For students new to calligraphy, as well as those who are looking for an opportunity to revisit the basics, the Gentle Penman is offering a four-part Introduction to Italic.   In order to make this series available to students with varying experience and interests, we are following the successful format of our previous series:  Copperplate Summer School, and offering students the opportunity to sign up for individual workshops.  (For example, if you are tempted by Swash Capitals, and already have experience with the Minuscules, you can choose Part 3 of the series.)  We do, of course, recommend that beginners start at the beginning!  We will introduce you to the tools and materials and basic rules of broad-edged pen calligraphy in Part 1, and continue from there.  Stay tuned for information about all four parts of this exciting series!

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PART 4: NUMBERS & PUNCTUATION

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An often neglected, but always important part of the study of calligraphy is Numbers and Punctuation.  The simple, and yet elegant, forms of the numbers are appropriate to other styles in addition to Italic, often with small adjustments in size or slant.  In this workshop, we will look at both the "old style," numbers and more modern versions, both of which are forms that demand care and practice, but serve us wonderfully as calligraphers.   We will also spend time on the traditional forms of punctuation, which are necessary to writing graceful and legible Italic calligraphy.