In-Person Workshop

Introduction to Uncial Calligraphy with Debra Dick

 
 
 

For Beginning and Intermediate Level Students!

Uncial calligraphy is more than 2,000 years old yet looks surprisingly modern. Its versatile, easy to read letterforms make Uncial a unique fit for hand-lettered greetings, quotes, titling/headlines, logos, tee-shirt designs, and more. 

In this workshop you will learn the fundamental skills needed to continue working in this graceful calligraphy style. The instructor will demonstrate, step-by-step, all aspects of how to make Uncial letters, numerals, and punctuation. Hand-outs will be provided—including the basic strokes, lettering guide, and exemplars. The instructor will also give personalized feedback and instruction, as necessary. The main materials have been sourced by the instructor for your convenience. (All materials listed below.)

We’ll start by exploring the characteristics of Uncial letters and the broad-edge calligraphy tool used to create them. Then we’ll lay a solid foundation for beautiful writing via fun pen-stroke exercises. After practicing the basics, you’ll start writing words, phrases, or short quotes. During this phase you’ll learn the art of spacing—a vital element of good calligraphy. You’ll then create a small piece of calligraphy that can be used as a greeting card or frameable art. 

Note: All participants will use a broad-edge calligraphy marker to help maintain focus on correct letterforms; however, the instructor will demonstrate how to write using a broad-edge metal nib with holder and ink, and you can test-drive these tools near the end of the workshop.

For Intermediate students only: If you have experience in broad-pen and ink calligraphy you may bring your own tools and ink to use later in the day. Bring nibs you already have, but if you want to work within the lettering guidelines provided by the instructor you should include a 5 mm width nib: Speedball C-0 or equivalent size in other brands of steel broad pen nibs. Plus, ink and a straight pen holder of your choice. (These tools/materials are optional.)

 

Dates: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time (New York time) (including 30min BYO lunch)
Max Enrollment: 15
Price: $85 (which includes $10 materials fee)
Location: School of Visual Arts Annex, 214 E 21st Street, Room 703A

$85.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

Please note registration closes on October 3.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations are allowed at any time, however refunds will only be issued if there is a waitlisted student who will fill your place.

Sickness: If you are registered and need to miss one class due to sickness (we’d rather you stay home and rest!), you are welcome to sit in a future session of the same workshop as we will repeat these introductory classes.

Member pricing: Please use the code sent to your email at checkout. Can’t find it? Check out anyway and email us and we will refund the difference.

 
 
 

MATERIALS LIST - included with $10 materials fee

  • 1, double-ended calligraphy marker

  • 5 pieces, 11” x 14” marker layout paper (You may bring extra if you have it)

  • 2 pieces, 5.5” x 8.5” white mixed-media paper for mini project 

  • 1 Sharpie felt-tip pen, .4mm

Participants to bring:

  •  Inspiring words—5 to 7 letters long; and short phrases or quotes of your choice

  • Pencil (medium hardness: HB)

  • White plastic eraser

  • Removable tape—such as Scotch  brand “Matte finish Removable Tape” and/or small paper clips

  • Waterproof black fine-tip marker—such as Pigma Micron 01 (0.25mm) or Pigma Micron 02 (0.3mm) 

  • T-square ruler or cork-backed metal ruler—12” minimum

  • Your choice: 

    • Color pencils

    • Watercolor pencils/Small pointed round brush/ Small cup for water 

    • Watercolor pan set/Small pointed round brush/ Small cup for water

Optional materials:

  • 5mm nib (Speedball C-0 or other brand)

  • straight pen holder

  • black ink

 
 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Debra has been a freelance calligrapher and teaching artist since the early 1990’s. Her various commissions for businesses, colleges, and community organizations include t-shirt designs, corporate resolutions, logos, and one-of-a-kind calligraphic art on paper and canvas. Debra was co-founder of Flourish Creative Workspace, LLC, in Sugarloaf, PA—a place for learning calligraphy and lettering, book and paper arts, and bespoke crafts.

Deb’s art has been published in the Letter Arts Review, the Calligraphers’ Engagement Calendar, and Bound and Lettered—a quarterly publication that provides practical information on bookbinding, calligraphy, artists' books, and papercraft. In 2004, Debra collaborated with botanical artist, Pamela Gladding, on a series of Christmas cards for Caspari, Inc. She also created more than thirty broad-pen illustrations for Zoo Haiku, a book of poetry by Michael Czarnecki. 

Deb has instructed people of all ages in her calligraphy workshops and artist’s residencies at schools, libraries, museums, the Society of Scribes, New York City, and the Philadelphia Calligraphers’ Society. She has been a rostered artist with the PA Council on the Arts, Arts in Education Program since 2001. 

Debra’s art is inspired by her love of letters, nature, and the calligraphic line. In addition to traditional, formal calligraphy and brush lettering, she often creates decorated letters and hand-made books.