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.
16 courses available
Modern calligraphyLearn 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 £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00- Elegant capitals in modern calligraphy
Capital letters are the jewels of calligraphy - bold, graceful, and endlessly expressive. This course invites you to master the art of elegant capitals, blending technical precision with creativity to elevate your calligraphic work. Whether you are looking to refine your skills or bring a modern edge to traditional forms, this six-week class offers the perfect space to experiment, practise, and create beautiful capital letterforms.
Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00 - Calligraphy: illumination and gilding
Create an illuminated letter using gilding and simple decoration. This course offers an introduction to the art of illumination through the study and practice of traditional and modern gilding and decorative techniques. Suitable for those who are new to illumination as well as those with some experience.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Calligraphy for beginners
Learn 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 to create scripts such as gothic, italic and Carolingian. Advice will be given on other tools and materials you can use for calligraphy. This course is suitable for left and right-handers. Please read the course outline carefully as you will need to bring some things with you to the first session.
Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Calligraphy after workLearn the principles and explore the essential steps of calligraphy using a range of tools and techniques to create an individual piece. Suitable for beginners as well as improvers, left or right handers welcome.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
- Calligraphy for beginners and improvers
Learn and develop calligraphy skills on this beginners and improvers course. You will practice with a range of pens and papers, and create a finished example using a favourite quotation. Advice will be given on tools and materials. Suitable for left or right handers.Please read the course outline carefully as you will need to bring some things with you to the first session.
Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Calligraphy: modern copperplateLearn 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 £499.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £324.00
- Modern and historical calligraphy for improvers
Step into the world of calligraphy and discover the beauty of both historical and modern letterforms. This course is designed for improvers who wish to refine their technical skills while exploring creativity. You’ll study elegant scripts from the past, develop a personal modern alphabet, and bring your ideas to life through expressive projects.
Full fee £499.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £324.00 - Calligraphy and illuminationLearn 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 £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00
- Calligraphy: modern copperplate variations
This course explores modern variations of copperplate form while retaining the elegance and clarity of the original. Working with a pointed pen, you will develop your copperplate writing by refining contrast, rhythm, spacing. This course is suitable for students who already have who have completed a basic calligraphy course or who have prior experience with broad-edge or pointed-pen scripts. Open to both left- and right-handed writers.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Try it out calligraphy: formal and modernWould 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.
Keeley Street
Sat 20 Feb 2027Sharon ShawFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Try it out calligraphy: modern copperplateThis short workshop will guide you through the basics of Modern Copperplate Calligraphy. Once the art form of expert craftsman, calligraphy is now a popular creative 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.
Keeley Street
Mon 5 Apr 2027Veiko KespersaksFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Calligraphy: 10 projects for beginners
This course offers an exciting range of projects to introduce you to the art of beautiful writing. Develop new calligraphy and lettering skills whilst producing your own greeting cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and wall art.
Keeley Street
Wed 28 Apr 2027Sharon ShawFull fee £499.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £324.00 - Try it out: calligraphy
Fancy having a go at this beautiful art form? This short weekend course will introduce you to two different calligraphy pens: a broad edge nib used for scripts such as gothic and italic and a flexible nib used for modern calligraphy and Copperplate.
Keeley Street
Sat 17 Jul 2027Sharon ShawFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £179.00 - Calligraphy: Spencerian scriptsLearn 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.
Keeley Street
Mon 19 Jul 2027Veiko KespersaksFull fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00
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