Sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Regional Group
This event is free and open to the public.
All of us, as calligraphers, have an overwhelming desire to have every tool we hear about. In this recorded workshop I will discuss and demonstrate the tools I have found to be worthwhile.
Please download the PDF for the full list of tools I use and will discuss and demonstrate. You don’t need to have any of them, but if you do have them, you might want to play with them during the demo.
Carrie Imai
TOOLS GALORE handout.pdf
Carrie's video will be available for viewing for the entire month of March on YouTube. You can watch as little or as much as you want and click in and view with unlimited access for the month. You must register in order to receive the video link which will be sent at the end of February. This video is available to the public and no cost due to the generosity of Carrie Imai.
For calligraphy lessons or commission work please contact Carrie Imai at:
carrie@carriedesigns.com
If this video sparks your interest in calligraphy please consider joining the Society for Calligraphy and gain access to a world of fabulous workshops and our annual conference 'Letters California Style'.
Instructor: Risa Gettler
Sponsored by the San Diego chapter
6 TUESDAY EVENINGS, MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25 and APRIL 1, 8, 6:30-8:30 PM (Pacific time). $100
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: VISIGOTHIC VERSALS are the distinctive and exclusive writing style of early medieval Spain and the foundation hand for our class.
Starting with the Visigothic alphabet, and all of its many letter options, we move to incorporating the famous and popular ligatures. Throughout the course there are weekly slide presentations, videos and music. Step-by-step we refine our work with these intricate letterforms and design choices via the aid of demonstrations, techniques and examples.
Your time spent in calligraphic study, letter rhythms, color. space and artistic judgment will bring you joy and pleasure in writing Visigothic Versals.
THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED CLASS. YOU MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH FOUNDATIONAL ROMAN AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE LETTER-FORMS, UNCIAL IS HELPFUL, SPACING IS ESSENTIAL IN SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTING VISIGOTHIC VERSALS--SPACIAL ACUMEN WILL BE DEVELOPED DURING CLASS. Note from Kristi: Risa does insist that participants keep up with the assignments. This is not a class for those who simply wish to watch. Risa generously meets one-on-one with the participants, as needed. You'll be very happy with what you produce!
Please check with Kristi regarding any questions about this: sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org
Recording will be available for two months.
ABOUT RISA and her Visigothic Versals: I've been traveling the Calligraphic Highway most of my adult life. I've taught Visigothic Versals at international calligraphy conferences, universities, museums, calligraphy study groups and guilds plus a long list of calligraphic accolades. But what I think is important for you to know about is my passion for and study of Visigothic Versals. I fell in love and I mean head-over-heals in love with Visigothic Versals the moment I laid eyes on them; traveled to Spain and took calligraphy classes with amazing and generous letter artists; returned to USA and have spent the last 22 years in the solitude of my scriptorium pouring over the Spanish Beato manuscripts with the translations and tutelage of Visigothic scholar, Dr Ainoa Castro. My enthusiasm is so great for these intriguing and intricate letterforms that I teach Visigothic Versals exclusively. My interest and curiosity for Visigothic Versals has taken me to Princeton's Spanish Art Department and NYC to see the Morgan Beatus. Yes! America owns one of Spain’s national treasures! https://www.themorgan.org/manuscript/110807
REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds.
COMPLETED REGISTRATION REQUIRES 2 STEPS:
1. FIRST PRESS THE REGISTER BUTTON.
2. Second, make a payment of $100 via PayPal or check. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid cancellation of your spot in the workshop.
Once you have pressed the Registration button, you will be sent an automated message with the PayPal link to complete your registration. information will be included for those who prefer to pay via check.
Non-members, here is information on how to join SfC: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC. We recommend you select up to two regional chapters, which provide extra perks at no extra charge. You may want to choose those that sponsor the workshops you enjoy.
Enrollment is limited to 18 students. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. If your membership lapses, you become ineligible and your space will be filled from the waiting list. Registration will close when class is full or on March 2. No refunds unless spot can be filled.
