To view all the classes and disclaimers for the 2023 San Francisco Pen Show, please proceed to the: Classes (tuition based) page.
Introduction to Italic Calligraphy
Instructor: Nik Pang
9:00am-12:00pm
Tuition: $80, materials and handouts included
To register, please send an email to: [email protected]
Join me in learning the beautiful, classical, forms of Italic script! Cancelleresca, or Chancery hand, came about from a marriage of humanist and Roman forms and really hit its stride during the period we know as the Italian Renaissance. These scripts were so popular in their multitude of variations that they quickly became adopted by both the church and became adopted throughout the old world as a standard. This widespread use lead the slanted, broad pen, script to such renown that, even today, we still call many small broad nibs “italic”. Classically beautiful, flowing, very nearly ideal in readability and highly refined through the ages it’s no wonder that Italic is still considered by a large number of calligraphers and typographers to be a “perfect script”.
In this course we will focus on the history, forms, and execution of creating classic (and perhaps a few contemporary) Italic hands.
The course includes all materials and handouts. If you wish to bring your own tools feel free. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own ruler and mechanical pencil if possible. Hope to see you there!
Nikola Pang is a calligrapher from California who has been studying and practicing classic western calligraphy professionally since 2013. He has done event work for clients including Montblanc and Cartier and a number of private commissions. Currently he does contract certificate and special awards work and teaches classes in letterform and calligraphy at Stanford University.
Urban Sketching with Fountain Pens
Instructor: Eileen Goldenberg
11:30am-1:00pm
Tuition: $95, sketch kit included
Register for the class here:
Eileen P. Goldenberg, award winning artist and avid Urban Sketcher, will teach you the basics of how to set up an Urban Sketch: big shapes, shadows and color. Urban Sketching is a relaxing and interesting way to learn to see the world around you. We will sketch outside( weather permitting.) Fountain Pens are excellent for Urban Sketching!
FREE Sketch kit with class! Please bring a fountain pen with permanent ink, such as Platinum Carbon Black.
Questions? [email protected]
Creative Journaling Workshop
Instructor: Abbey Sy
1:30-3:00pm
Tuition: $75, journaling kit included
Register for the class here: Abbey Sy – Creative Journaling
Note: This class is sold out.
Learn how to document daily and make your days count with this creative journaling workshop, hosted by artist and author Abbey Sy.
During the workshop, you’ll discover the many ways to creatively journal about your life and general interests. From tips and advice on how to creatively chronicle day-to-day activities, travels and adventures, and honing your habit of keeping a journal, to make it a memorable recollection of personal memories & life events, Abbey has collected and documented her life through the pages of her journals, and will share with you ideas and inspiration to record important moments on your own journal.
Please bring your own journal, pen, scissors, and stationery for writing or documenting. The class will run for 90 minutes and will be led by Abbey’s expertise in creative journaling. Students will work on a specific prompt together as part of the class.
Along with the class, participants will receive a journaling kit which includes:
- Limited edition journal & collage zine (to be released in August 2023)
- Creative journaling cheat sheet for ideas and inspiration
- Ephemera washi tape roll (from Shop Abbey Sy)
- Abbey Sy postcard and sticker
- Everyday Explorers Co. prompts sticker sheet
- Digital copy of The ABCs of Journaling (link will be sent once slot has been confirmed)
PS: If you have copies of Abbey’s books, you may bring them and have them signed at the workshop.
Basic Nib Care & Tuning
Instructor: Sunny Koh
1:00-4pm
Tuition: $70, tools and materials included
This class is now full. To be placed on the waitlist, please email: [email protected]
Do you want to learn how to diagnose and smoothen problem nibs? Learn from Nibworker Mr. Sunny Koh with hands-on instruction on pen maintenance, nib diagnostics and simple repairs and smoothing.
- Learn how a Pen and Nib works
- How to use a Loupe for diagnosing problems
- Understand the perfect nib geometry
- Testing the pen ink flow using the Japanese techniques
- Tine alignment and flow adjustment
- Nib smoothing using the Binderize Method
Enjoy Rubber Stamps with TRAVELER’S notebook with eric small things
Instructor: eric small things
Tuition: $80
10:00-11:30am and 3:00-4:30pm
Note: Both class sessions are sold out.
Journal and document your everyday experience using TRAVELER’S notebook. A fun way to decorate the empty pages is through rubber stamp impressions. eric is a famous eraser stamp artist in Japan and has created popular stamp designs using erasable rubber for brands like Sakuralala, Pilot, Kamihaku, and more. This interactive demo gives you an opportunity to see her hand-carving process and a chance to use her original hand-carved eraser rubber stamps.