OUR CURRENT COURSE OFFERINGS
Whoa! Look at these great workshops coming this fall. Hope to see you in class.
You can shop for most of the supplies for these workshops at the Acorn Arts Amazon shop.
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Built-up Capitals
Yves Leterme, Instructor
This class exclusively focuses on the wealth of capitals that are at our disposal when we decide to draw or build up our letters. That wealth is literally infinite, so we have to limit ourselves. It’s not as much my aim to acquaint you with a handful of alphabets but rather to show you how you can make your own variations. Open to all levels. This is the last run for this class.
Holiday Drawing Fun
Kevin Coffey, Instructor
A brand new drawing class taught by Acorn Art’s illustration teacher Kevin Coffey. Just in time for the holidays! Nothing says HOLIDAYS like your own personal holiday illustrations-
the perfect HAND DRAWN gift! A fun, festive joyful class especially created for the upcoming holiday season.
This class is suitable for all levels.
Calligraphy Numbers
Kestrel Montes, Instructor
Kestrel puts the spotlight on numbers! Learn multiple variations for aesthetic options plus ordinal numbers, mixed postal codes and roman numerals. Most courses, books and practice guides focus on letters. Let's spend some time just on numbers. Addresses and dates are finally going to shine!
Layout and Design
Mike Gold, Instructor
Mike has worked as a commercial lettering designer for over 30 years, and brings his unique skills to this sometimes elusive subject. You will get a multi-layered insight into dynamic designs.
This 4-lesson course includes a special addition of 3 bonus Zoom sessions and a private forum for students.
Cadels
Master Penman Vivian Mungall, Instructor
Learn the how to's of making a cadel capital along with some history! We will start with simpler cadels and finish with the more complicated versions. With this foundation, you will be able to create your own variations. This class will include a private forum for students to share their work and receive feedback from Vivian.
This class is suitable for beginners.
Celtic Knotwork
Joy Daniels, Instructor
Learn how to unravel the intricacies of the Celtic Knot and design your own knotwork patterns. With a few simple rules and a square grid you will discover how to construct the simplest knot and then build on this to make your own designs. Use these patterns with calligraphy, stone carving, lino cuts, stencils, embroidery, knitting etc, or just on their own as beautiful things.
Unlocking the Oval
Mike Ward, Instructor
Through analysis of traditional designs and a thorough explanation of "Oval Theory," students will learn the steps to creating a beautifully balanced design. Working primarily with pencil and eraser, the "stress" of controlling a pointed pen is taken away and we can fully focus on making the minute changes that take a design from decent to extraordinary.
Leaf Script Letters
Skyler Chubak, Instructor
A perfect companion to Skyler's course on Acanthus Leaves & Scrolls, this alphabet will help incorporate ornamental leaf elements into script letters. The course will focus on a variety of letters and shading styles with a full alphabet provided. This will be a fun class and a great style to add to your bag of tricks!
Info coming soon!
White Vine Decorations
Master Penman Harvest Crittenden, Instructor
Often seen in the certificates of the Zanerian Manual and engrossing studios, white vine decorations date back to the 12th-15th centuries. Join us in exploring some simple to complex designs that you can incorporate into your art and certificate pieces.
This class is hosted by LearnCalligraphy.com
We will be retiring some of our classes after one final run.
Don't miss this opportunity to study with the renown instructor, Yves Leterme.
Classic Gems
(our self-paced courses)
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.
This is a prerecorded self-paced course with unlimited access and a private forum.
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.
This is a prerecorded self-paced course with unlimited access and a private forum.
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.
This is a prerecorded self-paced course with unlimited access and a private forum.
COURSES STILL IN SESSION
Adventures with the Pointed Brush
Yves Leterme, Instructor
The pointed brush is such a versatile tool that you can spend your entire life exploring and enjoying that one instrument. This class aims to prove this statement before a wide audience of different skill levels.
Trajan Capitals
Yves Leterme, Instructor
A study of the Trajans is highly recommended for anyone who’s serious about calligraphy; it not only provides a sound foundation to build upon, it also sharpens the eye, improves the hand skills and makes one more sensitive to all the tiny details that make up the difference.
This is the last run for this class.
We love our classes, we love our instructors, but most of all we love our students!
We'd appreciate hearing your suggestions for any classes you'd like to take, the instructors you'd like to study with, and your favorite type of class.
SOME OF OUR OTHER CLASSES
Thoughtful Gestures
Yves Leterme, Instructor.
Straying away from formal Italic in favor of a more personal and dynamic script is a very contemporary and exciting thing to do, which is bound to give the calligrapher joy and satisfaction. Let Yves, a master of gestural writing, be your guide.
This is the last run for this class.
Advanced Spencerian Study
Master Penman Harvest Crittenden leads an advanced study of this elegant vintage script. Get ready to elevate your script with an in-depth study of alternate letter-forms, intricate capitals, advanced entry strokes and a bit of decorative flourishes.
