows you to make so many expressive variations.

I often write with simple tools such as Pointed nib, Broad-edge nib or Handmade metal pens that leave unexpected and uncontrolled ink marks on the paper. Sumi ink and water are enough to obtain beautiful marks full of contrast, if you combine them in a good composition.