The Gentle Penman

Step away from the traditional and embrace the "bold." In this workshop, we use the versatile B-series (Ornamental) nib to create a compact, quirky alphabet that is full of personality. We will deconstruct the Roman capital into simplified, monoline...

In calligraphy and typography, it is often said that letters take shape in black AND white, not black ON white: indeed, conceiving harmony through the spaces by observing the voids between forms is often the true key to achieving good results in...

Introduction to Gothic Script History and origins of Gothic Script Understanding its characteristics and letterforms Exploring different Gothic Script styles Tools and Materials Essential calligraphy tools for Gothic Script Choosing the right pens,...

One of the great pleasures of learning Gothicized Italic is discovering the wide range of minuscule letter variations.  The alphabet lends itself to simpler as well as more ornate forms, which can give the calligrapher the opportunity to develop a...

This workshop introduces you to the art of ornamental mandala drawing, where precise geometry forms Mandalas can look intimidating, all those perfect circles and tiny details, but they're built from simple steps, and anyone can learn them. Over three...

Capital letters are the ultimate challenge for any typeface, as they deviate significantly from the general rules and offer – and demand – ample scope for complexity and play. This of course also applies to blackletter calligraphy. The saying...

In this workshop, you’ll learn the very basics of how to work your creative magic on a blackboard using a white pencil and acrylic paint. I’ll guide you through creating a good layout, sketching letters and illustrations on the board, and...

Inspired by summer gardens and alfresco dinner parties we will look at a 3-course meal and hand-paint our favorite ingredients. Think vegetables, fruit, edible flowers and others illustrated in watercolour. After painting we will learn how to scan and...

The use of capitals in a calligraphy piece has a few advantages over lowercase letters: it slows down the reading, you can easily spread or sprinkle them out over the page according to your layout demands and you can make textures without having to worry...

What if Andean textiles were read as texts—narratives as rich as illuminated manuscripts?  In the Andes, weaving was more than decoration: it was a system of knowledge and communication, encoding worldviews long before alphabetic writing. And...

This multi-week program introduces participants to the fundamentals of depicting nature within the tradition of Ottoman miniature painting. Each week focuses on a key natural element—clouds, trees, rocks, water—and teaches both the symbolic...

Welcome to Madaresque!​ In this workshop we will work on lively, ornate lettering projects inspired by the work of Louis Madarasz. We will create a variety of flourished names, envelopes, short quotes etc.​ We will first study the script used by Madarasz...

This workshop introduces the intricate and lavish beauty of historical manuscript art, a tradition that embodies harmony through its design principles by marrying the structure of geometry with elegant, freehand drawing. ​Taking inspiration from a...

Using the Italic hand as a starting point, we’ll work our way towards abstraction to embrace it as our ally. Through a series of targeted exercises, we’ll break free from conventional patterns and explore fresh letterforms and personalized...

The white vine is a common decorative technique in Renaissance manuscripts, born in Italy. It is based on vegetal patterns that decorate the initials or borders in interlaced and colored scrolls. In this course, we will see how to build a vine around a...

This workshop introduces you to the art of ornamental mandala drawing, where precise geometry forms the foundation for elegant decorative detailing. Designed for beginners to intermediate learners, the workshop emphasizes structure, symmetry, and mindful...

The Radiant Letter: Reviving the Lost Initials is a gentle, historically grounded introduction to the initials of illuminated manuscripts from the Romanesque era. In this workshop, students will create one refined illuminated letter inspired by...

With a pencil in hand, we will begin by exploring the foundational strokes that give these letters their character. Each line, each curve, will guide us toward a deeper understanding of the balance and proportions that define humanist styles. We will...

Most everyone has loved puzzles as a child, maybe as an adult too. Now we can use this concept in designing letters & marks as puzzles, then giving the viewer a legible solution. In this workshop we will be abstracting, collaging, painting and more...

Break the rules of the rigid "Classic Roman" and find your rhythmic flow. In this workshop, we’ll take the skeleton of traditional Roman capitals and infuse them with a funky, eclectic energy using the pointed pen. Learn how to balance classical...