Events by this organizer

Course details:

After a brief overview of the history of calligraphy, participants will focus on a beautiful eighth-century script, known as Uncial, trying out some of the letters with a broad-edged nib and ink. By the end of the session everyone will have had the opportunity to try writing out a name or a short quotation, perhaps adding a little colour as well.

Previous knowledge and experience needed?:

This session is designed for complete beginners to calligraphy. Those who already have a little experience will also enjoy the session.

Aim of the day:

For participants to find out a little about what calligraphy is, perhaps with the view to joining a weekly class in a future term.

Learning objectives

· Gain an insight into the historical origins of today’s calligraphy

· Gain some experience of handling and using broad-edged nibs and ink

· Use a broad-edged nib to write some letters of the Uncial alphabet

· Write out a name or a favourite quotation to take home

· Add some colour if wished, and if time allows

Materials and equipment needed:

Broad-edged nibs, ink, and paper will be for sale on the day. Please bring some cash to purchase these from the tutor, as she is unable to take card payments. You are likely to spend approx £5.00 depending on what you wish to purchase.

You will need to bring the following: pencil, ruler, protractor, eraser, old jam jar (to use as a water pot), old/cheap small brush for loading the pen with ink, and

an old cloth or tea towel for protecting the table. You may wish to bring coloured pencils for adding some decoration but these are entirely optional.

Calligraphy is done on a sloping board. There will be a few to borrow, but if you happen to have your own rigid portable board, for example a piece of MDF, please do bring it (suggested size at least A3, if possible a little larger). You could use the board in your lap resting against the edge of the table, or alternatively please bring two fat rolls of kitchen towel to prop the board up on the table, and a couple of blobs of blu-tack to prevent it sliding.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

If you have enjoyed the taster session, you may like to join a weekly class (from September). Calligraphy is a hugely broad subject and there is always something new to learn. Over time, you would have the opportunity to learn different scripts and, if wished, work towards CLAS (Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society) Certificates. The classes will also offer a chance to consider layout and design, and to use calligraphy for creative projects.

Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturday and Sundays, you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more.

Brief Description

If you’re fascinated by calligraphy and lettering, come along and join us. This is a practical and creative class, where you’ll learn to write various scripts using a broad-edged nib, and then use the scripts in small projects.

Calligraphy is a very different thing from normal day-to-day handwriting. The scripts you’ll learn are based on historical manuscripts going back many hundreds of years. Each has different features and over time you’ll develop skills in a variety of scripts. It helps a lot if you are able to practise a little at home in between classes.

You’ll learn a little about the history of each script and the key manuscripts of the period, before trying your hand at your own version.

You’ll also explore the skills involved in calligraphic layout and design, so that you can use the scripts in personal projects such as greetings cards, and writing out favourite poems and quotations. You’ll also learn to use colour in your work.

You will have the opportunity to work towards a Certificate of Calligraphy. This is awarded by CLAS (Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society). Many of my students have achieved this in one or more scripts and it’s an excellent way to make progress with learning a calligraphic script. More experienced students may also work towards a Foundation Level Diploma. Working towards these awards is of course entirely optional.

CLAS also hosts an annual one-day exhibition in London which is open to calligraphers of all abilities, including beginners. Some of my students have enjoyed the challenge of designing a calligraphic piece to send in for display. Each year in March, a group of us travels down to London for the annual CLAS day, which includes admiring the exhibition.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

The class is a mixed level class – particularly suitable for complete beginners, but those with prior calligraphic experience are also very welcome.

Calligraphy is an art form in its own right, and you do not need any experience or skill in other art forms to enjoy it. However, if you already enjoy other art forms (e.g. painting or drawing) you might combine them with your calligraphy.

Aims and Objectives:

• An overview of how today’s calligraphy relates to historical scripts.
• Practical experience of using calligraphic tools.
• Introduction to various calligraphic scripts.
• Exploration of how calligraphy can be used to interpret a text.
• Practical experience of layout, including line spacing, colour, contrast, and the use of paste-up techniques.
• The opportunity to work on creative projects.
• The opportunity to work towards CLAS Certificates.
• The opportunity to develop a critical eye, discussing ideas with other members of the class, learning from each other.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

There is a bewildering array of pens, nibs and inks on the market, not all of which are suitable for our purposes, and I recommend that you do not obtain any supplies before attending the class. I will have the pens and ink you need for sale. Please bring cash – £5 will be sufficient to start with.

I will also have paper for sale, but if you prefer to bring your own then I recommend A3 smooth cartridge paper.

Students will need to purchase their own portable drawing board – I will give advice as to suitable types, and it will not be required for the first class. There will be two or three available to use in the classroom for people who are not able to bring their own.

I will provide many handouts as the term progresses, and you will find a ring binder or folder useful to store them. It is not essential to have a book, but for those who are interested, a book list will be provided. If you would like to obtain a book prior to the class (entirely optional), I recommend CALLIGRAPHY MADE EASY by Gaynor Goffe. It’s out of print, but second-hand copies are readily available.

For the first session you will need to bring:

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 will be useful for loading the pen with ink. A cloth or old tea towel to protect the table is also recommended.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The tutor will advise you.
The Adult Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturdays and Sundays, you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more.

Brief Description

If you’re fascinated by calligraphy and lettering, come along and join us. This is a practical and creative class, where you’ll learn to write various scripts using a broad-edged nib, and then use the scripts in small projects.

Calligraphy is a very different thing from normal day-to-day handwriting. The scripts you’ll learn are based on historical manuscripts going back many hundreds of years. Each has different features and over time you’ll develop skills in a variety of scripts. It helps a lot if you are able to practise a little at home in between classes.

You’ll learn a little about the history of each script and the key manuscripts of the period, before trying your hand at your own version.

