Friends of Calligraphy offers classes and workshops
that meet the needs of those beginning calligraphy as well as those who are ready for more advanced techniques. FOC workshops are open to current FOC members. Basic calligraphy classes at Fort Mason are open to the public. They are sponsored by FOC, and taught by FOC members. Also listed below are classes by FOC members who teach in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. They are not sponsored by FOC, but are listed here as a courtesy to our members. Please contact individual instructors for details.

FRIENDS OF CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Katie Leavens
Beyond the Letters
Calligraphic Flourishing
A two-day in-person workshop

Saturday & Sunday, October 25 − 26, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM PDT
Letterform Archive, 2325 3rd Street, #4R, San Francisco

Cost: $200 (FOC members) and $240 (non-members)

This is an in-person workshop

Download the PDF flyer here

Registration via PayPal opens September 29 at 8:00 AM PDT
If registering by check, it must be postmarked no earlier than September 29.

Calligraphic flourishing is the art of embellishing writing. It is the accessories that enhance calligraphy’s elegance and expressive-ness. In this class, we will explore how to extend letter strokes with flourishes and create balanced designs. We will focus on practicing and planning flourishes with a pencil, while also experimenting with our favorite tools.

Calligraphers are often advised to master a lettering style before attempting flourishing. But, flourishing itself improves pen control, increases writing fluidity, and encourages creativity. By studying and practicing flourishing, students will gain confidence in their movements and discover new ways to enhance their calligraphy compositions.

Katie Leavens is a freelance illustrator and calligrapher based in San Francisco. She thrives on complex projects that blend her background in design, illustration, and lettering. She has a passion for studying lettering from the past, particularly in exploring how medieval illumination techniques can inform contemporary design. Her approach results in work that is both deeply rooted in tradition and strikingly modern. A dedicated member of the lettering community, Katie has served on the Friends of Calligraphy council since 2019. She leads their social media efforts, manages their class registrations, and is currently co-coordinating Kalligraphia 2025, the member exhibit at the San Francisco Public Library. She has taught calligraphy around San Francisco since 2020. Her classes help students develop both technical confidence and their artistic voice.

Questions? Please contact Dorothy Yuki at dotyuki@gmail.com.

FRIENDS OF CALLIGRAPHY FOC Classes

Open to the public, these classes are meant for beginners and for scribes who wish to continue improving their skills.
(Download FOC Classes pdf brochure for 2025)

Basic Supplies: Non-waterproof black ink (i.e., Pelikan 4001, Higgins Eternal, or Dr Ph Martin’s Hydrus Carbon Black), all sizes Brause pen nibs, one or two pen holders, pencil and eraser, 18 or 24 inch metal ruler, notebook, cotton rag, a small water jar.
If other pens, nibs or holders are specified for a class (e.g., English Roundhand), then it is not necessary to buy the Brause pen nibs on the Basic Supplies list.
There may be additional supplies specified by each instructor that are listed after each class description in the FOC Classes brochure. (Download pdf brochure for 2025)

Calligraphy supplies, especially Brause pen nibs, can be difficult to find. Call or visit your local art supply stores, such as Arch, Dick Blick and Flax. If they don’t have what you need, contact the calligraphy mail order vendors:

John Neal Bookseller, 1-800-369-9598 • www.johnnealbooks.com/
or
Paper & Ink Arts, 1-800-736-7772 • www.paperinkarts.com

Please register for any class at least six weeks in advance. Class size is limited to 16. You will be notified by the Fort Mason Class Registrar if you have a place in the class or are on the wait list. Payment of tuition is necessary to hold your place on a wait list. If you need to withdraw, a full refund will be issued 14 days before the class begins. Otherwise the tuition fee is forfeited unless a wait-listed student can take your place.