Questions: Contact Kristi Darwick, sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org. (Backup: Dr Nan)
Guest presenter: Barbara Close.
Sponsored by
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025, 6:30-8PM PDT
No charge for these Study Group Sessions. They are led by members, sharing what they have learned. They do not claim to be masters. Members and guests may register for any individual session--there is no requirement to attend prior sessions. The aim is to share knowledge with newbies and to provide a refresher for those with more experience. For this session, Barbara Close will reprise an exercise her class worked on at our Letters California Style conference--a Japanese Enso, which in our case will be combined with Roman letters Each individual session requires separate registration.
This time, we'll deviate slightly from our regular Roman forms:
The enso at first glance may appear to be nothing more than a circle. Yet when being in a meditative state of mind, it is filled with "ki" (spirit, mind, energy & feeling) and becomes a circle of infinity. We will be practicing our ensos and adding words to complete the picture. There are many wonderful varieties, none will be the same. I will demo Neugebauer's Monoline Uncial to use for our lettering style. Join us in the fun.
We plan to record this session. Kristi asks that you remind her! Recording will be available for three months.
Flexible Schedule for the evening:
6:30 - 6:45 Announcements. Participants are invited to share any work they've done since last session, including their progress on our current projects.
6:45 - 7:45 Barbara close will walk us through combining a Japanese Enso with Roman letters
7:45 - 8:00 An opportunity for those who wish to share what they've completed during this session (and another chance to share work done since our last session). Also, a time to ask more questions of our guest speaker.
SUPPLY LIST:
Membership not required
Handouts and Zoom invitation will be sent a day or two in advance.
You're welcome to sign up even at the last minute, but you may have to wait and participate via the recording . . .
SPRING FLING - IN PERSON
Sponsored by the Inland Empire Saturday, April 26 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Complimentary Outreach Event - Open to Members and Visitors
About this event:
Copperplate is a popular lettering style. In this introductory session, we’ll write in that style, using a brush marker. Our letters will be a little less formal than traditional copperplate. This three hour session will be a quick introduction to copperplate and the brush pen, or a refresher for those who already know the hand and this tool.
Presenter: Kristi Darwick
Supplies included
Coffee & Tea will be provided and we'll take a short break. Feel free to bring a snack to share.
Questions? Contact: Adela at IEWorkshopsTeam@societyforcalligraphy.org
Space for 15 participants only.
NO audio or video recording of any program, meeting, workshop or other SfC function permitted consent of both guest artist and a representative of the Board of Governors. *** You must ask permission of the artist/instructor to photograph any copyrighted materials, including demos.
Italian Hand of Jan Van de Velde with Hoang Dao
Fridays, May 2, 16, 30 and June 13, 2025, from 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM (Pacific Time).
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Dutch calligraphers, including Jan Van de Velde, were educated in the south and migrated to Northern Netherlands to teach at “French schools”, bringing along a huge number of Italian-style script variations. Van de Velde’s effortless unique handwriting style developed a reputation throughout Europe via his copybooks. His flourishes extend from the text in serpentine loops that evolve into images or designs, often of animals, flowers, or mythological creatures that were never seen before. Thus many younger calligraphers followed his mastery of scripts and flourishes in centuries.
In this workshop we will narrow down to study the style of Jan Van de Velde’s “Italian Hand” or so-called with a modern name “Dutch Roundhand” which represents his strong influence on Dutch calligraphy in this era.
ABOUT HOANG:
Dao Huy Hoang is an international calligraphy artist, pen maker and Urushi craftsman based in Hanoi, Vietnam. His work has been featured in various art magazines, books and exhibitions worldwide. He is also well-known for his pen craftsmanship, including calligraphy pen holders and casual writing tools.
EXPERIENCE: All levels/ Intermediate
Workshop will be recorded and available for three months.
Zoom invitation will be sent a couple days in advance.
REGISTRATION:
You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held.
No refunds.
Registrations will close on April 29, noon PST.
Cost: $85, paid by check or Paypal (see details below).
