Calligraphy courses in London
Students on City Lit calligraphy courses can explore the art of fine handwriting, and develop skills in contemporary and traditional calligraphy. On our courses, you can choose from a range of scripts to study, including Modern calligraphy, Copperplate, Illuminated lettering, brush lettering and Gothic.
You can learn how to create layouts, analyse historical scripts, and work on specialised, individual projects. City Lit offers inspiring and creative short and term-long courses for beginners through to advanced level, and all our classes are taught by professional practitioners and industry specialists.
We offer day, evening and weekend courses in well-equipped rooms with access to a range of reference books and materials and where group and one to one teaching allows for the exchange of ideas and individual development with maximum hands-on time for projects.
- Calligraphy: Spencerian scripts
Course start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to use a pointed pen for writing in copperplate hand. Spencerian script developed from the English Cursive and stands out for its delicately shaded lowercase and prominent capitals. With very intense shadows, obtained with a pointed pen, it is famous for its fine lines, hand-made quality and romantic overtones. Suitable for both beginners and improvers, left and right handers.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Calligraphy: decorated letterforms Course start date: Mon 28 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharon ShawGilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.Full fee £359.00 Senior fee £287.00 Concession £233.00 - Try it out calligraphy: modern copperplate Course start date: Mon 8 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksThis short workshop will guide you through the basics of Modern Copperplate Calligraphy, as influenced by historical copperplate handwriting. Once the artform of expert craftsman, calligraphy is now a popular artistic outlet, flexible enough to reflect the personality, style, and creativity of every individual – everyone can learn it and have a lot of fun while doing so! Suitable for left-handers and right-handers.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - City Lit calligraphy Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Emiko Hashiguchi, Veiko Kespersaks, Sharon ShawStudy calligraphy with this in-depth, three term programme that will equip you with the essential techniques required for beautiful cursive handwriting. The course will cover specialist skills-based training in Calligraphy with Design, blending traditional skills with an introduction to the latest trends in the calligraphy and design world. An exciting, challenging, and thorough introduction to the art of calligraphy.
Please note this course runs on Monday evenings from 18:30 - 21:00, plus one Saturday per term from 10:30 - 16:30.
Term 1 dates Mondays 15/09/2025 - 20/10/2025 (Half-term 27/10) 03/11/2025 - 08/12/2025
Saturday 06/12/2025
Term 2 dates Mondays 05/01/2026 - 09/02/2026 (Half-term 16/02) 23/02/2026 - 30/03/2026
Saturday 28/02/2026
Term 3 dates Mondays 20/04/2026 - 27/04/2026 (Bank Holiday 05/05) 11/05/2026 - 18/05/2026
(Bank Holiday 25/05) 01/06/2026- 20/07/2026
Saturday 23/05/2026Full fee £1,399.00 Senior fee £1,119.00 Concession £909.00 - Try it out calligraphy: formal and modern Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharon ShawWould you like to find out about the difference between formal calligraphy and modern calligraphy? Come along to this session and have a go at writing both styles. Beginners and improvers welcome.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Calligraphy: modern copperplate Course start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to write elegant letterforms using a pointed pen with ink. Once you have learnt how to write a basic copperplate alphabet, we will begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers, and both left-handers and right-handers.Full fee £459.00 Senior fee £367.00 Concession £298.00 - Modern copperplate calligraphy for improvers Course start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to write elegant letterforms using a pointed pen with ink. Once you have learnt how to write a basic copperplate alphabet, we will begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers, and both left-handers and right-handers.Full fee £459.00 Senior fee £367.00 Concession £298.00 - Calligraphy and illumination Course start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Emiko HashiguchiLearn how to write beautifully with a dip pen and design and produce a piece of work with illuminated letters using colour and gold leaf. All levels.Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £240.00 - Try it out calligraphy: old English script Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ivo GrantinsThis short course will introduce you to old English script which is also referred to as Gothic. You will focus on creating the basic letterforms using a dip pen and ink and leave having completed your own sample. Suitable for beginners or those wishing to increase their knowledge of calligraphy scripts.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - Calligraphy for beginners Course start date: Fri 10 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharon ShawLearn how to write formal calligraphy scripts using a 3.8mm Pilot parallel calligraphy pen. The parallel calligraphy pen is a versatile, transportable broad-edged cartridge pen which allows you to write thick and thin strokes. Advice will be given on other tools and materials you can use for calligraphy. This course is suitable for left and right-handers.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Try it out calligraphy: Roman capitals Course start date: Thu 16 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ivo GrantinsThis short course will introduce you to the tools, materials and techniques that you will need to start creating beautiful Roman capitals by hand. You will focus on creating basic letterforms using a dip-pen and ink and leave having completed your own sample. Suitable for beginners or those wishing to increase their knowledge of calligraphy letterforms.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - Modern calligraphy Course start date: Sat 1 Nov 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to write elegant and stylish letterforms using a flexible pointed nib with ink. Once you’ve learnt how to write a basic alphabet, we’ll begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers.Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £240.00 - Calligraphy: illumination and gilding Course start date: Tue 4 Nov 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Emiko HashiguchiLearn how to apply gold leaf with various gilding sizes and decorate letters with gouache and watercolour. Suitable for those who are new to illumination as well as those with some experience.
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Try it out calligraphy: brush lettering Course start date: Thu 6 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ivo GrantinsThis short course will introduce you to the tools, materials and techniques that you will need to start lettering by hand. You will focus on creating basic letterforms using a brush pen and leave having completed your own sample. Suitable for beginners or those wishing to learn a new calligraphy skill.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - Calligraphy: modern copperplate variations Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to write elegant stylish letterforms using a flexible pointed nib with ink. Once you’ve learnt how to write a basic alphabet, we’ll begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers.
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
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