Calligraphy for Beginners - Arnold Library - Adult Learning

Arnold Library, Nottingham

Date	9 June - 14 July 2025
Sessions	Mondays: 10am - 12pm
No. sessions	5
Venue	Arnold Library, Nottingham View venue details
For ages	19+
Group size	5 - 12
Cost	FREE - £35

About this course

This course is for absolute beginners to the art of calligraphy. You will be taught the Foundational Script and the Roman Capital script as well as easy border designs.

We use the Staedtler Calligraphy Markers (and not dip ink pens) which are easy to use for either right or left handed writers. You’ll learn how to hold the pen to get the nib angle correct and basic exercises to help you achieve the thick and thin strokes. The Foundational script is ideal for beginners and there’s plenty of individual demonstration and feedback from your tutor as well as worksheets to help you.

By the end of the course, you will:

Produce a small calligraphy project (e.g., a short quote) using the skills learnt during the course.

You will need:

Clairefontaine Goldline Layout Pad, A4, 50 gsm, 80 Sheets – or equivalent (available at Arnold Library Shop).
Staedtler 3002 C5 Calligraphy Markers - Assorted Colours (Pack of 5) these are available at Arnold Library Shop.
Pencil and eraser
30cm (12 inch) ruler
Protractor
Wallet (A4) to keep your work in
Paperclips/bulldog clip or a clipboard

Suggested Reading for the course:

Calligraphy in 24 One Hour Lessons by Veiko Kespersaks ISBN 9781844486137
Start Calligraphy by Maureen Sullivan ISBN: 9781844486380
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000mtml/the-secret-history-of-writing?seriesId=unsliced

Booking your place and fee information

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course please visit our webpage for further information https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/

To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING, AND
Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.

You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking. If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas: