Calligraphy for beginners and improvers
Course Code: VE285
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is a chance to develop your key calligraphy skills and gain more confidence writing with broad-edged metal nibs and ink. This course is suitable for left and right handers.
What will we cover?
• Writing with different sizes of nibs
• Writing with gouache
• Writing on different paper surfaces
• Writing a longer quotation.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Write a quotation or poem using a variety of nib sizes and ink
For more advanced students:
• Write a quotation or poem using a variety of nib sizes and gouache.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for the complete beginner or those who wish to refresh their calligraphy skills.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for
health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
During the class there will be group and individual demonstrations. You will be given examples and worksheets
which enable you to develop at your own pace. It will be beneficial if you can do some practise between sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need to purchase an A3 folder for handouts and worksheets, a 3.8mm , a pencil and a notebook. Improvers will also need to purchase a 2.4mm parallel pilot pen. Advice will be given about additional calligraphy tools and materials you can purchase to enable practise between sessions or when embarking on further study.
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?
Suitable courses may include:
- VE300 City Lit Calligraphy course
- VE246 Calligraphy: Modern copperplate
- VE225 or VE238 Calligraphy and illumination
- VE227 Calligraphy: Italic
- VE249 Modern calligraphy.
Sharon is a London based left-handed calligrapher, lettering artist and illustrator. She studied Calligraphy and Bookbinding at Roehampton University and was awarded a first class honours degree in 2003. In 2010 she became a Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators. Sharon believes anyone can learn calligraphy if you relax, enjoy the process and allow yourself to make lots and lots and lots of mistakes. Sharon’s other courses at City Lit are: Calligraphy For Beginners, Calligraphy Handwriting: Developing your Style, Calligraphy and Brush lettering, Calligraphy class: Illuminated lettering and Calligraphy and Decorated Letterforms.
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.