“Rhythm & Movement in Calligraphy” with Andrew van der Merwe, September 29, 30 and October 1, 2023 at 9AM-5PM

 “Getting your pen to fly, glide and land with speed, purpose and precision, and what beach calligraphy has to teach” Engage in an entirely unique workshop! We have selected a studio near the beach and the beach will teach us all sorts of wonderful things about pen and paper calligraphy. The workshop will begin at Rick Paulus’s Wareham, MA studio with a study in hand-arm mechanics and how they can be used for easier precision, for getting your pen to go where you need it to go. Then, we will delve into how different rhythms can be used to naturally produce different styles. We’ll apply the concept of ergonomics to calligraphy, exploring how your posture and height at the table relates to your calligraphy, right down to how to change it for different hands. We will explore sensing the body’s momentum and tension for specific movements in your calligraphy using wind-up and release. If you are surprised how liberating all this can be you will be blown away by the effect of beach calligraphy! Over 3 days , one full day and 2 mornings will be spent indoors with pen and paper and 2 afternoons will be spent on the Read More

“The Magnificent Monoline letter” with Rick Paulus, September 17-18, 2022 at 9AM-5PM

The Monoline letter is ubiquitous and has many voices. It was a favorite of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods and continues to thrive today. Discover the diverse and lively world of the magnificent monoline letter in this colorful workshop. From creating White House invitations (really!) to expressive calligraphy pieces and logo design, monoline lettering is as diverse and as easy to create as it is fun! Regardless of skill level, this workshop will bring new, exciting life to your work. Rick Paulus has been a calligrapher and a teacher for over forty years. Rick apprenticed for several years at the legendary Tolley Studios, in Washington, DC, before becoming the engrosser for the US State Department. In 1998, he was appointed chief calligrapher of the White House, where he remained for two presidents. Today, in addition to enjoying calligraphic explorations, Rick is dedicated to sharing the knowledge gained through many years of studio production and experimentation to students young and old alike. WHEN: September 17 & 18, 9AM – 5PMWHERE: Norwood Sportsmen’s Association, 576 Nichols St. Norwood, MAREGISTRATION: Opens August 19, 2022Scholarships are available for current members. Download the flyer with registration information HERE. As this is an in-person Read More

“Play on writing/ Writing textures” with Denise Lach, March 13-15, 2020 at 9AM-5PM

The word texture comes from the Latin word ‘textura’ which means “yarn weaving”. It also applies to the links of the chapters of a literary work, as well as the mineral constitution of rock. In the 15th Century, a gothic small letter was named “textura” which points out its precision and the way of interlacing each letter to write a word. First, the participants will practice interlacing letters starting from their handwriting. Then, they’ll work on capital letters practicing their calligraphic knowledge. After which, they will progressively get free from readability and experiment with a playful approach leading to a very large range of writing textures. The first objective of this workshop is to show how endless the possibilities of creating textures are and also the part they play in a composition. The second objective is to enrich graphic vocabulary and scriptural composition. See the flyer for this workshop HERE. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. Read More

“The truly flexible pointed pen” with Rick Paulus, October 19-20, 2019 at 9AM-5PM

Extend the range of your pointed pen’s potential as we break away from traditional pointed pen hands and explore the full power of this amazing little pen nib. Following an analysis of historical models as well as the work of contemporary masters, we willput our pens to paper and systematically develop new pointed pen styles out of formal broad-edge hands such as foundational, italic and uncial. The methods and skills acquired in this workshop will give participants the tools they need to further their reach with the pointed pen in infinite ways. ALL LEVELS Rick Paulus has been a calligrapher and a teacher for over forty years. Rick apprenticed for several years at the legendary Tolley Studios, in Washington, DC, before becoming the engrosser for the US State Department. In 1998, he was appointed chief calligrapher of the White House, where he remained for two presidents. Today, in addition to enjoying calligraphic explorations, Rick is dedicated to sharing the knowledge gained through many years of studio production and experimentation to students young and old alike. Download the flyer with registration information HERE. Read More

“Brush textures and embossing” with Loredana Zega, September 20-22, 2019 at 9AM-5PM

A brush is a very unique, responsive and gentle tool, which can be used for calligraphy backgrounds or a final artwork. With the patterns and transparent paths of the brush, one can enjoy all the advantages that it offers.We will build designs by exploring textures with the brush by making numerous layers of letters and changing positions. This effect is really breathtaking! In addition to dry brush, we will learn how to incorporate a small text – written with smaller nibs that are familiar to you – into your final design. We will also be learning a few embossing techniques that involve colors, metal leaves and different pressures to enhance the embossing effect. This too could be added to your final piece! Loredana Zega is a passionate Slovenian Calligrapher with an English National Diploma in Calligraphy, held by CLAS (The Calligraphy and Lettering Art Society), passed with Distinction. She is experienced in a variety of techniques, surfaces and alphabets. Her passion is the flat brush, besides dance and theatre. She is representing her passion for letters through her Musical “A day of a calligrapher”. Download the flyer with registration information HERE. Download the supply list HERE. Read More

