Instructor: Risa Gettler
Sponsored by the San Diego chapter
6 TUESDAY EVENINGS, MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25 and APRIL 1, 8, 6:30-8:30 PM (Pacific time). $100
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: VISIGOTHIC VERSALS are the distinctive and exclusive writing style of early medieval Spain and the foundation hand for our class.
Starting with the Visigothic alphabet, and all of its many letter options, we move to incorporating the famous and popular ligatures. Throughout the course there are weekly slide presentations, videos and music. Step-by-step we refine our work with these intricate letterforms and design choices via the aid of demonstrations, techniques and examples.
Your time spent in calligraphic study, letter rhythms, color. space and artistic judgment will bring you joy and pleasure in writing Visigothic Versals.
THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED CLASS. YOU MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH FOUNDATIONAL ROMAN AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE LETTER-FORMS, UNCIAL IS HELPFUL, SPACING IS ESSENTIAL IN SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTING VISIGOTHIC VERSALS--SPACIAL ACUMEN WILL BE DEVELOPED DURING CLASS. Note from Kristi: Risa does insist that participants keep up with the assignments. This is not a class for those who simply wish to watch. Risa generously meets one-on-one with the participants, as needed. You'll be very happy with what you produce!
Please check with Kristi regarding any questions about this: sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org
Recording will be available for two months.
ABOUT RISA and her Visigothic Versals: I've been traveling the Calligraphic Highway most of my adult life. I've taught Visigothic Versals at international calligraphy conferences, universities, museums, calligraphy study groups and guilds plus a long list of calligraphic accolades. But what I think is important for you to know about is my passion for and study of Visigothic Versals. I fell in love and I mean head-over-heals in love with Visigothic Versals the moment I laid eyes on them; traveled to Spain and took calligraphy classes with amazing and generous letter artists; returned to USA and have spent the last 22 years in the solitude of my scriptorium pouring over the Spanish Beato manuscripts with the translations and tutelage of Visigothic scholar, Dr Ainoa Castro. My enthusiasm is so great for these intriguing and intricate letterforms that I teach Visigothic Versals exclusively. My interest and curiosity for Visigothic Versals has taken me to Princeton's Spanish Art Department and NYC to see the Morgan Beatus. Yes! America owns one of Spain’s national treasures! https://www.themorgan.org/manuscript/110807
REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds.
COMPLETED REGISTRATION REQUIRES 2 STEPS:
1. FIRST PRESS THE REGISTER BUTTON.
2. Second, make a payment of $100 via PayPal or check. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid cancellation of your spot in the workshop.
Once you have pressed the Registration button, you will be sent an automated message with the PayPal link to complete your registration. information will be included for those who prefer to pay via check.
Non-members, here is information on how to join SfC: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC. We recommend you select up to two regional chapters, which provide extra perks at no extra charge. You may want to choose those that sponsor the workshops you enjoy.
Enrollment is limited to 18 students. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. If your membership lapses, you become ineligible and your space will be filled from the waiting list. Registration will close when class is full or on March 2. No refunds unless spot can be filled.
Questions: Contact Kristi Darwick, sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org. (Backup: Dr Nan)
Guest presenter: Barbara Close.
Sponsored by
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025, 6:30-8PM PDT
Pictured: work from Barbara and her students
No charge for these Study Group Sessions. They are led by members, sharing what they have learned. They do not claim to be masters. Members and guests may register for any individual session--there is no requirement to attend prior sessions. The aim is to share knowledge with newbies and to provide a refresher for those with more experience. For this session, Barbara Close will reprise an exercise her class worked on at our Letters California Style conference--a Japanese Enso, which in our case will be combined with Roman letters Each individual session requires separate registration.
This time, we'll deviate slightly from our regular Roman forms:
The enso at first glance may appear to be nothing more than a circle. Yet when being in a meditative state of mind, it is filled with "ki" (spirit, mind, energy & feeling) and becomes a circle of infinity. We will be practicing our ensos and adding words to complete the picture. There are many wonderful varieties, none will be the same. I will demo Neugebauer's Monoline Uncial to use for our lettering style. Join us in the fun.
We plan to record this session. Kristi asks that you remind her! Recording will be available for three months.
Flexible Schedule for the evening:
6:30 - 6:45 Announcements. Participants are invited to share any work they've done since last session, including their progress on our current projects.
6:45 - 7:45 Barbara close will walk us through combining a Japanese Enso with Roman letters
7:45 - 8:00 An opportunity for those who wish to share what they've completed during this session (and another chance to share work done since our last session). Also, a time to ask more questions of our guest speaker.
SUPPLY LIST:
Membership not required
Handouts and Zoom invitation will be sent a day or two in advance.
You're welcome to sign up even at the last minute, but you may have to wait and participate via the recording . . .
Italian Hand of Jan Van de Velde with Hoang Dao
Fridays, May 2, 16, 30 and June 13, 2025, from 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM (Pacific Time).
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Dutch calligraphers, including Jan Van de Velde, were educated in the south and migrated to Northern Netherlands to teach at “French schools”, bringing along a huge number of Italian-style script variations. Van de Velde’s effortless unique handwriting style developed a reputation throughout Europe via his copybooks. His flourishes extend from the text in serpentine loops that evolve into images or designs, often of animals, flowers, or mythological creatures that were never seen before. Thus many younger calligraphers followed his mastery of scripts and flourishes in centuries.
In this workshop we will narrow down to study the style of Jan Van de Velde’s “Italian Hand” or so-called with a modern name “Dutch Roundhand” which represents his strong influence on Dutch calligraphy in this era.
ABOUT HOANG:
Dao Huy Hoang is an international calligraphy artist, pen maker and Urushi craftsman based in Hanoi, Vietnam. His work has been featured in various art magazines, books and exhibitions worldwide. He is also well-known for his pen craftsmanship, including calligraphy pen holders and casual writing tools.
EXPERIENCE: All levels/ Intermediate
Workshop will be recorded and available for three months.
Zoom invitation will be sent a couple days in advance.
REGISTRATION:
You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held.
No refunds.
Registrations will close on April 29, noon PST.
Cost: $85, paid by check or Paypal (see details below).
Once you have entered your registration information, you will automatically be sent a confirmation email with the PayPal button to complete your registration. Please pay within 24 hours to keep your spot. Alternatively, instructions for paying by check will be included, as well.
MEMBERS ONLY
You must be a member of SfC when you register and when this program is held*.
Enrollment is limited to current paid Society for Calligraphy members only.
No reservation will be held until your dues are current.
*To join SfC: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC
For prompt receipt of supply list and confirmation, your check should arrive no later than two weeks before the workshop. You are not registered until confirmed by the workshop coordinator.
NO audio or video recording of any program, meeting, workshop or other SfC function permitted consent of both guest artist and a representative of the Board of Governors. *** You must ask permission of the artist/instructor to photograph any copyrighted materials, including demos.
