Intro to Basic Calligraphy

In-person with Elaine Muth

Course Description

Transform the written word into a fascinating art form. Create your own expressive letterforms, cards, mail art and other graphics using pen, pencil or brush. Through demonstrations, guided practice, and individual exploration, students will develop skills in calligraphy and decorative lettering while building confidence in their handwriting and design abilities. Demonstrations, discussion and practice will include a variety of calligraphic styles inspired by historical traditions, from medieval manuscripts to contemporary lettering and design principles.

 

Course Fee: $280 (supplies not included)

Syllabus

  • Overview of essential calligraphy terms, tools, paper options and materials
  • Picture plane design and composition
  • Correct pen angle, letter styles and cypher sizes
  • Formatting letter spacing, line spacing and slant
  • Final project using acquired skills

Supplies

  • 3 to 5 black calligraphy marker pens: sizes medium (M), broad (B), extra broad (XB)
  • Coloured calligraphy marker pens in 5 or more colours in M/B sizes. Recommended: Staedtler Calligraph Duo double-ended calligraphy markers; Speedball Elegant Writer Calligraphy Pens
  • Coloured brush pens in 5 or more colours. Recommended: Staedtler Mars Graphic 300 Duo Brush pens; Faber-Castell Pitt Brush pens; Zebra Midliner Brush pens; Artist's Series (Dollarama)Brush pens or other colour brush pens
  • Optional: Metallic brush pens. Recommended: Staedtler Metallic Brush pens
  • Fine-line black felt pen. Recommended: Sakura Pigma Micron 0.5 tip size
  • Coloured pencils: yellow plus at least six colours (Prismacolor Premier pencils are recommended)
  • 2 graphite pencils: HB standard
  • Ruler
  • Masking tape: 1/2" wide
  • Ink drawing paper pad 9" x 12", choose a white, unlined, light-weight, smooth surface sketchbook paper made for pen and marker use
  • 8½"x 11" or larger practise paper lined (standard ruled foolscap will do) and unlined (plain white copy paper will do) 100+ sheets of each
  • Onionskin tracing paper (will be provided by instructor)
For a brief list of frequently used suppliers, please see Where can I purchase supplies? on our FAQ page.