Online Workshop

Layout & Design for Calligraphers with Julie Wildman

Calligraphy needs design! Making beautiful letters isn’t the whole story. Becoming a better calligrapher requires being a better designer. Calligrapher and graphic designer Julie Wildman is here to fill that gap. In this interactive workshop, you will develop the necessary awareness and confidence in utilizing space and color that is so often overlooked in calligraphic studies.

Ok, so you’ve taken a few lettering classes and have a few hands under your belt. Great! But what’s next?

You’ve seen all the beautiful work in the lettering magazines and the art exhibits and wonder, “Will I ever be able to do that?!” The answer is “Yes!” and this class will show you how.

Using favorite tools and a favorite quote, students will be led through a series of exercises that will focus not only on the lettering but on layout, composition, and the negative space that is created. Principles of graphic design will be introduced as we discuss where the next letter or word should go; where and when to apply color; and the steps it takes to get to a finished piece.

We will use your favorite tools to work with black on white, white on black, walnut and sumi inks, and watercolors, as well as different papers.

In the first part of the class, we will all work together on various exercises. The second part of class will be more individual instruction as each student begins to develop his or her specific piece, finishing with a final layout that could be matted and framed.

Students will have access to online recordings of both live sessions indefinitely.

Note: To make this Zoom workshop as interactive as possible, Julie will be carefully critiquing students’ work throughout class. Students should have their phone, tablet, or other Zoom-connectable camera directed at their desk while they work. There are several different holders available to mount a phone or tablet to a desk, such as here, here, and here.

MATERIALS LIST

Calligraphy Tools: Please have several different types—broad-edged nibs and brushes, pointed pens and brushes, ruling pens, and experimental tools like cola pens, broom bristle pens, etc.

Papers:

• 9 × 12 pad tracing paper

• 9 × 12 pad Bienfang Graphics 360 or Canson Translucent Marker Paper.
  Other brands: Canson Pro-Layout Marker Paper, Borden & Riley Boris Layout Paper for Markers, or any type of marker paper that is smooth and doesn’t bleed.

• Approximately 25 sheets of 11 × 17 practice paper. I usually recommend a Pacon Sulphite Drawing Paper in medium weight. This is available on DickBlick.com and Amazon. Can also use Strathmore Drawing 400 Series Paper.

Fine Papers: Have one of each, in 22 x 30 size—if you want to have a choice depending on what you come up with during class.

• Arches Text Wove

• Canson Mi-Tientes (black) or another nice black paper. Arches Black cover is nice, but expensive.

• Nideggen

• Any cold press watercolor paper

Others:

• Small bottle sumi ink

• Small bottle walnut ink

• 1–2 Fineline Applicators. Preferred size: 20 gauge/.5mm. Have one if you just want to fill with one color. Two if you want to try another color.

• Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White or tube of white gouache

• Layout paper or any paper on which you can sketch lettering layouts

• Pencil and eraser

• Several sizes of Micron black pens (.005, .01, .02)

• 12” or 18” metal ruler

• T-square

• Some watercolors and gouache if you'd like to work with color (whatever you have)

• A few colored pencils

• 6-well paint tray

• 3–4 small yogurt or plastic containers for inks

• X-acto knife and a couple of #11 blades

• Cutting surface

• Glue stick

• Cheap mixing brush

• Roll of 3/4” drafting or blue painter’s tape

• Roll of paper towels

• Water container

• A couple of favorite quotes and favorite words