April 23rd Meeting (In-Person): Ruling Pen Rules! with Emmanuel Buron

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Exploring the Ruling Pen: A Calligraphic Adventure
April 23, 2025 | 7:30-9:00pm

Location: Peace Church 659 E 52nd Ave E, Vancouver, BC V5X 1G8

RULING PEN RULES!

Join us for “Exploring the Ruling Pen: A Calligraphic Adventure,” an interactive session designed for all skill levels to tap into their artistic side. Discover the versatility of the ruling pen, originally used for drawing lines, now a tool for creating diverse lettering styles.

Participants will discover the different types of vintage ruling pens and learn fundamental techniques, including proper pen grip and arm movements, to enhance their writing quality. The session includes exercises for pen control, expressive strokes, and insights on ink and paper choices. No prior experience is needed—just bring your passion for calligraphy and unleash your creativity

RULING PEN RULES!

Follow-Up Workshop on June 7th, 2025: Let’s Get Knotty! Round and Round we Go!! Celtic Knot workshop with Valerie Akkerman

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We had so much fun with Valerie Akkerman in February “getting knotty” that a Zoom workshop is now planned for June 7th!

>> REGISTRATION & Workshop Info here

Let's Get Knotty!

Let’s Get Knotty!

Explore the fascinating world of Celtic Knots in the round in this workshop! We will start by learning the step-by-step techniques to create a traditional Celtic weave in the round from scratch! We will follow that up by breaking down the mysteries of the Interlink Celtic Knot.

 

All Things Calligraphy SALE at the March in-person meeting

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As if you need another reason to come to the in-person March meeting –

Not only a brilliant program by Violet Smythe but the opportunity to do a little shopping

ALL THINGS CALLIGRAPHIC ON SALE Spring is Here And What Better Time to Add A Few Items To Your Calligraphic Supplies!

Our wonderful Renee Wilkins had an incredible collection of inks, books and other treasures. And they are now for sale at ink-credible prices.

The Sale table will be set up and the Sale will open at 7 p.m. before the start of the meeting.

Cash – e-transfers – and credit cards – are acceptable.

All profits from the sale will go to the benefit of Westcoast Calligraphy Society

 

March 26, 2025 Program (In-Person): Folk Art and More! with Violet Smythe

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Folk Art and More! Pilot Parallel Pen Session With Violet Smythe

March 26, 2025  7:00-9:00pm Pacific
Location: Peace Church, 659 52 AVE E, Vancouver, BC V5X 1G8

**The link to the recording of Violet’s presentation, handout and demo sheets are available in the Members-only section as of March 28th, 2025 for a limited period.**

PROGRAM INFORMATION

In this fun session you will learn about pen manipulation and stroke work with a Folk
Art, Valentine and Floral theme in mind. The tool of choice… the Pilot Parallel Pen. The unique nib was designed specifically for calligraphy and lettering practice. The design allows the user to create thin lines or very thick strokes with just a flick of the wrist, and is the perfect tool not just for calligraphy but design work as well.

Are you new to the Westcoast Calligraphy Society? We warmly invite guests to attend one of our in-person meetings for a complimentary first visit! To ensure we’re prepared to welcome you, please email our membership chair in advance: membership@westcoastcalligraphy.com

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

  • 6.0mm Pilot Parallel pen (or 4.5mm or 3.8mm)
  • Layout paper that takes your favourite ink (Violet will be working with a variety of inks including fountain pen ink)
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Compass
  • Watercolour
  • White gouache
  • Palette
  • Brush for loading
  • Water container
  • Paper towels

OPTIONAL

  • Cardstock and/or watercolour paper

HANDOUTS

  • The handouts for the session has been emailed to members and is also available for download in the members-only section of the website.

February 26, 2025 Program (via Zoom): Let’s Get Knotty! with Valerie Akkerman

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Let’s Get Knotty! with Valerie Akkerman

February 26, 2025  7:00-9:00pm Pacific
The recording is available on the Members-Only page until April 28th, 2025.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

In this class, we will discover the intricacies and versatility of the Celtic Knot. We will start with the basics of knot construction, progress through more complex traditional design, and then finish with techniques to incorporate these skills into modern freeform shapes. As time allows, we will also briefly cover various ways to embellish and colour your designs.

 

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

  • Mechanical pencil
  • Eraser
  • Ruler
  • Graph paper
  • Sketch paper or printer paper
  • Fine-liner (Valerie uses Micron)

OPTIONAL TOOLS
Compass, Protractor or similar circle maker

Note: Valerie will be covering several ways to create knots, so you might get to use some other things in your studio! One of the nice things about Zoom meetings.

January 22, 2025 Program (via Zoom): Sketchy Stunt Roman Minuscules with Nina Tran

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Sketchy Stunt Roman Minuscules with Nina Tran

January 22, 2025  7:00-9:00pm Pacific
The recording is available on the Members-Only page until March 22nd 2025.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

When Ross F. George developed his Stunt Roman letters style in the 1920s, he had in mind the needs of showcard writers: punchy, flashy, easy-to-learn letters.  A hundred years later, calligraphers and lettering artists still need (and love) punchy, flashy, and easy-to-learn letters!

In this 2-hour program, we’ll learn just how easy it is to learn this style and how we can give it a sketchy 21st century vibe.

The Zoom login information will be emailed to members a few days before the event. If you have not received an email by January 20th, please send a message to our program coordinator at wcs.seminars1976@gmail.com.
** The session will be recorded and made available to members for 30 days. **

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

  • Favorite ballpoint pen, gel pen, and/or fine liner (0.5 – 0.7 mm point)
  • Mechanical Pencil (0.3 – 0.5 mm)
  • Graph paper (good idea!) or marker layout paper (e.g. Borden & Riley, Canson XL, etc.)
  • 1 sheet of sketch paper or copy paper
  • Eraser
  • Ruler

Sermon from Ken Brookfield’s Memorial

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The sermon shared at the memorial of our beloved Ken Brookefield stands as a testament to his unwavering faith, boundless kindness, and the enduring legacy of love he left behind. 

May this reflection offer comfort and inspiration, reminding us of the values Ken cherished and the light he brought to all who knew him.

Sermon – Ken Brookfield – St. John’s – 2024

In planning for today Alison made it very clear that this service was to be a celebration of life.  And so, it is a celebration of the life of Ken Brookfield and what a life, what a wonderful life in so many ways.  He lived for 101 years and for most of that time in very good health.  As a young man he met the love of his life Hanna and they would spend the next 60 years as the apple of each other’s eye, raising a wonderful family together.  He ran his own successful business and had many interests including calligraphy, nature and classical music.  Ken lived in his own home right up until the last week of his life and he died peacefully with family by his side and his favourite Mozart music gently playing.  In a way, should we all be so blessed, so blessed of a life well and truly lived.

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