Modern Calligraphy Workshop - NEW!
Adult Workshop (Age 16+) | This program is completed
2 Saturdays, 2/6, 2/13, 12:30 - 3:30 pm
In this fun, approachable workshop, students will learn about the tools, preparations and materials of pointed pen calligraphy. Instruction will be focused on core pen-strokes, basic script letter-forms and flourishes that connect and decorate letters. Each student is enabled to develop their own modern calligraphy style and will complete the workshop with a couple of finished pieces to take home.
- Modern Calligraphy Workshop Supply List
- Hello! I’m looking forward to our calligraphy workshop! I’ve put together a list of basics that you should bring with you to class. The first group of items should be available at a store like Bob Slate in Harvard Square or Playtime in Arlington if you don’t already have them.
- 1. Pencils, an HB and a 6B
- 2. Handheld pencil sharpener
- 3. Eraser. White eraser that won’t leave a residue. Staedtler Mars plastic erasers are great!
- 4. Ruler. A nice metal ruler is very satisfying and useful!
- 5. Rhodia pad, Gridded 8.35” x 11.75”. This paper won’t bleed with the ink that we will be using and is great for practice. If gridded is not available, dotted or blank is fine, but the gridded makes practicing nice and easy!
- 6. Water vessel. Its nice to have an old mug or a jar dedicated to your calligraphy kit.
- 7. Rag. Something tightly woven that won’t leave fibers in your nib, like an old linen tea cloth or t-shirt.
- I recommend purchasing the next 4 items online. You can find calligraphy pen holders, nibs, and inks at Playtime in Arlington, Bob Slate in Harvard Square, and sometimes in chain arts & crafts stores like Michaels or A.C. Moore, but the selection is always fairly small, inconsistent, and you just can’t find many of the higher quality nibs, holders, and inks in stores. I highly recommend purchasing the following specific items from an online retailer. All of the following are available to order from http://www.paperinkarts.com, which is where I have ordered them in the past.
- 8. e+m Cork-Tipped Penholder
- http://search.store.yahoo.net/yhst-141105795965626/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=yhst-141105795965626&query=e%2Bm%20Cork-Tipped%20Penholder&x=0&y=0
- 9. Nikko G Pointed Nib (purchase at least 2! )
- http://www.paperinkarts.com/nikkog.html
- 10. KY Series Sumi Ink. 2 ounces is great to start, the 6 ounce bottle is a better deal if you think you’ll be doing a lot of calligraphy!
- http://search.store.yahoo.net/yhst-141105795965626/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=yhst-141105795965626&query=%22KY%20Series%20Sumi%20Ink%22&x=0&y=0
- 11. Dappen Dish - tiny clear.
- Perfect size and depth to hold ink, and the solid glass base prevents ink from tipping over.
- http://www.paperinkarts.com/dappen-clr.html
- I talked to the nice folks at paperinkarts.com and they confirmed that orders to Boston should be received 3-5 days after placing it if using their most basic shipping method (First Class mail). I will have extra Nikko G nibs and sumi ink for use in class if anyone is unable to order online. Straight penholders can be purchased at Playtime or Bob Slate as well, but they may not have the cork-tipped ones which are the most comfortable for beginners. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble locating materials!
- Cha-Ling O’Connell
- cha.oconnell@gmail.com
Cha O'Connell
Cha is a Maker of Things. She studied Naval Architecture and Comparative Media Studies with a focus on Photography and Film at M.I.T. for a while, was a sailing educator and program director at Courageous Sailing, and has studied Graphic Design, Textiles, Drawing, and Art Education through MassArt’s Continuing Education department. She taught workshops at Paper Source in Cambridge and currently does freelance calligraphy, graphic design and fine crafting. At the ACA, Cha teaches a variety of classes including Modern Calligraphy, Shibori, and Book Binding, as well as working with teens and children.