(in person)
This is an in person, weekend workshop consisting of 3 options:
Option 1: Friday Afternoon Half-Day Workshop Only
Option 2: Weekend Workshop Only
Option 3: Bundle of Spencerian Delight - All 3 days
Each class limited to 22 participants
There will be a waiting list
REGISTRATION now open to Members. Registration will open to nonmembers on 9/21/24
After deciding which option works for you, reserve your spot in Our Store
A Flourished Weekend
with Master Penman Michael Sull
Handwriting is the intimate expression of emotions, wishes and dreams made visible on paper. Through this personal medium we have the privilege of sharing our humanity with everyone, or with no one at all. It is an intensely private occupation that can never be exactly duplicated, yet always reveals a glimpse of the writer’s soul.
- Michael Sull
Spencerian brings a new discipline and set of structures to our calligraphy toolboxes. It is elegant, consistent and opens up all sorts of physical and mental opportunities for calligraphers, novices and experiences. This class is the gateway opportunity for those new to pointed pen work and will also serve as a refresher to those who have taken or studied Spencerian and engrossing previously and want to be assured of best practices and techniques. This unique offering is not to be missed.
workshop DEscription from Michael
In this workshop, we will be covering many techniques from the fundamental basics of Spencerian Penmanship to the methods of extending curves, ovals, and the critical use of Negative Space within and around your composition. Together, these concepts are the real keys that enable a person to produce beautiful Ornamental Writing. It is not a difficult endeavor to learn these techniques, but continued practice after our workshop is always the most direct path to success in your efforts. To prepare for our workshop, I encourage each student to study my little volume, Learning to Write Spencerian Script. For a good familiarization of Advanced Spencerian (Ornamental Penmanship) it will be quite helpful to study my new book, Sull’s Manual of Advanced Penmanship. The material in these volumes will be a big help in allowing the workshop participant to gain the most benefit from our workshop instruction.
Note: Michael will be bringing his manuals and handmade tools to the workshop for purchase. Links to the volumes take you to John Neal Bookseller.
Spencerian - Some History
Before the advent of the laptop, word-processor, and typewriter, Spencerian handwriting was the standard for official documents, correspondence, and legal certificates from 1850 onwards. Developed to standardize American handwriting across a growing nation of 17 million, Spencerian Script became the norm.
As the first widely adopted American script style, Spencerian Script is part of our national identity. It’s an art form that requires practice and broad cognitive function, much like playing a musical instrument. In a world of instant gratification, it offers an analog, in-the-moment creation that many people crave.
Used from approximately 1850 to 1925, Spencerian Script was the de facto writing style for business correspondence in the United States before the typewriter took over. Named after its creator, Platt Rogers Spencer, this script drew inspiration from various existing styles to create a unique, oval-based penmanship that was both quick and legible, suitable for business and personal letters.
First taught at a school established by Spencer in 1840, his graduates went on to open similar institutions, spreading the script widely. Although Spencer passed away in 1864, his sons continued his work, ensuring the widespread adoption of his penmanship style.
Cherished for its speed, efficiency, and elegant, slanted shapes that mimic nature, Spencerian Script remains admired today. Iconic corporate logos like Coca-Cola and Ford Motor Company still use this classic style.
Spencerian Script is beautiful, unique, and a skill to be developed. It impresses as a hobby, a party trick, and is increasingly in demand for signage design, wedding invitations, and other creative fields. It provides a way to unplug, focus, use your hands, and express yourself creatively.
As technology rushes toward VR, AI, and the complete digitization of our lives, reverting back to “analog” methods presents a bevy of proven benefits.
Many school curriculums have dropped handwriting and cursive instruction in favor of developing digital competencies, but handwriting will always be more authentic (a “signature”) and intentional (less editing ability) than typing on a keyboard or tapping on a screen.
Psychological studies have also linked handwriting to the positive development of fine motor skills. In learning to handwrite, the brain must locate each stroke relative to other stokes, learn and remember appropriate size, slant, and feature detail of each letter, and develop categorization skills. Cursive writing is even more valuable because it is more demanding than simple printing. Cursive is also faster and more likely to engage students to develop a personal style and ownership of their skill.
