Calligraphy and illumination
Choose a starting date
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: 29 Apr 2025End Date: 17 Jun 2025This course has startedTue (Daytime): 10:30 - 13:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 8 sessions (over -8 weeks)Course Code: VE231Tutors: Emiko HashiguchiFull fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
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 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.
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?
Group and individual demonstrations and one-to-one 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.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services,
at 15% off.
To get an LGC discount card, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a
student at City Lit. You can apply for our card in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a
scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already
discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-
discounts/.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other suitable courses in calligraphy and lettering include:
- VE210 Calligraphy: decorated letterforms
- VE255 Calligraphy and illumination
- VE228 Calligraphy and illumination
- VE300 City Lit Calligraphy course
- VE244 Calligraphy: brush lettering
- VE246 Calligraphy: Modern copperplate
- VE350 Calligraphy: modern copperplate
- VE285 Calligraphy for beginners and improvers.
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.