Writing with a new tool unleashes the imagination and focuses on rhythm. Making your own tool does even more, opening a sense of exploration far beyond the confines of habit. In this one-day workshop the student will make one or more cola pens and explore lively and expressive gestural strokes that make words come alive with fresh calligraphic line. A system of zones along the blade edge will offer control over the formation of the stroke shapes.

The class will work with pattern, movement, and spacing. There will be warmup time and specific exercises for producing new stroke effects and increasing a sense of composition. Students will explore wet and dry media to work with color and to develop ideas for free hand writing as well as advanced text design.

Cola pen writing is ideal for creating wordmarks, logos, monogram designs and handwritten names, or short favorite phrases. It can be used to make single letters, words, or other marks to contrast with or to augment letterpress printing. We’ll take a look at the huge potential of drawing with this tool!

Students will leave with their new tools, practice sheets, and several pieces of finished artwork, as well as the packet of instructions and examples of cola pen writing at its fluid and energetic best.

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Materials to Bring: Drawing paper – 14 x 17” pad or large cut sheets; non-waterproof black ink (sumi) or what you have on hand; watercolor brushes, range of sizes; any watercolor pan set or 1-2 favorite tube colors; any dry media for color such as: colored pencils such as Caran d’Ache, Cretacolor, Stabilo CarbOthello, pan Pastels (a few favorite colors), colored chalk, Prismacolor,charcoal, vine or compressed. Broad-edged and/or monoline nibs in a variety of sizes (such as Brause or Speedball); wash brush for watercolor; black acrylic gouache or ink; white nylon style eraser; mixing brushes; palette; small water jar; rags or lint-free towels; notebook.

Recommended: A sheet of Arches 140# Hot Press watercolor or printing papers such as Rives BFK, Arches Text Wove; good for wet media and strong enough for layering. The 14 x 17” Aquabee Deluxe pad works well.

Optional: ruling pen or folded pen (if you already have one); Golden Fluid Matte Medium if you have it.

Optional and available at SFCB for student use during workshop: pencil, scissors, ruler or straight-edge, utility knife.

Workshop Fee (includes $15 materials fee): $180.00

Date & Time: Friday, October 18, 2019 :: 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

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

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About the Instructor | Ann Miller

Ann Miller, AB, AM Stanford University, studied painting and lithography with artists 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 design. In 2002 she authored two courses in calligraphy and letterform at Academy of Art University and is currently writing a new course covering logo, font, and lettering for illustrators.

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 art is in public and private collections and has been widely exhibited. 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 the NBC television series “Who do you think you are?” Visit Ann at http://www.pennib.com.

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Past Student Reviews:

“Ann was very generous with her expertise.”

“I appreciated her humor, and overall mastery of her art.”

“Ann is a very generous and accomplished teacher. Attentive to individual needs and well equipped for helping with creative and technical decision making. Provided lots of tools and shared her supplies.”

“A good teacher and kind person.”