Vyaz by P.P. Chobitko
“Calligraphy is not just aesthetics and harmony, but a powerful tool for influencing the human mind.” P.P. Chobitko
Peter Petrovich Chobitko is probably one of my primary sources of inspiration. If I hadn’t met him in 2015, I would not be focused on the Cyrillic alphabet as I am today. I am grateful for his influence and guidance, even though we rarely communicate nowadays.
I would like to specify that this version of the Vyaz script is unlikely to be considered as an artist’s style since there is no original author; it is more a tangible cultural heritage that has roots in the Old Believer’s cultural heritage, then to Bulgarian culture and even Byzanthia. But Peter Petrovich and the “Оt Aza do Izhici” school are known for widely using this script, as well as an introduction-level script for calligraphy beginners. This school was also the first to release Vyaz calligraphy worksheets in Russia for students with this specific style.
Letter with 0° pen nib angle
The simplicity of this script is its main advantage. The angle of the pen’s nib in this letter is always 0°. This makes it relatively simple to master, as there is no need to turn the pen’s nib.
The initial proportions may seem shortened, but after you practice enough, you are free to change the letter’s proportions and add ligatures and decorations. Examples of student work show how cleverly they changed the parameters of these letters to achieve their creative tasks.
Examples of student work: https://vk.com/calligraphyspb?z=album-10245108_227591936
From the general view, these letters fit into the modular system; it is a close relative of the monospaced lettering variant of Vyaz. However, live handwriting has more plasticity and is written much faster. That’s why students and professional calligraphers love it.
It should be noted that the sequence of ducts (writing strokes) here is conditional: write as it is convenient for you. However, it is always recommended to start with the base (central) stem and then add the other elements of the letter.
This material can help you in your pedagogical practice if you are a teacher. If that’s the case, I’ve archived all animations into one archive for your comfort. Download here.
After you master this handwriting, you can start experimenting with changing nib’s angle.
