Workshops

The SfC generally has WORKSHOPS throughout the year, usually a variety of the different calligraphy-related disciplines our members enjoy. We invite instructors from all over the country and the world, who are part of the international calligraphic community, but we also invite instructors from our incredible local list.

Our seven Regional Chapters also organize all kinds of programs and workshops. Check the main Calendar listing for events in your area, or find the Regional representative for the chapter that most interests you. Currently, events are being conducted online, for safety reasons. Please note that a few future events are tentatively listed as in-person. That may change based on pandemic conditions. Before registering, please consult with the workshop coordinator listed on the event's webpage to be sure that event will work for you.

Questions? Email Carrie Imai at workshops@societyforcalligraphy.org



Upcoming Workshops

    • June 10, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM (PDT)
    • Zoom-online
    Register

    Fables and Flowers with Risa Gettler


    Sponsor:

    FREE - MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

    ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Mix analogous colors with a mischievous elf in the guise of a loveable Zoomorphic capital ‘L’. Our time will be spend in gouache painting areas of shades and hues followed by creating form and texture without blending. 
    Pattern and Supply List will be provided upon Registration. The pattern is yours to print endlessly.

    ALL SKILL LEVELS. Workshop will be recorded and available for a month.

    Zoom invitation will be sent a couple days in advance.

    It's not guaranteed that you'll receive the invitation beforehand, if you sign up the day of, but you will receive the link to the recording. . .

    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. 

    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. Please click HERE to join via check, or contact Kristi at sdworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org to inquire about joining electronically or to learn about what first-time membership specials are currently in effect.

    • June 17, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • June 18, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • 2 sessions
    • Zoom
    Register

    PRESENTER: Sue Greenseth


    SPONSOR: South Los Angeles Chapter (Solar Nibs)

    COURSE DESCRIPTION:

    If you took the fun workshop, “Mid-Century Pen Moves”, you may have been one of many who asked to learn the majuscules. This brand-new course covers the capital letters and tips for writing small. We’ll explore x-height and interlinear line spacing options.

    The first hour of the class will be spent reviewing the minuscules, so you are welcome to join the class even if you missed the first course.

    Skill level: Students should have familiarity with making steep and frequent pen turns.

    This workshop will be recorded and available for a month. 

    Zoom invitation and handouts, if any, will be sent out a few days prior to workshop date.

    ABOUT SUE GREENSETH:

    Sue Greenseth is a calligrapher and lettering artist in Portland, Oregon. In the 1970s, she moved from Central Illinois to Corvallis, Oregon, and found herself in the middle of a calligraphic renaissance. She has a broad range of creative pursuits. Early in her career, she taught calligraphy and freelanced as a commercial lettering artist for world-renowned clients. In the 1990s, when e-commerce was in its infancy, she became a designer for her own online jewelry company. These days, Sue continues to teach calligraphy as well as practice as a full-time artist. She loves breathing life into letterforms and animating words with a pen.

    SUPPLY LIST:

    DETAILS TO COME

    REGISTRATION:

    1) First, register by clicking the "REGISTER" button at the top left of this page.

    2) Then, make payment by PayPal or check. Workshop fee is $42. No refunds will be issued.

    If you have any questions, please 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.

    • July 05, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • July 12, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • 2 sessions
    • ZOOM Online
    • 19
    Register

    INSTRUCTOR:  NINA TRANSPONSORED by San Fernando Valley Regional 

    WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

    This class is designed for those who are already familiar with Copperplate script and want a refresher.  On our first day, we will review the minuscule letters and all the nitty gritty details such as tine manipulation for squaring tops and bottoms of strokes, terminal dots, spacing, and consistency exercises.  Our second day will be dedicated to tuning up our majuscule letters.  We will review the underlying characteristics that unite them as a family and ways we can improve our capital flourishes.

    Workshop will take place over Zoom. Two sessions on Wednesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 10am - 1pm.

    REGISTRATION:  

    Workshop fee:  $60   -   Workshop fee if paying by PayPal  $62

    ABOUT NINA

    Nina Tran is a calligrapher and single-mom of three based in Los Angeles, California. She teaches pointed pen and broad-edged scripts with a focus on Copperplate, Spencerian, Gothicized Italic and Gothicized Textura & Fraktur. When she is not writing or studying letters at her desk, she enjoys sunshine in the garden, hiking and reading.  

