Courses at City Lit

Are you looking for something more challenging than a one day workshop? I teach a range of calligraphy and lettering courses at City Literary Institute in Holborn London which provides an opportunity to study calligraphy and lettering in more depth.

 
 
 

Calligraphy for Beginners and Improvers

Learn and develop calligraphy skills on this beginners and improvers course. You will practice with a range of pens and papers, and create a finished example using a favourite quotation. Advice will be given on tools and materials. Suitable for left or right-handers.

  • This course is a chance to develop your key calligraphy skills and gain more confidence writing with broad-edged metal nibs and ink.

    This course is suitable for:

    • the complete beginner

    • those who wish to refresh their calligraphy skills.

    • left and right handers

    Topics covered:

    • Writing with different sizes of nibs

    • Writing with gouache

    • Writing on different paper surfaces

    • Writing a longer quotation.

    By the end of this course you should be able to:

    • Write a quotation or poem using a variety of nib sizes and ink

    For more advanced students:

    • Write a quotation or poem using a variety of nib sizes and gouache.

  • Friday 14th February – Friday 21st March 2025 6.00pm – 9.00pm

  • £279

 
 
 

Calligraphy: 10 Projects for Beginners

This course offers an exciting range of projects to introduce you to the art of beautiful writing. Develop new calligraphy and lettering skills whilst producing your own greeting cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and wall art.

  • The course provides students new to calligraphy with an introduction to a variety of lettering techniques, tools and equipment through a series of short, complete projects.

    By the end of this course you should be able to...

    • Write a simple calligraphy script
    • Create gift tags
    • Create greeting cards
    • Create simple illustrations
    • Make custom sized envelopes
    • Use the experience and knowledge gained on the course to continue onto other calligraphy courses
    • More advanced students can work on self-directed projects with help and advice from the tutor.

    This course is suitable for the complete beginner or those who wish to refresh their calligraphy and lettering skills.

  • Wednesday 21st May 2pm - 5.00pm

  • £299

 
 
 
 

Calligraphy: Decorated Letterforms

Gilded initials make perfect gifts for family and friends. You’ll learn painting techniques and how to apply a PVA mordant and use real leaf. You will be provided with a number of decorative alphabet templates and then taken step-by-step through the stages of drawing, painting and applying real gold to create your own illuminated decorated letterform.

  • The pages of illuminated manuscripts were brought to life with the rich, vibrant colour of the decorated letter. This course is an introduction to the history and tools of illumination. You will be guided through the process of drawing an individual letter from outline to gilding and painting.

    You will learn how to:

    • plan and organise a design

    • apply gold onto a PVA mordant

    • paint with gouache.

    By the end of this course you should be able to:

    • use a flat gilding technique

    • paint with gouache

    • select and use appropriate materials effectively

    • go on to further study in calligraphy

    More advanced students:

    • incorporate your illuminated letterform into a block of text.

    • adapt and re-create your own decorated letterforms.

  • Monday 22nd July – Friday 26th July 2024 10.30am - 16.30pm

  • £349