Foundations of Calligraphy

Part 1: Eight Week Calligraphic Fundamentals in Depth

Suitable for beginners as well as those with considerable experience, this extended course teaches the foundations of calligraphy, roman upper-case and lower-case letterforms, and an introduction to materials and tools.

January 29 to March 21, 2024

About the course

Foundations of calligraphy, roman upper and lower case letterforms, introduction to materials and tools, project assignments. Taught by Ewan to the depth that it used be at Roehampton. Students are expected to complete up to two days home-work during the week. Limited places. The course is suitable for beginners as well as those with considerable experience. The benefit of a course such as this comes from having a concentrated period of time devoted to growing one's calligraphic skills, the sustained programme of learning helps it bed down in your motor system and grow your imagination, skill and confidence. There are also a limited number of places for advanced students who may want to audit the course whilst working on their own projects.

Topics covered

  • Roman capitals, the historical background, an introduction to 'essential forms', geometric construction, pencil and monoline studies, spacing.

  • Working with a pen and using lightweight roman capitals, in a text and simple designs.

  • Introducing weighting to capital letters, serifs, and advanced spacing.

  • Introduction to Edward Johnston’s teaching of related form, geometric study of lower-case roman forms, the principles of related form as seen in his 'foundational’ hand studies.

  • The historical development of lower-case forms.

  • Analysing historical scripts.

  • Working with contrasting weights.

  • Upper and lower-case romans in combination.

  • Working with contrasts in scale ie. large weighted, and small scale writing.

  • Introducing manuscript books, planning and making a small book.

  • The relationship between calligraphy and type design.

  • Flow and ease in writing.

  • Introducing materials, their qualities, and handling of - ink, gouache, paper, vellum, quills.

  • Review and planning individual future learning.

Where and when

The 2024 course will run for 8 weeks with 20 class days, from 9:30am-4:30pm.

January 29, 30 | February 5, 6, 8 | 12, 13 | 19, 20, 22 |26, 27 | March 4, 5, 7 | 11, 12 | 18, 19, 21. (Mondays, Tuesdays, and every second Thursday)

14 Sillwood Road Brighton, England, BN1 2LF United Kingdom

Access to the studio will from 9:00am-5:00pm, with some additional open studio work days to be determined on a weekly basis. 

Please be in contact before making travel arrangements as some dates may be shifted.

Cost

The course cost is £1,450 of which a 30% non-refundable deposit required by January 1st, 2024 to secure a spot.

Enrollment advice

This class is designed for absolute beginners to advanced students. The variety of levels in this class has been one of its riches. Please contact Ewan if you’d like to discuss suitability and your goals for the course. Class size is limited to 10 people.

Next steps

To register or for further information, please click the button below to get in touch.