    Click on the link to look at some of Nina's work on her Instagram feed https://www.instagram.com/anintran/  or her website http://anintran.com/ 


    MATERIALS LIST

    Flexible pointed nib (ex: Hunt 101, Hunt 22, Zebra G, Leonard Principality EF, etc.)

    Oblique or straight penholder

    Ink

    Marker Layout Paper (eg. Borden & Riley Boris Layout, Canson Prolayout, etc.)

    Mechanical Pencil

    Colored Pens for taking notes

    12” Ruler

    2 Paper Clips

    Artist’s Tape or Washi Tape

    Small Container of Clean Water

    Paper Towels


    PAYMENT OPTIONS:

    Make your check out to -  Society for Calligraphy-SFV

    Send the check to Suzanne Bassani, P.O.Box 9262, Canoga Park, CA 91309

    OR

    Send payment ($62) via PayPal to carrie@carriedesigns.com

    http://www.paypal.com

    A Zoom link will be emailed to all registered and confirmed participants a few days before the workshop. 

    Recordings of the workshop sessions will be made available to all participants.


    For more information about this workshop please contact Carrie Imai at  carrie@carriedesigns.com






    You must be a member of SfC when you register and when the class is held. 

    Enrollment is limited to current paid Society for Calligraphy members only. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up, as well as when class is held. No reservation will be held until your dues are current. Please follow the link on the main website page to become an SfC member. 


    • July 15, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (PDT)
    • Online via Zoom
    Register

    PRESENTER: Carrie Imai

    SPONSOR: South Los Angeles Chapter (Solar Nibs)

    COURSE DESCRIPTION:

     

    I designed this sweet, funky alphabet as an easy entry into pen manipulation, better known as Pen Dancin’. You’re going to love this easy-to-learn hand and the manipulation skills you’ll gain from learning it. - Carrie 


    This workshop will be recorded and available for a month. 


    Zoom invitation and handouts, if any, will be sent out a few days prior to workshop date. 

    ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: 

    Carrie has been teaching calligraphy and related subjects for over 35 years. Following completion of a certificate program in graphic art and design she started a free-lance calligraphy and graphic arts business, and has worked as a calligrapher for the County of Los Angeles. She has taught at many international calligraphy conferences, UCLA Extension, Brandes Art Institute, Hughes Aircraft, RAND Corporation, and guilds across the US, Canada and in Finland. She is past President of the Society for Calligraphy, Los Angeles and has been the Director of the Letters California Style conference for 15 years. She has published a book entitled “Dancin’ Pen” which is in libraries across the world.

    All these ventures have brought her joy. But in her words, “What really turns me on is seeing the light go on in a student’s eyes. Life is good.”

    SUPPLY LIST: 

    • 1 large, edged pen - prefer Pilot Parallel pen (Blue or Green lid), Luthis FLAT pens (#4, #5 or #5a), OR Automatic pen (#3A or #4A) OR the original wood-handled Automatic pens. Luthis pens can be found at http://www.johnnealbooks.com/ or https://www.paperinkarts.com/pipape.html
    • Pelikan 4001 ink (any color), Bister Ink or Walnut Ink - please only these
    • Layout bond pad (any brand, any size) i.e. Canson or Strathmore Sketch OR
    • Drawing paper pad
    • 1 piece of paper cut to 4” x 10” for project
    • Pencil & ruler
    • X-acto knife & cutting mat or something to cut on

    REGISTRATION DETAILS:

    1) First, register by clicking the "REGISTER" button at the top left of this page.

    2) Then, make payment by PayPal or check. Workshop fee is $22


    To pay by check, email Linda Renner at LArenner@yahoo.com. Send a check for $22 payable to "Solar Nibs" to: Linda Renner, 3223 East First Street, Long Beach, CA 90803. Be sure to indicate the class name in the memo section of your check. 

    Registration is for Society for Calligraphy members only. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. For membership, please go to: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/resources/Membership.pdf

    If you have any questions, please 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. 

