Pat Blair - Layouts, Lettering and Cherry Blossoms: Celebrating the Washington Calligraphers Guild 50th Anniversary - Apr 14, 21, 28, 2026

This class covers the fundamentals of design to create successful layouts that combine lettering with an illustration. Bonus feature will be learning a basic watercolor technique to paint the DC's iconic cherry blossom! Or you can use your own favorite. This class is offered in celebration of the Washington Calligraphers Guild 50th Anniversary. Using your favorite calligraphy hand, either broad pen or pointed pen, we will start with exploring ways to create a successful layout. Using pencil sketches, ideas will begin to emerge and develop. The most skilled lettering suffers when not placed thoughtfully on the page! You will learn: 1. how to overcome the “looking at a blank page and not knowing where to start!” dilemma, by exploring multiple layout ideas to use with small compositions. ….with many suggestions for more 2. how to successfully place of elements combining one word or small poems with a floral or illustration element, using your favorite lettering 3. how to create thumbnail sketches to help explore ideas 4. how to transfer your initial idea to good paper and set up a pencil guide 5. how to use color to reinforce a mood or feeling 6. watercolor basics to create petals and leaves, and the beautiful Cherry Blossom We will be working on several studio projects, from concept to finished piece, as time allows. Each student can choose the lettering style and floral element they would like to work with. Pat Blair has served 12 1/2 years as the Chief Calligrapher at the White House in Washington, D.C., directing the production of invitation and menu design for all official and social presidential events, calligraphy of placecards, envelopes and titles, certificate and resolution design as well as production of programs and tour books. She served two years as the President of the Washington Calligrapher’s Guild in Washington, DC., was the chairperson of the Graceful Envelope contest sponsored by the US Postal Service, and served as co-director for the International Lettering Conference, Letterforum. Teaching is a favorite pastime, and has been on the faculty of over ten International Conferences, IAMPETH, and currently enjoying offering online classes via Zoom. She is an avid watercolorist as well, and offers classes in floral painting. Her workshops emphasize the grace and elegance that letterforms can achieve by paying close attention to the beauty of the form, and she is currently offering both in-person and online workshops. She has been awarded the title Master Penman by the International Assoc of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting for her work.

Layouts, Lettering and Cherry Blossoms: Celebrating the Washington Calligraphers Guild 50th Anniversary
Pat Blair, Hosted By Washington Calligraphers Guild

4/14, 4/21 and 4/28/2026

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Eastern

Registration Link: https://www.calligraphersguild.org/event-details-registration/layouts-lettering-cherry-blossoms-with-pat-blair-2026-04-14-18-30