Course description
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at calligraphy, here is your opportunity! It’s an introductory course which assumes no prior experience. However, if you do have some calligraphic experience and would like to brush up on your skills, you’re also very welcome!
We’ll be writing with a broad-edged nib (not a pointed nib) in the Uncial style. Participants will learn a little about the history of the script style, and then we’ll spend the three days learning to write the letters, considering layout skills, and applying all of this to a small project or two. Everyone will have the opportunity to write out a short poem, haiku or quotation, laying the words out attractively on the page. The tutor will have a selection of ideas for creating further items, for example a greeting card, or a bookmark featuring a name or a quotation. There will be the opportunity to write in colour and to add some small decorative elements as well. If time permits, we will also add some Celtic knotwork for further decorative possibilities.
Day 1: getting to grips with the calligraphic pen; learning to write an Uncial alphabet
Day 2: layout skills, writing out a chosen text and arranging attractively on the page, using colour if wished
Day 3: personal choice, continuing work from day 2 or working on new project (selection of ideas will be available) with small decorative applications
Equipment and Materials
There is a bewildering array of pens, nibs and inks on the market, not all of which are suitable for our purposes, and the tutor recommends that you do not obtain any supplies before attending the class – she will have the pens and ink you need for sale. Please bring cash – around £10 should be sufficient. If you are left-handed, please advise the office when booking, so that the tutor can ensure that the correct nibs are available for you.
All you need to bring is a ruler (30cm or longer), pencil, eraser, protractor, and an old jam jar to use as a water pot. A small, cheap brush or two will be useful for loading the pen with ink and colour (the tutor will have a few of these for sale as well). A cloth or old tea towel to protect the table is also recommended.
The tutor will also have paper for sale, but if you prefer to bring your own then smooth cartridge paper is recommended (ideally A3 rather than A4).
A multi-welled palette will be useful if you wish to write in colour, but the tutor will also have small pots (“buddy cups”) for sale.
Some flat drawing boards will be available to borrow. Please bring a roll or two of kitchen towel to prop it up on the table. If you have your own portable drawing board which you are able to bring, this would be most helpful - please let the office know when booking.
Further learning
Liz teaches a weekly calligraphy class at Coleridge on a Friday morning. If you have enjoyed this introductory summer school and would like to continue learning calligraphy, please enquire about places.