The Gentle Penman

The focus of this class is on the beautiful pattern on the doors of the Palace of Comares, built by Mohammad V in 1370 to commemorate the conquest of Algeciras. It was also used as a backdrop for the sultan to preside over ceremonial acts, seated between...

Historical Hands In keeping with our commitment to calligraphy education, the Gentle Penman is pleased to announce a new series of short workshops, which will serve as an introduction to a selection of styles of traditional calligraphy over the past 2000...

The Court of the Golden Room of Alhambra Palace, Spain, was named for the golden decorations on the wooden roof behind the portico during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs. Underneath the portico with three arches, the lower part of the walls is...

Unlock your creativity and explore the beauty of acanthus leaf designs in this course. "Advanced Acanthus Ornamental Design" will teach you how to create stunning ornamental patterns using acanthus motifs. You'll start with the basics and work your way...

Have you ever wondered why your attempts at medieval calligraphy lacked that elusive "look" of the ancient originals? Learning and utilizing an authentic medieval hand might just solve your issues.Join us for 3 lessons of intriguing and enjoyable...

This course plan covers the history, design, and practical techniques of Ottoman illumination art, with a specific focus on the Şah Kulu and saz yolu styles.Şah Kulu: A renowned Ottoman court artist, particularly influential in the 16th century. He was a...

Welcome to Modern Storybook Script! This playful and unique alphabet has FUN written all over it!In this workshop, you’ll be guided through the step-by-step process of creating Kathy’s charming, playful, casual script alphabet that gives a...

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

The ability to create a certificate requires some concrete information, some layout knowledge, some calligraphic skills, and some creativity.  If you can use a ruler, a flat-edged or pointed pen, have a reasonable ability to mix colors and use a...

Copperplate Summer School is a relaxing and yet thorough approach to basic Copperplate calligraphy, for novices who have no experience with the hand as well as more experienced calligraphers who want to review some or all of their Copperplate skills...

A century ago, there were several abilities in penmanship that when performed spontaneously and consistently to a very high degree of skill, were considered to be defining qualities by which a person was generally regarded as a “Master...

Journey back in time to discover the elegant Uncial script, a rounded majuscule hand that shaped early manuscripts and became the dominant book hand from the 4th to 8th centuries. You'll learn its flowing forms and understand why it was so perfectly...

A growing garden of pointed pen flourishes is waiting for you in this delightful class. We will use vines, leaves and an expanding variety of wildflowers to embellish our graceful flourishes as we celebrate summer together. True offhand flourishing is...

Blackletter, in its Renaissance forms, may be one of the scripts that lends itself most to decoration and countless variations. Gothic capitals in particular, lend themselves to decoration and even more to abstract compositions based on the balance...

Bubbled Letters have been a popular way of handlettering for school students and children for many decades. This font requires no special tools and is charcterised by it's puffy, bulbous and whimsical look. In this workshop we will look back at this...

Copperplate Summer School is a relaxing and yet thorough approach to basic Copperplate calligraphy, for novices who have no experience with the hand as well as more experienced calligraphers who want to review some or all of their Copperplate skills.This...

The round pen nib, with its distinctive circular tip, is a fascinating instrument that often sits unnoticed in our collections. We admire its unique design but wonder: What types of strokes can it create? How do we hold it effectively? What is its...

In this workshop, Michael will show you exactly how to create an eye-catching and bold piece of Blackboard Art using acrylic paint pens and a few other essential tools. Michael will teach you on how to create a smart layout, as well as a few different...

Copperplate Summer School is a relaxing and yet thorough approach to basic Copperplate calligraphy, for novices who have no experience with the hand as well as more experienced calligraphers who want to review some or all of their Copperplate skills.This...

Do you want to spice up your Italic and make it dance? Both subtle and demanding, the skill of pressurizing can create forms that are suffused with greater energy. That skill of pressure and release (sound familiar to pointed pen people?) Can transform a...