Medieval Calligraphy Workshop

In addition to the Love of making unique calligraphy gifts for all occasions, I find Love in spreading knowledge about these beautiful letters. I do so by teaching those interested about medieval calligraphy live, through workshops.

Writing is one of the most ancient skills specific for humans...

Writing was first used for the purpose of trade, a few thousand years ago, but soon people realized the benefits of writing and recording information, for the purpose of transmitting and storing knowledge. Thus began to emerge, as far back as 3500 BC. first letters. Today they are so many of them, but their development is really interesting.

I offer various combinations of calligraphy workshops, depending on the amount of knowledge you are looking for. If you want to try this wonderful, inspiring and relaxing skill Yourself, contact me with confidence!

An introduction to the world of medieval Calligraphy

About the workshop:

At the workshop, participants learn what Calligraphy is, what its beginnings were like, its development through the centuries and its use in modern times. Namely, most people consider calligraphy to be an old and forgotten skill, but by acquiring new knowledge at the workshop, they will realize that we are surrounded by it everywhere today, in everyday life. They also have the opportunity to try out this skill in a practical assignment during our gathering.

Content:

Participants are introduced to the world of calligraphy. After getting acquainted with the development of writing equipment, and instructions on how to use a pen, they start writing exercises. Participants learn to master the uncial Scripture, used from 2-9. century, ideal for starting to learn this skill.
At the end, they write their name on a specially designed paper as a souvenir.

Ideal for:

These workshops can be held for preschoolers in kindergartens, schools, museums, as a stand-alone event or as part of other events. These short workshops can be a nice addition to a full-day event such as a children’s fair, children’s birthday party, exhibition, wedding or team building. Or for fun during a rainy Sunday. They are short enough not to be tiring for any age, and meaningful enough for participants to acquire a lot of knowledge and new skills.

Duration: 2,5 h

Price:

60€ per participant, 1 on 1. The price includes accessories (calligraphy pen, nib and ink) and materials (color script, calligraphy papers) that remain for memory and further use. The price varies depending on the number of participants and the arrangement of materials. For example, for 2 participants €40 per participant. For larger groups, an even greater discount. If you are interested, please contact me to discuss the details.

Workshop for beginners and those who want to learn more

About the workshop:

In the workshop, participants learn about calligraphy, its development through the centuries, and its use in modern times. Many people think of calligraphy as an old and forgotten art, but through the knowledge gained in the workshop, they will realize that it actually surrounds us everywhere in daily life today. Participants are trained in the use of calligraphy tools through exercises, and then in mastering medieval scripts. They also learn about writing surfaces, the basics of illumination, and have the opportunity to create a complete piece as a keepsake.

Content:

Participants are introduced to the world of Calligraphy. After being introduced to the development of writing equipment and instructions on how to use a pen, participants independently begin writing exercises. Participants learn to master the uncial script, used from the 2nd to the 9th century, ideal for starting to learn this skill. If desired, any other script can be used. In the second part, they learn the basics of illumination and about writing surfaces and tools. They are guided through the concept of the creation of a calligraphic work, and are taught how to create, write and paint a calligraphic inscription themselves, which will remain as a memory for them.

Ideal for:

These longer workshops are the perfect addition to a day-long event where you need to animate the participants, such as a children’s fair or team building. Or for an educational weekend :-). Participants acquire a considerable amount of knowledge and acquire new skills. The only prerequisite: knowledge of Latin letters.

Duration: 7-8h

Price:

100€ per participant, 1 on 1. The price includes equipment and materials that remain as a keepsake and for further use. The price varies depending on the number of participants and the arrangement of materials. For example, for 10 participants, the price is €50 per person. If you are interested, please contact me to discuss the details.

Medieval Calligraphy Course

About the workshop:

In the workshop, participants learn about Calligraphy, its development through the centuries and its use in modern times. Participants are trained in the use of calligraphy tools through exercises and mastering several medieval scripts. They are also taught about writing surfaces, the basics of illumination, and apply the acquired knowledge through the creation of creative final works, which will remain as a memory for them.

Content:

Participants are introduced to the world of Calligraphy, learning about the history, development and application of calligraphy in the present day. They start with writing exercises. Already in the first class, they will master the uncial script, which is one of the foundations of our lowercase letters and one of the first Latin scripts, used from the 2nd to the 9th century, and ideal for starting to learn Calligraphy. Participants are taught about the process of creating a calligraphic work, and within the workshop they create something of their own choosing, applying what they have learned. They are also introduced to the Gothic script, which was used throughout Europe from the 12th to the 19th century, including in Croatia, and represents a typical medieval script. (By agreement and wish, another script can also be used). The workshops are completed with the creation of a final work according to an agreed and jointly developed design, in order to encourage participants to actively continue to improve the knowledge acquired during the 10-hour workshop.

