Workshop reviews

workshop

Here are some observations from a few of our past workshops.

Blooming Letters - a second look

In this workshop we will create decorative letter designs that stand on their own. It is not necessary to have attended the first Blooming Letters workshop before attending this second one. Everyone is welcome as Els is revisiting the same topic but looking at it from a different angle. In the first workshop colourful initial letters were created for a greetings card, and in this new workshop we are thinking outside the box and creating letter designs that stand on their own.

Runes Revisited

In this workshop you will learn something about the origins of Scandinavian runes and about the Anglo-Saxon Futhark alphabet which we will adapt to form a contemporary runic-style alphabet (in English). You can use this to complement your calligraphic pieces or on its own.

We will generally be working with monoline nibs, such as Brause 'Ornament', etc., although you may wish to experiment with other monoline tools or nibs. An exciting addition for the winter months!

Triangular Celtic knots and Split band knots

If you are familiar with the other Celtic classes that Joy has done - Basic Square knots, Circular knots and Knots in odd shapes, then you will need to add the Triangular Knot to your repertoire!

Starting with the simple Trinity knot, you can make it into square or circular knots by linking them together - and just to make things a bit more complicated, you will learn how to split the bands and double up on the fun!

Fan Making Workshop 2

SLLA have made two private group bookings for the workshop space in the Orangery at the Fan Museum, Greenwich, on 24 June and 26 July. Participants will join the Fan Making Workshop Facilitator for a three-hour session, from 2-5 p.m. Entry to the museum and tea and coffee are included in the workshop price, and we can meet earlier to look around the museum (doors open at 11 a.m.).

Fan Making Workshop 1

SLLA have made two private group bookings for the workshop space in the Orangery at the Fan Museum, Greenwich, on 24 June and 26 July. Participants will join the Fan Making Workshop Facilitator for a three-hour session, from 2-5 p.m. Entry to the museum and tea and coffee are included in the workshop price, and we can meet earlier to look around the museum (doors open at 11 a.m.).

'Mouse Roman' Online Workshop with Josie Brown

It’s fun, it’s lively and it’s contemporary! This workshop is an introduction to a script which is easy to learn for beginners and a light-hearted contrast to other hands for those with some experience. It can either be carried out simply in monoline form or penmanship skills can be developed using press and release techniques. This script is particularly useful for informal and spontaneous work like greetings cards, journals or little books and anyone can play with the letterforms, enjoying their happy-go-lucky stance on the page.

Blooming Letters with Els Van Den Steen

blooming letters

In this workshop we create colourful letter designs that are perfect on their own or can be used as a decorative letter as part of a larger calligraphic piece. We design our own letters, exploring mono-line and broad-pen letter variations. Next, we provide our letters with a colourful background using watercolours. Our colour palette is inspired by wildflowers and flowers from our own garden.

Gilding Techniques - Workshop with Jo Mabbutt

Who would have thought you could cover so many types of gilding in one day?  I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I signed up for Jo Mabbutt's 'Experimental Gilding' workshop in March, especially when we knew her expertise was gilding on fabric and lace in particular, but she focused on paper for us calligraphers and left us with loads of ideas and options to follow up in our own time. Here was my creation:

gilding

Calligraphy Scripts for All - Workshop with Sylvie Gokulsing

In this workshop on 25th January 2025, participants were given the chance to explore a new script or to improve on a more familiar one. Tutor Sylvie Gokulsing demonstrated a variety of scripts throughout the day, including Uncial, Foundational, Italic variations and Gothic/black letter. Under Sylvie’s expert guidance, beginners learned the basics and refreshers delved more deeply into their chosen script. The class was fast-paced and culminated in a collaborative piece which Sylvie will bind for display at SLLA’s exhibition this summer.

Archibald Knox Workshop with Josie Brown

Archibald Knox, from the Isle of Man, was a designer for Liberty's at the height of their success.  His work is a unique combination of designs from the Arts and Crafts Movement, Celtic knotwork and Art Nouveau.

The Online Zoom Workshop with Josie Brown, on 30th November 2024, introduced lettering that is suitable for the interwoven decoration and we approached how to create the designs in a step by step manner.  We also looked at which mediums work most effectively and tried out a technique that gives the effect of stained glass or enamelling.

Celtic Wreath Knot for Christmas cards with Joy Daniels

On Saturday 2nd November 2024, a Zoom Workshop with Joy Daniels.

This class offers a chance to take your Celtic knot work to the next level.  We will be building on the basic skills learned in the first class to make knots in different shapes and a circular Wreath Knot - perfect for a Christmas design!  For this class you will need a compass for drawing circles and a protractor, in addition to the previous list of materials.  We will be using some very basic geometry, but don’t be put off - it’s not scary!

Celtic Knotwork Square Patterns 1 with Joy Daniels

On Saturday 21st September 2024, a Zoom Workshop with Joy Daniels, suitable for beginners. (There is a follow up workshop on 2nd November )

Learn how to unravel the intricacies of the Celtic Knot and design your own knotwork pattern. With a few simple rules and a square grid you will discover how to construct the simplest knot and then build on this to make more complicated patterns as the day goes on. Use these patterns with calligraphy, stone carving, lino cuts, stencils, embroidery, knitting etc., or just on their own as a beautiful design.

Design a Family Tree with Sylvie Gokulsing

In this workshop we learned how to design and write out a small family tree.  Trees could be real or imaginary:  they could relate to fictional characters or even toys or pets, the choice was ours!  Sylvie showed us several different examples of her own work and these were discussed and studied during the course of the day.  We then spent time working with names (and dates) and considering the size, weight, style and placement of the text.  By the end of the day it had been possible to complete a rough layout of a family tree with sufficient information to enable us to finish it at home.