Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto

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Learning the Art of Calligraphy

The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto offers courses featuring local, regional and international instructors primarily at our studio facilities at Neilson Park Creative Centre. Open to youth and adults, CAGT members have registration priority; non-members pay a small additional cost.

Interested in modern or traditional calligraphy? Learning scripts using tools such as the broad edge pen, pointed pen, brush, marker? Art techniques from illumination, book and paper arts? Individual course information details will help ensure the best fit for your skill level and interest.

Workshop

Pointed Pen basics with StarLee Lively Odorico

Date: September 20, 2025 from 1 pm to 3 pm

Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre

56 Neilson Drive

Etobicoke, Ontario

Studio A2

Course Description

Pointed pen calligraphy uses a flexible nib to create a wide range of line thicknesses based on pressure applied. However, this tool can sometimes be a challenge to work with - especially when first starting out. This workshop is aimed to help people new to the world of pointed pen. We will focus on the very basics of tool use, such as how to prepare and load a nib with ink, proper posture, and hand positioning. We will also practice some basic strokes to get an overall feel for the pen. The goal of the afternoon is to relax, have fun, and break down any hesitations people might have with using a flexible nib. All questions will be welcome!

Member Price: $5

Non-Member Price: $10

Course

The Poetic Pen; a Study in italian hand with Heather Held

Date:

Saturday, September 27, 2025

9:00 am to 4:00pm

(Bring lunch)

Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre

56 Neilson Drive

Etobicoke, Ontario

Studio A2

Italian Hand is a playful, delicate, and joyful script that can drastically lighten your touch with

the pointed pen as well as help you develop a stronger understanding of other script hands.

This beautiful hand evolved from italic writing and predates English Roundhand and Spencerian Script. It has a unique, charming quality than can captivate the onlooker and draw them in for a closer look. Italian Hand is meant to be written rather than drawn and is a very practical script to add your repertoire. The lower case letterforms are delicately shaded and simple to write. Capitals are varied and can take the form of a very delicate English Roundhand style capital or have more complexly shaded and flourished forms. This script hand is extraordinarily forgiving and expressive. It is a wonderful place for a beginner to start with as it encourages a very light touch with the pen. This hand has a very gentle quality to it that makes it such a pleasure to explore. I look forward to sharing the history of this hand with you as well as the unique possibilities it can add to your script. I hope you will enjoy exploring the playful nature of this hand.

Supplies:

• Straight holder

• Medium Flexible Pointed Pen Nib for delicate effects: Hunt 22, Gillott 404, Zebra G

• Flexible Pointed Pen for more dramatic effects: Leonardt EF Principal or Hunt 101

• Your favourite practice ink for pointed pen work such as: McCaffery Black, Stick ink, Sumi

Vermillion, Walnut Ink or Sailor Manyo Fountain Pen Ink

• Size A4 Layout Paper. I prefer Daler Rowney. You may substitute your favourite practice

paper, but you should be able to see guidelines through it.

• Pencil, Ruler, Eraser, Note Taking Supplies, Paper Towel, Water dish, Two Paper Clips

Optional: Maruman Imagination Series Graph Paper (size 8.3” x11”) for those who prefer to work on graph paper rather than using guidelines.

Member Price: $130

Non-Member Price: $150

Course

Blackletter Study (In Three Parts) with Mark Lurz

Date:

Part 1: September 18, 25; Textura (Basic Blackletter)

Part 2: October 2, 16; (Elegant Renaissance Gothic)

Part 3: October 23, 30; Rotunda (Round Gothic)

Thursday evening classes from 7:00 to 9:00

Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre

56 Neilson Drive

Etobicoke, Ontario

Studio A2

Mark Lurz will approach each script with the lower- and upper case letters.

You will learn the characteristics of each style, be encouraged to embellish an initial letter and use colour to design a piece of art for each script.

Mark can show you lots of samples from his collection.

There will be lots of free photo copies and all kinds of materials.

Materials:

Bring your basic tool kit;

Pilot Parallel pen 2.4mm

Whatever nibs and pens you have

Pointed nib for embellishing

Fine line markers

Ink

Gouache colours or colour pencils

Practice paper (Rhodia)

Pencil, eraser, ruler

Mark can lend you or sell any materials (cash)

You won't have to go shopping.

Part 1 - Member Price: $65

Part 1 - Non-Member Price: $70

4 evenings for 2 scripts, $125 or $130 non member

or register for all 6 classes, $180 or $190 non member