Barry Morentz, Japanese Boxes – April 26, 2019 at 9AM-5PM

In this workshop we’ll make two, possibly three, simple, elegant, Japanese-style folded boxes. The boxes are geometrics, formed from one long sheet of card stock scored and folded to create equal triangular shapes. The form can easily be expanded from a square to a pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. The first box will be made from heavyweight translucent Pergamenata stock, to understand the overall structure and assembly. The second box will be finished with Japanese papers. We will create decorative lids using avariety of techniques and finish them with beautiful beads or finials. The third box, time permitting, will be a variation by either expanding the number of sides or changing the folds. Barry Morentz owns and operates his Manhattan studio where he creates calligraphic works and handmade books, boxes, and portfolios. He holds an MA in Medieval History, but abandoned pursuit of a doctorate in favour of an even less likely career in calligraphy. Initially self-taught, he began his formal calligraphic studies, primarily with Sheila Waters, in 1977, and eventually with almost every internationally recognized master. A seminal experience was participation in the Hermann Zapf Master Class at Rochester Institute of Technology in 1985, and subsequent paleographic studies in Rome Read More

Barry Morentz, Gothicized Italic – April 27-28, 2019 at 9AM-5PM

In this workshop we begin by looking at Johnston’s forms and their historical antecedents. Then we zoom into the 21st century and consider the forms stripped of anachronisms, and apply modern techniques to make them more viable. Day 1 deals with the minuscules and the rhythm of writing and spacing. On Day 2 we will work with the variables that create an entirely different feel, as well as with the bounty of styles that permit us to create an endless repertory of Capitals. This class requires some prior knowledge of Italic. Barry Morentz owns and operates his Manhattan studio where he creates calligraphic works and handmade books, boxes, and portfolios. He holds an MA in Medieval History, but abandoned pursuit of a doctorate in favour of an even less likely career in calligraphy. Initially self-taught, he began his formal calligraphic studies, primarily with Sheila Waters, in 1977, and eventually with almost every internationally recognized master. A seminal experience was participation in the Hermann Zapf Master Class at Rochester Institute of Technology in 1985, and subsequent paleographic studies in Rome and the Vatican Library. He has taught numerous workshops throughout the US, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and at five Read More

Mark your calendars for 2019 workshops!

April 26-28 Barry Morentz  with 2 workshops! April 26 – Japanese Boxes; April 27-28 – Gothicized Italic September 21/22 Loredana Zega – “Brush Textures”. See www.kaligrafija.org and follow Loredana on Instagram and Facebook October 19/20 Rick Paulus – “The Truly Flexible Pointed Pen”. See Rick’s work at http://www.rickpauluscalligraphy.com If you are attending the Rendez-vous 2019 International Calligraphy conference in Montreal next July, we want to hear from you! It will be fun to know who is going. Just send an email to info@masscribes.com. Also let us know if you are interested in driving up with another member and we can coordinate with each other. Read More

Amity Parks, “Be Fearless – A Way of Working Without Worry”, October 26-28, 2018

Imagine having time dedicated to focusing and exploring a series of works that combine meaningful words and images in multiple ways. Our focus will be on layout and design, layering lettering techniques, combining text and images, and most importantly learning to work on multiple pieces at once in order to overcome the ‘fear’ we develop when the investment is focused on a single precious piece. The freedom of multiples allows us to take more chances, to do the unexpected and not settle on the first solution to a problem. By working in a series we forget the preciousness of each piece knowing that not everyone will be successful, and embracing that freedom to make mistakes. Throughout the class we will employ a variety of techniques, such as painting, drawing, collage, and image transfer incombination with our calligraphy. While not strictly a lettering class, we will incorporate our calligraphy throughout the process. Layering, masking and photo transfer techniques with a variety of mixed media allow for risk taking and experimentation as we discuss layout principles and make thoughtful design choices. You will work in a small scale in multiples, focusing on the development of a series of work, refining your designs and the integration of images, words and letters into your pages. You will explore how Read More

Diane McDougall-Desautelle, “Celtic Knotwork Unraveled”, September 22, 2018

Celtic knotwork is a beautiful art form that can look more difficult than it actually needs to be. Once having learned the basics of drawing elementary knots, one can use simple methods to expand designs and use them in numerous creative applications, from illuminated pages to decorated objects. Working with the symbolic geometry that is innate to Celtic knotwork can be rewardingly meditative. In this one-day workshop, participants will be introduced to the art of Celtic knotwork through a combination of history review, live demonstration of multiple methods of construction (different ways to approach interlacing designs), hands-on practice, and a look at the ways in which elements of this ancient art are being applied by artists and designers today. Handouts will include exemplars for traditional knots and borders, in-class exercises, terminology definitions, images from historic samples, pages from a variety of writings by prominent Celtic art researchers, and lists of resources.  After learning the process of plotting out and interlacing the cords of a formal knot, we will make a lateral move to following the less measured and mathematical method of constructing freeform knots. Concentrating on balance and spacing, we will talk at this point about continuity in the curves Read More