Once you have entered your registration information, you will automatically be sent a confirmation email with the PayPal button to complete your registration. Please pay within 24 hours to keep your spot. Alternatively, instructions for paying by check will be included, as well.
MEMBERS ONLY
You must be a member of SfC when you register and when this program is held*.
Enrollment is limited to current paid Society for Calligraphy members only.
No reservation will be held until your dues are current.
*To join SfC: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC
For prompt receipt of supply list and confirmation, your check should arrive no later than two weeks before the workshop. You are not registered until confirmed by the workshop coordinator.
SPONSORED BY SFC'S INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER
Three Thursday evening sessions with Cheryl Jacobsen, May 8 & 15 and June 5, 2025. 6:30 to 8:30 PM (PST).
$75 (all paid workshops are for Members-only) No refunds.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: A blackletter hand like Textura prides itself on its upright demeanor and slow, steady movement, but Gothic Cursive is more laid back (literally), fast and free flowing. We will talk about various historical and modern examples, then get step by step instruction and feedback on the Gothic Cursive Cheryl has developed over time. Join her in this workshop to learn this fun and floridly expressive hand.
Experience level: Basic knowledge of pen angle use needed but any level welcome.
We will make Padlet available for sharing work for critique, as well as with fellow students. Recordings will be available for three months after the close of the series.
ABOUT CHERYL: Cheryl Jacobsen is a calligrapher and an assemblage artist. She is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Iowa’s Center for the Book where she teaches a variety of classes including a history of western letterforms, and several in modern calligraphic hands. She was a visiting faculty member for the 2015 NEH Summer seminar The Materiality of Medieval Manuscripts: Interpretation through Production and is the author of “A Modern Scribes Views Scribes of the past” in Scraped, Stroked, and Bound: Materially Engaged Readings of Medieval manuscripts. She runs a freelance studio creating manuscript books, commercial lettering, documents, calligraphic and assemblage art. You can see some of her work at: Cheryljacobsen.com
1. FIRST PRESS THE REGISTER BUTTON on the event webpage: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/event-5876278.
2. Payment instructions will be automatically emailed to you--PLEASE ALLOW TIME FOR THE EMAIL TO ARRIVE. Make a payment of $75 via PayPal or check. Please do this as immediately to avoid cancellation of your spot in the workshop.
Non-members, here is information on how to join SfC: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC. We recommend you select up to two regional chapters, which provide extra perks at no extra charge. You may want to choose those that sponsor the workshops you enjoy. PLEASE NOTE: there is no guarantee you'll have a spot in this workshop.
Enrollment is limited to 20 students, plus facilitators. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. If your membership lapses, you become ineligible and your space will be filled from the waiting list. Registration will close when class is full or on May 6. No refunds.
There will be a waitlist. We aim to add repeats of this class series. The first registrations for those will be offered to those on the waitlist. No need to pay until you are moved from the waitlist to the registered list.
Questions? Kristi Darwick at sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org.
THOSE ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE MAY 8 SERIES HAVE PRIORITY FOR THIS REPEAT SESSION.
Three Friday morning sessions with Cheryl Jacobsen, May 9 & 16 and June 6, 2025. 10am to noon PM (PST).
1. FIRST PRESS THE REGISTER BUTTON on the event webpage: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/event-6049389
2. Payment instructions will be automatically emailed to you--PLEASE ALLOW TIME FOR THE EMAIL TO ARRIVE. Make a payment of $75 via PayPal or check. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid cancellation of your spot in the workshop.
BOOKBINDING with Erin Fletcher of Herringbone Bindery IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Sponsored by the Society for Calligraphy
Erin Fletcher is the owner of Herringbone Bindery located in Austin, Texas. She crafts one-of-a-kind fine bindings and small editions for various clients and institutions. Her work is regularly exhibited throughout the US and abroad and is held in public and private collections. She first discovered a love for bookbinding while studying at the North Bennet Street School in Boston where she graduated in 2012. She regularly teaches book arts workshops online and at venues throughout the United States.
Join us for this fabulous in-person bookbinding experience with Erin.
The workshop will take place on Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15, 2025,
from 10am - 4:30pm with an hour break for lunch.
