Drawing: Exploring Calligraphy with Rick Paulus

Price range: $200.00 through $230.00

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Description

Exploring Calligraphy (From A-Z) with Rick Paulus
Mondays, October 27-December 1, 2025 
Time: 1:30 pm-4:00 pm
Cost: Member $200/Non-member $230 + supply fee
There is a $30 supply fee to be paid to the instructor on the day of the class.  See the supply list below. 

DESCRIPTION:
Throw off your mooring lines and set sail on a calligraphic adventure with former White House chief calligrapher, Rick Paulus!
Intrigued by calligraphy? Perhaps you’ve studied a hand or two, but have yet to put them into action with creative designs of your own? Or, maybe you’re simply curious and want to know more about the vast and wonderful world of calligraphy. This workshop, through the introduction of a wide range of studio skills and tools, will help you to better understand the breadth of influences that inspire the modern calligrapher.

Beginning with a unique and entertaining tour through human history from the eyes of a calligrapher, we will explore the concept of lettering, its place in society, and how it has evolved over the millennia. It is with this inspiration that we break out the tools and begin our hands-on exploration! Experience for yourself how wonderful it feels to write with an actual turkey quill and ground pigment on real vellum; feel the meditative peace one slips into when focused only on the pen, paper, and ink as they merge at the tip of your pen.

Using our explorations into the past as a springboard, we will then leap forward into the 21st century, using modern tools, materials, techniques, and inspiration to create expressive letters. Under Rick’s gentle guidance, these experiences will leave you a much better informed and more confident calligrapher as you move forward in your artistic journey.

SUPPLIES:
This colorful class covers a broad-range of calligraphy styles and methods, requiring many different tools and mediums, including; pointed pens, broad-edge pens, ruling pens, monoline pens, turkey quills, gouache, watercolor, color ink, black ink, fine pigments, lots and lots of paper, and vellum, all of which will be provided by the instructor. Participants are asked to bring the following:
  • Sharp pencil
  • 12″ ruler (metal preferred)
  • Eraser
  • Notebook and pen/pencil
  • Text from which to write; one short (~5-10 words) quote/poem/etc, and one longer passage, printed on paper, not on your phone or tablet.
For your information:
In general, this is what I provide for use during class:
Pens—a range of sizes for broad edge, pointed pen, folded pen, and monoline writing, as well as a turkey quill (which students keep). Each section of the workshop requires a different set of pens which I provide for each student.
Paper—tracing paper, multi-media paper, real parchment (animal skin), and many printed handouts. All of these used at different points during the series of classes.
Gouache—tubes of black, white, a warm primary triad and a cool primary triad (8 tubes total)
Watercolor— tubes of a warm primary triad and a cool primary triad (6 tubes total)
Ink—black ink and range of colored inks.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY:
Rick Paulus is a former White House chief calligrapher. He continues his quest for the perfectly-formed letter in his studio, situated near the shores of Buzzard’s Bay. His recent work, a great diversion from presidential invitations and menus, has been shown in collections throughout the world. Rick enthusiastically shares his knowledge of calligraphy in the interest of creating a more beautiful and humane world.

Additional information

Choose an Option

Member, Non-member