Classes will be held at:

Online via Zoom
Fort Mason, Building C
2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
Free parking outside the gate and metered parking within.
Albany Senior Center
846 Masonic Ave., Albany, CA 94706

Textura
Raoul Martinez, instructor
7 Tues. nights • 6:30 – 9 PM • In Person, Albany
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21
$205 non-members / $185 FOC members

Class description
As literacy rates increased among the secular public of 11* century Europe and the demand for textbooks increased, Carolingian script became more compressed, and a new type of writing evolved. Its tightly-spaced vertical strokes gave it a woven, picket-fence look, hence its name Textura. Known today as "Gothic," it had tall, narrow letters, angular shapes, biting of the bows and many scribal abbreviations. Textura was the first of the blackletter scripts, which continued to be used in northern Europe into the first half of the 20th century. We will study manuscripts from various countries and periods, learning the minuscules and majuscules.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.

Supplies
Basic Supplies* (We will work with Brause 3 & 4 mm. pen nibs. Experienced calligraphers may use the more flexible 3 & 4 mm Tape nibs.), plus a pad of 9 x12" marker layout paper.

The Calligrapher's Process
Rick Paulus, instructor
4 Sat. mornings • 10:00AM–1:00PM • Online
November 1, 8, 15, 22
$150 non-members / $135 FOC members

Class description
The challenges of placing text on a page in a meaningful way can be a daunting leap for one who has never attempted to do so. A series of independent assignments will gently guide you through the process of taking your work from concept to completion, using easily acquired methods and processes.
As you explore the basics of design, you will use a range of papers and mediums including gouache, watercolor and gold leaf–all essential tools in the calligrapher's studio–to further your abilities as an artist.

Basic knowledge of at least one calligraphic hand is required.

Supplies
Basic Supplies* plus 12" roll of tracing paper; slant board; two small tubes gouache; two small tubes watercolor; old "retired" small brush for mixing (can be poor quality); T-square recommended but not required.

Friends of Calligraphy Memorial Scholarship

The Friends of Calligraphy has a scholarship fund honoring beloved members.
To apply, click here.

Friends of Calligraphy Lecture

FOC has scheduled several lectures. They will be posted as soon as more information is available.

MEMBERS WHO TEACH

San Francisco:

Katie Leavens
Calligraphy & Illumination classes

East Bay:

Patricia Coltrin • Call 510 524-5208

Meredith Klein • Call 510.205.1119

Raoul Martinez
Copperplate and blackletter classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced students.

Carla Tenret • Call 510.526.1214

South Bay:

Melissa Dinwiddie • Call 650.938.3939
Calligraphy, book arts, and illumination

Sara Loesch Frank • Call 408.446.3397
Ongoing calligraphy classes for beginners and intermediates.

Ann Thompson • Call 408.378.6965

Marin County:

JoAnn Burchfiel Brand • Call 415.924.2625

Mendocino:

Judy Detrick • Call 707.964.9276
Ongoing classes at all levels.

Sonoma County:

Christine Renden Haggarty
Ongoing classes in Asian calligraphy for beginners and intermediates.

Sherrie Lovler • Call 707.528.1723.
Calligraphic Abstract Painting.

Yolo County:

Sumner Stone
Type design workshops in Rumsey, CA

Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel:

Ruth Korch
Art and calligraphy classes in the Santa Cruz area

Kern County:

Chris Paschke • Call 661 821-2188
Ongoing classes at all levels in Tehachapi

Riverside County:

Risa Gettler • Call 951-520-3010

Reno/Tahoe:

Carol Pallesen • Call 775 329-6983
Ongoing classes in calligraphy and book arts

New Mexico:

Bill Kemp • Call 505 235-4983
Teaching and tutoring in Albuquerque

Online:

Harvest Crittenden • Call 517 545-3031
Online classes in Spencerian, Flourishing, Copperplate and Photoshop for Calligraphers.

Nancy Hills
Email Nancy for information about current classes.

Elizabeth McKee
Ongoing classes in pointed brush

Ann Miller • Email, or call 650 558-8270
Art 50 and Art 53: Two zoom courses at Stanford Continuing Studies

Kestrel Montes
Pointed Pen Calligraphy and Engraving

Rick Paulus • Call 774.323.0050

Sally Penley
Email Sally for a list of current Zoom classes

Jacqueline Sullivan