Friends of Calligraphy offers classes and workshops
that meet the needs of those beginning calligraphy as well as those who are ready for more advanced techniques. FOC workshops are open to current FOC members. Basic calligraphy classes at Fort Mason are open to the public. They are sponsored by FOC, and taught by FOC members. Also listed below are classes by FOC members who teach in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. They are not sponsored by FOC, but are listed here as a courtesy to our members. Please contact individual instructors for details.

FRIENDS OF CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

A one-day workshop for all levels of experience.
Ben Shahn Lettering
(Download the pdf flyer)
Cora Pearl, instructor
Friday, April 17, 2020
9:30 am—4:30 pm
Arlington Community Church • 52 Arlington Avenue • Kensington, CA
$90 FOC Members / $105 non-members
There will be an $8 materials fee for a handmade Cora pen.

This workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience, though some previous lettering experience is helpful.

This class is full. You must register to be put on the waiting list. If no space becomes available, you will receive a refund.

Select one:

Special instructions to FOC:

Ben Shahn was a 20th century Russian born Jewish American artist whose work was inspired by biblical themes. He is best known for his works of social realism, his left-wing political views, and his series of lectures published as The Shape of Content, but lettering artists also admire his original lettering styles which are playful and unique. In this workshop, we will be learning one of these lettering styles using the folded pen as our writing tool. We will focus on the details of lettering and spacing and will write them with the Pilot Parallel Pen and with Cora’s version of the folded pen.

Cora Pearl started studying calligraphy at age 11 and has been doing calligraphy and hand lettering ever since. She has a BA in Art and Art History from Oberlin College. Cora works as a full-time calligrapher and teacher of lettering arts. She teaches calligraphy and hand lettering at Portland Community College and teaches independent workshops, classes and private sessions, and year-long classes in design for lettering art. She has taught at several calligraphy conferences including Letters of Joy, IAMPETH, Letterfest, the International Calligraphy Conference, Letters California Style, and TypeCon. Cora also does calligraphy commissions in addition to her teaching. Cora is passionate about teaching and values a holistic approach to learning based on building trust and safety in the classroom environment.

A two-day workshop for those with broad edge experience.
Bone
(Download the pdf flyer)
Cora Pearl, instructor
Saturday and Sunday April 18 and 19, 2020
9:30 am—4:30 pm
Ruth’s Table • 580 Capp Street • San Francisco, CA
$180 FOC Members / $205 non-members

This workshop is not for beginners. Experience with broad edge pens is required.
Experience with Humanist Bookhand/Foundational lettering is helpful.

Select one:

Special instructions to FOC:

In this workshop, we will learn Bone, an original script created by Portland, Oregon calligrapher and teacher, Jaki Svaren. Jaki developed this style of writing to help her students loosen up their writing hand. She refers to this writing as “Bookhand with a new twist” since the style is similar to Humanist Bookhand (Foundational) but the pen is slightly twisted as the letters are made. We will learn how to do pen manipulation, not just for writing Bone, but to bring extra life to other lettering styles as well. We will learn the lowercase letters (Bone) and the capital letters which are called Osteon.

Cora Pearl started studying calligraphy at age 11 and has been doing calligraphy and hand lettering ever since. She has a BA in Art and Art History from Oberlin College. Cora works as a full-time calligrapher and teacher of lettering arts. She teaches calligraphy and hand lettering at Portland Community College and teaches independent workshops, classes and private sessions, and year-long classes in design for lettering art. She has taught at several calligraphy conferences including Letters of Joy, IAMPETH, Letterfest, the International Calligraphy Conference, Letters California Style, and TypeCon. Cora also does calligraphy commissions in addition to her teaching. Cora is passionate about teaching and values a holistic approach to learning based on building trust and safety in the classroom environment.

Roman Capitals with Broad-Edged Pen
(Download the pdf flyer)
Elmo van Slingerland, instructor
Saturday & Sunday, May 30 & 31, 2020
Albany Senior Center • 846 Masonic Avenue • Albany, CA
$180 FOC Members / $210 non-members

Class level: intermediate

Registration for this workshop via PayPal will begin Monday, April 6, 2020 at 8:00 am (DST)

We will make Roman capitals with the broad-edged pen. We will focus on good proportions, applying serifs, variations in letters and attention for detail and quality of form, all done in a slow, concentrated manner of writing. We will use pen manipulation and pressure on the pen. We’ll practice letters with character and strive for sophisticated calligraphy with refinement and lively detail. There will be demonstrations, tips, and individual attention (as much as possible).

Elmo van Slingerland was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He studied at the Rotterdamse Grafische School (School for printing and graphic arts).
In 1986 he attended a workshop in France with Claude Mediavilla and considers this as his start on the path of calligraphy. Elmo finished his study of graphic and typographic design at the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague (passed with distinction). He has taught workshops in several countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Mexico, South Korea, Canada, and USA, and at The Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague (type design for post-graduate students). Elmo worked as a freelance graphic designer/type designer (for DTL, for which he designed the typeface Dorian, and worked on other typefaces). He has exhibited calligraphy in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands and and his work has been selected for different publications. Since 2016 he has divided his time between working for a design studio (specialists in corporate and annual reporting), and making letters and teaching workshops.

