June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 29, August 5
Seven Tuesday nights • 6:30–9:00 pm (PDT)
In person: Fort Mason, San Francisco

Cost:
$205 non-members
$185 Friends of Calligraphy members

Sign up here

Date skipped for English Roundhand

In this class, we’ll demystify English Roundhand using 18th-century writing manuals, including George Bickham’s The Universal Penman. We’ll reinterpret these historic letterforms with modern metal nibs, starting with small broad-edge nibs and progressing down to an almost pointed pen.

This course will clear up common misconceptions about English Roundhand, a script often mistaken for Copperplate. We’ll explore its evolution from Italian Cancellaresca and how it later inspired the development of Copperplate Script.

All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Materials List

• Basic supplies
• 9" × 12" pad of layout bond paper
• Artist’s tape

Basic Supplies:
Non-waterproof black ink (e.g., Pelikan 4001, Higgins Eternal, or Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus Carbon Black); all sizes of Brause pen nibs; one or two pen holders; pencil and eraser; 18" or 24" metal ruler; notebook; cotton rag; and a small water jar.

If other pens, nibs, or holders are specified for a class (e.g., Engrosser’s Script), it is not necessary to buy the Brause pen nibs listed in the Basic Supplies.