    • August 05, 2023
    • 10:00 AM (PDT)
    • August 06, 2023
    • 5:00 PM (PDT)
    • Online


    August 5-6, 2023  10am-5pm PDT

    About the workshop: Fraktur is a 16th century German style of Blackletter which combines the dense vertical texture of Gothic Textura and the lively curves of Gothic Batarde hands.  The name Fraktur, derived from the Latin word fractura (meaning "broken"), appropriately describes the distinctive fragmentation of joined and overlapped strokes.

    Our session will begin with a brief study of Gothic Textura minuscules from which we will derive our Fraktur minuscules alphabet.  Most of our second session will be dedicated to a study of the marvelous Fraktur capital.  The final two hours will be dedicated to learning how to add flourishing to our capitals. All skill levels are welcome. The workshop will be recorded. 

    About Nina: Nina Tran is a calligrapher and mom of 3 based in Los Angeles, CA.  She teaches pointed pen and broad-edged scripts with a focus on Copperplate, Spencerian, Gothicized Italic, and Gothic Textura and Fraktur.  When she is not writing at her desk, she enjoys sunshine in the garden, hiking and reading.

    MEMBERS ONLY

    Cost: $110, paid by check or Paypal (see details below)


    REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds unless your place can be filled from a wait list. You are not registered until you have confirmation from the workshop coordinator, Alessandra Kawakubo.

    Questions? Contact Alessandra Kawakubo at iepv.sfcworkshops@gmail.com.

    Enrollment is limited to current paid Society for Calligraphy members only. 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. For prompt receipt of supply list and confirmation, your payment should arrive no later than two weeks before the workshop. Supply list will be provided within the week following receipt of your registration.

    To pay by check, Contact Alessandra Kawakubo at  iepv.sfcworkshops@gmail.com. Include your current name, address, phone number, and email with the check (s) in the envelope. Non-members, include a separate check for $42, made out to Society for Calligraphy, along with your membership form: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/resources/Site/Membership/Membership.pdf or contact Alessandra to process membership electronically

    • August 15, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • August 29, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • 3 sessions
    • Zoom - online


    Tuesday evenings, August 15, 22, 29, 6:30-8:30 PM (PDT). MEMBERS ONLY

    $45

    About the workshop: Ben Shahn (1898-1969) was an American artist who studied under Matisse, Picasso, and Klee, worked with Diego Rivera, and eventually specialized in lithography, graphic design, and photography. Although he had the training and skill to execute Trajan Roman capitals, he was inspired by the folk lettering of handmade signs. This inspiration is evident in the two distinctive lettering styles he developed. 

    We will explore the lettering style that he used for his personal holiday cards and religious texts. These quirky letters are surprisingly rigorous yet encourage improvisation and play. We don't know what tool Ben Shahn used to make this alphabet; it has been speculated that he used a small broad-edge pen or a pointed brush. In this workshop we'll begin with the familiar broad-edge pen, and then explore these letter forms with a pencil, and also with a pointed brush.

    All levels of experience are welcome. Workshop will be recorded and available for two months after the last session.

    About BethBeth Lee is a lettering and book artist living in Bozeman, Montana. She holds a fine arts degree in graphic design, and has worked as a freelance calligrapher and graphic designer since 1982. Beth has also taught calligraphy and book arts for 40 years, both locally and around the United States. Current work includes lettering on bespoke fly fishing rods and writing out historical documents for publishing projects. She is a founding member of Cyberscribes and the calligraphy correspondent for the national Guild of BookWorkers Newsletter. Her work may be found in university and private collections around the United States.

    Cost: $45, paid by check or Paypal (see details below)

    REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds unless your spot can be filled from a waiting list. 


    Enrollment is limited to current paid/honorary Society for Calligraphy members only. 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 is not firm until you receive confirmation from the workshop coordinator.  For prompt receipt of supply list and confirmation, your payment should arrive no later than two weeks before the workshop. Enrollment is limited. 

    To pay by check, or to become a member, please contact Kristi Darwick, sdworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org

    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. 

    • September 16, 2023
    • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PDT)
    • Online via Zoom
    Solar Nibs - Details to Come in Early July
    • September 23, 2023
    • 10:00 AM (PDT)
    • September 24, 2023
    • 5:00 PM (PDT)
    • Online - Zoom

    PRESENTER:  TODD JAMESON


    Sponsored by the Inland Empire/Pomona Valley chapter

    TENTATIVE DATE : September 23 and 24, 2023 10am-5pm (1 hour for lunch) subject to change

    Do you want to learn Italic Calligraphy? Or want to work on why your italics don’t quite sing the way that you know they could? 

