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Carolingian is a script that has its own lovely rhythm and lends itself to writing long passages of text.

Carolingian is a script that was developed in the Holy Roman Empire in the 9 th century.It is the lowercase style of writing that all other miniscule scripts evolved from.Carolingian has its own lovely rhythm and lends itself to writing long passages of text.We will be studying a modernized version of traditional Carolingian, influenced by thework of Sheila Waters. Some experience of writing with a broad edge nib isrecommended for participation in this workshop.

About the Instructor:

Cora Pearl started studying calligraphy at age 11 and has been doing calligraphy andhand lettering ever since. She has a BA in Art and Art History from Oberlin College.Cora works as a full-time calligrapher and teacher of lettering arts—she teaches fullcredit calligraphy and hand lettering courses at Portland Community College inPortland, Oregon, and teaches independent workshops and classes, including year-longcourses in Design for Lettering Art. She has taught workshops for the Sitka Center forArt & Ecology, the Oregon College of Art and Craft, and the Pacific Northwest Collegeof Art. She has taught at several calligraphy conferences including Letters of Joy, the AllOregon Calligraphy Conference, IAMPETH, Letterfest, TypeCon, the InternationalCalligraphy Conference, and Letters California Style.

Cora teaches both in person and online and has taught over 1600 hours on Zoom. Coraalso does calligraphy commissions in addition to her teaching. Cora is passionate aboutthe art of teaching and values a holistic approach to learning based on building trust andsafety in the classroom environment, whether in person or online.

Supply List:

Practice paper that is see through enough to show guidelines underneath(as close to 8 1⁄2” x 11” as possible), such as one of the following:• Gilbert bond paper• Bienfang Translucent Marker Paper• Borden & Riley Bond Paper• Canson Pro Layout Marker Paper

One of the following nibs (Make sure you get the left-handed version ofyour choice if you are left handed)• Mitchell 1 Roundhand nib OR• Brause 3mm nib OR• Speedball C2 nib

One of the following inks:

• Higgins Eternal Black Ink

• Calli Black Ink

• Winsor & Newton Black Calligraphy Ink

• Walnut Ink

Pen for taking notes (I like using a red Le Pen for this purpose)

2 Paper clips

Printed hard copy of Carolingian guidelines prepared by Cora

Requirements:

This is a virtual workshop starting Saturday April 29, 2023 at 10 am.

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

REGISTER NOW

The Triangle (or Wedge) Brush has become Pat's favorite tool for graceful florals because they complement pointed pen work so well. In this class, we will learn how to use it to achieve graceful leaf shapes, and petal shapes. Through a series of exercises, the will explore the feel and technique used to create these shapes, and then put them together to achieve beautiful tulips and magnolias.

About the Instuctor:

Pat Blair has served 12 1/2 years as the Chief Calligrapher at the White House in Washington, D.C., directing the production of invitation and menu design for all official and social presidential events, calligraphy of place cards, envelopes and titles, certificate and resolution design as well as production of programs and tour books. She served two years as the President of the Washington Calligrapher’s Guild in Washington, DC., was the chairperson of the Graceful Envelope contest sponsored by the US Postal Service, and served as co-director for the International Lettering Conference, Letter Forum. Teaching is a favorite pastime, and has been on the faculty of over ten International Conferences, IAMPETH, and currently enjoying offering online classes via Zoom.

Her work has been published in the Calligrapher’s Engagement Calendar, Letter Arts Review, Top 100 New York Calligraphers, Grolier Club Calligraphy Revival, and Martha Stewart Weddings, among others. She taught at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts, and has been on the faculty of over ten International Calligraphy Conferences.

Her workshops emphasize the grace and elegance that letterforms can achieve by paying close attention to the beauty of the form, and she is currently offering both in-person and online workshops. She has been awarded the title Master Penman by the International Assoc of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting for her work .

Supplies:

1 large sheet of cold press Arches Watercolor Paper, 90 lb., (cut into fourths) or pad of watercolor paper, such as Canson Mixed Media

Triangle (Wedge) brush, (Silver Ruby Satin, Royal Langnickel Wedge Brush or Princeton Petals Brush are all good brands), medium (size 8 or 10)

Tube watercolors - suggested colors for florals would be Quinn Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Rose Madder Genuine, Cad Red Deep, Sap Green, New Gamboge, Cad Yellow, Raw Umber, Payne’s Gray, Cerulean Blue, Winsor Blue, Prussian Blue (not all are necessary, I will be demonstrating using these combinations, but 2 pinks, 2 blues, and 2 yellows and a green would be a good start).

2 containers for water

Pencil

Eraser

REGISTER NOW

The Triangle (or Wedge) Brush has become Pat's favorite tool for graceful florals because they complement pointed pen work so well. In this class, we will learn how to use it to achieve graceful leaf shapes, and petal shapes. Through a series of exercises, the will explore the feel and technique used to create these shapes, and then put them together to achieve beautiful tulips and magnolias.

About the Instuctor:

Pat Blair has served 12 1/2 years as the Chief Calligrapher at the White House in Washington, D.C., directing the production of invitation and menu design for all official and social presidential events, calligraphy of place cards, envelopes and titles, certificate and resolution design as well as production of programs and tour books. She served two years as the President of the Washington Calligrapher’s Guild in Washington, DC., was the chairperson of the Graceful Envelope contest sponsored by the US Postal Service, and served as co-director for the International Lettering Conference, Letter Forum. Teaching is a favorite pastime, and has been on the faculty of over ten International Conferences, IAMPETH, and currently enjoying offering online classes via Zoom.

Her work has been published in the Calligrapher’s Engagement Calendar, Letter Arts Review, Top 100 New York Calligraphers, Grolier Club Calligraphy Revival, and Martha Stewart Weddings, among others. She taught at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts, and has been on the faculty of over ten International Calligraphy Conferences.

Her workshops emphasize the grace and elegance that letterforms can achieve by paying close attention to the beauty of the form, and she is currently offering both in-person and online workshops. She has been awarded the title Master Penman by the International Assoc of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting for her work .

Supplies:

1 large sheet of cold press Arches Watercolor Paper, 90 lb., (cut into fourths) or pad of watercolor paper, such as Canson Mixed Media

Triangle (Wedge) brush, (Silver Ruby Satin, Royal Langnickel Wedge Brush or Princeton Petals Brush are all good brands), medium (size 8 or 10)

Tube watercolors - suggested colors for florals would be Quinn Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Rose Madder Genuine, Cad Red Deep, Sap Green, New Gamboge, Cad Yellow, Raw Umber, Payne’s Gray, Cerulean Blue, Winsor Blue, Prussian Blue (not all are necessary, I will be demonstrating using these combinations, but 2 pinks, 2 blues, and 2 yellows and a green would be a good start).

2 containers for water

Pencil

Eraser

register now

THE FOUNDATIONAL HAND is based on lettering from 10th century manuscripts, mainly from the Ramsey Psalter. There are strong similarities to the main forms of the Roman style. Capital letters were not originally used in Foundational and it was some time before Roman capitals were used at the beginning of sentences and for names, as they are now. It is an upright and rounded letter-form. The letters are based on a circular letter 'O' and the pen is generally held at a 30 degree angle. The top serifs are slightly larger than the ones at the base, repeating the idea (as with Italic lettering) that the eye tends to concentrate on the top 1/3 of a line of writing.

About the Instructor:

Marie Hornback is a Penmanship teacher to grades 3-6 in a classical school in Fort Collins, CO. Marie has been teaching cursive handwriting in the elementary school since 2013 and private students and classes since 2009. Marie, along with Michael Sull, is the co-founder and Director of the American Cursive Instructor Certification Program (ACICP) which began in 2015. The ACICP is a 2-day workshop designed to teach people how to teach cursive handwriting and provides a certificate of accomplishment. 

In addition to cursive handwriting, Marie has studied pointed pen, broad edge pen and engrossing techniques with Harvest Crittenden, Michael Sull, Yves Leterme, Gemma Black and attended 3 Master Classes with the late Sheila Waters. Attending IAMPETH Conferences has also provided additional training in painting and flourishing which Marie incorporates into her commission pieces. 

Marie teaches private students and classes in pointed pen scripts, and broad edge hands in addition to cursive handwriting. Marie's online self-paces Classic Cursive Class is available at www.acornartsclassroom.org/cursive. Marie has been on the IAMPETH faculty for the past 4 conferences and is scheduled to teach at the conference in Scranton, PA in July 2023. 

Supplies: 

3.8mm Pilot Parallel Pen (Green cap)

Pilot Parallel Pen cartridges

Layout paper (Borden & Riley, Canson Pro Layout, Paris Paper) Good paper for handling broad strokes of ink.

Ruler (I use the 18”) Westcott graph ruler

Pencil

Eraser (possibly)

To prepare for the class, you will want to copy the guidelines (from the class handouts) on to the layout paper. You can put the layout paper over the guidelines and will be able to see the guidelines underneath, but it’s easier if you copy the guidelines right on to the layout paper. 

Make at least 8-10 copies to use in the class.

register now

THE FOUNDATIONAL HAND is based on lettering from 10th century manuscripts, mainly from the Ramsey Psalter. There are strong similarities to the main forms of the Roman style. Capital letters were not originally used in Foundational and it was some time before Roman capitals were used at the beginning of sentences and for names, as they are now. It is an upright and rounded letter-form. The letters are based on a circular letter 'O' and the pen is generally held at a 30 degree angle. The top serifs are slightly larger than the ones at the base, repeating the idea (as with Italic lettering) that the eye tends to concentrate on the top 1/3 of a line of writing.

About the Instructor:

Marie Hornback is a Penmanship teacher to grades 3-6 in a classical school in Fort Collins, CO. Marie has been teaching cursive handwriting in the elementary school since 2013 and private students and classes since 2009. Marie, along with Michael Sull, is the co-founder and Director of the American Cursive Instructor Certification Program (ACICP) which began in 2015. The ACICP is a 2-day workshop designed to teach people how to teach cursive handwriting and provides a certificate of accomplishment. 

