This one-day workshop introduces an easy-to-learn modern day minuscule script based on a late 16^th century upright calligraphy hand. Ronde is done with a broad edged metal pen. It is highly adaptable to present day needs and tastes and can be done with a fountain pen or good marker. We will explore the various modifications. More round in shape than Italic, it is cursive, connected, broad-edged, and lends itself to rhythmic writing methods. Its ascenders and descenders are distinctive. And its structure can inform a nice monoline gestural script or offer inspiration for new pointed pen expression.

We will rule a page with guidelines to determine the body height and interlinear space, and practice the letters. Once you are comfortable with the alphabet we will experiment with various ways of using this hand, through a series of demonstrations and design exercises. Ronde is a flexible hand that appeals to those who love curves as well as those who enjoy a straight up, assertive script.

This workshop offers a writing hand that is very adaptable to all digital media. Once you know the structure, you can write it with your finger, stylus, or invented tool.

Materials to Bring: 

• Your favorite medium sized broad edged pens (Speedball C-2, C-3, or C-4 nib or similar Brause nibs)
• Optional Pilot Parallel Pen (1.5mm, 2.4mm or 3.8mm) with your choice of ink
• Non-waterproof black ink, sumi and/or walnut ink
• Strathmore 400 or other drawing paper pad or Bristol Paper, Cotton Comp Layout Paper, or other Layout Bond or paper suitable for ink/wet media.
• Colored Pencils (optional)

• Usual drawing kit: small palette, water container, #2 pencil, eraser, blade, T-square, ruler, rags, etc. If you like to work in color bring walnut ink or gouache.

Workshop Fee: $175.00

Date & Time: Monday, January 25, 2016 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. If you are registering within 3 days of the start date for this class, please call 415-565-0545 ex.105 to complete your registration 

About the Instructor :: Ann Miller

ANN MILLER (Stanford University, AB, AM Art) studied painting and lithography with Richard Diebenkorn and Nathan Oliveira and has taught art and art history classes at Stanford, University of Santa Clara, San Mateo Community College district and in local guilds and arts venues. In 1979 she founded M2 Design for calligraphy and graphic design work. In 2002 she authored two courses in calligraphy and letterform at Academy of Art University and continues teaching online.

Her calligraphy has been published in Letter Arts Review and Bound & Lettered, and Alphabet, and her book titles for Protean Press can be found in the Harrison Collection at San Francisco Main Library. Her work is in public and private collections. She created of a series of large calligraphy murals for the City of Belmont's new public library and a 12-foot long family tree scroll for actress Brooke Shields for an early episode of the NBC television series “Who do you think you are?” Visit Ann at http://www.pennib.com.