Calligraphy Workshop: Gothic Script

Create Medieval Gothic lettering with our calligraphy with our calligraphy short courses in Sydney!

Explore the distinctive style of Medieval Gothic script and learn the techniques used to create its characteristic letterforms. In this hands-on calligraphy course, you will develop your skills using a chisel-shaped nib while learning about letter construction, spacing, layout, colour and design.

You will work through the foundations of Gothic script before combining your skills in a small finished piece. The course is suitable for beginners as well as those with some previous calligraphy experience.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have developed skills in:

• Writing Gothic letters and numerals using a chisel-shaped nib
• Understanding the structure and characteristics of Gothic script
• Developing accurate letterforms, spacing and proportions
• Creating Gothic capitals and combining them with lowercase letters
• Using flourishing and decorative elements
• Applying colour, layout and design principles
• Combining your skills in a finished calligraphy project

Ideal for

This course is suitable for beginners and those with previous calligraphy experience who would like to develop their Gothic script skills.

Course content

Throughout the course, you will explore:

• Using a chisel-shaped nib and creating basic pen patterns
• The history, style and characteristics of Medieval Gothic script
• Gothic letter construction, form, spacing and proportions
• Gothic capitals, their origins and how to combine them with lowercase letters
• Numerals and flourishing
• Colour and design techniques
• Layout and composition
• Combining your skills to create a small finished piece of calligraphy

Please bring to class

You can either bring your own materials or purchase a materials kit from your tutor in class for $35 cash. The kit is not included in the course fee.

If purchasing the tutor's kit, please bring:

• Ruler
• Water jar
• HB pencil
• $35 materials kit (purchase at the checkout when you enrol) 

If bringing your own materials, please bring:

• A4 or A3 bond layout pad, such as Canson or similar
• Chisel-shaped nibs in small, medium and large sizes, such as Brause, Speedball C Nibs or William Mitchell
• Pen holder
• Black Sumi ink or Chinese stick ink
• Gouache, including black and a primary colour set
• Ruler
• HB pencil
• Water jar
• Rag

Other information

• Closed-in shoes are required.
• Please wear old or comfortable clothing suitable for working with ink and paint.
• Long hair must be tied back.
• Art Supplier - Eckersley’s Art Supplies, 93 York St, Sydney NSW 2000