ART 50 — Calligraphy and Letterform: History, Methods, and Practice
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Ann Balaam Miller
Date(s): Feb 11—Mar 18
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $385
Refund Deadline: Feb 13
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 35
Status: Open
Quarter: Winter
Day: Wednesdays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Date(s): Feb 11—Mar 18
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $385
Refund Deadline: Feb 13
Instructor(s): Ann Balaam Miller
Enrollment Limit: 35
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
Calligraphy is visual music—meditative and seismic—capable of conveying personal meaning through letterform, a blend of structure and movement that stretches back thousands of years. In this course, students will learn to write formal calligraphy scripts with confidence, starting with the basic structures of the Roman alphabet, stroke techniques using pen and ink, and a time-honored grid system for page layout. We’ll also explore a contemporary approach to freehand writing with pencil, brush, and marker, focusing on rhythm, spacing, pressure, release, and spontaneous invention. We will study four formal scripts: Irish Uncial, an excellent starting hand; the classic upright 15th-century Humanist Minuscule, the foundation of print script; Gothic Blackletter, known for its graphic impact; and Italic, the basis for elegant cursive writing. Assignments will encompass alphabet practice, small projects, and complex designs. Exercises will address correct form, the interplay of positive and negative letterforms, and visual rhythms.
Prior experience in calligraphy is helpful but not required. Students must purchase their own art supplies for this course and can expect to spend an additional $85–$100 on these materials.
ANN BALAAM MILLER
Fine Artist, Calligrapher, and Designer
Ann Balaam Miller received an MA in art from Stanford, studied with Nathan Oliveira and Richard Diebenkorn, and founded M2 Design studio. She was an adjunct instructor for Academy of Art University, teaching letterform and design courses. She created 15 book arts workshops for the San Francisco Center for the Book. Her work has been published in Letter Arts Review, Alphabet, Bound & Lettered, and The Art of Language and is in corporate and private collections. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.