In addition to cursive handwriting, Marie has studied pointed pen, broad edge pen and engrossing techniques with Harvest Crittenden, Michael Sull, Yves Leterme, Gemma Black and attended 3 Master Classes with the late Sheila Waters. Attending IAMPETH Conferences has also provided additional training in painting and flourishing which Marie incorporates into her commission pieces. 

Marie teaches private students and classes in pointed pen scripts, and broad edge hands in addition to cursive handwriting. Marie's online self-paces Classic Cursive Class is available at www.acornartsclassroom.org/cursive. Marie has been on the IAMPETH faculty for the past 4 conferences and is scheduled to teach at the conference in Scranton, PA in July 2023. 

Supplies: 

3.8mm Pilot Parallel Pen (Green cap)

Pilot Parallel Pen cartridges

Layout paper (Borden & Riley, Canson Pro Layout, Paris Paper) Good paper for handling broad strokes of ink.

Ruler (I use the 18”) Westcott graph ruler

Pencil

Eraser (possibly)

To prepare for the class, you will want to copy the guidelines (from the class handouts) on to the layout paper. You can put the layout paper over the guidelines and will be able to see the guidelines underneath, but it’s easier if you copy the guidelines right on to the layout paper. 

Make at least 8-10 copies to use in the class.

REGISTER NOW

A world of inspiration and play is waiting for you through drawn letter forms. This class offers a fresh look at drawing and decorating beautifully ornate letters. Taking visual clues from Art Nouveau typography, Toile Du Jouy fabric, decorative florals, and the delicate colours of a Parisian inspired palette, we will create these whimsical letterforms. The Art Nouveau period gives us slender, curvaceous forms that are richly inspired by nature. Using pencil, eraser and a pen etching technique as our simple tools, we will explore the possibilities of these wonderful letters. With time and practice, they can become as simple or as complex as you like. You will never see letters in quite the same way as we explore this class! Open to all skill levels. Bring a sense of play and curiosity to this class.

About the Instructor:

Heather Victoria Held is a Canadian freelance-lettering artist who operates The Victorian Pen studio in St. George, Ontario. She has studied extensively with Master Penman Michael Sull and Master Penman Brian Walker. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Spencerian Heritage Award given through Michael Sull at the Spencerian Saga. She was a long time member of Master Penman Brian Walker’s Spencerian Review Study Group, CLAS, The Copperplate Special Interest Group, and a faculty member of several International Calligraphy Conferences. During 2013-2014 she served as the President of IAMPETH and continues to support IAMPETH on the Board of Directors as an advisor and as an instructor for the conferences. Her teaching style is gentle and encouraging while helping students to achieve the next level in their skill sets. Her work in promoting handwriting skills has attracted television, magazine and radio coverage in Canada. She conducts intensive workshops in Offhand Flourishing, Decorative Lettering and Ornamental Penmanship world-wide. Her art work is in private collections around the world and has been featured in Pen World, Bound and Lettered, Calligrafia, Somerset Studio, Romantic Homes, The Penman’s Journal, The Spencerian Review, 1000 Handmade Cards. The Speedball Textbook, The Copperplate Manual and Good Mail Day. She and her husband Chris create hand dyed or painted Held Pens which are highly sought after and in the hands of artists throughout the world.

Supplies:

• Mechanical pencil, Eraser, small ruler and drawing paper (I often use graph paper)

• Tracing Paper and Soft Graphite Pencil or Light pad to transfer design

• 2 or 3 pieces of 5” x7” 140 Lb Hot Press Watercolour paper

• Medium Flexible Pointed pen such as Zebra G in a straight pen holder

• Water dish, Small pointed round watercolour Brush and Paper Towel

• Small white china paint for palette

• Your favourite colour of watercolour or Gouache ( I often use Payne’s Grey or Prussian Blue for the pen etched letters but you can use any colour you like)

• Optional: Sakura Gelly Roll Clear Stardust Pen or Metallic Watercolour to add extra sparkle

• Optional Gilding Supplies such as Miniatum Ink, Size 0 Extra Firm Clay Shaper tool and 23K gold leaf if you want to gild these beautiful letters

Requirements:

Students should have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

REGISTER NOW

Focusing primarily on the Procreate App, its features and its functions with the Apple Pencil to create realistic pointed pen calligraphy!

About this event

About the course:

Streamline your workflow and learn how to mock-up ideas and digitize your calligraphy with the iPad! In this beginner digitization class, we'll focus primarily on the Procreate App, its features and how it functions with the Apple Pencil to create realistic pointed-pen calligraphy! As time allows we will dive into creating colorful effects and how to simply vectorize your work for quick turnaround times. We will start with the essentials of raster/bitmap digital file creation. If time allows, we will cover the basics of vectorizing artwork.

We will be working exclusively within the iPad platform. If you don't yet have an iPad and you want to take the leap, I highly recommend the 2020 10.9 iPad Air with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil (it's about the same price as a used 2nd gen iPad Pro). It's a huge investment! If you're not sure if you want to make a purchase of this size just before class, come anyway!

About the Instructor:

Melissa Esplin graduated with a BFA from Brigham Young University in 2007. She and her husband Chris moved into a tiny one-bedroom apartment in Menlo Park, California—the heart of Silicon Valley—shortly after graduation. Chris had landed a job in the valley, and Melissa was going to paint and start a family. The family part of the plan played out marvelously, but the painting never happened.

Melissa's interest in painting gave way to other arts and crafts, which she began to document on MelissaEsplin.com. Blogging was all the rage back then, and she threw herself into creating an arts/crafts/everything blog that covered all of her interests. It wasn't—and isn't—the most focused blog, but its readership grew, and Melissa spent every spare moment creating awesome projects to share online.

Salt Lake City

Chris's job in Menlo Park melted away with half of the financial sector earlier in early 2009, so the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. With an unemployed husband and more free time than ever, Melissa spent hours each day creating and blogging.

Melissa had long practiced calligraphy and lettering, and sometime after the move she was approached by a friend about teaching a local class in Salt Lake City. She booked a space, prepared a curriculum and taught the first of many local classes.

Of course Melissa blogged about the classes she was teaching, so it wasn't long before her blog readers emailed her about teaching in their cities. She set up a simple web form where people could request a class in their area, and the requests poured in. It became clear that she needed to take her class online, and her husband Chris had recently changed careers to become a Front-End Web Developer... so the timing was right.

I Still Love Calligraphy

Melissa and Chris launched IStillLoveCalligraphy.com in early 2012 to bring Melissa's calligraphy course online. It grew slowly, but as international interest picked up, Chris quit his job in the summer of 2013 to rewrite the website and help Melissa manage the business.

Supplies:

Supply lists will be emailed two weeks prior to the workshop beginning or within 24 hours of registration in that two week period.

Requirements:

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

Focusing primarily on the Procreate App, its features and its functions with the Apple Pencil to create realistic pointed pen calligraphy!

About this event

About the course:

Streamline your workflow and learn how to mock-up ideas and digitize your calligraphy with the iPad! In this beginner digitization class, we'll focus primarily on the Procreate App, its features and how it functions with the Apple Pencil to create realistic pointed-pen calligraphy! As time allows we will dive into creating colorful effects and how to simply vectorize your work for quick turnaround times. We will start with the essentials of raster/bitmap digital file creation. If time allows, we will cover the basics of vectorizing artwork.

We will be working exclusively within the iPad platform. If you don't yet have an iPad and you want to take the leap, I highly recommend the 2020 10.9 iPad Air with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil (it's about the same price as a used 2nd gen iPad Pro). It's a huge investment! If you're not sure if you want to make a purchase of this size just before class, come anyway!

About the Instructor:

Melissa Esplin graduated with a BFA from Brigham Young University in 2007. She and her husband Chris moved into a tiny one-bedroom apartment in Menlo Park, California—the heart of Silicon Valley—shortly after graduation. Chris had landed a job in the valley, and Melissa was going to paint and start a family. The family part of the plan played out marvelously, but the painting never happened.

Melissa's interest in painting gave way to other arts and crafts, which she began to document on MelissaEsplin.com. Blogging was all the rage back then, and she threw herself into creating an arts/crafts/everything blog that covered all of her interests. It wasn't—and isn't—the most focused blog, but its readership grew, and Melissa spent every spare moment creating awesome projects to share online.

Salt Lake City

Chris's job in Menlo Park melted away with half of the financial sector earlier in early 2009, so the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. With an unemployed husband and more free time than ever, Melissa spent hours each day creating and blogging.

Melissa had long practiced calligraphy and lettering, and sometime after the move she was approached by a friend about teaching a local class in Salt Lake City. She booked a space, prepared a curriculum and taught the first of many local classes.

Of course Melissa blogged about the classes she was teaching, so it wasn't long before her blog readers emailed her about teaching in their cities. She set up a simple web form where people could request a class in their area, and the requests poured in. It became clear that she needed to take her class online, and her husband Chris had recently changed careers to become a Front-End Web Developer... so the timing was right.

I Still Love Calligraphy

Melissa and Chris launched IStillLoveCalligraphy.com in early 2012 to bring Melissa's calligraphy course online. It grew slowly, but as international interest picked up, Chris quit his job in the summer of 2013 to rewrite the website and help Melissa manage the business.

Supplies:

Supply lists will be emailed two weeks prior to the workshop beginning or within 24 hours of registration in that two week period.