Please note that this event does fall on Father's Day.
Location: International Printing Museum's Book Arts Institute (Torrance/Carson)
315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson, CA 90745
Make a weekend retreat out of this event and stay Saturday evening at a local hotel!
Day 1: A Pair of Crossed Structure Bindings
Description:
The Crossed Structure gets its name from the interlacing that occurs across the spine to
bring the covers together. These modern bindings are rooted in techniques found in
medieval structures and were created by Carmencho Arregui. Although there are several
variations on the Crossed Structure, we will explore just two in this workshop. Beginning
with the Basic, students will learn the technique for sewing and how to interlace the
covers. The second model has a less obvious construction at the spine and is aptly
referred to as Hidden. This workshop is suitable for students with any level of
bookbinding skill including beginners.
Day 2: Secret Belgian Binding – Two Ways
This workshop will explore the Secret Belgian structure by crafting it two different ways.
This simple binding is easy to construct and can be modified in a variety of ways. The
binding opens flat and is perfect for thin, lightweight text blocks. During this workshop
students will use techniques developed by Anne Goy to make a basic version along with
a ‘top secret’ version which will build upon these foundational steps. This workshop is
suitable for students with any level of bookbinding skill including beginners.
Workshop Fee: $130.00 for 2 days; $80 for 1 day
Workshop Kits: Crossed Structure $15.00 and Secret Belgian $10.00; this additional $25.00 will be paid directly to Erin at the start of the workshop.
Learn more about Erin at www.herringbonebindery.com
This workshop is open to all SfC members. If you are not a member and wish to take this workshop please follow the directions on the SfC home page or click on the link below to become a member and then you can register for the workshop. Your workshop registration will not be final unless you are a fully paid SfC member.
https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC
Questions? Email sfc.solarnibs@gmail.com.
Presenter: Yukimi Annand - Postponed
Sponsored by Inland Empire SfC
POTENTIALLY POSTPONED--date to be determined
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: I am interested in any “forms" I see surrounding me. As a calligrapher I have been experimenting to create letterforms based on the forms I capture from the surroundings and play with them by writing text. The Roman alphabet is basically designed with a geometric system and the letter O is the mother form for developing a set of 26 letters.
In this workshop, we will start by making variations of letter O. We will get ideas from existing letterforms including historical and contemporary forms, ancient sine language, man-made architecture, natural forms and abstract paintings. We will consider the meaning of the text and the form of O to create unique alphabets. Then we will work on lines that are made by writing text from legible to abstract. As our final products, we will construct accordion books with the lines we created and collaged colorful shape elements which relate the form of O.
SPONSOR: South Los Angeles Chapter (Solar Nibs)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Note the date change to July 19.
Join us for our annual gathering with our guest, Louis Lemoine. We will be meeting in Lakewood on Saturday, July 19. This is a free event to members and non-members but you must register!
We will have light refreshments. Please bring your own individual drink.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Take a look at Louis's website or Instagram page for a glimpse of his work.
https://louislemoine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/louislemoine_magicman/
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
1) This is a free event but your must register. Register by clicking the "REGISTER" button at the top left of this page. It is open to the public; both members and non-members are welcome. Space is limited.
If you have any questions, email sfc.solarnibs@gmail.com.
NO audio or video recording of any program, meeting, workshop or other SfC function permitted without prior consent of both guest artist and a representative of the Board of Governors. You must ask permission of the artist/ instructor to photograph any copyrighted materials, including demos.
PRESENTER: SUZIE BERINGER
Saturday and Sunday, August 23-24, 2025 9:30 PM-4:30 PM (PDT), plus a review session on Saturday, August 30, 9:30-12:30
$80 (all paid workshops are for Members-only) No refunds.
Creative tiny foundational letterforms and Roman capitals using the versatile
pointed pen will be our focus for this workshop.