Illuminated Initials
Master Penman
Harvest Crittenden
Have you always wanted to learn gilding? And we mean using real gold leaf, not just gold paint. You're in luck!! Master Penman Harvest Crittenden will teach us the step-by-step process to create stunning illuminated initials. Finally add show-stopping elements to your certificates and keepsake pieces! This class is hosted by LearnCalligraphy.com
Copperplate Script
Kestrel Montes, Instructor
Arguably the most recognized traditional script, Copperplate, is a "must-have" in your calligraphy toolbelt. Kestrel Montes teaches the structure of an elegant upper and lowercase alphabet with variations. Perfect for those interested in learning or improving their skill in this versatile script.
Conquering Layouts
Ready to tackle long pieces without breaking your brain? Learn the approaches of Master Penman Harvest Crittenden, Suzanne Cunningham & Kestrel Montes! They unlock the mystery of arranging quantities of text, line breaks, centering, paper size, drafting. We'll also talk papers, inks, sealants, signing, pricing and shipping! This class is hosted by LearnCalligraphy.com
The Business of Calligraphy
Kestrel Montes, of INKMETHIS, shares all her experience building a thriving business: determining the focus, finding clients, licenses, marketing, social media, offering services, selling products, resources & more! Launch your dreams!
Acanthus Leaves & Scrolls
Skyler Chubak, Instructor
Demystify the art of drawing acanthus leaves and scrolls with this step by step process for gorgeous designs. This class was so popular that we've received many requests to run it again. Check out the student images on IG #scrollswithskyler2021. Open to students of any level.
Basic Drawing for Calligraphers
Kevin Coffey, Instructor
Kevin has taught at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and brings a warm and patient approach to everything he teaches. In this beginner's class will be using photographs as an underlying reference, to “see as an artist” the basic simple shapes that make up all objects. Begin to create a library of drawings that you can use to enhance calligraphy projects of your own.
The Poetic Pen
A Study in Italian Hand
Heather Victoria Held, Instructor
Italian Hand is a playful, delicate and joyful script that can drastically lighten your touch with the pointed pen as well as help you develop a stronger understanding of other script hands.
Shaded Spencerian
Michael Ward, Instructor
Taken from the New Spencerian Compendium of 1880, Shaded Spencerian or Sign Writer’s Script is perfect whenever your script needs to stand out. Modified proportions are used to enhance legibility, without sacrificing Grace. Not to be confused with Engrosser’s Script or Copperplate, the shades maintain a continuous taper, and stay true to the Spencerian form, giving the script a truly unique, beautiful & elegant look.
Roman Capitals for Beginners
Gemma Black, Instructor
Gemma will guide the students through early pencil work, construction of the penned Roman Capital and leave you with a very sound foundation and a variety of styles to use as a springboard for future works.
Decorated Borders
Harvest Crittenden, Instructor
Learn the fundamentals of creating beautiful borders to add to your work. We will break them down into easy steps with repeating pattern borders and build up our designs from there. Different designs will be shown.
Hosted by learncalligraphy.com
The Mystery of Monograms
Bailey Rivera, Instructor
Come and crack the code of how to fit letters together to create an artistic, balanced and pleasing design that is a successful monogram. It is so useful to add this to your skill set of calligraphic tools to offer to your clients. Bailey taught this for Iampeth in 2021 to rave reviews.
Nature Sings
Heather Held, Instructor
Each Spring, the earth begins to awaken and bloom. We are presented with vibrant florals, chirping birds and pollinators in the garden. Using our pointed pen for delicate etching techniques and offhand flourishes we will bring these sweet designs to life.
Decorated Borders:
Renaissance Vines
Master Penman Harvest Crittenden, Instructor
Learn the fundamentals of creating beautiful borders typical of the 15th century that add dimension and visual interest to your calligraphic pieces.
Pssst, Professional Calligraphers! This is a great way to add value to your commissioned pieces!
Drawing for Calligraphers, Intermediate
Kevin Coffey, Instructor
A deep study into proven methods for powerful freehand drawing that you can use and apply immediately, using photographs or nature as your models.
“Basic Drawing for Calligraphers” is not a a prerequisite.
All freehand drawing- no tracing.
Spencerian Structures
Master Penman Harvest Crittenden, Instructor
Spencerian is known for its delicate, sweeping lines. Learn one of the most requested bridal hands from Master Penman Harvest Crittenden. Perfect for those interested in learning or improving their skill in this elegant vintage hand.
This class is hosted by LearnCalligraphy.com
Time to Refine
Heather Victoria Held, Instructor
This class is an intermediate level flourishing technique class. As your designs take on more complexity you may want to use the pencil to plan aspects of the designs. Taking the time to refine our flourishing skills will help you take your designs to a higher level.