Requirements:

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

About the course:

Nobel prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling famously said that the best way to generate great ideas is to generate lots of ideas. Out of quantity comes quality. I would say the same thing about making art. To that end, this class is designed to help you create lots of art, where you will compose the same text (or letter) over and over, but in many different ways. You will be helped along by a series of exercises that will involve different media, tools and techniques. There will be opportunities to treat the text literally and more abstractly. Some of the exercises will involve color, others black & white. You will come away from the workshop with lots of info on how to compose many variations of a text, tips on layout and design. You will also come away with lots of work, hopefully some of which will amaze you and inspire you to do more. Some calligraphy experience is helpful, but a willingness to experiment and try new approaches to art making is just as important.

This Workshop will run Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18 from 9AM to 4PM (including 1 hour lunch break).

About the Instructor:

Mike Gold worked as a commercial lettering designer for over 30 years, mostly in the social expressions business. But his real passion is exploring the corridors of calligraphy that have been less traveled, the path where words and letters are design elements with which to play with line, shape and form, where creating a visual statement is more important than writing a readable text. In both his professional and personal art, Mike breaks traditional rules to create contemporary, non-traditional work.

Collaboration has been a feature of some of his personal work. He especially cherishes the work and teaching he did with Judy Melvin and his 25-year involvement with Scribes 8, a collaborative group based in New Mexico. Over the last 15 years or so Mike has worked mostly on his own, developing a practice that builds on the traditions of the past, influenced by art and artists of all kinds. Being a calligrapher in the 21st century, Mike has matured at a time when calligraphers are moving calligraphy in new directions, creating new traditions, just as all artists have done over time. He still make beautiful letters and write out texts, but also explores the abstract, the illegible and the conceptual.

Teaching calligraphy to inmates at a women’s prison is his most unusual teaching experience. His most unusual commission comes from Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, who reproduced one of Mike’s designs on a line of clothing. Mike has an M.A. in Visual Communications and has studied with many outstanding lettering and design masters over the years. Mike has taught around the country and at several international calligraphy conferences. His personal work has been featured in Letter Arts Review many times over the past 25-plus years. He is the author of Lines to Live By (available through John Neal, Bookseller), which is Mike's take on being a non-traditional calligrapher in the 21st century.

To see more of Mike’s work, please go to his website: https://www.mikegold-letterarts.com or check him out on Instagram @goldie2452

Supplies:

Supply lists will be emailed two weeks prior to the workshop beginning or within 24 hours of registration in that two week period.

There is an optional full color, spiral bound book that Mike has prepared as a resource for this course. If you are interested in purchasing the book, please email you interest to : workshops@michigancalligraphy.org by 22 August 2022.

Requirements:

This is a Hybrid workshop, meaning you will have the option to be in person or join via Zoom.

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Location: If you would like to join us in person, the workshop will be held at the Plymouth Historical Museum in Plymouth, MI

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

About the course:

Nobel prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling famously said that the best way to generate great ideas is to generate lots of ideas. Out of quantity comes quality. I would say the same thing about making art. To that end, this class is designed to help you create lots of art, where you will compose the same text (or letter) over and over, but in many different ways. You will be helped along by a series of exercises that will involve different media, tools and techniques. There will be opportunities to treat the text literally and more abstractly. Some of the exercises will involve color, others black & white. You will come away from the workshop with lots of info on how to compose many variations of a text, tips on layout and design. You will also come away with lots of work, hopefully some of which will amaze you and inspire you to do more. Some calligraphy experience is helpful, but a willingness to experiment and try new approaches to art making is just as important.

This Workshop will run Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18 from 9AM to 4PM (including 1 hour lunch break).

About the Instructor:

Mike Gold worked as a commercial lettering designer for over 30 years, mostly in the social expressions business. But his real passion is exploring the corridors of calligraphy that have been less traveled, the path where words and letters are design elements with which to play with line, shape and form, where creating a visual statement is more important than writing a readable text. In both his professional and personal art, Mike breaks traditional rules to create contemporary, non-traditional work.

Collaboration has been a feature of some of his personal work. He especially cherishes the work and teaching he did with Judy Melvin and his 25-year involvement with Scribes 8, a collaborative group based in New Mexico. Over the last 15 years or so Mike has worked mostly on his own, developing a practice that builds on the traditions of the past, influenced by art and artists of all kinds. Being a calligrapher in the 21st century, Mike has matured at a time when calligraphers are moving calligraphy in new directions, creating new traditions, just as all artists have done over time. He still make beautiful letters and write out texts, but also explores the abstract, the illegible and the conceptual.

Teaching calligraphy to inmates at a women’s prison is his most unusual teaching experience. His most unusual commission comes from Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, who reproduced one of Mike’s designs on a line of clothing. Mike has an M.A. in Visual Communications and has studied with many outstanding lettering and design masters over the years. Mike has taught around the country and at several international calligraphy conferences. His personal work has been featured in Letter Arts Review many times over the past 25-plus years. He is the author of Lines to Live By (available through John Neal, Bookseller), which is Mike's take on being a non-traditional calligrapher in the 21st century.

To see more of Mike’s work, please go to his website: https://www.mikegold-letterarts.com or check him out on Instagram @goldie2452

Supplies:

Supply lists will be emailed two weeks prior to the workshop beginning or within 24 hours of registration in that two week period.

There is an optional full color, spiral bound book that Mike has prepared as a resource for this course. If you are interested in purchasing the book, please email you interest to : workshops@michigancalligraphy.org by 22 August 2022.

Requirements:

This is a Hybrid workshop, meaning you will have the option to be in person or join via Zoom.

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Location: If you would like to join us in person, the workshop will be held at the Plymouth Historical Museum in Plymouth, MI

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

What is Pen and Ink with Oil Rouging?

Rouging is a technique where rather than "painting" in the color, you "rouge" or "tint" in the color. I studied this technique from Mary Owens, who has developed a unique technique of adding color washes to pen and ink designs. "Rouging" creates a wonderfully soft, subtle effect - somewhat reminiscent of the richness of antique tin-type but with the far more interesting effects of color.

About the Instructor:

Pamalee Wolf has been a life long artist. Pamalee discovered her talent in high school and began drawing for fun, as we all have. After raising three children, she wanted to learn a broader range of painting techniques. She found a local group, Brush Benders located in Michigan, and in turn was given the gift to study under many great artists. Pamalee has had the great honor of studying under Mary Owens, Prudy Vannier, Bobbie Campbell, Lynn Deptula, Mary Wiseman, Patty Rawlinson as well as others. One project she is incredibly proud of is painting a mural on the wall in a pediatric wing of a local hospital.

Supplies:

Supply lists will be emailed two weeks prior to the workshop beginning or within 24 hours of registration in that two week period.

Requirements:

This is a virtual workshop.

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

What is Pen and Ink with Oil Rouging?

Rouging is a technique where rather than "painting" in the color, you "rouge" or "tint" in the color. I studied this technique from Mary Owens, who has developed a unique technique of adding color washes to pen and ink designs. "Rouging" creates a wonderfully soft, subtle effect - somewhat reminiscent of the richness of antique tin-type but with the far more interesting effects of color.

About the Instructor:

Pamalee Wolf has been a life long artist. Pamalee discovered her talent in high school and began drawing for fun, as we all have. After raising three children, she wanted to learn a broader range of painting techniques. She found a local group, Brush Benders located in Michigan, and in turn was given the gift to study under many great artists. Pamalee has had the great honor of studying under Mary Owens, Prudy Vannier, Bobbie Campbell, Lynn Deptula, Mary Wiseman, Patty Rawlinson as well as others. One project she is incredibly proud of is painting a mural on the wall in a pediatric wing of a local hospital.

Supplies:

Supply lists will be emailed two weeks prior to the workshop beginning or within 24 hours of registration in that two week period.

Requirements:

This is a virtual workshop.

Students should have the following:

Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it.

Click Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app.

If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: Will be available for one month after class ends.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

ReGister now

Are you looking to learn something new this summer? Come join us in learning Kufic Calligraphy from Aisha Changezi!

This workshop will be held via Zoom.
 

What is Square Kufic?

It’s a style of Kufic calligraphy that allows us to create composition using basic structural forms of letters.

As a barest of all Arabic writing styles, it’s also an interesting precursor to pixel art!

Originally was used on large scale in architecture and was made up of bricks and tiles! Despite its simple forms, it requires tremendous skill because you have to fit the calligraphy within defined borders in such a way that the positive and negative ratio always has to stay balanced.

About the Instructor:

Aisha Changezi is an interdisciplinary award-winning artist and a recipient of the Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholar Award and has earned a BFA from the University of Michigan, USA. The resonance of her oeuvre is reflected through her love for the process of creating art which has allowed her to master a wide range of mediums and materials. With experience in painting, illustration, design, and ceramics, she is further enriching her art by attending workshops for geometric patterns and English calligraphy. She is an active member of IAMPETH (The International Association of Master Penman , Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting). She is also a student of Arabic calligraphy and at the moment is working towards her ijaza (license) in Arabic calligraphy, Dr. Nihad Dukhan. Her diverse background, interest, and experiences are reflected in her detailed, representational and eclectic art style.

ReGister now

Are you looking to learn something new this summer? Come join us in learning Kufic Calligraphy from Aisha Changezi!

This workshop will be held via Zoom.
 

What is Square Kufic?

It’s a style of Kufic calligraphy that allows us to create composition using basic structural forms of letters.

As a barest of all Arabic writing styles, it’s also an interesting precursor to pixel art!

Originally was used on large scale in architecture and was made up of bricks and tiles! Despite its simple forms, it requires tremendous skill because you have to fit the calligraphy within defined borders in such a way that the positive and negative ratio always has to stay balanced.

About the Instructor:

Aisha Changezi is an interdisciplinary award-winning artist and a recipient of the Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholar Award and has earned a BFA from the University of Michigan, USA. The resonance of her oeuvre is reflected through her love for the process of creating art which has allowed her to master a wide range of mediums and materials. With experience in painting, illustration, design, and ceramics, she is further enriching her art by attending workshops for geometric patterns and English calligraphy. She is an active member of IAMPETH (The International Association of Master Penman , Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting). She is also a student of Arabic calligraphy and at the moment is working towards her ijaza (license) in Arabic calligraphy, Dr. Nihad Dukhan. Her diverse background, interest, and experiences are reflected in her detailed, representational and eclectic art style.

