Special note: We apologize to our Orthodox members that this workshop is scheduled on the same weekend as Orthodox Easter. It was the only weekend available for our instructor. Please contact workshops@colleaguesofcalligraphy.com if you have any questions or would like to investigate an alternative way to participate (this would be a courtesy to our Orthodox members only).
Please be sure you can attend BOTH days before reserving your spot: Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 from 9:00am-4:00pm each day.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
The Format
This is not just another Zoom workshop! This is a professionally designed and executed online EVENT. This calligraphy-conference-modeled workshop was developed especially for the online format and will be moderated and hosted by a professional Zoom-host, Heather Martinez.
So if you hesitate to participate due to its online format - we suggest you reconsider. This is one of those events not to be missed!
The Workshop
Nobel prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling famously said that the best way to generate great ideas is to generate lots of ideas. Out of quantity comes quality. I would say the same thing about making art. To that end, this class is designed to help you create lots of art, where you will compose the same text (or letter) over and over, but in many different ways.
You will be helped along by a series of exercises that will involve different media, tools and techniques. There will be opportunities to treat the text literally and more abstractly. Some of the exercises will involve color, others black & white. You will come away from the workshop with lots of info on how to compose many variations of a text, tips on layout and design.
You will also come away with lots of work, hopefully some of which will amaze you and inspire you to do more. Some calligraphy experience is helpful, but a willingness to experiment and try new approaches to art making is just as important.
Supplies
At least six 11x14” sheets of Arches Text Wove or comparable
At least two 11x14” sheets cold press watercolor paper (I like Arches 140 lb.)
80# Strathmore 400 Drawing Pad, 11x14”
Optional: Couple 11x14” sheets of cover weight color or black paper (400Series Strathmore Black Mixed Media, Canson Mi-Tientes or Artagain will also do) Note: I will be showing how to use bleach on black paper.
Black calligraphy ink, such as Higgins Eternal (or comparable); Sumi ink (I like Yasutomo or Moon Palace); Quink (optional: I like Blue and Blue-Black)
Walnut ink
White calligraphy ink (I like Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White and Permanent White gouache) Others that work fine: Moon Palace White Sumi, Winsor & Newton White Calligraphy Ink
A few color inks: I recommend Dr. Martin’s Tech Drawing inks (various colors, non-acrylic). Note: Dr. Martin’s Bombay waterproof India inks and/or any color inks with eye dropper top will also do, even if acrylic inks. - I will have some to share.
Color pencils (Prismacolor are best) and/or dry pastels (a few colors) – optional, but good to have (I will have some to share)
Some favorite gouaches
Stiff and flexible pointed pens (I like Nikko G) and other favorite pens
Ruling pen, cola pen, other unusual writing tools (optional, but recommended)
Speedball C2 through C5 nib pens; favorite small Mitchell or Brause nibs, or comparable
Automatic pens (1/2” to 1”) or comparable (Optional, but highly recommended)
Favorite pointed brushes (for applying watercolor and gouache) and flat brushes (for wash and broad strokes)
Watercolor set (if you don’t have, gouache or tubes of watercolor will work)
A PDF file containing lessons and samples will be given to all participants
Class size limited to: 45
Cost:
$95 Colleagues Members
$125 Non-members
Your Instructor
Mike Gold worked as a commercial lettering designer for over 30 years, mostly in the social expressions business. But his real passion is exploring the corridors of calligraphy that have been less traveled, the path where words and letters are design elements with which to play with line, shape and form, where creating a visual statement is more important than writing a readable text. In both his professional and personal art, Mike breaks traditional rules to create contemporary, non-traditional work.
Collaboration has been a feature of some of his personal work. He especially cherishes the work and teaching he did with Judy Melvin and his 25-year involvement with Scribes 8, a collaborative group based in New Mexico. Over the last 15 years or so Mike has worked mostly on his own, developing a practice that builds on the traditions of the past, influenced by art and artists of all kinds. Being a calligrapher in the 21st century, Mike has matured at a time when calligraphers are moving calligraphy in new directions, creating new traditions, just as all artists have done over time. He still make beautiful letters and write out texts, but also explores the abstract, the illegible and the conceptual.
Teaching calligraphy to inmates at a women’s prison is his most unusual teaching experience. His most unusual commission comes from Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, who reproduced one of Mike’s designs on a line of clothing. Mike has an M.A. in Visual Communications and has studied with many outstanding lettering and design masters over the years. Mike has taught around the country and at several international calligraphy conferences. His personal work has been featured in Letter Arts Review many times over the past 25-plus years. He is the author of Lines to Live By (available through John Neal, Bookseller), which is Mike's take on being a non-traditional calligrapher in the 21st century.
To see more of Mike’s work, please go to his website https://www.mikegold-letterarts.com or check him out on Instagram @goldie2452.
Your Moderator
Heather Martinez is a Visual Practitioner, Lettering Artist, Visioneer, Interim Director of Design and Visualization at Kadabra, Neuland (pens/markers) Ambassador, and experienced Zoom Host and Moderator.
From her website:
I want to letter with you!
I’m serious.
I love letters. I love writing and drawing letters. I love talking about, teaching, and just plain ol’ thinking about letters!
…Today, I offer online courses, virtual 1:1 sessions, and in-person workshops, and constantly search for new ways to share my insights. I just can’t help myself…
