Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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You will study writing, design and illumination and learn how to choose and use basic materials. This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with some experience. Left handers are welcome.
What will we cover?
Beginners: an introduction to basic minuscules and Capitals. You will study the letterforms step-by-step, the structure of the letterforms, family groups and spacing, and you will work on your chosen text for artwork. You will also be introduced the use of basic materials.
Improvers: You will explore how to improve and expand your skills with consultation with the tutor. You can study other styles of writing such as Uncials and Gothics using historical materials
The course will also cover the basics of layout and design and simple gilding techniques.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Be confident in use of basic materials.
Demonstrate basic Foundational hand, minuscules and Capitals.
Produce a gilded letter/s
Develop your ideas into effective layouts.
Design and produce a finished piece or card.
For experienced students,
Combine with different styles of writing or use variations
Produce a piece with more developed idea and layout
Design and produce illuminated letters with raised gilding technique
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for complete beginners to intermediate and higher levels. The focus of the course is on good letterforms and effective layout/design with illumination. You will be able to work at their own pace and will be encouraged to produce a quality work rather than quantity.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in informal group discussion.
The course includes simple calculations and measurements. Basic IT skills would be helpful to be able to access google classroom and some online resources.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught though group and individual demonstrations and by one-to-one tutorials supported by discussions and visual references.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Some tools are available in the classroom however, you will need to buy your own materials such as papers, pens and inks/paints. Advice on buying equipment will be given by the tutor during the course. On the first day you will need to bring:
HB pencil and eraser
0.3mm automatic pencil
A3 Layout pad
Usual calligraphy materials if you have. If you don’t have any tools or materials, you don’t need to buy beforehand.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other suitable courses in calligraphy and lettering include:
Emiko came to England from her native Japan to pursue her passion for calligraphy. She studied calligraphy in the certificate course at Roehampton University and gained BA in calligraphy at Satakunta University in Finland. She was elected as a Fellow of the SSI (the Society of Scribes and Illuminators) in 2012. She enjoys working with historical sources and materials to explore new ideas. Her work was included in V&A’s Calligraphy & Lettering, A maker’s guide published in 2019.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/calligraphy-and-illumination145450Calligraphy and illuminationhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/5/_/5.image_recent_work_1.jpeg369369GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Calligraphy22851132113911421228511321139Learn 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. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">You will learn how to construct the letterforms and design finished pieces including lluminated letters using colour and gold leaf.</div>74.9https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/l/illuminated_letters_web_2.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/e/ve225_image.jpg2568355Calligraphy and illumination369369https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/5/_/5.image_recent_work_1_50.jpegInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Art & designVE231369369Calligraphy and illumination295240369Emiko Hashiguchicalligraphy-and-illumination/ve231-2526Learn 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.0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00You will study writing, design and illumination and learn how to choose and use basic materials. This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with some experience. Left handers are welcome.Learn 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.<ul><li>Beginners: an introduction to basic minuscules and Capitals. You will study the letterforms step-by-step, the structure of the letterforms, family groups and spacing, and you will work on your chosen text for artwork. You will also be introduced the use of basic materials.</li><li>Improvers: You will explore how to improve and expand your skills with consultation with the tutor. You can study other styles of writing such as Uncials and Gothics using historical materials</li><li>The course will also cover the basics of layout and design and simple gilding techniques.</li></ul><ul><li>Be confident in use of basic materials.</li><li>Demonstrate basic Foundational hand, minuscules and Capitals.</li><li>Produce a gilded letter/s</li><li>Develop your ideas into effective layouts.</li><li>Design and produce a finished piece or card.