Description and Registration Information Coming Soon!

Description and Registration Information Coming Soon!

Register Now

Have you ever wanted to learn Hebrew Calligraphy? 

Here is your chance!

Join Michigan Association of Calligraphers as we host Malka Klein of Malka Klein Designs virtually from Israel. She is teaching us the basics of Hebrew Calligraphy. 

About the Instructor:

Malka Klein is an Israeli-American freelance-lettering artist who operates Malka Klein Design from her home studio on the Mediterranean coast. She specializes in Hebrew and English Modern Calligraphy, handmade stationery and watercolor painting. Her online letter arts classes have brought encouraging and accessible calligraphy education to many hundreds of individuals worldwide. Malka is a teaching-artist at Facebook (now Meta), Skillshare, & Kalli Camp Academy. 

Examples of Malks's work can be found:

on her instagram: @malkaklein or 

on her website at: www.malkaklein.com

Please join us for a great study in an old world hand.

Supply List and Handouts will be emailed to attendees two weeks prior to event start date, or on day of registration within two weeks of start time.

Requirements:

This is a virtual workshop.

Students should have the following:Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: None. We are not recording this workshop.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

Two full days of Gothicized Italic study with Nina Tran.

Spend two full days with Michigan Association of Calligraphers and Nina Tran studying the ins and outs of Gothicized Italic hand. 

About the Instructor:

Nina Tran lives in Los Angeles, California with her three energetic children. She has been teaching calligraphy since 2015 and has taught for the Society for Calligraphy, Coastal Calligraphers Guild, Pacific Scribes, Legacies III, Letters California Style, The Gentle Penman, and The Art of Letters. She has also given demonstrations for in-person and online calligraphy events CalligraFair, The Artful Letters, and CalligraFest. Aside from calligraphy, she also enjoys reading, journaling and crocheting. 

We are honored to be added to Nina's list of Guilds and Societies she has worked with. Her great talent and love for calligraphy is exuded in her teaching and writing. 

Please join us for a great study in an old world hand. 

Supply List and Handouts will be emailed to attendees two weeks prior to event start date, or on day of registration within two weeks of start time. 

Requirements: 

This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: None. We are not recording this workshop.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

Two full days of Gothicized Italic study with Nina Tran.

Spend two full days with Michigan Association of Calligraphers and Nina Tran studying the ins and outs of Gothicized Italic hand. 

About the Instructor:

Nina Tran lives in Los Angeles, California with her three energetic children. She has been teaching calligraphy since 2015 and has taught for the Society for Calligraphy, Coastal Calligraphers Guild, Pacific Scribes, Legacies III, Letters California Style, The Gentle Penman, and The Art of Letters. She has also given demonstrations for in-person and online calligraphy events CalligraFair, The Artful Letters, and CalligraFest. Aside from calligraphy, she also enjoys reading, journaling and crocheting. 

We are honored to be added to Nina's list of Guilds and Societies she has worked with. Her great talent and love for calligraphy is exuded in her teaching and writing. 

Please join us for a great study in an old world hand. 

Supply List and Handouts will be emailed to attendees two weeks prior to event start date, or on day of registration within two weeks of start time. 

Requirements: 

This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here Zoom before the workshop to download the Zoom app. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: None. We are not recording this workshop.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

MAC MEMBERS ONLY

The intention of this beginner's class will be using photographs as an underlying reference to “see as an artist” the basic simple shapes that make up all objects.

We will practice using seeing, drawing and coloring these shapes to create illustrations with the ultimate goal of the student leaving the class with a basic understanding of how to create your OWN illustrations using photographs, or nature- or your own imagination- as reference.

We will create 6 illustrations that are designed to be of special use to calligraphers and can be put to practical use in designs created by calligraphers.

A few things that will be covered in the course:

• Begin to create a library of drawings that you can use to enhance calligraphy projects of your own

• Setting up. (supplies, how to practice…)

• Looking at nature and learning how to see the underlying shapes.

• How to use those shapes when you begin to draw.

• Troubleshooting: most common mistakes.

• Beginning to use colored pencils to give shape and form to your drawing.

• Blending colors properly.

• Finishing the drawing.

• Learning to draw freehand from photos, nature and your imagination .
  

Skill Level: All levels except for brand new beginners who have never done any lettering or calligraphy.

Requirements:

Current MAC Member

This is a virtual workshop. As such, we require all students to have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

Supply List: Will be sent in an email upon registration.

About Instructor Kevin Coffey:

Kevin's background is in illustration, animation, and design.

A few of his clients include George Lucas, Cartoon Network, Disney, Comcast, Tim Burton, Hasbro, Hanna-Barbara, Bette Midler, The Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels and many others.

Kevin currently has more than 20 children's books he's illustrated on Amazon. He has designed this class specifically for Acorn Arts, ran by his sister Harvest Crittenden, to help calligraphers understand the basics of drawings.

REGISTER NOW

MAC MEMBERS ONLY

The intention of this beginner's class will be using photographs as an underlying reference to “see as an artist” the basic simple shapes that make up all objects.

We will practice using seeing, drawing and coloring these shapes to create illustrations with the ultimate goal of the student leaving the class with a basic understanding of how to create your OWN illustrations using photographs, or nature- or your own imagination- as reference.

We will create 6 illustrations that are designed to be of special use to calligraphers and can be put to practical use in designs created by calligraphers.

A few things that will be covered in the course:

• Begin to create a library of drawings that you can use to enhance calligraphy projects of your own

• Setting up. (supplies, how to practice…)

• Looking at nature and learning how to see the underlying shapes.

• How to use those shapes when you begin to draw.

• Troubleshooting: most common mistakes.

• Beginning to use colored pencils to give shape and form to your drawing.

• Blending colors properly.

• Finishing the drawing.

• Learning to draw freehand from photos, nature and your imagination .
  

Skill Level: All levels except for brand new beginners who have never done any lettering or calligraphy.

Requirements:

Current MAC Member

This is a virtual workshop. As such, we require all students to have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform.

Supply List: Will be sent in an email upon registration.

About Instructor Kevin Coffey:

Kevin's background is in illustration, animation, and design.

A few of his clients include George Lucas, Cartoon Network, Disney, Comcast, Tim Burton, Hasbro, Hanna-Barbara, Bette Midler, The Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels and many others.

Kevin currently has more than 20 children's books he's illustrated on Amazon. He has designed this class specifically for Acorn Arts, ran by his sister Harvest Crittenden, to help calligraphers understand the basics of drawings.

Tamer Ghoneim Teaches Blackletter Basics

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Our instructor will demonstrate and explain the techniques for writing a full Blackletter minuscule and majuscule alphabet.

About this event

This experience features a step-by-step walk-through of the Blackletter alphabet (a unique and approachable calligraphic style). Instructor Tamer Ghoneim will review recommended tools and the foundational strokes involved with composing each letter. He will demonstrate using these strokes to write each letter of the alphabet, describing possible variations of individual letterforms and ligature considerations along the way.

Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate (adults)

Class Schedule: Class takes place on two consecutive Sundays, from 1-4pm Eastern time.

Supply List: please see the list on the instructor's website https://tamerghoneim.com/blackletter-basics-supplies

About Our Instructor: Tamer Ghoneim is an artist, instructor, and entrepreneur. He loves teaching and sharing the creative process with others. He finds so many aspects of creating art that are fun and enjoyable – the practice, experimentation, and work to make each piece – that hours pass as if they were minutes. He believes sharing and engaging with the amazing writing community is incredibly rewarding.

His calligraphic work is an exploration of language as visual art. He loves working with simple, traditional tools to reimagine inspiring words and passages as visual art. He also explores abstract ideas by creating works composed of flourishes and the calligraphic strokes of deconstructed letterforms. He loves this journey – the countless hours of detailed practice, repetition, exploration, and creativity. Reality fades and he finds stillness, peace, and focus while working. He became, and continues to be, fascinated by this art form, and consumed by the perpetual pursuit of continuous improvement and mastery.

We are thrilled to have Tamer teach for us. You may learn more about Tamer at:

• WEBSITE: TamerGhoneim.com

• YOUTUBE: BlackletterTV.com

• PINTEREST: @BlackletterFoundry

• INSTAGRAM: @BlackletterFoundry

• FACEBOOK: @BlackletterFoundr

Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.

Tamer Ghoneim Teaches Blackletter Basics

REGISTER NOW

Our instructor will demonstrate and explain the techniques for writing a full Blackletter minuscule and majuscule alphabet.

About this event

This experience features a step-by-step walk-through of the Blackletter alphabet (a unique and approachable calligraphic style). Instructor Tamer Ghoneim will review recommended tools and the foundational strokes involved with composing each letter. He will demonstrate using these strokes to write each letter of the alphabet, describing possible variations of individual letterforms and ligature considerations along the way.

Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate (adults)

Class Schedule: Class takes place on two consecutive Sundays, from 1-4pm Eastern time.

Supply List: please see the list on the instructor's website https://tamerghoneim.com/blackletter-basics-supplies

About Our Instructor: Tamer Ghoneim is an artist, instructor, and entrepreneur. He loves teaching and sharing the creative process with others. He finds so many aspects of creating art that are fun and enjoyable – the practice, experimentation, and work to make each piece – that hours pass as if they were minutes. He believes sharing and engaging with the amazing writing community is incredibly rewarding.

