Italic+Variations In-Person Workshop with John Stevens

Ohio | 4 Day Retreat | John Stevens Workshop:

Thursday,Oct. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 

Registration is limited and will be based on postmark. If registration exceeds the class maximum, the final spots will be filled by a drawing. Registrations must be postmarked or delivered by hand, on or after June 11 for CGC members, and June 18 for non-members.

This is a full four day workshop. No two day sign-ups.

Arrive Wed., Sept. 26 by 5pm/Depart Sun., Sept. 30 at 5pm

Mail check (payable to Calligraphy Guild of Columbus) & form to:

Carol Kimball, 1107 Summer Hill Circle, Gahanna, OH 43230

CGC Member: Double $800 Private $1025 (limited)

Non-member: Double $850 Private $1075 (limited)

Full refund by July 15. After July 15, refund is less $200. Bal. due Sept. 5.

Covers class instruction, 4 night stay, 12 meals, wi-fi,

indoor pool, exercise room, full late night classroom availibility.placement of lines, ascenders and descenders which can even become flourishes.

Oftentimes, the ascenders and descenders are not working well together in a piece of Italic that would otherwise be fine.

There is much more to a beautiful Italic than just holding your pen at 45°, following the skeletal shapes. Italic consists of a central theme with a wide variety of form possibilities. There is no “one size fits all.”

With a good understanding of letter design and structure, one can make variations as needed. Some would call this approach “living letters” as opposed to a fixed “font idea,” that most laymen have of our craft. This class will be part craft and part design.

We will write text and work on the design
of words focusing on:

Refinement of form , establishing strong rhythm,

exploring rhythms , exploring variations.

There are technical moves, techniques that 

will add refinement to your letters.

We will spend time on analysis of historic hands, using elements from your handwriting, and form modification. Variations: Maybe, even learning to “free-up” our Italic or calligraphy in general or learn how to adopt your italic to suit a piece, or make Italic more personally yours.

Insights: Form, Rhythm, and Movement apply to all styles of lettering including Italic. Beyond the obvious form, there are adjustments to contour, tweaks to details or overall form modification to make our work more personal. We can modify and design letterforms to be several things; either to make it more fitting with content or to be more expressive and individualistic.

Matching capitals: A useful simple set to perhaps something more elaborate; the beginning of flourishing. Consider the page or space, including placement of lines, ascenders and descenders which can even become flourishes. Oftentimes, the ascenders and descenders are not working well together in a piece of Italic that would otherwise be fine.

If time allows, we will design a page using two versions of Italic (most likely, a bold and light).