Intro to Copperplate with Laura Di Piazza

In this intensive weekend calligraphy workshop we will examine and practice letterforms in the Copperplate hand, a pointed-pen script that was developed in 16th century England. We will work with an oblique pen holder, pointed pen nib, ink, and guidelines. Our main focus will be on practicing varying amounts of pressure to apply to our pens to produce thick (shaded) and thin (hairline) strokes, letter slant and letter form. We will begin our practice with minuscule and later majuscule letters, which will be grouped according to similar letterforms. Feel free to bring in your favorite quote and/or project ideas for practice and discussion.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31
Time: 10:00 am—4:00 pm
Price: $160 members and non-members
Level: Beginner and all levels
Location: SVA Annex, 214 E. 21st Street (between 2nd/3rd Ave), Room 702A

 
 
 

MATERIALS LIST

  • Oblique pen holder (suggested: Speedball or better)

  • Nikko G nib or Zebra G nib

  • Black ink (suggested: small 2 oz. bottle of sumi ink)

  • Dinky dip and pipette or 1/2 oz. or 1 oz. ink jar (glass or plastic)

  • Small 4-6 oz. plastic or glass water container to clean your pen nibs (yogurt cups work)

  • 4 sheets of paper towels or rag to clean your pen nibs

  • T-square, 12" (John Neal sells a c-thru one for $2.50)

  • Marker Layout Paper (semi-transparent) 9" x 12"

  • Pencil

  • Black ballpoint or rollerball pen

Calligraphy mail order suppliers have everything and are reliable and fast: Paper & Ink Arts or John Neal Books. Basic supplies can be found locally at Dick Blick and Da Vinci.

INSTRUCTOR

Laura Di Piazza (b. 1972, Brooklyn, New York) holds a MFA degree in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. Laura teaches calligraphy workshops at Dartmouth College, AVA Gallery and Art center and MAKE! Skilled Hands. She has exhibited artwork in Austria, Canada, Germany and the USA. www.lauradipiazza.com