The Gentle Penman

To the skilled Penman, Engrosser, or Calligrapher, “Ornamental Penmanship” means much more than simply making fancy letters. In truth, Ornamental Penmanship is an expression of penmanship and calligraphy in which the words and the way they...

Once one masters the ductus and has a thorough understanding of the structure of letterforms, we need to make them our own. This class will explore ways of looking at letters in a more abstract way while moving away from the rigidity of writing between...

In this engaging workshop, Thanh will unveil her secrets for crafting the perfect recipe card for (name of the dish), guiding you through every step from A to Z. Discover her effortless techniques for sketching dishes and selecting the right ingredients...

The forms of so-called Gothic script have seen substantial changes throughout the history of writing, depending on the period, place, and artistic influences. Just think of the rigid and repetitive forms of textura and the Renaissance and decorative...

Gothic calligraphy is known for its boldness and expressive potential, but what if we push these ideas to the extreme? During this workshop, we will explore the heavyweight variations of Blackletter, focusing on striking contrasts and the maximum impact...

Explore the various possibilities of the draughtsman’s ruling pen and its modern variants. This workshop will be focused on how to use this tool and using it creatively to write letters. You will learn how to write expressively and create your own...

I'm really excited to be teaching with the Gentle Penman again this year and branching off from our last workshop, this year will be a bit more intense (don't worry if you're a beginner this will definitely be suitable for you too).  I will guide...

Flourish.....as sketch Flourish.....as border Flourish.....as illustration The pointed, flexible nib is a marvelous tool, capable of producing a multitude of expressive strokes from whisper thin hairlines to dramatic, bold shades. What fun to explore...

This workshop will take you through the techniques of learning the Pointed Pen Uncial styles and then show more approaches of unique, contemporary applications. Let’s push the envelope a bit more to include thinking outside the box by extending and...

Flourishes are graceful extensions and decorative embellishments that add wonder, movement, and live to our letters and words - inviting readers to take a closer look.  This class unravels the fundamental concepts behind flourished Copperplate...

For enthusiasts of pointed pen calligraphy, the nib stands as the quintessential tool. Personally favoring Hunt 101 and Hunt 22, Barbara discovered the value of achieving a seamlessly smooth style by transposing the same technique to the brush. Whether...

Take your offhand flourishing skills to a new level with character flourishing. In this workshop, student will learn how to design Sweet Characters in flourished spring settings. Student will use delicate infill strokes to flourish their characters along...

Step and Repeat patterns are graphic compositions composed of one or more given designs presented in such an arrangement that by duplicating the designs, the pattern can be enlarged in any direction and to any degree possible. The average person seldom...

In this workshop we will be looking at the Pilot Parallel Pen and the many possibilities the pen enables you to create. Suzie would like to share with you some great design ideas, not only will we be looking at creating different borders but you will be...

The Monoline letter is ubiquitous and it has many voices. It was a favorite of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, it has been a staple of advertising for generations, and it takes on new life in the twenty-first century as it plays its role in the...

Italic is one of the most versatile styles. It lends itself to many variations that give the letters a more contemporary look with different characteristics. In this workshop student will focus on the creation of capital letters, looking for new...

Inspired by my enchanting visit to Banff, British Columbia, Canada, I was truly captivated by the majestic mountain scenery and the breathtaking hues of the lake. I invite you to embark on an enjoyable and soothing artistic journey, where we will...

Fraktur is a 16th century German style of Blackletter which combines the dense vertical texture of Gothic Textura and the lively curves of Gothic Batarde hands.  The name Fraktur, derived from the Latin word fractura (meaning "broken"),...

Calligraphy has long been paired with paintings, ornamental scroll work, and other pictorial objects to enhance a piece's visual impact. In this class, we will explore the relationship between ovals and curvatures, and learn how to use them strategically...

In this short workshop, we will learn about the interesting design possibilities offered by a type of paisley decoration that was used in the 16th and 17th century joint to calligraphic works. We are going to learn the basics of paisleys shapes and their...