ALL SKILL LEVELS | ARTISTIC
Good form is important, but the holy grail of calligraphy is speed and grace of movement. This workshop is an introduction to the systematic study of good movement. Good hand-arm mechanics will have your pen naturally going where you need it to go.
To kick off the indoor part of the workshop, you’ll learn a cool calligraphy fight club move: how to produce a ruler-straight line freehand, with your eyes closed! We’ll deal with some basics like how height at the table affects your calligraphy, and, for example, how the diagonals of letters like A, M, V, and K are affected by hand mechanics. You’ll learn to begin to see good form from the inside out.
That’s the serious part. The even more serious part will be conducted on the beach with the wind in your hair. We’ll kick off with some play (lots of cool tools to explore) and finish with some movement mechanics insights. Grasping hand-arm mechanics is liberating, but the beach calligraphy will teleport you beyond the two dimensions of a page.
IMPORTANT:
- The second half of this class is a field trip to a nearby beach.
- Transportation will be provided.
- Bring appropriate beachwear, sunscreen, water, snacks, sandals, etc. to stay safe in the sun.
- You will need to sign a field trip waiver.
- This class is rain or shine. If rained out on Friday, we will try to go to the beach on Saturday morning depending on the weather.
- Either way, Andrew has a fantastic indoor class you won’t want to miss!
CLASS SUPPLIES
Paper:
- Bring lots of cheap paper (a pad of 50 sheets would be good, but scrap paper will do).
- Tabloid size preferable.
Ink:
- Something for practice and fast writing.
- A jar of fountain pen ink or Sumi will do for dipping.
- Water jar and whatever else you might need for cleaning.
Equipment:
- Bring a range of writing instruments, most importantly what you’re comfortable with:
- Broad-edged pens (at least one wide and one narrow)
- Pointed pens (whichever type you are most comfortable with)
- Lettering brushes (recommended: Kuretake brush pen)
- Pencil
- Rollerball or marker pen
- One or two stiff cushions to adjust height at the table (especially for shorter participants).
- Stacking venue chairs also works. Feel free to bring your own height-adjustable chair!
For the Beach:
- Bring any implements that might make an interesting mark (e.g. a fork, a shell, a whisk, a forked stick).
- Check out my Instagram and TikTok for inspiration: @beachscriber.
- A handcrafted beach wand, a simple carver, and a small mystery tool will be supplied for $27.
- Other equipment will be available to share.
- Camera (your phone will do).
- Sun hat, water, snack, and something warm to wear.
