Calligraphy and illumination
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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.
- Start Date: 23 Sep 2025End Date: 02 Dec 2025Tue (Daytime): 10:30 - 13:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: VE225Tutors: Emiko HashiguchiFull fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £240.00
- Start Date: 13 Jan 2026End Date: 24 Mar 2026Tue (Daytime): 10:30 - 13:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: VE228Tutors: Emiko HashiguchiFull fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £240.00
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What is the course about?
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 different styles of writing or use variations
- Produce a piece with a 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 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 a quality work rather than quantity.
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.
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 by demonstration in a group and individually. There will be one-to-one tuition and this will be 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 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.
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 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.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The following courses are suitable for further study but please see our website for the full range of calligraphy courses:
VE228 Calligraphy and Illumination
VE274 Calligraphy: illumination and gilding
VE231 Calligraphy and Illumination
VE210 Calligraphy: Decorated letterforms.
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.