Bringing you the finest in

ONLINE ART AND CALLIGRAPHY CLASSES

since 2009

At Acorn Arts, we are delighted to announce that registration for our Spring Workshop Retreat is now open.

MAY 18-23, 2025, MICHIGAN USA

See Overview Here

The Golden Age of Engrossing

Harvest Crittenden, Instructor

See Details Here

At Acorn Arts

we have classes in traditional broad edge calligraphy, pointed pen calligraphy, modern calligraphy & gestural calligraphy. We offer pointed brush & flat brush lettering studies. We have classes in drawing, painting, illumination, layout & design, cursive handwriting and so much more, all with the highest caliber of instructors worldwide. You have come to the right place for learning!

Classic Gems, our self-paced classes

We offer self-paced video classes with life time access, with more coming soon (like very soon!) We are in the process of converting all our videos to closed captioning in 8 languages, wherever possible, to make viewing easier for our students worldwide. Our self-paced classes come with lifetime access.

Trajan Capitals

Yves Leterme, Instructor

A study of Roman capitals is highly recommended for anyone who’s serious about calligraphy.

In this course, you will learn how to draw well-proportioned and refined Trajan Capitals with a pencil and pen, as well as with a flat brush.

See details here

Pointed Brush Adventures

Yves Leterme, Instructor

In this class we won’t rely on fancy materials or special techniques, but instead we’ll discover how exciting calligraphy can be when our desk contains only the bare necessities: a writing surface, a medium and one tool: the pointed brush.

See details here

Built-Up Capitals

Yves Leterme, Instructor

This class focuses on the wealth of capitals that are at our disposal when we decide to draw or build up our letters. Starting with a basic skeleton alphabet in pencil, Yves will guide you step-by-step as you blow life into your letters, making them more dynamic.

See details here

Unlocking the CMYK Formula

Harvest Crittenden, Instructor

How much money have you wasted on paint? How many hours have you spent trying to mix the perfect matching ink? Learn the secret to using only 5 tubes of paint to mix any color for a perfect match!

See details here

Modern Pen Techniques: Losing Contact

Carl Rohrs, Instructor

In this course, Carl will take you through the full realm of taking a classic Italic into modern variations, especially the richness of the marks made when the pen loses full contact with the paper.

See details here

Thoughtful Gestures

Yves Leterme, Instructor

In this comprehensive course, students are guided from formal Italic letterforms to a dynamic, personal style. Yves will take you on an exciting journey to explore the many variations in gestural writing.

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Drawing for Calligraphers: 3-course package

Kevin Coffey, Instructor

This is a special 3-course package, combining Kevin's previous classes: "Basic Drawing for Calligraphers," "Intermediate Drawing for Calligraphers," and "Holiday Drawing Fun!"

See details here

wedge brush holiday designs with pointed pen flourishes

Flourished Holiday Envelopes

F. Phyllis Macaluso, Instructor

In this very detailed pre-recorded course, Phyllis leads students through a step by step process to create decorative envelopes, beautiful for the holidays and beyond. With a private forum for students to share with each other.

See details here

handwriting in cursive style for beginners

Classic Cursive

Marie Hornback, Instructor

Marie will take you through the steps you need to improve your handwriting and make it uniquely yours. Based on the handwriting of Mary Champion and H.P. Behrensmeyer. With a private forum for students to share with each other.

See details here

egg tempera online class with small project and step by step instructions all levels

Egg Tempera, the Luminous Medium

Koo Schadler, Instructor

In this comprehensive course, Koo leads students through a step by step process to create a small yet exquisite still life painting using pigments & egg yolk. With a private forum for students to share with each other.

See details here

foundational lettering calligraphy online class

Foundational Hand

Gemma Black, Instructor

Students will be taken step-by-step through the process of using a broad nib, ink, guidelines, slope, using a ductus and lettering this beautiful contemporary hand based on Edward Johnston's teaching. With a private forum for students to share with each other.

See details here

cursive handwriting online class for any age student with Spanish subtitles

How our self-paced classes work

Each class is prerecorded for viewing. You will have unlimited, lifetime access.
You get an up-close, direct view, much better than you could see in person. You can clearly see every detail. You have the ability to turn on closed captioning while you watch.
You can come back a year later, or two years later, after you've made progress to check your work again. Really, none of us learn everything the first time we see it and practice. (At least I don't!)
Classes are filmed in HD whenever possible. We are working to add closed captioning in 18 languages. Most, but not all, have closed captioning available in English already.
Everything you need can be found in the online classroom, including handouts, the supply list, the videos, and access to a private forum to share your work with other students.
We all learn best when are comfortable in our own setting. So come as you are and take it at your own pace. A day, a week, a year, no hurry!

We have even more excellent learning opportunities coming very soon!

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We won't bug you, we don't sell your info, in fact, we are pretty nice people just trying to share our skills.

Harvest Crittenden Acorn Arts founder and director

A Note From Harvest

Thank you for the opportunity to enter your homes and pass along our love of letters and illumination. We are delighted to share our online classes with you. We began offering online classes in 2009, and the outreach has grown ever since. We now have thousands of students from more than 75 countries participating. We are honored to be a small part of bringing calligraphers and artists together world wide. There are a variety of online classes now offered through Acorn Arts, by IAMPETH Master Penman Harvest Crittenden, founder & director of Acorn Arts, along with an outstanding group of international artists specializing in their fields. We do not take this opportunity lightly and strive to give you the highest level of instruction possible. We appreciate your warm welcome.