Registration opens for Members on 9/1/26
Registration opens for Nonmembers on 9/21/26
Be Bold: The Neuland Hand
This workshop will be geared for calligraphers for all levels. Several variations of the Neuland Hand will be demonstrated and explored. There will be plenty of time devoted to calligraphy terminology and best practices for those new to calligraphy. Calligraphers familiar with Neuland or those with more experience will be guided on how to experiment.
Neuland seems to lend itself to all kinds of "treatments" - such as drop shadows, outlining, squeezing together, cutting out, and adding color. So, in addition to exploring Neuland variations, we will explore many ways to embellish your Neuland writing.
At the end of the weekend everyone will have the opportunity to gather their work from the weekend into a simple portfolio swatch book.
Map & Directions to Hillside Church
Supplies:
Note: Any student who has experience with dip pens and would rather skip the Parallel Pen and jump right to their favorite larger nibs or pens - that's fine - no need to purchase or bring a Parallel Pen.
- Parallel Pen - 6mm or 4.5mm
- Extra cartridges - any color (but I always stay away from the red - it tends to bleed)
- Speedball C-nib and holder - C-0 or C-1
- Several sheets of favorite practice paper - Borden & Riley is nice
- One piece of nicer paper - like a watercolor paper
- Drawing pencils - #2 and a softer pencil for blending (like 4B)
- A few gel pens or colored pencils or markers in your favorite colors - whatever you have and are comfortable working with for a bit of color
- Micron pen - or other favorite small, permanent drawing pen
- Favorite Ink. Higgins Eternal (not waterproof) is good for beginners OR Moonpalace Sumi ink OR Walnut - whatever you have tried before and like to work with for practice. It is helpful to transfer ink into a smaller container rather than dipping into a bottle. These are nice: JNB - jar with lid
- Small water container
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Paper towels, small rags or wet wipes
- Pen rest*
- Tape or other mechanism to secure bottle of ink to table to prevent spilling*
- Some favorite words (short poems or short quotes)
*if you bring a plastic lid of a cottage cheese or yogurt container, I can show you how to make a holder for your ink and pen rest if you have neither of these.
Optional supplies - bring only if you have them and want to experiment with them - don't buy:
Note: Some of these will be used in demonstrations and if you have an interest or more experience you can experiment but these are NOT necessary to complete workshop. Calligraphers are the most generous people I know. There will be plenty of things to share, so I don't want anyone (beginners especially) to feel they have to buy any of these if they don't already have them in their tool box:
- Variety of scraps (no smaller than say 4"x6") of favorite nice paper to write on; Canson Mi Tiente, watercolor paper, charcoal paper, etc. (If you want to try white ink, bring some darker paper)
- Sheet or 2 of tracing paper
- White gouache or favorite white ink
- Favorite colors of ink
- Large Speedball B-nib (or other bent nibs) and holder
- EF66 or other flexible pointed nib and holder
- Large pens - like Automatic pens or Coit pens (at least 1/4" or 1/2")
- Gel pen assortment
- Colored pencil
- Small mixing brush
- 6-well mixing pan or small jars
- X-acto knife and blades (#11 or #16)
- Cutting surface (back of paper pad works fine)
- Pipette
- Small hole punch
After you register, you'll receive instructions for preparing a few things in order to be ready to dive in on Saturday morning.
Registration opens soon:
- for Members on 9/1/26
- for Nonmembers on 9/21/26
A Little About Your Instructor: Sally Wightkin
I have been creating calligraphy since 1981 and teaching calligraphy and related arts since 1991. My calligraphic world expanded in 1989 when, following the advice of the incomparable Myrna Rosen, I joined the Calligraphy Guild of Pittsburgh, where I discovered the rich world of lettering arts that continues to inspire my work today.
Since creating my first wedding invitations in 1987, I have designed countless envelopes, invitations, place cards, and custom calligraphic pieces for life's special occasions. I also enjoy sharing my passion through in-person workshops, home studio classes, and creative online experiences.
My work has been exhibited and recognized throughout Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida, and is held in private collections across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. I have been honored to have work published multiple times in Letter Arts Review, the internationally recognized journal for calligraphers and lettering artists.
I am a past president and current webmaster for the Colleagues of Calligraphy, where I continue to learn, create, and connect with fellow lettering artists.
While calligraphy has been my lifelong passion, my husband, two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson are my greatest joys.