We will begin our study working with monoline forms, then use the
pointed pen. We will look at variations and how to achieve details while
reducing the x-height of our letters. The roman hand is a long time love of
mine. I have gravitated to the Roman hands minuscule as well as majiscule for
their versatility and elegance. As I often work with small letterforms, the
pointed pen is the tool that helps provide the refinement and elegance I am
looking for.
I’m excited share with you the delight in creating these delicate and charming
letterforms.
Workshop recommended for all levels. The recording will be available for 3 months.
ABOUT SUZIE: Suzie Beringer is a lettering artist who makes her home in the Pacific Northwest. With a degree in commercial art with a life-time passion for calligraphy, she is constantly exploring new possibilities and pushing herself creatively. Her work has been published in Letter Arts Review as well as other publications. As a teacher she loves to share her passion for mark making and design with others. As an artist Suzie loves the challenge and discovery that lettering on different surfaces brings. It has been said, that if something around her doesn't move quickly enough it may end up with letters on it!
You can see more of her work on Instagram: penstrokedesignstudio
2. Second, make a payment of $80 via PayPal or check. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid cancellation of your spot in the workshop.
Once you have pressed the Registration button, our system will automatically send an invoice (you can disregard). You'll receive an automated email with the PayPal link to complete your registration. Information will be included for those who prefer to pay via check. Please give this a little while, as email isn't always instantaneous.
Enrollment is limited to 60 students. (Even with 60, we expect this to fill fairly quickly.) Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. If your membership lapses, you become ineligible and your space will be filled from the waiting list. Registration will close when class is full or on August 20. No refunds.
Questions? Contact Kristi at iepvworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org
Instructor: Andrea Wunderlich
(In-Person in Gardena)
Sponsored by the Society for Calligraphy - Registration Opening Soon
"Letters act as practical and useful signs, but also as pure and inner melody." Wassily Kandinsky
Pure form, the quality of the line and the ornamental potential of writing - this is what it ́s all about in this class. We will play with letterform variations, experiment with layout-ideas and then finish it all up with a spark of gold.
Basic alphabet will be the Antiqua-letterforms - even if you haven ́t tried writing them yet, your eye is used to them. We will use them and play with them, transform them and create new compositions. Step-by-step through the creative process up to a series of works.
We will incorporate gold, will learn about some glittering effects, highlighting certain areas and a very easy way of gilding. Let ́s have fun!
Location: Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI)
1964 West 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
Supply List:
pencil (2H), ruler, eraser, tissue, sketchpad, good quality paper (BFK Rives, watercolor paper, etc.), black paper, tracing paper (ca. 70g), broad-edged nibs (Speedball C5-C3), Automatic Pens, Gouache (your favorite colors), brush for mixing, palette, embossing tool, a piece of plastic foil (e.g. wrapping of a greeting card), lightpad, Finetec gold (e.g. inca gold), bone folder, gold leaf or brass leaf, oil pastels (favourite colors, 2-3)
Andrea Wunderlich is a freelance calligrapher & book artist from Germany. She's working on commissions on a wide field of sign-painting, lettering, logo-design and murals. In her free artwork she loves to follow the historic paths of alphabets and enjoys expressive transformation into the contemporary. Her art is shown both nationally and worldwide and is part of private and public collections like the Berlin Calligraphy Collection, the Center of Book Arts, San Francisco and the Int. Museum for Contemporary Calligraphy in Moscow. She is a member of German societies ars scribendi and Schreibwerkstatt Klingspor Offenbach (board member), CLAS fellow (Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society), full member of LX (Letter Exchange) in London and member of Friends of Calligraphy, San Francisco.
Workshop fee is $160. Please register and make payment using the "register" button at the top left.
SAVE THE DATE! More details to follow
Roman capitals with variations - Saturday, September 27, 2025 9:30am-12:30pm (Pacific Time)
Details to follow
Saturday, October 25, 2025 9:30am-12:30pm (Pacific Time)
Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:30am-12:30pm (Pacific Time)
Deposit Registration will open very soon for our 2026 conference. The deposit amount is $50 ($25 of which is non-refundable.) A class priority number will be given to you in due course. Your ONE class for the conference will be allocated according to your priority number and the seats available in all the classes.