    This 2-day online course will help you learn and unify the forms that harmonize the minuscule alphabet of a formal Italic hand. We will work with various pens and ink on paper. 

       We will study the forms at a large size with a 6mm Pilot Parallel pen and then transition into smaller letters written with a Speedball C-2 nib.

       Todd will provide after-course exercises and an opportunity for individual feedback. FOR ALL LEVELS. This workshop will be recorded and available for a month.  


    Todd Jameson is a poet and artist who lives with two housecats in Lomita, California. He has been studying Calligraphy and Book Arts since 1977, and has been a member of SfC since 1986. He has studied with a lot of people and taught classes in many subjects for many different organizations. His day gig is with a large aerospace corporation as an industrial artist. Writing transient letters in the sand has been his practice this year.
    See more of Todd's work @trjameson.

    Cost: $75, paid by check or Paypal (see details below)

    REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds.  


    Questions? Contact Alessandra Kawakubo at iepv.sfcworkshops@gmail.com

    Enrollment is limited to current paid Society for Calligraphy members only. 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. For prompt receipt of supply list and confirmation, your payment should arrive no later than two weeks before the workshop. Supply list will be provided within the week following receipt of your registration.

    To pay by check, please contact Alessandra for instructions. Non-members, include a separate check for $42, made out to Society for Calligraphy, along with your membership form: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/resources/Site/Membership/Membership.pdf. 

    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. 

    • September 30, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • October 01, 2023
    • (PDT)
    • 2 sessions

    SAVE THE DATE! More info to follow

    We will focus on majuscules, a.k.a. capitals

    Todd Jameson is a poet and artist who lives with two housecats in Lomita, California. He has been studying Calligraphy and Book Arts since 1977, and has been a member of SfC since 1986. He has studied with a lot of people and taught classes in many subjects for many different organizations. His day gig is with a large aerospace corporation as an industrial artist. Writing transient letters in the sand has been his practice this year.
    See more of Todd's work @trjameson.



    • October 02, 2023
    • November 06, 2023
    • 6 sessions

    Presenter: Carol Measures Scott



    SAVE THE DATES! Move details to follow, soon

    ABOUT THIS CLASS SERIES: This 6-week class leads you on a colorful path through gorgeous greens, blissful blues, and passionate purples by exploring color choices for a lettering project to complete in class.While learning the basics of color theory we will discover how to create a simple watercolor background and how to write with gouache to produce a pleasing project in which the colors hamonize beautifully. Students should have some experience writing with dip pens.

    ABOUT CAROL:  I can't remember a time when I didn't enjoy the act of writing. Early fond memories include pleasant hours of both writing and drawing. Pen and ink fascinated me in high school and college art classes.

    •     As an adult, I was intrigued by the calligraphy styles I learned in a survey class. The intriguing thick and thin lines created by the broad-edged pen captivated me!
    •      After years of classes and study I begin taking on clients and students. I've been in business now for 35+ years, all the while enjoying new friends who come across my path because of calligraphy.
    •     Founder and member of Waco calligraphy guild – 1988, member of Kalifrafos (Dallas) 1999 – present, Captivating Color mini-workshop teacher at Legacies III

     



    • October 28, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PDT)
    • Zoom - online

    SAVE THE DATE! More info to follow.

