Introduction to Italic Calligraphy

Rooted in the Pacific Northwest's rich calligraphic lineage, this class introduces the fundamentals of the Italic script while weaving in its local history.

The first week begins with an overview of Italic's historical examples, the British revival, and its connection to the Pacific Northwest through influential teachers like Lloyd J. Reynolds, Jacqueline Svaren, Robert Palladino, and Inga Dubay. Students will get to know the broad-edged pen, exploring nib ladders, pen angles, and basic letter groups.

In the second week, participants will learn to rule their own practice sheets, warm up with letter groups, and dive into the minuscule (lower case) alphabet, practicing the flowing rhythm of the n-chain. The third week introduces majuscules (capital letters), accompanied by a brief exploration of paleography—tracing the evolution of the alphabet and its origins.

The final week brings it all together, combining miniscules and majuscules in alphabetic word lists, practicing layout and spacing, and writing whole words and phrases.

Whether approached as a meditative practice, a tool for everyday handwriting, or a means of creating intentional beauty, Italic offers a timeless connection between hand, mind, and letterform.