You’ll also explore the skills involved in calligraphic layout and design, so that you can use the scripts in personal projects such as greetings cards, and writing out favourite poems and quotations. You’ll also learn to use colour in your work.

You will have the opportunity to work towards a Certificate of Calligraphy. This is awarded by CLAS (Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society). Many of my students have achieved this in one or more scripts and it’s an excellent way to make progress with learning a calligraphic script. More experienced students may also work towards a Foundation Level Diploma. Working towards these awards is of course entirely optional.

CLAS also hosts an annual one-day exhibition in London which is open to calligraphers of all abilities, including beginners. Some of my students have enjoyed the challenge of designing a calligraphic piece to send in for display. Each year in March, a group of us travels down to London for the annual CLAS day, which includes admiring the exhibition.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

The class is a mixed level class – particularly suitable for complete beginners, but those with prior calligraphic experience are also very welcome.

Calligraphy is an art form in its own right, and you do not need any experience or skill in other art forms to enjoy it. However, if you already enjoy other art forms (e.g. painting or drawing) you might combine them with your calligraphy.

Aims and Objectives:

• An overview of how today’s calligraphy relates to historical scripts.
• Practical experience of using calligraphic tools.
• Introduction to various calligraphic scripts.
• Exploration of how calligraphy can be used to interpret a text.
• Practical experience of layout, including line spacing, colour, contrast, and the use of paste-up techniques.
• The opportunity to work on creative projects.
• The opportunity to work towards CLAS Certificates.
• The opportunity to develop a critical eye, discussing ideas with other members of the class, learning from each other.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

There is a bewildering array of pens, nibs and inks on the market, not all of which are suitable for our purposes, and I recommend that you do not obtain any supplies before attending the class. I will have the pens and ink you need for sale. Please bring cash – £5 will be sufficient to start with.

I will also have paper for sale, but if you prefer to bring your own then I recommend A3 smooth cartridge paper.

Students will need to purchase their own portable drawing board – I will give advice as to suitable types, and it will not be required for the first class. There will be two or three available to use in the classroom for people who are not able to bring their own.

I will provide many handouts as the term progresses, and you will find a ring binder or folder useful to store them. It is not essential to have a book, but for those who are interested, a book list will be provided. If you would like to obtain a book prior to the class (entirely optional), I recommend CALLIGRAPHY MADE EASY by Gaynor Goffe. It’s out of print, but second-hand copies are readily available.

For the first session you will need to bring:

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 will be useful for loading the pen with ink. A cloth or old tea towel to protect the table is also recommended.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The tutor will advise you.
The Adult Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturdays and Sundays, you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more.

Brief Description

If you’re fascinated by calligraphy and lettering, come along and join us. This is a practical and creative class, where you’ll learn to write various scripts using a broad-edged nib, and then use the scripts in small projects.

Calligraphy is a very different thing from normal day-to-day handwriting. The scripts you’ll learn are based on historical manuscripts going back many hundreds of years. Each has different features and over time you’ll develop skills in a variety of scripts. It helps a lot if you are able to practise a little at home in between classes.

You’ll learn a little about the history of each script and the key manuscripts of the period, before trying your hand at your own version.

You’ll also explore the skills involved in calligraphic layout and design, so that you can use the scripts in personal projects such as greetings cards, and writing out favourite poems and quotations. You’ll also learn to use colour in your work.

You will have the opportunity to work towards a Certificate of Calligraphy. This is awarded by CLAS (Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society). Many of my students have achieved this in one or more scripts and it’s an excellent way to make progress with learning a calligraphic script. More experienced students may also work towards a Foundation Level Diploma. Working towards these awards is of course entirely optional.

CLAS also hosts an annual one-day exhibition in London which is open to calligraphers of all abilities, including beginners. Some of my students have enjoyed the challenge of designing a calligraphic piece to send in for display. Each year in March, a group of us travels down to London for the annual CLAS day, which includes admiring the exhibition.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

The class is a mixed level class – particularly suitable for complete beginners, but those with prior calligraphic experience are also very welcome.

Calligraphy is an art form in its own right, and you do not need any experience or skill in other art forms to enjoy it. However, if you already enjoy other art forms (e.g. painting or drawing) you might combine them with your calligraphy.

Aims and Objectives:

• An overview of how today’s calligraphy relates to historical scripts.
• Practical experience of using calligraphic tools.
• Introduction to various calligraphic scripts.
• Exploration of how calligraphy can be used to interpret a text.
• Practical experience of layout, including line spacing, colour, contrast, and the use of paste-up techniques.
• The opportunity to work on creative projects.
• The opportunity to work towards CLAS Certificates.
• The opportunity to develop a critical eye, discussing ideas with other members of the class, learning from each other.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

There is a bewildering array of pens, nibs and inks on the market, not all of which are suitable for our purposes, and I recommend that you do not obtain any supplies before attending the class. I will have the pens and ink you need for sale. Please bring cash – £5 will be sufficient to start with.

I will also have paper for sale, but if you prefer to bring your own then I recommend A3 smooth cartridge paper.

Students will need to purchase their own portable drawing board – I will give advice as to suitable types, and it will not be required for the first class. There will be two or three available to use in the classroom for people who are not able to bring their own.

I will provide many handouts as the term progresses, and you will find a ring binder or folder useful to store them. It is not essential to have a book, but for those who are interested, a book list will be provided. If you would like to obtain a book prior to the class (entirely optional), I recommend CALLIGRAPHY MADE EASY by Gaynor Goffe. It’s out of print, but second-hand copies are readily available.

For the first session you will need to bring:

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 will be useful for loading the pen with ink. A cloth or old tea towel to protect the table is also recommended.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The tutor will advise you.
The Adult Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturdays and Sundays, you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more.