I started learning calligraphy more than twenty years ago, and I still am. Come and learn with me!
I teach my calligraphy workshops in gorgeous venues around Cumbria designed for crafting. Calligraphy is a little more than that though – you won’t just go home with a thing you’ve made on the day: you’ll go home with the knowledge and tools to learn this beautiful art at your own pace, and in your own space.
I taught a private calligraphy class near Penrith yesterday. The ladies had travelled from the US, Canada and Germany and were crafters, knitters and creative people. One lady had come along with her daughter, and this pair were wonderful. They knew a little latin, Greek and Russian – and they talked of history and learning in a way that fascinated me. (Languages have always been a ‘thing’ for me too.)
Another lady came to me at the end of the class to say thank you, quietly. She told me she didn’t often have the confidence to try new things, but she’d really enjoyed the calligraphy workshop and it had given her the confidence to keep learning. That little snippet of feedback, and the way she came up at the end especially to tell me, made my day.
Learning modern calligraphy – the perfect beginners’ style
I teach modern calligraphy because it’s fun and rewarding to learn. It’s really accessible: there are no ‘rules’ like more formal calligraphy styles have. Creativity plays a big part, and it’s lovely to see flourishing and experiments on the page by the end of the class.
When a calligraphy workshop comes to an end, it’s nice to see people feeling proud of what they’ve written and keen to practice at home. Learning is where the real joy comes in. Taking those little moments to sit quietly and write a few beautiful swirly letters is really therapeutic. Over time, you’ll develop a rhythm and your writing will flow more smoothly. You really can’t rush calligraphy, but we have such busy lives: it’s nice to have a craft where slowness is everything.
And twenty years in, I am still looking forward to mixing my inks, choosing a brand new nib and settling down to write a batch of place names for a May wedding. I might learn a new flourish as I write. I might play with my letters a little, and see if there’s a new style of ‘g’ that I love more than the one I was writing last week! Modern calligraphy allows experimentation, and is always fun.
(If you’re curious about learning calligraphy, this article on the ‘best’ style to start with is really interesting)
My next modern calligraphy classes are on the 16th of May and 6th of June.
Friday 16th May – Cowshed Creative, Kentmere (near Kendal & Windermere)
10 – 1pm
£48 + £12 for materials
A cosy barn perfect for smaller groups to learn calligraphy. Come with a friend and enjoy delicious home bakes and a warm welcome before settling in for a morning of creative fun with calligraphy pens.
Tickets here
Friday 6th June – Beetham Nurseries, Milnthorpe (on the A6 north of Carnforth)
10am – 12:30pm
£50 including tea, coffee and a sweet treat
(Also includes a 10% voucher to spend at Beetham Nurseries garden centre and gift shop on the day)
A lovely workshop in the marquee at Beetham Nurseries, perfect for larger groups and making friends! We always have so much fun learning calligraphy at Beetham.
Tickets here