Italic Calligraphy

 Registration is closed for this event

February 9th, 2019 10:00 AM

  • Instructor: Ann Miller
  • Workshop Type: Arts
  • Workshop Status: Closed
  • Workshop Start: February 9th, 2019 10:00 AM
  • Workshop End: February 10th, 2019 4:00 PM
  • Sessions: 2

This popular letterform has been the go-to script of type designers, artists, and poets for hundreds of years. All aspects of the form will be covered and the instructor will introduce historical and contemporary examples in addition to discussing the wide ranging usage of the Italic form today.

Students will learn the basic Italic letterforms and work toward good rhythm, spacing, and the characteristic details that give Italic its distinctive fluid appearance. Exercises over the course of the weekend will help to develop design and composition skills.

Students will be inspired by examples of the great achievements in Italic letterform, and the skills learned working with a broad-edged pen will provide a firm foundation for learning almost any calligraphic hand and or even developing a few of your own. A strong foundation in classical Italic is the basis for all modern cursive scripts, and is extremely useful and essential, in design, illustration and book arts careers. Brush up on your Italic if you haven’t picked up a pen in a while, and if you are a beginner this is the calligraphy class for you! 


Materials to Bring: Pad of grid paper suitable for ink, non-waterproof ink (sumi for dip pens, Pelikan 4001 for either fountain or dip), two regular pencils, Speedball C series nibs and holder. At least one nib: C-2 or C-3 OR Pilot Parallel Pen size 2.4 or 3.8mm, soft eraser, small water jar, rags or lint-free towels, notebook.

Optional: Good pad of drawing paper, 11 x 14, such as Strathmore 400 Smooth, or anything similar that you have. I will bring extra paper.

Optional and available at SFCB for student use during workshop: pencil, other pens, scissors, utility knife.

Workshop Fee (includes $15 materials fee): $255.00

Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, February 9 & 10, 2019 :: 10am-4pm

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.


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.


Past Student Reviews:

“Ann was well organized and had many interesting methods to show us. A packet given to us for a reference later was much appreciated.”

“Ann was very generous with her expertise.”

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

375 Rhode Island St
San Francisco, CA 94103-5133
United States