Calligraphy Classes
In addition to our major workshops, Escribiente members also offer local classes in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho areas. Three classes are scheduled for Spring 2019.
Please contact the individual instructor to register. Please note that some classes are small and may sell out. See the Membership page if you’d like to join and receive advance notice of upcoming classes!
Calligraphy 101 Class
* FULL* Saturday, July 13, 2019, 10am–5pm (Sandia Park, NM) * wait list
Next class: Saturday, August 31, 2019, 10am–5pm (Sandia Park, NM) * 1 spot left
Instructor: Trish Meyer
This one-day class is geared to the beginning calligrapher who is interested in an introduction to the various styles of calligraphy, and offers tips and techniques that will serve you well no matter which hand you decide to study further.
You’ll be introduced to the different tools needed to create a variety of hands, such as: (edged-pen) Foundational, Italic, and Gothic/Blackletter, as well as Copperplate (pointed pen), Drawn Versals, and the Ruling/Folded Pen. Samples of these hands (called “examplars”) will be given in your handouts.
General techniques common to learning calligraphy will be covered, such as: grouping letters into families, reading the stroke sequence in an exemplar, the importance of pen width and pen angles, using guide sheets, recommended inks, plus mixing gouache, and more.
We hope Calligraphy 101 will be a valuable introduction to calligraphy that will help you make the most of our regular programs and give you the confidence to sign up for one of our calligraphy workshops. It will also help if you plan to self-study using online training or books/DVDs from our extensive library.
Materials list: Please bring whatever calligraphy tools, paper and ink you already own. A recommended list will be supplied to students in advance. Unusual tools (such as ruling pens) will be on hand for you to try. Students also receive a supply list for nibs, ink and paper with links to local and online calligraphy supply stores prior to the class.
Fee, includes handouts: Members: $25. Limited to 5.
Non-members: $45 (includes one-year membership $30; plus $10 coupon applied)
Please see the Membership page to join before the class. Allow a few weeks for your Welcome packet to arrive, which includes a $10 coupon which can be applied to any Escribiente class.
Contact your instructor: Trish Meyer email:
Engrosser’s Script Class
(Introduction to Pointed Pen)
Instructor: Bill Kemp
Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019
Time: 10am – 5pm
Price: $45.00 (this includes your workbook, paper, cost of the facility and a great time)
Class limit: 14 students (open to all)
To register: Email Bill Kemp:
This class is for both beginners and students who wish to refresh themselves with the basics. Known as both Roundhand and/or Engrossing Script, this will be a class to provide the basics and true fundaments of this beautiful script. Learning how to manipulate the pointed pen to make the down strokes thick and hairline upward strokes, is the focus of this grateful script. Using the Zanerian Manual and its practices will be referenced to as we learn and write this script. The morning will focus on the basic strokes for the lower case and learning those letters. The afternoon will shift to the capital letters and combining them with the lower case letters for appropriate spacing. Skill level: All
Supply list: An oblique pen holder; suggest a Nikko G nib or Gillott 1068A (experienced individuals can use their favorite nib); McCaffery ink (any color) or your favorite ink used with the pointed pen (other suggested inks would be Palace Moon, Sumi or Old World Ink); since there will be a limited amount of guide sheets in your handouts, an alternative paper would be the grid-square paper (5 squares per inch) pads from Rhodia or Clairefontaine tablets. All of the supplies here could be used in other classes.
BILL KEMP, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a lettering artist and Engrosser, and has been practicing his craft with the pointed pen for over 30 years. He has studied with such instructors as Dick Jackson, Gwen Weaver, Mike Kesceg and his mentor, William Lilly. Bill is a Past President of IAMPETH, and teaches regularly at IAMPETH Conventions and across the country
Email Bill for more information:
Visit Bill's website.
Note: Bill is also teaching “Learning and Using the Pointed Pen” at Ghost Ranch, June 2–8, 2019.
Writing Romans
Making Monoline Magic – Finding Secrets
Instructor: Elizabeth McKee
Dates: Four Saturday sessions: February 23, March 30, April 27, and June 1
Time: 1–4pm
Location: Nob Hill, Albuquerque (address will be emailed to participants)
Price: $100 + $5 supply fee
Class limit: 5 students
To register: email Elizabeth,
Supply List: Download PDF
Monoline Romans class is an introductory calligraphy class designed for working people, with enough challenges built in for those who have extra time to invest in exploration. Since it is monoline, being left-handed does not present a problem. Monoline letters can be very basic but also offer opportunities for design and play. Participants will create a book of sample pages for future reference. Homework will be expected! Challenges will be offered to all levels of competency.
This is an opportunity for beginners to learn the nuances of these ubiquitous letter forms and for more advanced participants to hone their skills with support from fellow letter lovers.