Ready to flourish?
Here are your options in more detail:
Introduction to Spencerian Calligraphy (Option 1)
Friday, October 18, 1:00-5:00pm
For beginners & a refresher for those with experience this afternoon will concentration on the keys to Spencerian Script: Movement, Curvature, Negative Space, and The Secret of Ovals
SUPPLIES:
Graph Paper
Tracing Paper
Oblique Penholder - these vary greatly in price. This link is an inexpensive option
Flexible nibs - student’s own choice. Michael suggests any of the following: Nikki G, Tachikawa G, Zebra G, Hunt 101, Gillott 404, Leonardt Principal
Ink- Michael suggests either Iron Gall (such as McCaffery’s Penman’s Ink, ), carbon ink such as Higgins Eternal or Moon Palace, or Walnut Ink.
Paper- any good drawing paper will do, or 24lb. Laser or Ink Jet paper, 25% Cotton “Resume paper”, Clairefontaine, Rhodia, or Mnemosyne.
Black lead pencil and eraser
Red lead colored pencil
Straight edge
Small container of water
A few sheets of paper towel
COST
$75 Members
$95 Non-Members
Class sizes limited to 22
Beginning to Advanced Spencerian Calligraphy (Option 2)
Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20, 9:00am-4:00pm
Outline of weekend:
Saturday morning: Cross Drill Emphasis, Lowercase Letters
Saturday afternoon: The Basic Capitals
Sunday morning: Capital Variations
Sunday afternoon: The Wonder of Ornamental Penmanship: Flourishing Techniques for Letters and Off-Hand Designs
SUPPLIES:
Graph Paper
Tracing Paper
Oblique Penholder - these vary greatly in price. This link is an inexpensive option
Flexible nibs - student’s own choice. Michael suggests any of the following: Nikki G, Tachikawa G, Zebra G, Hunt 101, Gillott 404, Leonardt Principal
Ink- Michael suggests either Iron Gall (such as McCaffery’s Penman’s Ink, ), carbon ink such as Higgins Eternal or Moon Palace, or Walnut Ink.
Paper- any good drawing paper will do, or 24lb. Laser or Ink Jet paper, 25% Cotton “Resume paper”, Clairefontaine, Rhodia, or Mnemosyne.
Black lead pencil and eraser
Red lead colored pencil
Straight edge
Small container of water
A few sheets of paper towel
COST
$245 Members
$270 Non-Members
Class sizes limited to 22
Bundle of Spencerian Delight (Option 3)
Friday, October 18, 1:00-5:00pm
For beginners & a refresher for those with experience this afternoon will concentration on the keys to Spencerian Script: Movement, Curvature, Negative Space, and The Secret of Ovals
October 19 & 20, 9:00am-4:00pm
Outline of weekend:
Saturday morning: Cross Drill Emphasis, Lowercase Letters
Saturday afternoon: The Basic Capitals
Sunday morning: Capital Variations
Sunday afternoon: The Wonder of Ornamental Penmanship: Flourishing Techniques for Letters and Off-Hand Designs
COST
$300 Members
$325 Non-Members
Class sizes limited to 22
After deciding which option works for you, reserve your spot in Our Store
Refunds
Please note that if you register for a workshop and need to cancel, below is the schedule of refund eligibility:
Before October 1: 100% refund
October 1 -10: 50% refund
After October 10: no refunds, unless we are able to fill your seat.
our instructor Michael sull
Michael Sull is an IAMPETH Master Penman and author living in Mission, Kansas, United States. An expert on penmanship, he was Ronald Reagan's calligrapher after his presidency and is known worldwide for his skill and teaching ability. He regularly teaches handwriting, calligraphy, and engrossing programs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
Considered one of America's foremost living Spencerian penmen, he is author of Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship, Learning to Write Spencerian Script, and American Cursive Handwriting, and publishes various other educational materials focusing on pen writing. He also manufactures period style oblique dip pen equipment for use by penmen today.
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