CLAS Festival of Calligraphy

The annual CLAS Festival of Calligraphy gives everyone a chance to indulge in letters and lettering. World class tutors teach a variety of courses in lettering and associated arts such as colour, bookbinding, manuscript illumination and so on. It is also a chance to meet like-minded people and make new friends. And, it is FUN!

Make sure that you're one of the first to apply by being a CLAS member.

Durham University, 19th - 25th August 2011

Details of courses and tutors
St. Aidan’s College, Windmill Hill, DH1 3LJ

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Details of courses and tutors

Patricia Lovett

Patricia was the second chair of CLAS and is now the Promotions Officer as well as chair of the CLAS Academic Standards Board. She teaches the CLAS Certificate of Competence in Gilding and Traditional Skills, as well as other CLAS courses, including Early Hands of which Caroline Minuscule is one of the scripts. Patricia has written about a dozen books, mainly on calligraphy and illumination, and has lectured and taught all over the world.

Session 1 Caroline Minuscule
This attractive and stylish script was developed during the reign of Charlemagne and is associated with the great bibles produced at the scriptorium of St Martin at Tours, in France, such as the Moutier-Grandval Bible now in the British Library. It is an extremely versatile hand, as it can be used in larger size for grand occasions as well as written really tiny. With a low x-height, it means that Caroline Minuscule can be written quite small without a huge effort.

All ability levels.

Session 2 Illuminating a Mediaeval Miniature
Illuminating covers both using gold leaf on gesso as well as painting a miniature in colour. This will be an intensive course but it is possible to complete all the stages in the time allowed; and then there’s no end to the number of beautiful miniatures that you can produce! We shall be using pieces of vellum, gilding on gesso (having made it ourselves on the first day) laying on leaves of real gold, and then painting the images in gouache. It is immensely satisfying and a real joy to produce your own miniature, albeit copied from one produced during the Middle Ages, and no great calligraphic ability is required.

All ability levels.

David Price

David is a professional artist and calligrapher with over 20 years experience of teaching Watercolour painting and Calligraphy in adult education. He is a winner of the SIH handwriting competition and in 2008 became winner of the World Handwriting Competition. He has an Advanced Diploma in Calligraphy (Distinction) and is a CLAS Accredited Tutor.

Session 1  Decorative Techniques using Paint & Pencil
In this very practical workshop we will explore decorative techniques using watercolour paints and the often neglected medium of coloured pencils.

We will consider the properties and techniques associated with each medium, exploring how each can be used independently and together. We will see how the important elements of colour, tone, texture and pattern can be used in representational or abstract ways to interpret and enhance our lettering.

Roman Capitals, Neuland and Versals are ideal for use with these techniques but any lettering style can be used effectively. Prior experience of these styles is not a requirement.

All ability levels.

Session 2 Pointed Pen Legende
Many of us are familiar with F. H. Ernst Schneidler’s Legende typeface and may have tried edged pen adaptations of it. In this workshop we will use a pointed pen script developed from this unique and quirky typeface.

We will study and discuss the characteristics of the original typeface, then consider the mark-making potential of the flexible pointed pen. Using our knowledge of the Legende typeface, and the experience we have gained with the pointed pen, we will begin to develop a modern, distinctive, lively pointed pen script inspired by it.

Prior knowledge of Legende is not necessary but some experience with a pointed pen would be advantageous.

Intermediate and Advanced.

Christopher Austin

Christopher is a free-lance calligrapher whose work in the commercial field comprises speed, fluency and accuracy. He believes that calligraphy should be inventive and fun and to this end combines an interest in cursive writing with alternative writing instruments in the never-ending quest for meaningful mark making.

Session 1 Developing a Cursive Hand
Using the Italic hand as a starting-point, we will explore economies of movement in script and how this can be combined with gestures of wrist, hand and arm to create flowing letters and ligatures. There will be distortion and manipulation but absolutely no scribbling! Experiments will be conducted in the strictest discipline to produce fluid cursive writing that looks as though it flows off the pen, belying the art below the surface. Tools will include small broad nibs, J nibs, pointed nibs and even fountain pens. A reasonable proficiency in the Italic hand is a pre-requisite.

Intermediate and advanced.

Session 2 Ballpoint Calligraphy
We've all got them somewhere in our collection, those round-ended nibs of various sizes like the Speedball B series, Mitchell 'Script' or the Brause Ornamental; but what to do with them?  Christopher has done a good deal of experimenting with these unusual nibs and can show you how to create extraordinary effects and interesting marks that will make you stop and re-evaluate where your calligraphy is heading. Ballpoint calligraphy has no relationship with the Biro or other monoline instruments; we're talking fat line and funky letters good enough to eat!

All ability levels.

