Intro to Copperplate Calligraphy Class

Introduction to Copperplate Calligraphy
Instructor: Megan Goodenough
Copperplate is the term used nowadays for one of the classic cursive (or joined) calligraphy hands. It’s a beautiful flowing script that features regular contrasts between delicate hair-line strokes and broader ones. Copperplate originated in Italy in the seventeenth century and migrated to England in the eighteenth, where it rapidly became the dominant writing style because of a growing commercial need. (Businesses were expanding and scribes had to write rapidly to keep company ledgers current. No time for monks hunched over illuminated manuscripts!)  A pointed pen, which allowed the scribe to write in a “running hand” by varying the pressure on the tip of the nib, made all the difference. (The blunt-edge italic nib used for earlier calligraphy required the writer to frequently lift the pen to change the angle of the nib on the paper, a slow process indeed.) In this one-day introduction, you’ll learn basic Copperplate letter shapes from calligrapher Megan Goodenough and will spend time practicing them. Megan will also briefly discuss the characteristics of different nibs, inks, and papers, pointing out which are most suitable for different types of calligraphy. The class is open to anyone. Students who have taken Megan’s Introduction to Pointed Pen class, or who have already worked with a pointed dip pen, will enjoy the letter-by-letter focus and additional practice. You’ll leave class with a basic foundation in Copperplate as well as supplies to take home.