IAMPETH 2025 - Feathers and Flourishes - Schin Loong

ALL SKILL LEVELS | POINTED PEN

Get ready for some flights of fancy in this workshop where we will explore decorative bird flourishing. Inspired by designs from the American Golden Age of Penmanship, we will use a variety of flourishes to first form simple feathers, then birds and swans. Together, we will incorporate words and full mailing addresses into these versatile designs.

We will study historical exemplars and different decorative elements, which will leave ample room for you to play and form your own menagerie of beautifully flourished birds. Ideally, you will use nib and ink for this workshop, but you are also welcome to start with a pencil and brush pen. Let’s have fun and take flight!

CLASS SUPPLIES

• Your favorite pointed nibs and inks
• Straight and oblique holder
• Pencil and eraser
• Any other writing tools you might need (such as inkwell, water container, paper towel, etc.)
• Plenty of practice paper (at least 8.5x11in)
• Some nice paper for your final projects

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

• Small/fine brush pen
• White ink (I like Bleed Proof White)
• Dark-colored envelopes and papers
• Stamps (if you will be mailing the swan envelopes)
• Full mailing addresses of people you would like to write to
• Some short meaningful text that you’d like to add to your designs (preferably less than 5 words)
• Stickles glitter glue in your favorite color (very optional, but I will be using them)