His calligraphic work is an exploration of language as visual art. He loves working with simple, traditional tools to reimagine inspiring words and passages as visual art. He also explores abstract ideas by creating works composed of flourishes and the calligraphic strokes of deconstructed letterforms. He loves this journey – the countless hours of detailed practice, repetition, exploration, and creativity. Reality fades and he finds stillness, peace, and focus while working. He became, and continues to be, fascinated by this art form, and consumed by the perpetual pursuit of continuous improvement and mastery.

We are thrilled to have Tamer teach for us. You may learn more about Tamer at:

• WEBSITE: TamerGhoneim.com

• YOUTUBE: BlackletterTV.com

• PINTEREST: @BlackletterFoundry

• INSTAGRAM: @BlackletterFoundry

• FACEBOOK: @BlackletterFoundr

Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.

The Festive Flourish with Heather Held

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Unleash the magic of pointed pen flourishing! My introduction to the pointed pen world was through offhand flourishing. It was the first skill I learned with the pointed pen and remains my greatest ally in my calligraphic journey. The Festive Flourish workshop takes an exciting look at the magical skill of offhand flourishing. At first glance, offhand flourishing can look overly complicated and confusing but once you see the underlying structure of compound curves, these ornate flourishes can be structured to suit any design need. Every holiday season, our senses get overloaded with poinsettias, holly boughs, glittery wrapping paper, evergreen trees and mistletoe. It is a time when ornamentation rules the day. Whether you want to add a special touch of delight to an envelope or card, enhance your calligraphic work or create unique stand-alone designs that are suitable for framing, this class will give you the skills to pursue endless ideas. You will not be limited to festive designs, but we use the season to springboard our ideas.

Throughout this workshop, we will explore the basics of offhand flourishing and the skills that make the designs intuitive rather than pre-planned. With the knowledge of a few basic rules and strategies, you will be able to create stunning designs that are unique and one of a kind. Bring a sense of play and imagination as we work on refining our skills. Happy flourishing!!!!

Skill Level: Students should feel comfortable using a pointed pen.

Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via email and print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom.

Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.

Supply List:

Pen Holder: Straight or Oblique: Flourishing can be done with either a straight or oblique pen holder. Left handed students may find a straight holder easier to use. I will be using a straight holder exclusively.

Pointed Pen Nibs: Bring your favourites. If you are new to pointed pen, try a Zebra G, Hunt 22 or Gillott 404. More experienced pointed pen artists may want a Leonardt EF Principal, Hunt 101 or Brause 66 EF.

Ink: McCaffery Black or Old World Iron Gall Ink. Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White for working on dark paper.

Cookie Cutter: Please bring your favourite holiday shaped cookie cutter. Any size!

White Chalk Pencil or Plumber’s Soapstone Pencil: This is optional, but it is easier to erase a white chalk line than pencil on dark paper. Fons and Porter make a mechanical quilting pencil which is available from John Neal or Paper Ink Arts.

Practice Paper: Rhodia blank or Gridded, or Maruman Imagination ( Blank or Gridded) Both are available from John Neal Booksellers.

Project Paper: Cardstock in a variety of your favourite holiday colours cut to 5x7 size. Canson Mi Tientes paper also works well. We will be working mainly on dark backgrounds, but pastel effects look best on light backgrounds. I would bring a few ivory pieces as well as your darker colors.

Supplies for Adding Color:

Colored Pencils: a few colors suitable for florals and foliage. Any brand will work. (If time allows, you may want to try watercolor pencil or watercolor. This is completely optional. If you bring any watercolor material, you will need small brushes and a water dish to apply the color.)

Special Effect Supplies: I use the following supplies extensively for adding depth, color, and a hint of sparkle to my designs especially on envelopes and cards. Hot Foil Pen, Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll Pen, Swarovski Hot Fix Crystals with applicator tool, Finetec Metallic Watercolors, Soft Pastels such as Dianne Townsend or Sennelier, Holbein Brilliant Gold Metallic Gouache. These special effect supplies are optional but are fun to have with you for this workshop. If you have other favorites for adding sparkle and interest, please bring them along.

Miscellaneous: Paper towels, toothpaste and q-tips for nib cleaning and pastel application, a few sheets of newspaper to act as a cushion, pencil, ruler, clean kneaded or white vinyl eraser, pen and note taking supplies, eye dropper or pipette, two small water dishes, 2 inexpensive mixing brushes for applying metallics and bleedproof white.

Heather recommends John Neal Books for supplies.

About Instructor Heather Held

Heather Victoria Held is a Canadian freelance-lettering artist who operates The Victorian Pen studio in St. George, Ontario. She has studied extensively with Master Penman Michael Sull and Master Penman Brian Walker. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Spencerian Heritage Award given through Michael Sull at the Spencerian Saga. She was a long time member of Master Penman Brian Walker’s Spencerian Review Study Group, CLAS, The Copperplate Special Interest Group, and a faculty member of several International Calligraphy Conferences. During 2013-2014 she served as the President of IAMPETH and continues to support IAMPETH on the Board of Directors as an advisor and as an instructor for the conferences. Her teaching style is gentle and encouraging while helping students to achieve the next level in their skill sets. Her work in promoting handwriting skills has attracted television, magazine and radio coverage in Canada. She conducts intensive workshops in Offhand Flourishing, Decorative Lettering and Ornamental Penmanship world-wide. Her art work is in private collections around the world and has been featured in Pen World, Bound and Lettered, Calligrafia, Somerset Studio, Romantic Homes, The Penman’s Journal, The Spencerian Review, 1000 Handmade Cards. The Speedball Textbook, The Copperplate Manual and Good Mail Day. She and her husband Chris create hand dyed or painted Held Pens which are highly sought after and in the hands of artists throughout the world.

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This class is especially suited for the novice, someone who has been curious about how to make beautiful letters, but who doesn't know a thing about how to start. "By the way, what is a chisel-edged pen?!" (It's the tip on the writing tool that is straight across, has no point but can be manipulated into make stunning marks that become letters which make words which convey thoughts which....well, you get the picture).

No previous experience is needed. We will talk about the basic tools: pens, paper, ink, and some of the other stuff calligraphers use and talk about. Calligraphy is a beautiful art form you won't be sorry to learn. The Italic alphabet, especially, will set a foundation that will take you to untold wonderful places. From name tags to gift cards, to greeting cards, to lettering wedding vows, to making certificates, the possibilities are endless. We will also give you names of companies that basically do nothing but specifically provide calligraphers and book makers with tools, books of ideas and how-to's as well as let you know about on-line lessons that are available via Zoom, and some in person and some around the world. There are so many great resources.

Although the class is designed with the beginner in mind, anyone who wants to learn more or tweak what they already know about the Italic alphabet, is welcome. Anytime you can be with lettering friends it's always a treat. Members of the calligraphic community are kind and gracious people willing to share their knowledge and encourage others' success. We are all, always learning something. It's a great environment.

You will receive handouts about a week before the class begins, and you will receive a supply list when you register so you can have plenty of time to gather your materials. The instructor tries to keep the supplies simple when at the start, and identifies optional items if you want to dive a little deeper into learning.

Instructor Edie Richardson looks forward to meeting each of you. She knows those in the class will have a great time exploring the learning and putting all the parts together for a beautiful outcome. She is planning on a little finished project at the end of the class. It's a surprise for now, but she knows you will like it.

Skill Level: Beginners

Class Schedule:

• Saturday September 25, 2021, 10am-12:30pm

• Sunday September 26, 2021, 11am-1:30pm

• This includes a 15 minute break each day, and 15 minutes at the end of each day for questions and wrapup.

Supply List:

Required Supplies

• Pilot Parallel Pen (comes with two cartridges), size 2.4 mm or 1.5 mm (found at Dick Blick, JohnNealBooksellers.com, or PaperInkArts.com)

• Pencil, and a pencil sharpener if you don’t have an automatic pencil

• Eraser – white plastic type

• Ruler – see through type is best, but not necessary (12” or longer preferred)

• **Grid paper – eight squares to the inch is easiest to learn so it’s a preferred grid pattern, but not necessary. Best paper size to get is 11”x17” pad, but 8.5x11” is okay. You will just need to make more pages for practice. You will be sent an email with grid paper with guidelines drawn on it. If you want to use this, make at least 10 -15 copies. Be sure to use paper that does not “bleed” or feather when the pen makes a stroke on the paper.

• Water container

• Roll of paper towels, or rags

Optional Supplies

• Zig Calligraphy Marker – Dual Tip, Broad Edge (straight edge on both ends) in two different colors (your choice of colors)

• **JNB Graph also called Grid Pad 11x17 Item # P21 – you can purchase this at JohnNealBooks.com

• **Canson Foundation Graph paper 8 squares to the inch size 11x17” per DickBlick.com

• **Bienfang Gridded Paper #10613-1026 (8x8) 11”x17” per DickBlick.com

• C-1 or C-2 Speedball nibs, Straight pen holder

• Small bottle of Sumi Moon Palace Ink 2 oz. size

• Cheap brush for loading ink

• Small container to decant ink into – similar to Dinky Dips

• Old (clean) toothbrush

• Eventually, extra paper such as Borden & Riley Marker Paper, to make your own practice sheets

• Blank greeting card with envelope for a project we will make if time permits.

Although there are numerous places to purchase calligraphic supplies, there are two shops that specialize in having products for the calligraphic lettering artist: PaperInkArts.com and JohnNealBooks.com. You can also find some calligraphic supplies at DickBlick.com.

About Our Instructor: Edie Richardson began her journey enjoying letters at a young age. In elementary school, she decorated her folders with lots of lettering. In junior high, she had a substitute teacher from England who demonstrated the way "old fashioned" letters were made. He took chalk on the board, and held it in just a certain way, using the side of the chalk and showed the students the John Hancock style of writing. That's what Edie called it, but the real name was Copperplate. Years later she took a community ed class and thought she’d "nailed it". The teacher was gracious enough to invite her to her home where she gave classes to others who were interested in learning calligraphy, and as it turned out she was one of the founders of the Michigan Association of Calligraphers. She encouraged Edie to join. Edie wasn't keen because she felt her skills were awful compared to the teacher’s skills. But the teacher told Edie that she would learn by coming to the workshops the guild offered, and by just being around other calligraphers. The teacher was absolutely right.