Vivid Italic
(Download the pdf flyer)
Elmo van Slingerland, instructor
Monday & Tuesday, June 1 & 2, 2020
San Francisco Center for the Book • 375 Rhode Island Street • San Francisco, CA
$180 FOC Members / $210 non-members

Class level: intermediate

Registration for this workshop via PayPal will begin Monday, April 6, 2020 at 8:00 am (DST)

This workshop is all about writing the Italic hand with the broad-edged pen, but taking it a step further. We will focus on essential aspects of this versatile style: construction of the letter, good proportions, quality of form and attention to detail, done in a slow and concentrated way of working. You will learn to use pen manipulation such as rotation of the pen, using pressure and pressure release, working with the corner of your pen, building up strokes. The goal is making our (formal) letters more dynamic and more vibrant. We’ll practise letters with character and strive for sophisticated calligraphy with refinement and attention to detail. There will be demonstrations, tips, and individual attention (as much as possible).

Elmo van Slingerland was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He studied at the Rotterdamse Grafische School (School for printing and graphic arts).
In 1986 he attended a workshop in France with Claude Mediavilla and considers this as his start on the path of calligraphy. Elmo finished his study of graphic and typographic design at the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague (passed with distinction). He has taught workshops in several countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Mexico, South Korea, Canada, and USA, and at The Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague (type design for post-graduate students). Elmo worked as a freelance graphic designer/type designer (for DTL, for which he designed the typeface Dorian, and worked on other typefaces). He has exhibited calligraphy in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands and and his work has been selected for different publications. Since 2016 he has divided his time between working for a design studio (specialists in corporate and annual reporting), and making letters and teaching workshops.

FRIENDS OF CALLIGRAPHY Fort Mason Classes

Open to the public, these classes are meant for beginners and for scribes who wish to continue improving their skills. Basic supplies required by each student include: black ink such as Higgins Eternal, all sizes of Brause pen nibs, one or two pen holders, pencil and eraser, 18 or 24 inch metal ruler, notebook, cotton rag, a small water jar. There may be additional supplies specified by each instructor and are listed after each class description in the Fort Mason brochure. (Download pdf brochure for 2020)

Calligraphy supplies, especially Brause pen nibs, can be difficult to find. Call or visit your local art supply stores, such as Arch, Dick Blick and Flax. If they don’t have what you need, contact the calligraphy mail order vendors:

John Neal Bookseller, 1-800-369-9598 • www.johnnealbookseller.com
or
Paper & Ink Arts, 1-800-736-7772 • www.paperinkarts.com

Please register for any class at least six weeks in advance. Class size is limited to 16. You will be notified by the Fort Mason Class Registrar if you have a place in the class or are on the wait list. Payment of tuition is necessary to hold your place on a wait list. If you need to withdraw, a full refund will be issued 14 days before the class begins. Otherwise the tuition fee is forfeited unless a wait-listed student can take your place.

Classes will be held at:

Fort Mason
2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
Free parking outside the gate and metered parking within.

Fraktur
Raoul Martinez, instructor
Fort Mason • Seven Tuesday evenings • 6:30—9:00 pm
February 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7
$185 FOC members / $205 non-members

Select one:

Special instructions to FOC:

Fraktur, the elegant daughter of blackletter, conjures up images of the court of Maximilian I and tattoo artwork with her contrast of subtle curves and straight lines. Learn the script of Bocskay, Neudörffer and more modern calligraphers such as Rudolf Koch. You will fall under the charm of its long vertical strokes and hypnotic texture.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Raoul Martinez had an informal exposure to calligraphy while he was in college. In 2009, his interest was rekindled by the Kalligraphia exhibit. He started taking classes offered by Atelier Gargoyle and Friends of Calligraphy, where he fell in love with Fraktur. Raoul’s artwork has been shown at the San Francisco Public Library, Filoli, the Presentation Center and the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. For examples of his work see CalligraphybyRaoul.com.

Uncial & Variations
Meredith Klein, instructor
Fort Mason • Seven Tuesday evenings • 6:30—9:00 pm
April 14, 21, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2
$185 FOC members / $205 non-members

Select one:

Special instructions to FOC:

The beautiful round uncial letters evolved during the 2nd to 4th centuries, enjoying wide use in sacred texts during the middle ages up through the 9th century. Still popular today, this all-capital alphabet may be used alone or combined with other hands. In this class we will begin with uncials from a 5th century manuscript. You will learn the basic letterforms and the rhythm of round and upright strokes that give this hand its distinctive appearance. We will then move on to other historic and modern uncial forms.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Meredith Klein fell in love with calligraphy in high school. She studied with Ward Dunham and Linnea Lundquist at their “Black Sabbath” classes, as well as with many internationally known calligraphers. She has taught for FOC at Fort Mason and at Trivial Pursuits, been a guest instructor at Janice Braun’s History of the Book class at Mills College, and teaches at Etui in Berkeley. Her work has been published in Bound & Lettered and Alphabet, and her blackletter appears in a limited edition artist book.