</li></ul><p>For experienced students,</p><ul><li>Combine with different styles of writing or use variations</li><li>Produce a piece with more developed idea and layout</li><li>Design and produce illuminated letters with raised gilding technique</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners to intermediate and higher levels. The focus of the course is on good letterforms and effective layout/design with illumination. You will be able to work at their own pace and will be encouraged to produce a quality work rather than quantity.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in informal group discussion.</p><p>The course includes simple calculations and measurements. Basic IT skills would be helpful to be able to access google classroom and some online resources.</p><p>You will be taught though group and individual demonstrations and by one-to-one tutorials supported by discussions and visual references.</p><p>Some tools are available in the classroom however, you will need to buy your own materials such as papers, pens and inks/paints. Advice on buying equipment will be given by the tutor during the course.<br/>On the first day you will need to bring:</p><ul><li>HB pencil and eraser</li><li>0.3mm automatic pencil</li><li>A3 Layout pad</li><li>Usual calligraphy materials if you have. If you don’t have any tools or materials, you don’t need to buy beforehand.</li></ul><p><br/> </p><p>Other suitable courses in calligraphy and lettering include:</p><ul><li>VE210 Calligraphy: decorated letterforms</li><li>VE255 Calligraphy and illumination</li><li>VE228 Calligraphy and illumination</li><li>VE300 City Lit Calligraphy course</li><li>VE246 Calligraphy: Modern copperplate</li><li>VE285 Calligraphy for beginners and improvers</li></ul>Contemporary craftsCalligraphyvirtual3029998Calligraphy and illumination399399https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/5/_/5.image_recent_work_1_51.jpegInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Art & designVE225399399Calligraphy and illumination319259399Emiko Hashiguchicalligraphy-and-illumination/ve225-2627Learn 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.0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00You will study writing, design and illumination and learn how to choose and use basic materials. This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with some experience. Left handers are welcome.Learn 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.- Beginners: an introduction to basic minuscules and Capitals. You will study the letterforms step-by-step, the structure of the letterforms, family groups and spacing, and you will work on your chosen text for artwork. You will also be introduced the use of basic materials.<br>- Improvers: You will explore how to improve and expand your skills with consultation with the tutor. You can study other styles of writing such as Uncials and Gothics using historical materials.<br>- The course will also cover the basics of layout and design and simple gilding techniques.<p>- Be confident in use of basic materials.<br>- Demonstrate basic minuscules and Capitals.<br>- Produce a gilded letter/s<br>- Develop your ideas into effective layouts.<br>- Design and produce a finished piece or card.<br>For experienced students,<br>- Combine different styles of writing or use variations<br>- Produce a piece with a more developed idea and layout<br>- Design and produce illuminated letters with raised gilding technique</p><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners to intermediate and advanced levels. The focus of the course is on good letterforms and effective layout/design with illumination. Each student will be able to work at their own pace and will be encouraged to produce quality work rather than quantity.<br>Students should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in informal group discussion.<br>course includes simple calculations and measurements. Basic IT skills would be helpful to be able to access google classroom and some online resources.</p>You will be taught by demonstration in a group and individually. There will be one-to-one tuition and this will be supported by discussions and visual references.Some tools are available in the classroom but you will also need to buy your own materials such as papers, pens and inks/paints. Advice on buying equipment will be given by the tutor during the course. <br>On the first day you will need to bring: <br> - HB pencil and eraser <br> - 0.3mm automatic pencil<br> - A3 Layout pad<br> - Usual calligraphy materials if you have them. If you don’t have any tools or materials, you don’t need to buy anything beforehand as your tutor will advise you in the session.The following courses are suitable for further study but please see our website for the full range of calligraphy courses: <br> VE228 Calligraphy and Illumination<br>VE274 Calligraphy: illumination and gilding<br>VE231 Calligraphy and Illumination <br>VE210 Calligraphy: Decorated letterforms.Contemporary craftsCalligraphyvirtual295,319369,399240,259VE231,VE225NONETue21/04/26 - 30/06/2610:30 - 13:0010:3013:0010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEmiko HashiguchiBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026,Sep 2026Art & design369369,399Calligraphy and illuminationcalligraphy-and-illumination/ve231-2526,calligraphy-and-illumination/ve225-2627Learn 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.0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00You will study writing, design and illumination and learn how to choose and use basic materials. This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with some experience. Left handers are welcome.Learn 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.