Local workshop alert! I’ve had this workshop live, just haven’t shared it with anyone yet. Oops! Join me for an awesome modern calligraphy workshop! I’ll share with you all my secrets. ;) Maybe not all of them, but all of the calligraphy-related ones.
This workshop is a 3-hour event where we cover the basics of modern pointed pen calligraphy and any extras we can get to in the time allotted. I try to keep things going quickly, but not so fast that beginners get lost. I want to pack in as much information in such a short period of time!
Class fee is $99. It includes all materials, snacks, handouts and instructions. All you have to do is show up. Workshop will be in Draper, Utah (we are subject to a last-minute change, but it’ll be within 15 minutes of Draper area). Feel free to email me melissaATmelissaesplinDOTcom or comment below if you have any questions about the class. Hope to see you there!
I’ve got a Modern Copperplate Calligraphy workshop coming at you in just a couple of short weeks! This workshop is far more intensive than the Pinners program workshops. The class time is 3+ hours (because we usually go over) and limited to 10 students.
A lot of you have been asking me about my workshops and how they work. We’ll be going through the upper and lowercase fundamentals of my modern script. My modern script has a slant to it, it’s airy, informal, yet elegant. Not only will you learn my style, but you’ll learn classical foundations along the way including, but not limited to: how to properly use, care for and hold the pen, the tools to use and the foundations of readability.
In the class I take time to demonstrate, then have you try your hand at it while I walk around. I give encouragement, feedback, physical adjustments as needed and answer any questions you may have. This class is great for beginners and “beginnermediate” calligraphers that may have had a self-taught start. No experience is necessary. Lefties are welcome too, I can teach both left- and right-handed, upside-down and backwards. ;)
Above: an example of a student’s practice at one of our workshops. Below: more student practice.
I hope to see you there! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. If you’d like to get on the email list for local workshops, comment below with your email or message me at melissaATmelissaesplinDOTcom (the contact link above is broken :\ ).
I didn’t get good overnight. In fact, I still have a long way to go. I have more classes to take, more practice to do and more tools to hoard. Last week I came across an old video I uploaded in 2013, I had had some practice under my belt. But not much. I was proud of this work:
OMG.
Now that I look back, I cringe. I should cringe at old work. Sure there are some pieces I’m still proud of, but would I keep working on improving if I didn’t find my old work a little cringe-worthy? Probably not. Dare I say that embarrassment feeds improvement? Maybe a little?
So as one does, I re-did my old video. I’m happy with how it turned out. I’ve gotten better at my filming and editing process. I’ve gotten better at my flourishing and overall technique. But is this the end? Hardly.
I think my biggest pet-peeve is when a person or class claims the end or height of learning. You know that’s an utter lie. And if someone ever claims that, you know they don’t know beans about what they’re teaching or doing. Learning and improvement never stops; no matter the discipline or art form. I teach calligraphy. And I love teaching calligraphy. I love getting people started and seeing them run with it and graduate beyond my class to other classes, other disciplines, other passions to create a style that they truly own.
If I were to critique this piece? I’d say the flourish coming off the ‘u’ is a little awkward. I should have done it off the ‘r’. And I should have written out a baseline guildeline, because I’m bouncing around with a little less purpose than a meandering baseline. And my ink got thick on the ‘sh’ connection. But good grief, I’m getting better.
The other thing is… I had a slew of negative comments on that old video. Someone told me to stop lettering all together, because I sucked. I ignored them, I think because I never got the notification of the comment in the first place (win!). I’ve got a little PSA for you… EVERYONE SUCKS WHEN THEY FIRST START ANYTHING. I was no exception. So what’s keeping you from learning something new? It’s okay to suck a little. It’s okay to suck a lot. Just keep at it.
Want to see the before in action? Oh yeah….
Want to get better at calligraphy? Let me help you. I teach calligraphy online and in person (in Utah). You can register for my online class right here. I give personal one-on-one feedback to help you with targeted improvements. And my next in-person workshop is April 6th in Draper, UT. Register here.
Don’t get discouraged by slow improvement. With social media and instant gratification we’re used to with everything at our fingertips, it’s easy to get discouraged. Learning a new discipline takes time. And that’s okay. Doing something that’s not perfect is okay, too!! I don’t regret publishing that old video for a second. I put out the best I could do at the time. And I was proud of it! I look at that old video like a badge of honor.
It’s a 3-hour whirlwind workshop. Let’s get down to business and get you learning as much technique as possible to get you practicing and comfortable with pointed pen. It’s not that intimidating, but there is a learning curve. If you’re the type of person that needs adjustments with your grip and orientation and needs to see things in-person. This is the workshop for you. No experience necessary. Beginnermediate calligraphers welcome, too. Lefties ALWAYS welcome. Snacks, handouts and materials included.
We’ve teamed up with The Market Beautiful (formerly Vintage Whites) for another workshop at the Utah Fairgrounds. Come early and shop the awesome vintage/made goods and get your “learn on” as we dive deep into brush lettering. If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t have time for calligraphy, but you need calligraphy in your life, this is the class for you. Materials are portable to go where you go: practices, jet-setting, road trips, doc apts, school, etc. No experience necessary. Beginnermediate calligraphers welcome, too. Lefties ALWAYS WELCOME. Snacks, handouts and materials included.
LAST CHANCE to sign up for this Thursday’s upcoming calligraphy workshop. We’re covering brush lettering and making customized tags for this season’s gift-giving. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
This class is going to be jam-packed full of great info, and tasty treats. For $80, you get:
The instruction is hands-on. I’ll demonstrate the basic strokes, alphabet and walk around and help attendees with orientation, positioning and grip. Lefties, beginners and intermediate letterers are welcome! I demonstrate left-handed for left-handed guests, so no one gets left out.
Can’t make it to Paper Crush for the event? Take the online brush class HERE or sign up for our newsletter below.
