I have thought for some time that it might be fun to learn calligraphy, so when I saw that hf had a weekend calligraphy course I booked for it. I was concerned that I might have to buy the kit, but the notes said that everything was provided, so that was good. Then the father of a friend died and he used to do calligraphy, so his wife was very happy to pass all his books and pen nibs and things on to me, as she was doing a major clear-out. I was not at all sure how to use them, but hoped I might learn!
Having arrived on the Friday – in time for a cream tea, then dinner later – we started at 9.30, after breakfast, on the Saturday morning and found that we would be using felt-tip calligraphy pens. We were introduced to some basics, such as how to draw lines of the right spacing and were shown the basic pen strokes. We were learning a “round hand” alphabet (I think). We then had time to practise using the pens to do zig-zags etc. and the basic l, i, o and base of the a shapes.
We had a coffee break and then learned how to form the letters for the first half of the alphabet. We again had time to try these out and also try a few words before our lunch break. There was time for more practice before we were shown how to form the second half of the alphabet. We could then try these out and write some more words.
The letters g and s were difficult so needed lots of practice!
We finished about 4.30 pm giving time for a cup of tea and to rest and relax before dinner.
Starting at 9.30 again, the next day followed the same pattern. We had time to practise first and then were shown how to do the capital letters; practice; coffee; practice;……
…..numbers, punctuation and common symbols; practice; lunch. The last session was to write sentences and/or a quotation we wanted to produce neatly; having been given a special piece of paper to produce a neat version. We were also given a second calligraphy felt tip that was thinner so the letters would not be as tall.
Getting the spacing between letters and the arrangement on the page needed work! I never quite got round to a neat version – but I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to produce. The whole course needed quite a lot of concentration and by 4.0 on the Sunday I was even having problems drawing the lines with the right spacing, so stopped. Then it is just a matter of practice, practice, practice!
So? It was enjoyable, but tiring and quite hard work. It still needs a lot of practice and then there is the question we were asked before we started – what am I going to use it for?