In the years since 1980, Edie has taken classes from world renowned teachers, as well as just good artists who loved to dabble in making lettering beautiful, or making lettering say what the saying was they were putting on paper. Edie has studied under Reggie Ezell, Timothy Botts, Peter Thornton, Sherri Kiesel, Diane VonArx Anderson, Barbara Close, Renee Jarmolowicz, Vicki Corwin, Jacqueline Sullivan, Yves Leterme, Harvest Crittenden, Rosemary Buczek, Kathy Milici, Phyllis Macaluso, Alison Clement, the list goes on. Then there's watercolor, Edie studied with teacher Charles Passarelli, and for pastels, teacher Bill Hosner. Edie is always learning, and she loves where calligraphy has brought her.

You may see the Edie's work here:

• Instagram: EdieCreative

• Facebook: EdieVeenstraRichardson

Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC): MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

register now

This class is especially suited for the novice, someone who has been curious about how to make beautiful letters, but who doesn't know a thing about how to start. "By the way, what is a chisel-edged pen?!" (It's the tip on the writing tool that is straight across, has no point but can be manipulated into make stunning marks that become letters which make words which convey thoughts which....well, you get the picture).

No previous experience is needed. We will talk about the basic tools: pens, paper, ink, and some of the other stuff calligraphers use and talk about. Calligraphy is a beautiful art form you won't be sorry to learn. The Italic alphabet, especially, will set a foundation that will take you to untold wonderful places. From name tags to gift cards, to greeting cards, to lettering wedding vows, to making certificates, the possibilities are endless. We will also give you names of companies that basically do nothing but specifically provide calligraphers and book makers with tools, books of ideas and how-to's as well as let you know about on-line lessons that are available via Zoom, and some in person and some around the world. There are so many great resources.

Although the class is designed with the beginner in mind, anyone who wants to learn more or tweak what they already know about the Italic alphabet, is welcome. Anytime you can be with lettering friends it's always a treat. Members of the calligraphic community are kind and gracious people willing to share their knowledge and encourage others' success. We are all, always learning something. It's a great environment.

You will receive handouts about a week before the class begins, and you will receive a supply list when you register so you can have plenty of time to gather your materials. The instructor tries to keep the supplies simple when at the start, and identifies optional items if you want to dive a little deeper into learning.

Instructor Edie Richardson looks forward to meeting each of you. She knows those in the class will have a great time exploring the learning and putting all the parts together for a beautiful outcome. She is planning on a little finished project at the end of the class. It's a surprise for now, but she knows you will like it.

Skill Level: Beginners

Class Schedule:

• Saturday September 25, 2021, 10am-12:30pm

• Sunday September 26, 2021, 11am-1:30pm

• This includes a 15 minute break each day, and 15 minutes at the end of each day for questions and wrapup.

Supply List:

Required Supplies

• Pilot Parallel Pen (comes with two cartridges), size 2.4 mm or 1.5 mm (found at Dick Blick, JohnNealBooksellers.com, or PaperInkArts.com)

• Pencil, and a pencil sharpener if you don’t have an automatic pencil

• Eraser – white plastic type

• Ruler – see through type is best, but not necessary (12” or longer preferred)

• **Grid paper – eight squares to the inch is easiest to learn so it’s a preferred grid pattern, but not necessary. Best paper size to get is 11”x17” pad, but 8.5x11” is okay. You will just need to make more pages for practice. You will be sent an email with grid paper with guidelines drawn on it. If you want to use this, make at least 10 -15 copies. Be sure to use paper that does not “bleed” or feather when the pen makes a stroke on the paper.

• Water container

• Roll of paper towels, or rags

Optional Supplies

• Zig Calligraphy Marker – Dual Tip, Broad Edge (straight edge on both ends) in two different colors (your choice of colors)

• **JNB Graph also called Grid Pad 11x17 Item # P21 – you can purchase this at JohnNealBooks.com

• **Canson Foundation Graph paper 8 squares to the inch size 11x17” per DickBlick.com

• **Bienfang Gridded Paper #10613-1026 (8x8) 11”x17” per DickBlick.com

• C-1 or C-2 Speedball nibs, Straight pen holder

• Small bottle of Sumi Moon Palace Ink 2 oz. size

• Cheap brush for loading ink

• Small container to decant ink into – similar to Dinky Dips

• Old (clean) toothbrush

• Eventually, extra paper such as Borden & Riley Marker Paper, to make your own practice sheets

• Blank greeting card with envelope for a project we will make if time permits.

Although there are numerous places to purchase calligraphic supplies, there are two shops that specialize in having products for the calligraphic lettering artist: PaperInkArts.com and JohnNealBooks.com. You can also find some calligraphic supplies at DickBlick.com.

About Our Instructor: Edie Richardson began her journey enjoying letters at a young age. In elementary school, she decorated her folders with lots of lettering. In junior high, she had a substitute teacher from England who demonstrated the way "old fashioned" letters were made. He took chalk on the board, and held it in just a certain way, using the side of the chalk and showed the students the John Hancock style of writing. That's what Edie called it, but the real name was Copperplate. Years later she took a community ed class and thought she’d "nailed it". The teacher was gracious enough to invite her to her home where she gave classes to others who were interested in learning calligraphy, and as it turned out she was one of the founders of the Michigan Association of Calligraphers. She encouraged Edie to join. Edie wasn't keen because she felt her skills were awful compared to the teacher’s skills. But the teacher told Edie that she would learn by coming to the workshops the guild offered, and by just being around other calligraphers. The teacher was absolutely right.

In the years since 1980, Edie has taken classes from world renowned teachers, as well as just good artists who loved to dabble in making lettering beautiful, or making lettering say what the saying was they were putting on paper. Edie has studied under Reggie Ezell, Timothy Botts, Peter Thornton, Sherri Kiesel, Diane VonArx Anderson, Barbara Close, Renee Jarmolowicz, Vicki Corwin, Jacqueline Sullivan, Yves Leterme, Harvest Crittenden, Rosemary Buczek, Kathy Milici, Phyllis Macaluso, Alison Clement, the list goes on. Then there's watercolor, Edie studied with teacher Charles Passarelli, and for pastels, teacher Bill Hosner. Edie is always learning, and she loves where calligraphy has brought her.

You may see the Edie's work here:

• Instagram: EdieCreative

• Facebook: EdieVeenstraRichardson

Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC): MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

Class is noon-4pm on two consecutive Sundays, 15 & 22 Aug 2021.

This will be a course in helping with composition & designing a beautiful page of mixed media with letters and art elements. Some lettering artists struggle with this - after learning and honing their skills, they often are perplexed as to what to do with them. We will go through a series of exercises and learn how to organize space and balance elements to create a sense of visual unity.

Barbara will help guide students in a non-intimidating way. It's a really fun workshop!

Skill Level: Beginners-Intermediate. Beginners can feel comfortable with Monoline (instructor will provide a handout) and their own handwriting.

Supply List: You may have these supplies at home, if not John Neal or local art supply stores are recommended sources.

• Practice paper: i.e., Canson Layout Pro Marker 9” x 12"

• 1 sheet Arches Text Wove or Stonehenge (tear or cut in quarters)

• Ruler/pencil/eraser

• Calligraphy pen nibs & holders - various sizes from 3mm Brause to #6 Mitchell

• Automatic pens #4 and/or Parallel Pens (green or blue caps)

• Pointed nibs

• Pigma Micron (01 and 03)

• Brushes (#2 or #4 round)

• Watercolor paints - sets or tubes + container

• Kitchen Sponge (without scrubby - to cut into smaller pieces)

• Gold powder (OPTIONAL) if you have some

• Painters tape

• Glue stick and double sided tape

• A few paper towels

• Embossing stylus

• Xacto knife & cutting mat

• A variety of quotes, poems, songs that YOU like & have been waiting to calligraph

• Sample of work that you admire & inspires you to show - we will talk about these first (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

About Instructor Barbara Close

Barbara is an internationally known calligrapher, designer, and instructor, with a studio located in Southern California. She has taught for several international lettering conferences and at many IAMPETH Conferences (http://www.iampeth.com/). Having taught workshops and lectured in many US states and in Canada, Barbara thoroughly enjoys teaching and sharing.

Barbara designed the logo masthead for Somerset Studio Magazine and a calligraphic font cartridge for ProvoCraft’s Cricut machine entitled “The Calligraphy Collection.” Her work can be seen in both national magazines and private collections.

Looking at her work, her creative passion and the exhilaration of discovery is apparent with her artwork that combines calligraphy and mixed media. Her love of lettering and design continues to grow.

Barbara’s personal philosophy is “Follow Your Heart”.

Learn more about Barbara

REGISTER NOW

Learn to work in pencil (before inking) to improve your calligraphy, fine-tune your layout, and help eliminate mistakes.

Anyone who has tried calligraphy knows how easy it is to misspell or leave out a word while lettering text. One very effective way to reduce that likelihood is to work your piece up in pencil before inking. Working in pencil has many benefits: it helps to eliminate mistakes in the text, it helps with planning and executing a well designed layout, helps to improve your knowledge and skill in creating beautiful calligraphic letters. This workshop will also teach participants how to use a T-square and triangle to line-up your paper and fine-tune your layout.

Skill Level: This workshop will be best enjoyed by individuals with some calligraphy experience. And a familiarity with technical drafting tools is even better!

Class Schedule: We expect the day's schedule to look like this: 10am-noon, break, 1-4pm. We are in the Eastern time zone.