<ul><li>Beginners: an introduction to basic minuscules and Capitals. You will study the letterforms step-by-step, the structure of the letterforms, family groups and spacing, and you will work on your chosen text for artwork. You will also be introduced the use of basic materials.</li><li>Improvers: You will explore how to improve and expand your skills with consultation with the tutor. You can study other styles of writing such as Uncials and Gothics using historical materials</li><li>The course will also cover the basics of layout and design and simple gilding techniques.</li></ul>,- Beginners: an introduction to basic minuscules and Capitals. You will study the letterforms step-by-step, the structure of the letterforms, family groups and spacing, and you will work on your chosen text for artwork. You will also be introduced the use of basic materials.<br>- Improvers: You will explore how to improve and expand your skills with consultation with the tutor. You can study other styles of writing such as Uncials and Gothics using historical materials.<br>- The course will also cover the basics of layout and design and simple gilding techniques.<ul><li>Be confident in use of basic materials.</li><li>Demonstrate basic Foundational hand, minuscules and Capitals.</li><li>Produce a gilded letter/s</li><li>Develop your ideas into effective layouts.</li><li>Design and produce a finished piece or card.</li></ul><p>For experienced students,</p><ul><li>Combine with different styles of writing or use variations</li><li>Produce a piece with more developed idea and layout</li><li>Design and produce illuminated letters with raised gilding technique</li></ul>,<p>- Be confident in use of basic materials.<br>- Demonstrate basic minuscules and Capitals.<br>- Produce a gilded letter/s<br>- Develop your ideas into effective layouts.<br>- Design and produce a finished piece or card.<br>For experienced students,<br>- Combine different styles of writing or use variations<br>- Produce a piece with a more developed idea and layout<br>- Design and produce illuminated letters with raised gilding technique</p><p>This course is suitable for complete beginners to intermediate and higher levels. The focus of the course is on good letterforms and effective layout/design with illumination. You will be able to work at their own pace and will be encouraged to produce a quality work rather than quantity.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in informal group discussion.</p><p>The course includes simple calculations and measurements. Basic IT skills would be helpful to be able to access google classroom and some online resources.</p>,<p>This course is suitable for complete beginners to intermediate and advanced levels. The focus of the course is on good letterforms and effective layout/design with illumination. Each student will be able to work at their own pace and will be encouraged to produce quality work rather than quantity.<br>Students should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in informal group discussion.<br>course includes simple calculations and measurements. Basic IT skills would be helpful to be able to access google classroom and some online resources.</p><p>You will be taught though group and individual demonstrations and by one-to-one tutorials supported by discussions and visual references.</p>,You will be taught by demonstration in a group and individually. There will be one-to-one tuition and this will be supported by discussions and visual references.<p>Some tools are available in the classroom however, you will need to buy your own materials such as papers, pens and inks/paints. Advice on buying equipment will be given by the tutor during the course.<br/>On the first day you will need to bring:</p><ul><li>HB pencil and eraser</li><li>0.3mm automatic pencil</li><li>A3 Layout pad</li><li>Usual calligraphy materials if you have. If you don’t have any tools or materials, you don’t need to buy beforehand.</li></ul><p><br/> </p>,Some tools are available in the classroom but you will also need to buy your own materials such as papers, pens and inks/paints. Advice on buying equipment will be given by the tutor during the course. <br>On the first day you will need to bring: <br> - HB pencil and eraser <br> - 0.3mm automatic pencil<br> - A3 Layout pad<br> - Usual calligraphy materials if you have them. If you don’t have any tools or materials, you don’t need to buy anything beforehand as your tutor will advise you in the session.<p>Other suitable courses in calligraphy and lettering include:</p><ul><li>VE210 Calligraphy: decorated letterforms</li><li>VE255 Calligraphy and illumination</li><li>VE228 Calligraphy and illumination</li><li>VE300 City Lit Calligraphy course</li><li>VE246 Calligraphy: Modern copperplate</li><li>VE285 Calligraphy for beginners and improvers</li></ul>,The following courses are suitable for further study but please see our website for the full range of calligraphy courses: <br> VE228 Calligraphy and Illumination<br>VE274 Calligraphy: illumination and gilding<br>VE231 Calligraphy and Illumination <br>VE210 Calligraphy: Decorated letterforms.Contemporary craftsCalligraphyconfigurable