Jan Ascoli

As a mature student, Jan took her degree in History of Art at Oxford Polytechnic (as it then was). While there, she was taught by Ivor Robinson who mentored & inspired her to specialise in bookbinding & design. As a post grad, she took courses in the structure & design of book forms at Brighton & a course in fine binding technique at Roehampton Institute. Since then, Jan has worked for the National Trust, private clients & has run her own bindery where she makes new books & repair old ones.

Session 1 Single Stitch Binding
We will be exploring the very wide variety of binding structures which we can make using this simplest of all sewing techniques.  I shall introduce students to many of the do’s & don’t’s of bookbinding so that they may achieve satisfaction & pleasure from developing careful & precise work.

This workshop will probably be most appropriate for beginners although students who do have some bookbinding experience should find it fun too!

Session 2 Bound for Success
We will be making a series of book structures which are designed to increase manual skill & which will equip students with the techniques necessary to be able to “play” with their ideas as they develop at home. We will be making at least 3 books and all that is needed is a level of care & attention to detail! 

All ability levels.

Cherrell Avery

Cherrell is a CLAS Fellow and accredited tutor who lives and works in London. She teaches in adult education, runs courses at West Dean College and London Museums and is a 2nd year tutor at Kensington Palace. Cherrell works to commission, with major clients such as Marks & Spencer and The London Assembly. Her personal lettering art, which currently explores structures and pattern, is regularly exhibited in the UK and abroad.

Session 1 Letters Unleashed (an unconventional approach to text design)
This experimental workshop challenges the accepted left to right format of Western scripts in order to create unusual and exciting word patterns. Vertical stacking, rotating, reversing and overlaying are just some of the ways we can position the letters so that they appear semi-abstract but remain legible to the discerning eye.  Explore alternative ways of creating your letters with different writing tools and techniques such as tracing and painting, making rubber stamps or cut out letter collage.  In addition, learn how colour, tone and scale can be used to provide visual depth and contrast in your designs. 

All ability levels.

Marion McKenzie

The freedom of retirement enabled Marion to embark on the Diploma of Practical Calligraphy at Roehampton University. She then became an accredited tutor with CLAS while teaching in adult education which she thoroughly enjoys. She gained CLAS Fellowship in 2009.

Session 2 Lino: cut, emboss, print
Many people have done a little lino cutting during their time at school but probably nothing since. We will explore two applications of the skill. Embossing with great subtlety into soft printmaking paper. Then inking the same, or different images and letters, with vibrant colours onto thin tissue paper.

All ability levels.

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Workshops

The workshops take place during two 2 1/2 day sessions with a free afternoon, Monday, in between. Registration and Meet the Tutor is on Friday evening with tuition starting early on Saturday morning. Evening lectures and sales opportunities are also planned.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in single student rooms with en-suite facilities. There are also a limited number of twin en-suite rooms, so if you are bringing a partner, please indicate this preference on the booking form.  First come-first serve only! If you would like a ground floor room for medical reasons, please indicate this on the booking form. Tuition, all meals, tea and coffee are included in the residential price. Tuition, lunch, tea and coffee, plus dinner on Friday 19th August in the non-residential price.

Booking

Early booking is recommended to secure the workshops of your choice and this enables the Society to place the necessary deposit to reserve the accommodation and classrooms. All bookings received on or before 1st September 2010, will be processed together (or two weeks after the mailing, whichever is later). Draws will take place for any workshops that are oversubscribed, but for any that are not, you are welcome to book later - check for availability.

You are asked to indicate your first, second and third choice of workshop from the list of five, for each session. Please do not limit yourself to only one choice as we cannot guarantee your spot.

To book and reserve your workshop places, complete and return the booking form as soon as possible with your non-refundable deposit(s) of £50 for each person, and another cheque dated 1st May 2011 for the balance (overseas cheques to be made in Sterling and drawn on a London bank). All cheques should be made payable to CLAS. Do not send credit card details by email! Contact Kathy Sedar for instructions on how to use PayPal. Send the booking form and payment to:

Festival Directors, Kathy Sedar and Marlene Gray 78 Coventry Road, Burbage, Leicestershire LE10 2HR (Kathy's address)
Tel 01455 610506 (Kathy), 0191 5266587 (Marlene) Email

To reduce postage costs, email will be used for correspondence whenever possible.

Fees

RESIDENTIAL Includes 6 nights accommodation from Friday 19th August, tuition, all meals, teas and coffees.

CLAS members	£525
Non-CLAS members	£560
Non-participants (ie no tuition)	£400

NON-RESIDENTIAL Includes tuition, lunches, teas and coffees, and dinner on Friday August 20th.

CLAS members	£350
Non-CLAS members	£390

Cancellations: if notified to us before 1st May 2011 your post-dated cheque will be returned. Should you have to cancel, please notify us as soon as possible, in order that we may offer your place to another. We regret that cancellations after 1st May cannot be refunded, so you are advised to take out 'holiday' insurance to cover this possibility.

Printable booking forms

• UK residents
• Non-UK residents

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