Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.
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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The pages of illuminated manuscripts were brought to life with the rich, vibrant colour of the decorated letter. This course is an introduction to the history and tools of illumination. You will be guided through the process of drawing an individual letter from outline to gilding and painting.
What will we cover?
How to plan and organise a design
How to apply gold onto a PVA mordant
How to paint with gouache
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
use a flat gilding technique
how to paint with gouache
select and use appropriate materials effectively
go on to further study in calligraphy
More advanced students:
incorporate your illuminated letterform into a block of text.
adapt and re-create your own decorated letterforms.
work on self-directed projects with help and advise from the tutor.
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, 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 practice between sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need to bring bring your own brush - a sable watercolour brush size 0. An A4 presentation folder for handouts and worksheets A pencil and notebook Advice will be given about tools and materials if you wish to progress to further study.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/calligraphy-summer-intensive2568412Calligraphy summer intensivehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/e/ve290_image_2.jpg369369GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Calligraphy22851132113911421228511321139Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/d/e/decorated-initials_4.jpg2568352Calligraphy summer intensive369369https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/e/ve290_image_3.jpgInStockDaytimeMon-FriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-07-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Art & designVE210369369Calligraphy summer intensive295240369Sharon Shawcalligraphy-summer-intensive/ve210-2526Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.0000-Available|2026-07-27 00:00:00The pages of illuminated manuscripts were brought to life with the rich, vibrant colour of the decorated letter. This course is an introduction to the history and tools of illumination. You will be guided through the process of drawing an individual letter from outline to gilding and painting.Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.<ul><li>How to plan and organise a design</li><li>How to apply gold onto a PVA mordant</li><li>How to paint with gouache</li></ul><ul><li>use a flat gilding technique</li><li>how to paint with gouache</li><li>select and use appropriate materials effectively</li><li>go on to further study in calligraphy</li></ul><p>More advanced students:</p><ul><li>incorporate your illuminated letterform into a block of text.</li><li>adapt and re-create your own decorated letterforms.</li><li>work on self-directed projects with help and advise from the tutor.</li></ul>This course is suitable for the complete beginner or those who wish to refresh their calligraphy skills. <br> You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs,<br> health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.<p>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 practice between sessions.</p><p>You will need to bring bring your own brush - a sable watercolour brush size 0.<br>An A4 presentation folder for handouts and worksheets<br>A pencil and notebook<br>Advice will be given about tools and materials if you wish to progress to further study.<br><br> </p><p>Suitable courses may include:</p><ul><li>VE225 Calligraphy and illumination</li><li>VE300 City Lit calligraphy course</li><li>VE273 Calligraphy: illumination and gilding</li><li>VE249 Modern calligraphy</li></ul>Contemporary craftsCalligraphyvirtual295369240VE210NONEMon-Fri27/07/26 - 31/07/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:305 sessions55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSharon ShawBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-27T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Art & design369369Calligraphy summer intensivecalligraphy-summer-intensive/ve210-2526Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.0000-Available|2026-07-27 00:00:00The pages of illuminated manuscripts were brought to life with the rich, vibrant colour of the decorated letter. This course is an introduction to the history and tools of illumination. You will be guided through the process of drawing an individual letter from outline to gilding and painting.Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.<ul><li>How to plan and organise a design</li><li>How to apply gold onto a PVA mordant</li><li>How to paint with gouache</li></ul><ul><li>use a flat gilding technique</li><li>how to paint with gouache</li><li>select and use appropriate materials effectively</li><li>go on to further study in calligraphy</li></ul><p>More advanced students:</p><ul><li>incorporate your illuminated letterform into a block of text.</li><li>adapt and re-create your own decorated letterforms.</li><li>work on self-directed projects with help and advise from the tutor.</li></ul>This course is suitable for the complete beginner or those who wish to refresh their calligraphy skills. <br> You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs,<br> health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.<p>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 practice between sessions.</p><p>You will need to bring bring your own brush - a sable watercolour brush size 0.<br>An A4 presentation folder for handouts and worksheets<br>A pencil and notebook<br>Advice will be given about tools and materials if you wish to progress to further study.<br><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Suitable courses may include:</p><ul><li>VE225 Calligraphy and illumination</li><li>VE300 City Lit calligraphy course</li><li>VE273 Calligraphy: illumination and gilding</li><li>VE249 Modern calligraphy</li></ul>Contemporary craftsCalligraphyconfigurable