Past Workshops

April 22, 2023 A SHARP PENCIL AND A KEEN EYE
April 19, 2023 A WAY OF CREATING WITHOUT WORRY
April 16, 2023 Everyday Uncial
April 14, 2023 Toltec Gothic Flourishing with Peter Greco
April 14, 2023 Working with Borders
March 22, 2023 ROXANNE GLASER - DRAWN TO GRATITUDE
March 11, 2023 The Letters of Imre Reiner
February 11, 2023 Napkin Play: Creating booklets, tags, pockets and more!
January 21, 2023 To B or Not to B: A B-Nib Play
January 14, 2023 Neuland+embossing
December 03, 2022 Gelli-Printing with Printers' Inks (MEMBERS-ONLY)
November 27, 2022 Fabulous Flourishing for the Holidays
November 19, 2022 The Inside Curve
November 12, 2022 Text and Texture - Folded Pen and Color Blending
November 10, 2022 CREATIVE CARDS
October 30, 2022 ONE-STROKE LETTERS WITH DECORATION
October 23, 2022 Calligraphic Dirds
October 22, 2022 Calligraphic Dirds
October 14, 2022 Versals
October 08, 2022 Drawn to Letters: The Dutch Approach
October 06, 2022 Whispers & Screams: Exploring the Ruling Pen
September 24, 2022 Romanesque Stitch Book
September 17, 2022 Uncial Uprise
September 11, 2022 Writing on Circles and Curves
September 05, 2022 Mastering Numbers
August 27, 2022 Basic Monoline Italic
August 10, 2022 Once Upon a Circle
July 30, 2022 Rudolf Koch in Color and Ornament
July 16, 2022 Mid-Century Pen Moves
July 03, 2022 Parallel Pen Party
June 26, 2022 Painting a Decorative Medieval Knot
June 07, 2022 No Fear CASUAL ROMANS
May 14, 2022 Fresh & Fancy: modern illumination inspired by Lindisfarne Gospels
April 30, 2022 Playful Pressurized Letterforms
April 23, 2022 Playful Pressurized Letterforms
April 10, 2022 Mastering Markers
April 09, 2022 SPRING SYMPHONY
April 06, 2022 Bold & Blended: Chunky Roman Caps with Belgium Bister Inks
March 15, 2022 Introduction to Celtic Knots
January 08, 2022 PARALLEL PEN: DEMYSTIFYING AND BEYOND
January 04, 2022 Round Ronde, A Ronde We Go!
December 27, 2021 Fabulous Flourishing Cards & Envelopes
December 04, 2021 PARALLEL PEN: DEMYSTIFYING AND BEYOND
November 20, 2021 Botanical Embellishments - Creating Wreaths
November 13, 2021 Pointed Pen Holiday Elements
October 24, 2021 Everyday Uncial
October 18, 2021 Small Capitals with Small Landscapes
October 16, 2021 Who's afraid of Rudolf Koch?
October 09, 2021 Interlock Surfin’ Letters
October 01, 2021 LUSCIOUS LAYERS WATERCOLOR
September 28, 2021 Greeting Cards Galore
September 18, 2021 Small Capitals with Small Landscapes
August 22, 2021 Fabulous Flourishing : Techniques for All
August 21, 2021 Introduction to Fraktur
August 17, 2021 How Do You DOodle That? with Nancy Hays Hills
August 07, 2021 Angels in August
July 31, 2021 Hardcover Accordion-Spine Book
June 11, 2021 Drawn and Built-up Capitals - Study of Hermann Kilian's Work
May 22, 2021 Exciting World of Ruling Pens
May 16, 2021 Copperplate Capitals with DeAnn Singh
May 04, 2021 Tools Galore
April 11, 2021 Dutch Masters Script
April 10, 2021 Monoline Foundational Hand
March 19, 2021 The Foundational Hand from Form to Design
February 20, 2021 Assorted Blackletter
January 24, 2021 Copperplate Basics - For Beginners & Brush-Ups
January 21, 2021 Uncial, Then and Now with Meredith Klein
January 16, 2021 Flora with Anne Elser
January 13, 2021 Open-Shaded Script with Anne Elser
January 09, 2021 Love, Fear and Flourishing
November 21, 2020 Flourishing Text
November 14, 2020 Focus on Italics
October 24, 2020 Captivating Cadel Capitals with Vivian Mungall
October 18, 2020 Italic Basics: Beginners & Brush-Ups - DeAnn Singh
October 10, 2020 Illuminated Capitals (via Zoom) with Risa Gettler
October 08, 2020 Holiday Greetings with Victoria Kibildis
October 03, 2020 Introduction to Copperplate Script (via ZOOM) with Nina Tran
September 13, 2020 RESCHEDULED: Italic Basics: For Beginners & Brush-Ups (ZOOM) with DeAnn Singh
September 09, 2020 Introduction to Gothicized Italic - ONLINE with Nina Tran
August 22, 2020 Playful Letters on ZOOM with Carrie Imai
August 15, 2020 Long Stitch Bookbinding - ONLINE with Amy Spencer
August 05, 2020 Copperplate Garden (ZOOM) with Barbara Close


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