home events classes publications resources join member sites FAQ

classes

FOC Workshops

  • Polello Art Nouveau

FOC Classes

Basic Supplies

Memorial Scholarship

FOC Lecture

Members Who Teach

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






  • Massimo Polello
    The Freedom of Art Nouveau

    February 22 & 23, 2025
    Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM PST
    Cost: $210 for FOC members; $240 for non-members
    In person at Letterform Archive,
    2325 Third Street 4R in San Francisco
    All levels of experience welcome

    Download the pdf flyer here.

    Select one:
    Special instructions to FOC:

    This workshop will examine the fluid, expressive, and sometimes idiosyncratic letters created by Art Nouveau artists and designers from the 1899s through the early Twentieth Century. These letters were drawn, departing from classical calligraphy. Students will be introduced to the wide range of letters and forms of the Art Nouveau period, a time of glorious freedom for letters.

    Massimo Polello is a highly respected calligrapher and designer from Turin, Italy with over twenty years’ experience. His work includes designing packaging, logos, interior design, and murals. He studied calligraphy at the Toulouse Scriptorium and with numerous calligraphers and internationally recognized master penmen.

    Questions? Please contact Elena at elena.caruthers@gmail.com


FRIENDS OF CALLIGRAPHY FOC Classes


Open to the public, these classes are meant for beginners and for scribes who wish to continue improving their skills.
(Download FOC Classes pdf brochure for 2025)

Basic Supplies: Non-waterproof black ink (i.e., Pelikan 4001, Higgins Eternal, or Dr Ph Martin’s Hydrus Carbon Black), all sizes Brause pen nibs, one or two pen holders, pencil and eraser, 18 or 24 inch metal ruler, notebook, cotton rag, a small water jar.
If other pens, nibs or holders are specified for a class (e.g., English Roundhand), then it is not necessary to buy the Brause pen nibs on the Basic Supplies list.
There may be additional supplies specified by each instructor that are listed after each class description in the FOC Classes brochure. (Download pdf brochure for 2025)

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.johnnealbooks.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:

  • Online via Zoom
  • Fort Mason, Building C
    2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
    Free parking outside the gate and metered parking within.
  • Albany Senior Center
    846 Masonic Ave., Albany, CA 94706




  • Uncial

    Uncial
    Meredith Klein, instructor
    4 Tues. nights • 6:30 – 9 PM • Online
    March 25, April 1, 8, 15
    $125 non-members / $115 FOC members

    Class Description
    The beautiful round uncial letters evolved during the 2nd to 4th centuries, enjoying wide use in sacred texts in the Middle Ages up through the 9th century. Still popular today, this all capital alphabet may be used alone or combined with other hands. You will learn the basic letterforms, and the rhythm of round and upright strokes that give this hand its distinctive appearance. We will look at variations and consider basic layout strategies.
    All levels of lettering experience are welcome.
    Supplies: Basic Supplies* (but Parallel Pens 3.8mm and 2.4mm may be used instead of Brause nibs); and small and large pads of layout bond (9 x 12" plus 11 x 14", 11 x 17" or 14 x 17");
    18" C-thru ruler recommended.

    Select one:
    Special instructions to FOC:


  • English Roundhand

    English Roundhand
    Katie Leavens, instructor
    7 Tues. nights • 6:30 – 9 PM • In Person, Fort Mason
    June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15,** 29, August 5
    $205 non-members / $185 FOC members

    Class Description
    In this class, we’ll demystify English Roundhand using 18th century writing manuals, including George Bickham’s The Universal Penman. We’ll reinterpret these historic letterforms with modern metal nibs, starting with small broad-edge nibs and progressing down to an almost pointed pen.
    This course will clear up common misconceptions about English Roundhand, a script often mistaken for Copperplate. We’ll explore its evolution from Italian Cancellaresca and how it later inspired the development of Copperplate Script.
    All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

    Supplies: Basic Supplies* plus a 9x12" pad of layout bond paper, and artist tape.

    **Date skipped for English Roundhand

    Select now:
    Special instructions to FOC:


  • Book of Kells Script

    Book of Kells Script
    Meredith Klein, instructor
    4 Tues. nights • 6:30 – 9 PM • Online
    August 12, 19, 26, September 2
    $125 non-members / $115 FOC members

    Class Description
    The Book of Kells (ca. 800 CE) is an iconic symbol of Irish culture.
    Its script, an Irish reimagining of Latin half uncial with Ogham, uses chunky wedge serifs and a combination of upright, ovate, and large round forms, strung across the page in an irregular but artful syncopation. This beautiful insular majuscule hand was also used in other notable manuscripts, but the Book of Kells is distinctive.
    You will learn the letterforms, copy a portion of a manuscript page, and play with decorated letters and/or ampersands.

