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

JURGEN VERCAEMST
COLORFUL LETTERING COMPOSITIONS

Four Monday mornings:
January 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 noon PST
Cost: $180 (FOC members only)
Online, via Zoom
All levels of experience welcome

Download the pdf flyer here.

This workshop 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.

Special instructions to FOC:

We will be starting out with simple caps, in an informal way, trying out rhythms and textures. First with pencil and after that, going through all possible writing tools. The next step is to make built-up caps, again going through different writing instruments. Going from a letter size of about 2 cm (~3/4 in.) to larger lettering at 5-6 cm (~2 to 2-1/4 in.). Doing larger size lettering lets us look more in detail. It allows us to design every single letter rather than drawing/writing. And larger size lettering is more amenable to using color. Jurgen will be going through some specific designs/layouts where we can apply and enjoy color to its full extent (walnut inks, watercolors, brush sign pens and others).

For this weekly Zoom class, participants must have an electronic device with the Zoom app and access to a printer for handouts.

Flemish calligrapher Jurgen Vercaemst credits his first workshop with Frank Missant with igniting his interest in calligraphy. Further inspired by Brody Neuenschwander and his longtime teacher and mentor, Yves Leterme, his views on calligraphy, letterforms, letter drawing and design were also deeply influenced by a 2005 Peter Thornton workshop. Jurgen lives in Ruddervoorde, a little town near Bruges, where he runs a coffee bar, Morris Coffee & Crafts, with his wife and son, He teaches in the first floor studio of the coffee bar, inviting other calligraphers to come teach there as well. He also teaches online and abroad. He team-taught in 2016 with Peter Thornton at A Show of Hands in Asheville, and in 2019, with Elmo van Slingerland at Cheerio. Jurgen says, “The pencil is my utmost favorite tool that never lets me down, along with my Moleskines I carry in my backpack at all times.” His work was featured in Alphabet, Vol. 48, No. 3, Spring 2023.

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

Footless Fraktur
Judy Detrick, instructor

4 Sat. mornings • 10AM–Noon • Online
January 18, 25, February 1, 8
$100 non-members / $90 FOC members

Class Description
This Fraktur script is a bit more relaxed than traditional blackletter hands. It has fewer strokes to deal with, is faster to write, and it is accepting of gentle curves and wider spacing. This is an excellent script to ease into a study of blackletter, or one to choose for a more contemporary look than those offered by formal blackletter versions. The class will cover both small letters and capitals.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Supplies: Basic Supplies*, plus a 14 x17" pad of layout bond paper, and a T-square.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Friends of Calligraphy Memorial Scholarship

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

Friends of Calligraphy Lecture

An Artist’s Journey: the First 40 Years
Lily Yee shares stories about art and life

Wednesday, January 15, 2025
10:00 am PST
This is a free, on-line lecture via Zoom.
Spaces are limited.

Join us for Lily’s slide presentation featuring personal stories about the people and events that have shaped her as an artist. She’ll talk about her growth as a calligrapher, share lessons from the stumbling blocks she’s tripped over, and discuss tips for staying motivated. Whether you’re starting out as a calligrapher...or you’ve been lettering for years...or you're stalled, we hope you’ll find something in Lily’s story that speaks to you and sheds light for the journey ahead.

I’ve been making marks and letters on various surfaces for years. I had an early start when my parents gave in to my habit of drawing on the walls of our house!
Based in Toronto, Canada, I’m a lettering artist and book binder. I am passionate about Roman letterforms and find ways to make marks that stretch their identity as traditional characters. I experiment with tools and materials to expand the bounds of calligraphy. That motivates me to find words that echo deeply and call for expression by combining the message with the materials to augment meaning.
Every artist treads their own path. I encourage you to stay motivated in your practice and to follow your compass on the journey as a learner and lover of letters. Lean in. I look forward to sharing my story with you.
Download the PDF flyer
Contact: Elena Caruthers

Register for this lecture on Eventbrite.

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