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March 10-11: The Foundational Hand with Marta Legeckis

VIENNA ARTS SOCIETY
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Level: Any (should have some knowledge of a broad-edge dip pen)

Everyone can benefit from a refresher or relearning of this basic hand as we go over the basic calligraphic strokes that make up the Foundational Hand. Drawing guide lines and figuring out heights and spacing does not have to be a boring chore, but can be a meditative preparation for the work to come. All that you will need for this class (besides what is on the supply list) is your enthusiasm and willingness to devote some time to laying down a solid foundation and understanding for future study and the promise of much greater success.

March 24-25: Pointed Pen with Lee Ann Clark

COLUMBIA ART CENTER
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Level: Some knowledge of pointed pen writing is highly suggested

The pointed pen can be a versatile tool and need not be limited to formal scripts. Lee Ann will teach the many ways the pointed pen can be used to create different effects using pressure release to get thick and thin strokes. It can be elegant, sophisticated, fun and whimsical. We will explore the mechanics of pointed pen letter formation and work on the details and nuances of what gives this style of writing its elegance and grace while breaking it down into possible variations. We will explore flourishing, layout, and what is involved with working toward a finished project for you or for reproduction.

April 16-20 (Mon-Fri): Tune Up to Play Calligraphy with Denis Brown

VIENNA ARTS SOCIETY
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Level: Intermediate to advanced

This class will change your way of making marks and spur creativity to new heights. We will explore the concept of play in calligraphy in the musical sense of the word and we’ll take inspiration from a variety of musical analogies. Musicians PLAY their work; we don’t want to hear someone “work” the cello! In calligraphy the music of ink is recorded in every stroke. Even relatively static lettering of functional applications can become carefree expression of the spirit at play. Non-functional “polyrhythmic” calligraphy may be as music: a text sung in layered voices where the meaning shifts from a proclamation of the words to an exclamation of the spirit. Read about Denis Brown teaching in Miami, June 2011.

May 12-13: Gestural Lettering with Yves Leterme

COLUMBIA ART CENTER
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Level: Intermediate and advanced

f you want to capture that energetic feeling in your lettering, it takes more than the intent of a quick movement of your hand--it takes practice and informed intent. Yves has made the process of learning that easier to understand. Gestural writing of good quality is, more than anything else, a matter of premeditation, a supple mind and wrist, and a keen eye for detail. In this class we will learn about the hidden rules of gestural writing, develop swiftness, stimulate inventiveness (regarding letterforms, joins, spacing and scripts) and obtain consistency in form. Various aspects as spacing, pen angle, pressure, variation and retouching will be discussed and demonstrated. Website

May 19-20: Italic from Basic to Fine Tuning with Sheila Waters

LOCATION: Sheila’s Studio in Fairfield, PA
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Level: All

This workshop is for those who consider themselves beginners and also for those who wish to revisit the basics in order to revitalize their Italic. We will break it down into six steps:
(1) how Italic developed from formal Roman scripts in the 15th century;
(2) Italic as a joined handwriting to develop speed, rhythm and an even texture;
(3) Italic as formal calligraphy, with the basic model divided into related groupings of shape and construction;
(4) changing slant, width and weight, and pen angle;
(5) layout suggestions (letter, word and line spacing); and
(6) writing out a short quotation.

September 22-23: Collaborative Bookbinding with Beth McKee

COLUMBIA ART CENTER
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Level: All

In this workshop we will work together as a group to create books that are richer than anything we would or could have made on our own. Day One: Creating the puzzle pieces. We will paint exuberantly and make marks on each other’s sheets of paper, collaborating to conjure up chaos. Day Two: Puzzle solving, or creatively ordering chaos. Each participant will make a book with the “decorated” paper from Day One. Elementary bookbinding techniques and book design basics will be discussed and applied. Blog

October 5-8 (Fri-Mon): Design with Georgia Deaver

VIENNA ARTS SOCIETY
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Level: All

Since many calligraphers have not studied art in a formal setting, our calligraphic presentations might need a bit of help with design principles. In this workshop, participants will approach their designs in different ways, working very intuitively at times and very thoughtfully at other times. Throughout the week, students will be working on refining their designing and combining various elements successfully, exploring what works and what doesn’t work. Website

October 27-28: Ruling Pen and Folded Pen Techniques with Katherine Malmsten

COLUMBIA ART CENTER
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Level: All

Ruling pens and folded pens have become quite popular in the last few years. They allow the user to create lively, vigorous and spontaneous letterforms. We will trace the development of this tool and the styles available today. Each student will have the opportunity to make his or her own folded brass pen to use. (The supplies list also recommends bringing a commercially available folded pen.) Exercises will help students become more comfortable with the pens, different fluids and papers used with them, and different grips and manipulation. Website

November 10-11: Illustrated Animal Letters with Karen Ackoff

VIENNA ARTS SOCIETY
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Level: All

Learn how to make a spectacular letter that incorporates animal and plant imagery. The workshop will focus on how to create natural textures in order to represent fur, feathers, flowers, leaves, etc., using watercolor or gouache. Participants will complete one or more decorated capitals using a technique called “moist brush,” whereby paint can be layered without the underlying layers moving or bleeding. Color is built up gradually, creating a subtle tonality and depth.