Workshop goals:

In the Medieval Calligraphy course, participants are introduced to the basics of Calligraphy and writing with ink and pen. As part of the workshop, participants would be taught two medieval scripts, one simpler and the other, better known and typical of the Middle Ages. Participants would be introduced to the basics of creating a calligraphic work, which would enable them to create a final work from each script.

Calligraphy requires a fair amount of patience and concentration, but the rewards are wonderful! In addition to practicing during the workshop itself, participants are encouraged to actively practice calligraphy in their free time. To make sure that everything doesn’t just remain words, but to encourage participants even more, the idea is that they will permanently own all the materials and equipment from the workshop, as these are specific items that are sold in specialized stores.

The values ​​of the Calligraphy workshop for the individual are numerous, starting with the fact that it is simply a wonderful form of relaxation and a guaranteed break from any stressful situation. In the first place, therefore, its therapeutic effect on health is extremely favorable. It is especially recommended for people with reduced physical mobility.

It helps people who have little artistic talent or at least the desire for it, to awaken it and to master some new skills. It will help those who thought they had no artistic talent to surprise themselves and discover a whole world of new possibilities that they didn’t even know lay within them. The goal is to encourage participants to strengthen their self-confidence through active participation, going beyond what is known. (But of course, in a safe environment, where numerous rewards await them.).

The skills that the participants master remain a permanent value to the individual, who has expanded the list of his abilities by at least one item.

Duration: 4 weeks (10 hours)

Price:

300€ per participant, in the 1 on 1 variant. If there is more than one participant per workshop, the price is €270 or lower – let’s negotiate! The price includes equipment and materials that remain for memory and further use. The price varies depending on the number of participants and the arrangement of materials. If you are interested, please contact me to discuss the details.

Historical Scripts

If there is a Script You would like that is not among the ones offered, no problem - it will be my pleasure to learn it!

These are the ones I have learned so far.
I will add more here as I discover them.
Join me on my quest to learn them all!

~Roman Capitals ~
1st - 5th century

kapitala

Beautiful and magnificent Roman Capitalis Monumentalis script, on which today’s capital letters of the Latin alphabet are based upon, and which were carved on monuments throughout the Roman Empire.

~Rustic Capitals ~
1st-5th century

5a-Recovered

Elegant Roman script, suitable for writing on leather and paper and above all, beautiful! Easier to perform than the previous script, and thus more suitable for everyday use.

~ Uncial Script ~
2nd-9th century

Easier to execute than Roman letters, first script used for church books. Very cheerful script, ideal for beginners.

~ Insular majuscule ~ 8th-12th century

otocna_majuskula

A beautiful script that developed from the Uncial, on the islands of today’s Great Britain, on which some of the most famous preserved works such as the Book of Kells were created …

~ Glagolitic script~
9th-16th century

isprika

Learn one of the three Croatian scripts – and the most famous of them – the beautiful Glagolitic script of Croatian ancestors – this authentic Croatian alphabet, that was used all until the 19th century, besides the Latin scripts in my homeland.

~ Caroline minuscule ~ 8th-11th century

nespil2

Very practical and elegant script created for the needs of the vast Empire of Charlemagne, one of the greatest reformers in history. Relatively easy to learn and fairly quick to  execute.

~Lombardic Capitals~ 11th-16th century

mirweb

These lively and playful letters have been widely used for titles, for many centuries (and NOT the Gothic Capital letters, as most of the graffiti masters don’t know). They come in a variety of  very interesting forms.

~ Early gothic ~
11th - 13th century

11a_300

The first of the Gothic scripts, beautiful forms derived from the previous, Caroline script. It was not in the use for long in use, only from the 11th – 13th century, pushed out by other gothic scripts.

~ Textura quadrata ~ 12th-16th century

gotica

The most famous medieval alphabet. The popularity is probably due to the fact that it was the font of the first printed books …

~ Fraktur script ~ 15th-16th century

Fraktur

A beautiful script popular in Germany in its period. Even today, You can find many inscriptions and signs in German cities, written in this letters …

~ Italic script ~ 15th-16th century

italic

Beautifully elegant script. Favorite also as a computer font. For more skilled calligraphers.

~ Copperplate ~ 17th-20th century

krasopis1

The pinnacle of the art of calligraphy, an elegant letter that remained in use until the 20th century. A demanding script for advanced students.