Italic
Patricia Coltrin, instructor
Fort Mason • Seven Tuesday evenings • 6:30—9:00 pm
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20
$185 FOC members / $205 non-members

Select one:

Special instructions to FOC:

Italic is one of the most graceful, expressive, versatile and widely useful scripts available to the calligrapher. It dates back to Renaissance Italy where it was used by the Church and considered a quality hand among the upper classes.
This class will review the use of the broad-edged pen and study the construction of lowercase and uppercase letters, focusing on proportion, rhythm and spacing. We will look at many historical and contemporary examples for inspiration.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Patricia Coltrin has been inspired by letters since 1984, initially studying with John Prestiani and Thomas Ingmire. She began a freelance business in 1992 and has since been a student of many other local and international calligraphers. Patricia teaches both privately and for FOC at Fort Mason. She finds her greatest pleasure in sharing this craft with others both through teaching and learning.

Pointed Pen Alternatives: Capitals, Numbers and Flourishes
Rick Paulus, instructor
Fort Mason • Four Saturday mornings • 10:00 am—1:00 pm
October 24, 31, November 7, 14
$135 FOC members / $150 non-members

This class is full and a waiting list has begun. You must register to be put on the waiting list. If no space becomes available, you will receive a refund.

Select one:

Special Instructions to FOC:

With an exploration of historical as well as contemporary techniques, we will take a pointed pen journey beyond the basics as we integrate alternative capitals, numbers and flourishes to add diversity and pizzazz to our pointed pen calligraphy.
Some knowledge of the pointed nib is helpful, but all levels of experience are welcome.

Rick Paulus has been a calligrapher and a teacher for over forty years. Rick apprenticed for several years at the legendary Tolley Studios, in Washington, DC, before becoming the engrosser for the US State Department. In 1998, he was appointed chief calligrapher of the White House, where he remained for two presidents. Today, Rick enjoys calligraphic explorations from his studio nestled in the coastal hills of Sonoma County.

Friends of Calligraphy Lecture

There are no lectures currently scheduled.

MEMBERS WHO TEACH

San Francisco:

Thomas Ingmire • Call 415.673.4938.
International Calligraphy Correspondence Program. Classes at all levels.
CPA-HO, 1040A Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Raoul Martinez
Copperplate and blackletter classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced students.

Ann Miller • Call 650 558-8270
Calligraphy and Letterform. Advanced Calligraphy.

East Bay:

Patricia Coltrin • Call 510 524-5208

Georgianna Greenwood • Call 510.841.6924

Meredith Klein • Call 510.205.1119

Kaori Ogawa

Antonia (Nini) Smith • Call 510 526-7249
Year-round classes at Piedmont Adult School

Erma Takeda• Call 925.284.7368

Carla Tenret • Call 510.526.1214
Year round classes at Albany Community Center

Ben Yates • Call (925) 451 - 2643

South Bay:

Melissa Dinwiddie • Call 650.938.3939
Calligraphy, book arts, and illumination

Sara Loesch Frank • Call 408.446.3397
Ongoing calligraphy classes for beginners and intermediates.

Marian Gault • Call 408.395.8026

Ann Thompson • Call 408.378.6965

Marin County:

JoAnn Burchfiel Brand • Call 415.924.2625

Jody Meese • Call 415.272.3612

Mendocino:

Judy Detrick • Call 707.964.9276
Ongoing classes at all levels.

Sonoma County:

Christine Renden Haggarty
Ongoing classes in Asian calligraphy for beginners and intermediates.

Sherrie Lovler • Call 707.528.1723.
Calligraphic Abstract Painting.

Rick Paulus • Call 774.323.0050

Melissa Titone • Call 707. 573.3810
Ongoing classes and private lessons in Santa Rosa.

Yolo County:

Sumner Stone
Type design workshops in Rumsey, CA

Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel:

Debra Ferreboeuf • Call 831 655-4311

Carolyn Fitz • Call 831 335-2886

Ruth Korch
Art and calligraphy classes in the Santa Cruz area

Kern County:

Chris Paschke •Call 661 821-2188
Ongoing classes at all levels in Tehachapi

Reno/Tahoe:

Carol Pallesen • Call 775 329-6983
Ongoing classes in calligraphy and book arts

New Mexico:

Bill Kemp • Call 505 235-4983
Teaching and tutoring in Albuquerque

Online:

Ann Miller • Call 650 558-8270
Calligraphy and Letterform. Advanced Calligraphy. Two accredited Online courses through San Francisco Academy of Art University

Harvest Crittenden • Call 517 545-3031
Online classes in Spencerian, Flourishing, Copperplate and Photoshop for Calligraphers.

Meilissa Esplin
Brush lettering, gestural pointed pen, and chalk lettering.