Supply List:

• Mechanical Pencil (.5mm)

• Ordinary yellow pencil

• White plastic eraser

• Tracing vellum

• Calligraphy paper (Clairefontaine or a similar brand)

• Your favorite calligraphy pens and ink

• Ruler and/or T-square

• Triangle, drafting tape

• Drawing table (optional but recommended)

About Maryanne

Maryanne Grebenstein is a professional calligrapher and owner of The Abbey Studio in Marblehead, MA. She studied under Sheila Waters, Jeanne Wong, Robert Boyajian and other notable calligraphers. She teaches workshops in calligraphy, manuscript gilding, and layout in her Marblehead studio/shop. She is a former teacher at North Bennet Street School (Boston), and a former Adjunct Professor at Massachusetts College of Art. She is the author of Calligraphy: A Course in Hand Lettering, and Calligraphy Bible, both published by Watson-Guptill. You may learn more about Maryanne at:

• The Abbey Studio and Turn in the Path

• The Abbey Studio Blog

REGISTER NOW

Flora, the feminine personification of the healing powers of nature, draws upon the texture created by the double-hit, Open-Shaded Script stroke made in Monolinear Lettering, as a way to illustrate flourishes and florae forms as accents and extensions of our lettering. Using watercolor pencils and watercolors, we’ll harness the power of sensuous forms through the lens of pencils and a brush, and the vivid expression of color. Pencil meets paintbrush - you’ll become more adept at brush control as it flirts so beautifully with the soft, buttery, and thirsty watercolor pencils. We’ll use soft oval-shaped curves to describe absolutely every space-filling element on the page with every stroke.

Flora is also a direct extension of “Mono Linear Lettering: Cursive Crush & Open-Shaded Script” in that we move closer to painting with the aid of a mono line celebrated with a watercolor PENCIL and awakened gently with a fine pointed brush. This two-step process is as pleasurable as it is fascinating and it is my deepest desire that you discover more of yourself in the gentle forms of curving leaves, folding petals, and sweeping stems, all along the oval paths of your letter forms and flourishes.

The watercolor pencil’s unique gift is that it can be awakened with water, and not only that, but it can change when that water carries with it another pigment. We will use soft oval-shaped curves to describe absolutely every space-filling element on the page and with every stroke.

This is my prayer and goal in teaching FLORA. I am sharing with you, my personal mode of self care and healing. FLORA is what I do each and every morning as I sit by the fire to journal. I use her to process my thoughts, to welcome the day, to asks for grace, and to find the silver lining in everything that crosses my path. She is a gentle way for me to try on larger, braver strokes. She’s soft, adaptable, and portable. FLORA requires paper, a small brush, pencil, one cake of watercolor, a small amount of water, and my newest friend: you.

Skill Level: This class is open to adults. Open-Shaded Script is a prerequisite for this course. The guild is offering Open-Shaded Script, May 22-23.

Supply List: Supplies can be purchased online at stores like amazon.com, John Neal Books or Paper and Ink Arts. A Google search will bring you many great results.

PAPER----------------------------

Get at least one of these and if you’re feeling frisky, all.

Any Hot Press (smooth) watercolor paper will perform very well. Below are brands I’ve used and liked. You’ll want to have at least ten 8.5 x 11 sheets of any of these. If you already have a watercolor paper you love or have, please don’t feel obligated to purchase any of the below.

• Arches BFK Rives White Velin paper 19 x 26 sheets that I cut down to 8.5 x 11 or smaller. I love this paper because it’s thin, soft, and folds easily and isn’t as expensive as watercolor paper. Save the scraps for testing colors. Note that this paper is very unsuitable for pointed pen - so if you want to add pointed pen embellishments to your work, use a hot press watercolor sheet instead.

• Arches or Fabriano Artistico 140 lb Hot Press Watercolor Paper cut down to 8.5 x 11 or smaller.

• Crane’s Lettra by Crane & Co. Fine Cotton 100% Rag. 32 lb. Writing in Pearl White. This comes in a 250 sheet ream and is WONDERFUL to draw and paint on, also luxurious to fold into envelopes. However, it’s terrible for pointed pen. I buy this from The Paper Mill Store. com

• Southworth Resume paper. 100% cotton, 32 lb. in white or ivory. This is made by Neenah paper and is sold in reams of 100. Office Supply stores sell it, as well as Walmart and Amazon. Pointed Pen works well on this stock as well as watercolor, etc. Great for envelopes, too.

PENCILS-------------------------

Watercolor Pencils: I use three brands for different purposes. Please note that you DO NOT HAVE TO BUY ALL OF THESE. If you take a look at the swatch samples I have, you can see some colors that are quite similar. One or the other will do just fine. You can also rely on your watercolor palette to provide and change colors you may not have in the pencil versions.

• Derwent Graphitint Watercolor Pencils: These are soft and creamy neutrals. Get the whole set if you can.

Colors I use most frequently are: Aubergine (03), Autumn Brown (17), Chestnut (13), Cool Brown (15), Dark Indigo (04), Ivy (11), Meadow (10), Port (01) and Steel Blue (06).

Other colors nice to have and that come in the complete full set: Green Grey (09), Cocoa (16), Cool Grey (23), Green Grey (09), Juniper (02), Mtn. Grey (21), Ocean Blue (07), Russet (14), Sage (12), Shadow (05), Slate Green (08), Steele Blue (06), Storm (18) and Warm Grey (19).

• Faber-Castell Albrect Durer Watercolor Pencils

These are a harder and waxier pencil that I like because they make crisp, sharp detailed strokes. They keep a finer point and have a really gorgeous selection vivid colors. Refer to the swatches I built so you can choose between colors you find similar. Get the whole set if you can, but below are my recommendations:

Colors I use frequently: Beige Red (132), Blue Violet (137), Burnt Umber (280), Cadmium Yellow Lemon (205), Chrome Oxide Green Fiery (276), Cream (102), Dark Cadmium Orange (115), Dark Cadmium Yellow (108), Dark Naples Ochre (184), Dark Red (225), Deep Red (223), Deep Scarlet Red (219), Earth Green (172), Fuchsia (123), Indanthrene Blue (247), Ivory (103), Juniper Green (165), Light Cadmium Red (117), Light Magenta (119), Light Phthalo Blue (145), Light Red Violet (135), Madder (142), Manganese Violet (160), May Green (170), Medium Flesh (131), Middle Cadmium Red (217), Olive Green Yellowish (173), Permanent Green Olive (167), Phthalo Green (161), Pine Green (267), Raw Umber (180), Rose Carmine (124), Rose Carmine (124), Salmon (130), Venetian Red (190) and Walnut Brown (177).

• Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils

These babies are INTENSE, soft, and V I B R A N T. You don’t HAVE to buy the whole set, but these are colors I’ve enjoyed using. Again - please refer to the swatches I built so you can choose between colors you find similar.

Amber (1710), Baked Earth (1800), Carmine Pink (520), Cherry (510), Chili Red (500), Crimson (530), Dark Aquamarine (1210), Deep Rose (710), Deep Violet (760), Dusky Purple (730), Felt Green(1530), Fern(1560), Field Green (1500), Fuchsia (700), Green Aquamarine (1220), Hooker’s Green (1520), Hot Red (410), Ink Black (2200), Ionian Green (1320), Iris Blue (900), Iron Blue (840), Iron Green (1310), Leaf Green(1600), Light Olive(1540), Madder Brown (1920), Mauve (740), Mid Vermillion (310), Mustard (1700), Navy Blue (830), Neutral Grey (2120), Oak (1730), Poppy Red (400), Red Violet (610), Saddle Brown (1740), Scarlet Pink (320), Shiraz (600), Sicilian Yellow (220), Sienna Gold (240), Spring Green(1550), Tan (1720), Tangerine (300), Teal Green (1300), Thistle (720), Violet (800), and Willow (1900)

PAINT----------------------------

White Ink:

• Titanium white watercolor or gouache. Put a little dab of this in the corners of your mixing palette to create soft buttery light versions of any of your darker more intense colors.

Watercolor Pan Set: (NOTE - IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE YOU LIKE, FEEL FREE TO USE IT INSTEAD OF ANY OF THE BELOW!)

• Winsor & Newton Professional OR Cotman (student-grade) Watercolors Compact Set with 14 half pans. There IS a price difference between professional ($75) and student grade ($20). I’ve been using the student grade just fine. I’ll upgrade to professional in the near future.

If you’re thirsting for more watercolors, below are some I’ve loved and use. You don’t need to get ANY of these, but I’ve listed them in case you want to expand your collection.

• I’ve recently discovered ShinHan Extra Fine Watercolors. They come in tubes and are SUBLIME and rich - many of them are densely opaque like gouache.

I purchase empty half pans from Amazon that come with little magnets you can stick to the bottom of them before filling - then arrange them any way you like in a metal pan.

Colors I have and love are: Bright Violet (948), Brilliant Pink (823), Cobalt Blue (922), Cobalt Green (901), Davy’s Grey (989), Green Pale (892), Horizon Blue (913), Jaune Brilliant (865/866), Lilac (944), Payne’s Grey (987), Permanent Green (875), Phthalo Blue (Red Shade) (924), Purple Grey (946), Pyrrole Red (813), Shell Pink (825), Turquoise Blue (904), Umber (973) and Yellow Ochre (970).

Another beloved brand is Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors. I don’t have very many of these, but I love the ones I have (Buff Titanium, Burnt Scarlet, Cobalt Turquoise, Duochrome Oceanic, Jadeite Green, Quinacridone Deep Gold and Sap Green). The two I use most are Buff Titanium and Duochrome Oceanic.

Finetec metallic pans are also fab. Make sure you’ve got a warm metallic (like a gold), and a cool metallic (like a silver). The other color besides gold and silver I use frequently is the Blue Pearl - it shifts from a warm silver to an electric blue in different lighting.

