Mike Gold - Creating Calligraphy to be Seen and Experienced - Cheerio September 13-18, 2026

This workshop focuses on creating calligraphy to be seen and experienced. To that end, we will be reviewing teachings by Hans Joachim-Burgert and Thomas Ingmire, among others. We will also review key compositional principles like contrast, space, and rhythm. During the week we will work on banners, broadsides and collages, using brushes, broad edge, and various other calligraphy tools, such as ruling and folded pens. As architects of the written word, we will be building structures out of marks, lines, and letterforms. The class is designed for calligraphers looking to move beyond traditional letters and traditional calligraphic compositions. Letters will be seen as line, shape and form and compositions are works that reflect a personal vision that may or may not be readable. 

You do not have to be an experienced calligrapher to benefit from this weeklong workshop. Of course, some understanding of design and lettering will be helpful, as will a willingness to experiment, play, and explore the possibilities for contemporary calligraphy.

Creating Calligraphy to be Seen and Experienced with Mike Gold

In-Person retreat

September 13-18, 2026

Camp Cheerio, Glade Valley NC

Registration link: https://www.calligraphycentre.com/retreats

Contact: tetascribe@triad.rr.com

Class Supplies

Paper: 

• Strathmore Series 400 80# 11x14” Drawing Paper pad
• 2-3 sheets of Arches 140# cold press watercolor paper (or comparable) cut to 11x14”
• At least 6 sheets of good quality 11x14” papers, if you have them (Arches Text Wove, Stonehenge, Ingres, Rives, Canson Mi-Tientes, etc.)
• Pack of four 11x14" sheets Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Board (illustration board will also work) 
• Palette paper (I like Strathmore 9x12”)
• Tracing paper

 Ink: 

• Black calligraphy ink, such as Higgins Eternal (or comparable)
•  Black India or sumi ink (I prefer India ink, Speedball or New York Central brands)
• Walnut ink 
• White calligraphy ink (I like Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White, which I sometimes mix with Permanent White gouache for extra opacity and flow)
• A few Dr. Martin’s Bombay waterproof India inks (any color inks with eye dropper top will also do, even if acrylic inks)

 Other materials: 

• Various pencils & mark makers (china marker, charcoal pencil
• Art Graf black carbon 
• 3 to 5 colors of gouache, plus black and white (I like Schminke or Winsor-Newton)
• Basic Watercolor set
• Acrylic paints (a few favorite colors plus white and black)
• Some papers for collage, if you have them
• Glue (I use PVA, Sobo, Yes Paste, Matte Medium) - Glue stick okay
• Glue brush (I like White Chinese Bristle Brushes—1-1/2" and 2”)
• Scissors 
• X-acto with #11 blades
• Cutting mat
• Paper Towels
• Water container

Writing tools:  

• Various broad edge and pointed pens
• At least one of the following: Ruling pen, cola pen, folded pen
• At least one Automatic pen in size ½”, ¾” or 1” (all three would be great but not required)
• Favorite pointed brushes (for use with watercolor, ink & gouache)
• Brush pen (I like the Pentel Color Brush) or pointed brush (I like the #3 Winsor Newton Series 7)
• Favorite flat brushes (for wash and broad strokes)
• Cheap house painting brush (2” and larger)
• Japanese brushes, if you have them
• Other unusual writing tools you already have
• Other favorite pens you already have

Optional: 

•  3” or 4” soft rubber brayer
• Color pencils (Prismacolor are best) and/or dry pastels (a few colors)—I will have some to share
• 11x14 Dura-Lar wet media film, 11x14” pad (I use it to see how textures, colors or lettering looks on a design or collage)
• Pentel Aquash Water Brush (I will often use this for applying gouache and watercolor)
• Old toothbrush
• spritzer bottle
• Text, poem or quote you’d like to work with (I will have a handout with texts also)
• Stencils or textured rollers could also be useful, if you have them