Registration closing date : 13th June 2025
This is a one-day In person class
Tiny, delicately written words can be a source of wonder. They may be used to credit the origin of a quote, or to create a little calligraphic gem written in the miniature. However, the smaller we write, the more difficult it can be to maintain consistent size, spacing and rhythm. This workshop will offer some clear guidelines to achieve this, including experimenting with different nibs and pens.
The exquisite Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta will be used as a model from which to draw inspiration and there will be simple, yet effective, projects along the way to try our newly developed skills.
Students should have a basic working knowledge of at least one hand, ie: Roman Capitals, Foundation Hand, Italic, Uncial.
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Paper:
- A few sheets of A4 or A3 Bleedproof layout paper (or good quality photocopy paper)
- A few pieces of hot pressed (HP) watercolour paper (eg Saunders, Arches, St Cuthbert’s Mill)
These can range in size between A5 - A3...off-cuts are fine
- A4/A3 sheet of black paper (eg Canson, Magnani, Ingres etc)
Pens/Nibs:
- A range of your favourite nibs with penholders (eg William Mitchell, Brause or Leonardt), especially the smaller sizes, though we will be using William Mitchell #s 2, 3 & 4 (or Brause 2, 1.5 & 1mm). Deirdre will be providing a Mitchell #6 for everyone, so please have a Mitchell reservoir ready.
- A few copperplate nibs, especially the firmer, finer ones (eg Gillott 104, Nikko G, Brause EF Principal)
- Mapping pen/'crow quill' (eg Brause reversible holder with 511B nib)
- Ruling pen (if you have one)
- Parallel pen 6mm or 3.8mm with black or sepia cartridge (only if you have one)
- Fine-liner pen .005 or .01
Ink/Gouache:
- Non-waterproof ink eg Quink, Pelikan, Higgins, (Walnut, Sumi or stick ink are fine too)
- White ink (eg Dr Martin's Bleedproof/Penwhite or White Gouache)
- 2 or 3 colours of gouache
- Gold Ink (eg Dr Martin's Copperplate gold or a Finetec pan gold)
Other Materials:
- Ruler, mechanical pencil, eraser, a few coloured pencils, glue stick, washi/masking tape, craft knife, cutting mat (if you have one)
- Mixing palette, water dropper, mixing brushes, water jar, paper-towel
- Magnifying glass
- Notebook
- Arkansas stone for nib sharpening (only if you have one)
- Embossing tool and 1 or 2 templates (only if you have them)
Important note: If you are fairly new to calligraphy, please don’t feel you need to bring everything on the list. Deirdre will have spares of most items
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