    For this class, it is best to have some experience using a broad nib, since various letterforms involve pen manipulation, but adventurous motivated beginners are welcome.

    Supplies
    Basic Supplies* (but Parallel Pens 3.8mm and 2.4mm may be used instead of Brause nibs); and small and large pads of layout bond (9 x 12" plus 11 x 14", 11 x 17" or 14 × 17"); 18" C-thru ruler recommended.

    Select now:
    Special instructions to FOC:


  • Textura

    Textura
    Raoul Martinez, instructor
    7 Tues. nights • 6:30 – 9 PM • In Person, Albany
    September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21
    $205 non-members / $185 FOC members

    Class description
    As literacy rates increased among the secular public of 11* century Europe and the demand for textbooks increased, Carolingian script became more compressed, and a new type of writing evolved. Its tightly-spaced vertical strokes gave it a woven, picket-fence look, hence its name Textura. Known today as "Gothic," it had tall, narrow letters, angular shapes, biting of the bows and many scribal abbreviations. Textura was the first of the blackletter scripts, which continued to be used in northern Europe into the first half of the 20th century. We will study manuscripts from various countries and periods, learning the minuscules and majuscules.
    All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

    Supplies
    Basic Supplies* (We will work with Brause 3 mm. pen nibs. Experienced calligraphers may use the more flexible 3 mm Tape nib.), plus a pad of 9 x12" marker layout paper.

    Select one:
    Special instructions to FOC:


  • The Calligrapher's Process

    The Calligrapher's Process
    Rick Paulus, instructor
    4 Sat. mornings • 10:00AM–1:00PM • Online
    November 1, 8, 15, 22
    $150 non-members / $135 FOC members

    Class description
    The challenges of placing text on a page in a meaningful way can be a daunting leap for one who has never attempted to do so. A series of independent assignments will gently guide you through the process of taking your work from concept to completion, using easily acquired methods and processes.
    As you explore the basics of design, you will use a range of papers and mediums including gouache, watercolor and gold leaf–all essential tools in the calligrapher's studio–to further your abilities as an artist.

    Basic knowledge of at least one calligraphic hand is required.

    Supplies
    Basic Supplies* plus 12" roll of tracing paper; slant board; two small tubes gouache; two small tubes watercolor; old "retired" small brush for mixing (can be poor quality); T-square recommended but not required.

    Select one:
    Special instructions to FOC:


Friends of Calligraphy Memorial Scholarship


The Friends of Calligraphy has a scholarship fund honoring beloved members.
To apply, click here.



Friends of Calligraphy Lecture



FOC has scheduled several lectures. They will be posted as soon as more information is available.


MEMBERS WHO TEACH


San Francisco:

  • Katie Leavens
    Calligraphy & Illumination classes

East Bay:

  • Patricia Coltrin • Call 510 524-5208
  • Meredith Klein • Call 510.205.1119
  • Raoul Martinez
    Copperplate and blackletter classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced students.
  • Carla Tenret • Call 510.526.1214

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.
  • Ann Thompson • Call 408.378.6965

Marin County:

  • JoAnn Burchfiel Brand • Call 415.924.2625

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.

Yolo County:

  • Sumner Stone
    Type design workshops in Rumsey, CA

Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel:

  • 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

Riverside County:

  • Risa Gettler • Call 951-520-3010

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:

  • Harvest Crittenden • Call 517 545-3031
    Online classes in Spencerian, Flourishing, Copperplate and Photoshop for Calligraphers.
  • Nancy Hills
    Email Nancy for information about current classes.
  • Elizabeth McKee
    Ongoing classes in pointed brush
  • Ann Miller • Email, or call 650 558-8270
    Art 50 and Art 53: Two zoom courses at Stanford Continuing Studies
  • Kestrel Montes
    Pointed Pen Calligraphy and Engraving
  • Rick Paulus • Call 774.323.0050
  • Sally Penley
    Email Sally for a list of current Zoom classes
  • Jacqueline Sullivan