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

Brush and Stiletto: Pointed Brush Techniques & Cut Paper Lettering (download flyer)
Carl Rohrs, instructor
April 11 & 12, 2015 • 9:30 to 4:30
Albany Senior Center
$150 FOC members only. Join FOC now to be eligible to register for this workshop.

This class is full and a waiting list has been created. Payment of tuition is necessary to hold your place on the waiting list, and will be refunded after class begins if no space opens.

I love so many things about calligraphy and use just about all the tools available. But if you aimed a Samurai sword at my head, I guess I would admit that the pointed brush is my favorite. Around here, it is virtually always the first thing that has been grabbed for any project. There is a flowing freedom about it that just can’t be felt with any other tool. With a pointed brush we have stroke shape that a pen or flat brush can’t even think about, and there is the spectacular advantage of displaying the texture of the paper through the letters that’s only available to those who use brushes.

We’ll start with the bedrock of pointed brush lettering — perpendicular strokes — but we’ll definitely go on beyond that flat headed mark to the sharp, swelling and feathery beauty of parallel strokes with vertical pressure, which is the key to making your lettering look LIKE its tool and UNLIKE any other kind of calligraphy. Only two moves, but, combined with variations of rhythm, speed, pressure, kinds of brushes and papers, mood and color, a lifetime of unlimited expression awaits. We’re aiming for an eye-opening introduction for the brush novice, and a leap and deepening of understanding for the brush-experienced.
Speaking of swords, a transformative alternate way of using your brushwork is to cut your results out of paper (and lately, fabrics, too). It’s another technique with centuries of tradition from different places around the world. For those who wish to explore it, we’ll be turning our calligraphy into simple, elegant cut-paper creations that can lead to more involved projects: collaged extravaganzas with photos, patterns and textures, plus a simple plan that enables us to create an impressive, elaborate 3D letter. Paper cutting instruction will begin the first day along with the brush techniques, and both will continue as the class unfolds. The class will be structured so that everyone can focus on what they’re interested in working on: the writing, the cutting or both. The class is appropriate to all levels of experience.

FORT MASON classes

The basic calligraphy classes at Fort Mason are open both to FOC members and to the public. The class size is limited to sixteen people. Classes may be paid online via PayPal using their secure online payment service. You do not need to have a PayPal account; simply click on the Pay Now button for the class of your choice. All major credit cards are accepted. If you wish to register by snail-mail, please download the Fort Mason brochure and send the registration portion of it with your payment. For more information on Fort Mason classes please contact Elizabeth Nisperos.

Please register for any class at least six weeks in advance of the first meeting. Class size is limited to 16. Payment of tuition is necessary to hold your place on a wait list, and will be refunded after class begins if no space opens.

Cancellations: A full refund will be issued up to 14 days before the class begins. After that, tuition is forfeited unless your place can be filled from the wait list.

Basic supplies and additional or different supplies specified by each instructor are listed at the end of each class description. The term “Basic Supplies” refers to: black ink (Higgins Eternal or Pelikan Fount India), all sizes Brause pen nibs, one or two pen holders, pencil & eraser, 18”– 24” metal ruler, notebook, cotton rag, a small water jar.

Calligraphy supplies, especially Brause and Mitchell pen nibs, can be difficult to find. Call or visit your local art supply stores, such as Arch, Dick Blick, Flax, Michaels, Pearl, Utrecht. If they don’t have what you need, contact the calligraphy mail order catalogs:
John Neal Bookseller, 1.800.369.9598, www.JohnNealBooks.com
Paper & Ink Arts, 1.800.736.7772, www.paperinkarts.com

The folowing classes are on the schedule for 2015
Download the Fort Mason brochure in pdf format.

Uncial
Judy Detrick, instructor
Seven Saturday mornings • 10 am–12:30 pm
April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
$140 FOC members / $150 non-members

This class is full and a waiting list has been created. Payment of tuition is necessary to hold your place on the waiting list, and will be refunded after class begins if no space opens.

Select one:

Uncial, an all capital alphabet, was in use during the so-called ‘dark ages’ from approximately the 5th through the 9th centuries. Updated for use in the 21st century, this very popular alphabet stands alone or blends well with other styles. In this class you will learn the basic letterforms, and the rhythm and spacing that gives uncial its distinctive appearance. Also covered will be suggested tactics for successful layouts.

All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Judy Detrick has taught calligraphy and graphic design at College of the Redwoods on the Mendocino coast for more than 25 years, and developed the Graphic Arts Certificate Program there. She was editor of Alphabet, the Journal of the Friends of Calligraphy, 2007–2010. Her work can be found in the Harrison Collection of Calligraphy and Lettering at the San Francisco Public Library.

Copperplate
Melissa Titone, instructor
Seven Tuesday evenings • 6:30–9:00 pm
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20,
$140 FOC members / $150 non-members

This class is full and a waiting list has been created. Payment of tuition is necessary to hold your place on the waiting list, and will be refunded after class begins if no space opens.

Select one:

Copperplate is a beautiful flowing script which was developed in the seventeenth century and is commonly used today for invitations to formal events such as weddings. In this class you will practice the pressure and release action of the pointed pen while learning the upper and lower case alphabets, along with numbers and punctuation. We will also discuss how to vary the letterforms to create different styles and cover techniques for addressing envelopes.

All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Melissa Titone has owned a freelance calligraphy business since 1988, doing everything from wedding invitations to commercial lettering. She has enjoyed teaching children and adults, both privately and in workshops and classes. Her work has been published in several books, including Greeting Card Design, The Speedball Textbook, American Corporate Identity, Letterheads Gone Digital and The Artful Letter Engagement Calendar.

Italic Handwriting
Patricia Coltrin, instructor
Four Tuesday evenings • 6:30–9:00 pm
October 27, November 3, 10, 17
$80 FOC members / $85 non-members

Select one:

The italic hand was used both as a formal and as a cursive script in Renaissance Italy. Its clear, elegant forms provide a wonderful model for modern handwriting. Using pencils and fountain pens with broad-edged calligraphy nibs, students will study the construction and proportion of the letters and methods for joining them into a cursive script. The class will start with a slower, semi-formal cursive and work towards a more freely written version through exercises for developing rhythm and speed. Students will see many historical and modern examples.

All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Patricia Coltrin has been inspired by letters since 1985 when a friend loaned her a Pelikan pen. Initially studying with John Prestianni and Thomas Ingmire, she began a freelance calligraphy business in 1992 and has done both commercial and private commissions. Her work can be found in Belle Lettere (1997).

Friends of Calligraphy Lecture

There are no lectures scheduled at this time.

MEMBERS WHO TEACH

San Francisco:

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

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

East Bay:

Patricia Coltrin • Call 510 524-5208

Georgianna Greenwood • Call 510.841.6924

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

Holly Ynostroza • Call 510.655.7591
Private classes; Adult Program, Orinda Community Center

Sonoma County:

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

Sherrie Lovler • Call 707.528.1723.
Calligraphic Book Hand for Book Artists.

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

Marin County:

JoAnn Burchfiel Brand • Call 415.924.2625

Patti Cooke • Call 415.888.3299

Mendocino:

Judy Detrick • Call 707.964.9276
Ongoing classes at all levels.

Sacramento and Placer counties:

Phawnda Moore • Call 916.630.0505
Ongoing classes in lettering styles, correspondence, journaling, and the creative process at beginner to intermediate levels

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
Calligraphy classes at South Side Community Center

Ann Thompson • Call 408.378.6965

Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel:

Debra Ferreboeuf • Call 831 655-4311

Carolyn Fitz • Call 831 335-2886

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.