Introduction to Modern Calligraphy

Course Description           

This online class will be focused on developing skills in modern calligraphy.  Modern calligraphy is a form of hand lettering that can be used for personal enjoyment, professional use, or as an art form to express oneself.  The purpose of this course is to enrich my own knowledge and skills of modern calligraphy, while also introducing modern calligraphy to students who are interested in learning a new skill or art form.  The course will be very hands-on and explorative at each student’s discretion. 

Intended Audience & Description of Audience

The intended audience is any individual who is interested in joining this learning community, to learn more about the practice of modern calligraphy.  I will be inviting close friends and family members to join, and then open the invitation to anyone who hears about the course by word of mouth.  The audience will be motivated and driven individuals who have a desire to learn the fundamentals of modern calligraphy. The members of this course need to be willing to set aside at least two hours each week to practice the content of the course in order to gain skills and learn habits of modern calligraphy.  The audience members will be predominantly women, based on the interest I am currently seeing.  

Outcomes and Objectives

By the end of this course, students will have a broad understanding of the basic fundamentals that go into writing modern calligraphy.  We will dive deep into practicing the seven basic strokes of all lower case and upper case letters in calligraphy.  By learning the basic strokes, students will gain comfort with the calligraphy pen and knowledge of how the ink or paint leaves the calligraphy pen.  By the end of the course, students will understand the relationship between ink and paper – how inks sets in to paper, how ink leaves the pen and glides on paper, the different pressure points to get thickness or thinness in strokes, etc.

Course Outline

This course will be a well-rounded window into what modern calligraphy is and everything it has to offer.  We will be looking to professional calligraphers and graphic designers for guidance as we master this art form.  We will practice the seven basic strokes and begin writing letters and words. 

Course Requirments

In order to complete this course, students will need a calligraphy pen to use.  It can be a calligraphy pen with a pointed nib or flat nib, or a calligraphy marker. This can be purchased at any local art supply store for less than $8.