Neon Watercolors whether they come in pans or tubes, are (believe it or not) REALLY valuable to have. I like using them as a final touch to quietly layer dabs of the stuff on top of my work. They’re transparent and really do add a rich vibration that nothing else can. I find them most successful when used sparingly for a subtle glowing effect.

BRUSH----------------------------

• Pentel Aquash Water Brush - FINE. This is the cheapest and bestest most fabulous brush I have. I don’t fill it with water, just love that it’s sharp and snappy, keeps a point and can be protected by it’s cap. GET the fine - it works best. And don’t rely on other brands to do as good a job. This one really is the best.

MISCELLANEOUS---------------

• Mechanical pencil to line paper

• White or kneaded eraser

• Tombow Mono Sand and Rubber Eraser 510A

• Ruler

• Water container

• Paper towels or towel

• Washi tape, bone folder, and postage stamps for envelopes

• Pencil sharpener (I have an electric Bostitch but it doesn’t easily fit all of my pencils). Many students have expressed satisfaction with these two brands: Quiet Sharp Classroom Electric Pencil Sharpener, and X-Acto School Pro or Teacher Pro Electric Pencil Sharpener

Handouts: participants will receive handouts about a week before the workshop.

Requirements: This is a virtual workshop. Students should have the following:

• Ability to receive handouts via Dropbox and to print them before the workshop.

• Computer or other internet-connected device with a built-in camera.

• Zoom conferencing software and familiarity with the platform. In order to access the workshop on Zoom, you will first need to download the free Zoom app (called Zoom Client for Meetings) on your tablet or computer, if you don't already have it. Click here before the workshop to download the Zoom app https://zoom.us/download. If you are new to the platform, Zoom offers tutorials here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697. Please contact the Workshop Chair in advance if you are totally new to Zoom. Her contact info is in the confirmation email.

Recording: none. We are not recording this workshop.

About Instructor Anne Elser

Anne-Davnes Elser teaches calligraphy and bookbinding classes online, at home in Atlanta, nationally within the US, and abroad. Anne believes creativity is a soulful reflection of the connections shared by all. Though the calligraphic arts are her medium, her passion lies in tapping into the transformative powers of creativity as a mode of healing and personal development. She earned her BFA in painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art in ‘91, followed by a masters degree in Graphic Design in ‘96. Her life changed when she took her first calligraphy course in 2000. The rest is history. Anne teaches online classes and also conducts workshops in the states, internationally, and at IAMPETH. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country, and for both private and corporate clients such as Tiffany & Co, Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton, Paces Papers, Landor, Martha Stewart Weddings, Belk, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Clicquot Veauvé, World50, Ogilvy, and more.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.

REGISTER NOW

Open-Shaded Script constructs letterforms by describing the swell or shade made by a pointed pen with at least two contour monoline strokes, drawn in the same stroke sequence seen in traditional scripts (Round Hand, Copperplate, etc.) The second stroke of a shade or extension of a hairline acts as a mentor stroke to the previous and is meant to offer gentle correction to curves (if needed) and to suggest the growth of a flourish, all with an open heart and gentle hand. Drawing these letter forms is not only useful in sketching out and planning of larger projects to be later filled in with ink, I believe they are also valid and beautiful class of letter forms in and of themselves.

This workshop is a prerequisite for the guild's offering of Flora with Anne Elser (Sat-Sun, Jun 5-6, 2021).

Skill Level: This class is open to adults with all levels of experience.

Supply List:

Paper for practice

• Bienfang Graphics 360 9’’x12’’ 100% Rag Marker Pad, OR Borden & Riley 9’’x12’’ 100s Smooth Cotton Comp Pad

Paper for envelopes and final projects: Pick at least one or ALL if you’re wanting to try a variety.

• Strathmore Calligraphy Writing Paper Pad 8.5 x 11.

• Southworth Resumé paper by Neenah. Office Supply stores sell this as well as amazon.com. Comes in white or ivory and has two weights: 24lb and 32 lb. I’ve used both for folding letters/envelopes. Works will with Pointed pen and everything else.

• Current fave is Crane’s Lettra Pearl White 32 lb writing paper by Crane & Co.. Comes in reams of 250 in 8.5 x 11. Soft and buttery - it is great for markers, paints, fountain pens, BUT not so great with pointed pen.

Pens

• Two of my favorite mono linear tools are a fine-nib fountain pen and a glass dip pen. With both, you enjoy watching wet ink dry and pool at the end of a stroke. It can give your strokes a depth hard to achieve with markers.

Fountain Pens

You don’t need an expensive fountain pen.

Here are two great to start with:

• Lamy Safari (Amazon and jetpens.com are both great places to look.) Get a fine or medium. I’d also recommend purchasing a converter for it so you can fill the pen with the colors of your choice. I highly recommend purchasing bottles of fountain pen ink as opposed to pre-loaded cartridges.

• Prera by Pilot. Get a fine or medium. These have a lovely feel to them with the cap snapping into place and come in fun colors.

Glass Dip Pens

Terrific fun, they usually come in all kinds of crazy glass shapes from tip to end. They are incredibly fragile and I have broken many. The one brand I have found to be the most consistent in quality and durability is the Multifunctional Mini Glass Dip Pen, Delike Fude Bent Nib Pocket Fountain Pen Set. (Look on Amazon.) The handle is a lovely plastic with a screw cap to protect your fragile glass nib, which can be unscrewed and replaced with a new one OR a fountain pen nib. This pen is far easier to hold in my hands. I purchase extra glass nibs on hand, because I warn you, if you drop this pen, the nib will chip, making it impossible to write with.

The advantage of a glass dip pen is that you have the option to mix your inks, double dip, and even redip in water to make your ink color more transparent. Very much like painting, I have recently fallen deeply in love with glass dip pens and my variety of ink wells in a warm blue, cool blue, warm green, deep yellow ochre or warm gold, and red or violet. With a variety of inks on hand, you can really have fun with mixing. My preferred paper for this tool is Crane’s Lettra.

SO, to find a good variety of colors, look for a selection of colors that you’ll enjoy mixing. Start with a red, blue, yellow, and black, and see how much fun it is to make new colors as you mix them. Remember to put these colors into smaller containers so that you’re not contaminating the original larger bottle.

For regular writing in one fountain pen with one ink, my faves are transparent grey inks: MontBlanc/Oyster Grey and Kiri-Same/Iroshizuku. These come in bottles and you’ll have to make sure you get a converter for your fountain pen instead of a box of cartridges, so you can fill your pen with bottled ink (more economical but a little more high-maintenance.)

Regular Pens

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense writing tool you can pick up at the office supply store/grocery/drugstore/art store/Amazon and jetpens.com below are some pens I’ve used in the past that I’ve liked. They are crisp, sharp, and inexpensive.

• A variety of ultra fine, fine, and medium point pens (for wide markers make sure to get bullet point and not chisel). These need to be your favorites. Listed below are pens I’ve loved and used in the past.

• Pentel Slicci 025 pen (Super ultra tiny, smooth and can be scratchy if you press too hard. Wonderful for precise and tiny lettering.)

• Pentel Hybrid Technica pen

• Sakura Gel Pens. My faves are the Black Glaze and white (the white looks pretty boss on black paper).

Colored Felt Tip Pens

One last note on the benefit of colored felt tip pens: I’ve grown to appreciate the ease with which these felt beauties help me slow down my writing. For me, feeling the felt squeak and slow me down a little as it pets the surface of a thirsty cotton sheet, is quite something. Both of the brands below, when purchased in a large set, have quite a wonderful palette of colors with slight differences in between them. Think six greens instead of two! This makes it really fun to create seemingly monochromatic pieces that have a lot of depth to them for shading and whispering and shouting.

Below are two brands I L O V E. Find these at art supply stores and on Amazon.

• Papermate Flair Medium Felt tip pen. These come in small and large sets, and even offer special editions. They are small and easy to hold in the hand and I’ve relied on them heavily. Amazon is a good place to look and these are also carried at Walmart, etc. The largest set I’ve found of these were 32 or 36 - I can’t remember. When I letter an envelope, I love to use ALL the greens with a pop of something different, etc. Have fun!

• Tombow Acid Free Dual Tip Markers. These are AMAZING. Go ahead and get the WHOLE SET. Each have a felt brush tip and fine felt tip - one on either end. Their lightest hues are amazing and really great for adding subtle shadows to your lettering. I often use them in conjunction with the Papermate brand.

Misc.

• Mechanical Pencil (for drawing guides)

• Eraser

• Metal ruler

• Scissors

• Decorative Washi Tape (for envelopes)

• Bone Folder (for envelopes)

• Postage Stamps (for envelopes)

Handouts: the guild's Workshop Chair will distribute the handouts about a week before class via Dropbox.

About Instructor Anne Elser

Anne-Davnes Elser teaches calligraphy and bookbinding classes online, at home in Atlanta, nationally within the US, and abroad. Anne believes creativity is a soulful reflection of the connections shared by all. Though the calligraphic arts are her medium, her passion lies in tapping into the transformative powers of creativity as a mode of healing and personal development. She earned her BFA in painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art in ‘91, followed by a masters degree in Graphic Design in ‘96. Her life changed when she took her first calligraphy course in 2000. The rest is history. Anne teaches online classes and also conducts workshops in the states, internationally, and at IAMPETH. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country, and for both private and corporate clients such as Tiffany & Co, Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton, Paces Papers, Landor, Martha Stewart Weddings, Belk, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Clicquot Veauvé, World50, Ogilvy, and more.

Recording

None. The guild and participants are not recording this workshop.

Michigan Association of Calligraphers (MAC)

MAC is a non-profit organization open to all who are interested in calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing. Its principal purposes and functions are to perpetuate, enhance, and promote the art of calligraphy. Guild membership covers a calendar year (Jan-Dec). We invite you to follow us on Eventbrite.