John Stevens - Pointed Brush/Ruling Pen: Lively Letters - Jan 24, 31, & Feb 7, 2026

If you work primarily with the broad pen, the pointed brush and ruling pen can open entirely new directions in line, gesture, texture, and character. 
In this online class, we’ll explore both tools to loosen habits, expand our visual language, and discover fresh approaches to letterform.  The focus is on freeing the line: alternating rhythms, sensitivity to touch, and the visual dynamics that emerge when control and spontaneity coexist. 
For some, this may feel like contemporary calligraphy; for others, a form of script design. What it is not is traditional calligraphy—and that’s intentional; however, we can use it with some conventional letterforms.  As artists, we’re driven by more than technique alone. We want to explore, to stretch, and to understand our range. I think calligraphers wish for a broader palette. This class is about expanding perspective as much as it is about skill.  

You’ll explore:  
• New tools and their impact on letter design 
• Expanded visual and technical vocabulary 
• Practical approaches and applications 
• Bold, expressive, controlled-chaos letterforms 
• Underlying principles and theory of script 
• Exhilarating lines, captivating gestures, and unforgettable character

Whether you’re looking to add energy to a title, develop personal letterforms, or simply experiment and play, these tools offer immediacy and presence. In my decades of graphic design and lettering work, I was often asked for unconventional, non-standard calligraphy—especially as digital type became ubiquitous. Clients wanted something more human, more individual. They wanted to see the trace of the artist. This class explores how that trace is made.

Pointed Brush/Ruling Pen: Lively Letters
John Stevens

Three Saturdays, January 24th, 31st & February 7th
Starting at 2 pm EDT

Sessions: 1.5 hours Zoom live. (Recording is available for later viewing until April 7th)

Open to all levels, but knowledge of calligraphy is recommended.

Tuition Fee: $120.usd

Registration Link: https://john-stevens-capitals-uncial-ii.newzenler.com/courses/pointed-brush-ruling-pen-lively-letters

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