Category Archives: Program

March 25, 2026 Meeting: Italian Print with Violet Smythe (In Person)

Posted on by

Time: 7:30 to 9:00 pm
Location: Peace Church Peace Church, 659 52 AVE E, Vancouver, BC V5X 1G8.

Handouts and printable guideline sheets are available at the members-only portal (please log in and go to Program Recordings): https://wcs.s1.yapla.com/en/

Membership has its benefits – register here to become a member.  
Would you like to check us out before committing? Please contact our Membership Chair at membership@westcoastcalligraphy.com to arrange a complimentary guest visit during this in-person meeting. We would love to meet you!

 

“This is a hand that I discovered in my research for a workshop I was creating in Art Nouveau letters.  It is from the Draughtsman’s Alphabets – A series of Plain and Ornamental Alphabets designed especially for Engineers, Architects, Draughtsmen, Engravers, Painters, etc. by Hernamm Esser.  Published by Keuffel and Esser Co. New York 20th Edition.  I found it on Archive.org which is a great resource: https://archive.org/details/draughtsmansalp00essegoog/page/n6/mode/2up

The handout I created is based on this hand using Pilot Parallel Pens (PPP) 3.0mm size pen.  I have created guidelines for pen sizes 2.4mm to 6.0mm so you need only print off the guide sheets that correspond with your pen size.  If you don’t have a Pilot Parallel Pen then you can try the hand with a broad edge nib like a Speedball C 2 nib.  

See you at the first in person Meeting on March 25th!”

– Violet

February 28, 2026 Program: Brush up on Brush Pens (via Zoom)

Posted on by

What: Brush up on Brush Pens – Minuscules with Valerie Akkerman

When: February 28, 2026 (Saturday) from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom

The Zoom recording and handout is available in the Members Portal: https://wcs.s1.yapla.com/en/
Log in to your account and go to Program Recordings.

Join us for an exploration into brush pen calligraphy!

In this workshop we will look at the various pen options available, basics strokes, and the press/release techniques needed to create a minuscule alphabet.

Brush up on Brush Pens – Minuscules with Valerie Akkerman

Supplies:

  • Brush Pen – chances are, you have a pointed brush pen somewhere in your stash of supplies!
  • Valerie will be demonstrating with a variety of brush pens.A good beginner pen is the Tombow Fudenosuke.
  • -aper – Smooth paper works best!HP32 laser paper, Rhodia pads, and Canson marker paper are great options
  • Optional: Ecoline watercolor

Please log in to Zoom around 9:45am so we can be all ready to go at 10:00am.

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

Posted on by

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.

 

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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