What is Calligraphy?
Calligraphy means ‘the art of beautiful writing’, and there are many different forms. These are some of the ones that I teach, and all of them are suitable for left handed people as well.
What is Traditional Calligraphy?
Writing in a traditional calligraphy style involves using a pen with a special nib, or a dipping pen with a flattened, rounded, or pointed nib. The different styles require different nibs e.g. italic or gothic black letter (both pictured) requires a flat ended nib whereas copperplate would require an extremely pointed, flexible nib. I don’t teach proper traditional copperplate, but rather a modern version using a dipping pen and copperplate nib (see Modern Calligraphy below)
I teach Traditional Calligraphy (Italics) and Gothic Blackletter, and both are available as long 6 lesson (6 x 1.5hour) courses, short 2 - 3 hour workshops, and a series of 1 - 1.5 hour zoom workshops.
Traditional Calligraphy - Italic hand (Lamy pen with 1.9mm nib)
Gothic Blackletter (Kaweco pen with a 2.3mm nib)
What is Modern Calligraphy or Modern Cursive?
This is a cursive style of writing that has a more modern and contemporary feel than true copperplate. I teach using a pointed copperplate nib (Zebra G), oblique nib holder (the weird scary looking crooked thing) and ink. Modern Calligraphy is available as a long 6 lesson (6 x 1.5hour) course, or as short 2 - 3 hour workshops.
I teach the short workshops with Monique le Roux of Get Fonted (you can find her on Instagram and Facebook)
Modern Calligraphy with a dipping pen
What is Brush Lettering?
Brush Lettering is a style of writing that requires a brush or brush pen (a felt tip marker with a flexible nib) - there is a vast variety of brush markers on the market but I’ll guide you as to what is suitable for your needs. What is a brush pen?
This is a very contemporary and fun way of writing and is suitable for adults and teenagers from about 12 years and older. I teach Brush Lettering as a long 6 lesson (6 x 1.5 hour) course, short 2 - 3 hour workshops, and as a series of 1 - 1.5 hour zoom workshops.
Brush Lettering with Tombow Dual brush pens
What is Hand Lettering?
Hand lettering is a lot less structured than traditional calligraphy, and no special skill or talent is required. Hand lettering is typically done with fine liners, brush markers, gel pens, and metallic markers. In my lessons you’ll learn how to add banners, wreaths, arrows, flourishes and how to do different styles of simple lettering.
You have a lot more flexibility with the way that you write the letters, and it definitely has a more contemporary and fun look and feel. It is suitable for adults and kids from about 8 years and older. I teach Hand Lettering as a long 6 lesson (6 x 1.5 hour) course, short 2 - 3 hour workshops, and as a series of 1 hour zoom workshops.
Hand Lettering done with brush pens and fineliners
Modern Calligraphy with a dipping pen and white ink
Make sure to join our Facebook group, I Love Lettering, South Africa
