Next Meeting: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Meeting at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
800 N. New Road, Waco, Texas; 10 am 

Let’s transfer versals to our art

So often it’s nice to add a decorated letter at the start of a quote or to emphasize a word. Or they can be used as an initial to gift to someone. But it’s a skill to learn the proportions and how to free hand the letters. However, an easier skill is how to transfer one. Though there are several methods to do this (i.e., light box, tracing paper, Saral paper, etc.), Suzi Ickles will guide us through an easy way. Suzi will have handouts of three different styles of versals that are about 1” tall and you will transfer your choice of letters to watercolor paper, then paint and decorate it. The morning hour-long program is free and open to visitors. Bring whatever supplies you want to work with and let’s have fun creating decorated versals. Suzi will provide handouts and watercolor paper.

Supplies to bring:

•        #2 pencil with eraser
•        Ruler, 6” transparent with a grid
•        Stylus or empty ball point pen
•        Removable tape, washi tape, or low-tac tape
•        Small black waterproof pen (bring several to test)
•        Watercolor set or watercolor pencils
•        Small round brush
•        Small container for water
•        Metallic pens

    Afternoon workshop:

Supply list: Same as above. We will learn to draw a simple style of versals and decorate the negative space of the letters. These are great for words and phrases. You will end up with a piece of frameable artwork.

 Saturday afternoon June 13, 2026, 1:30 to 3:30 pm; $25 for members; $40 for visitors. 

TO REGISTER:  Use this link for the Google form.  

Pay via PayPal at this link.  https://paypal.me/WacoCalligraphy?locale.x=en_US   Click the link, log into your account, enter the amount ($25 or $40), and add “Suzi’s Versal Words,” then complete the transaction.  

Next meeting: Saturday, May 9, 2026

 

Meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas
 
Robert’s Foundational Hand  
Edward Johnston, the father of modern broad-edge calligraphy, developed the Foundational Hand by studying Carolingian scripts at the British Museum. The Ramsey Psalter of the 10th century served as his inspiration.  The morning program will touch on the history of the hand and will start on the minuscules.  Robert will have handouts, and recommends using a 3.5 mm Zig marker (not the 5.0 used previously) so the handouts can be printed on regular copier paper, which will reduce bleeding. A supply of 3.5 mm pens will be available for purchase for around $2.

For the afternoon workshop…

$25 fee for 2 hours ($35 non-members). After the minuscules in the morning, we then move on to the majuscules.  If time permits, Robert will introduce the double pencil technique, which Johnston used extensively for teaching, but has been largely forgotten.

 

Online Google Registration Form 

Robert’s Foundational Hand Workshop   

                     Please register no later than: Sat., May 2^nd

TO REGISTER:  Use this link for the Google form for Robert’s workshop. 

To Pay via PayPal at this link.  https://paypal.me/WacoCalligraphy?locale.x=en_US   Click the link, log into your account, enter the amount ($25 or $35), and add “Robert’s Foundational Workshop,” then complete the transaction. After completing the form, notify Suzi if you plan to pay via cash or check by May 2^nd.  If at least 5 people pre-register, then the workshop will be open to some late registrations at the meeting.

Next meeting: Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10 a.m.

 

Next meeting:
at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas
 

SECRET PALs TO BE REVEALED

Wonder what’s under all those pretty wraps? After 3 months of sending mail, delivering packages, and guessing, the time has come to find out who’s behind all those secrets. The April program is devoted to revealing who’s been sending secrets to whom.

To the 13 people who are participating in this oh-so-fun exchange, please be sure to bring everything you have received, including the wrapping to show off and explain (empty candy wrappers OK!).  Also, be sure to create a “Thank you” card to give to the person who sent goodies to you. Judy Steward will allow about three minutes for you to explain the items you received. If you are unable to attend on the 11^th, please arrange for another member to bring your items to present to the group, and be sure to include a thank you card for your pal. For those who did not participate, enjoy the eye candy and wealth of ideas!

Next meeting: Saturday, March 14, 2026; 10:00 a.m.

 Meeting at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas 

Program Info:
Weathergrams for spring!

A week after our March meeting we welcome spring, and one of Suzi Ickles’s favorites for the season is hanging weathergrams in her trees. Originated by Lloyd Reynolds from Reed College in the 1970s as an assignment for his calligraphy classes, they have become a popular practice activity for all skill levels. His students practiced Italic, but you can use any calligraphy hand or drawn letters. Weathergrams are hung outdoors in the elements and allowed to biodegrade. Suzi will lead us through her process to create them, and you will leave the meeting with several traditional weathergrams ready to hang in time for the first day of spring.

Supplies to bring: 

Pencil, eraser
6” ruler
Waterproof black marker (like a Zig 3.5 Calligraphy II)  (or waterproof ink and nib)
Waterproof red marker (or ink and nib)
Single hole punch
Scissors
A “Chinese chop” if you have one
Some of your favorite words

·         Suzi will provide the kraft paper, twine, and some words to write.

QR code for Lloyd Reynolds Weathergram booklet on The Portland Society for Calligraphy website. 

Unfortunately, Christy Town is unable to present our scheduled March program, so this is a substitute.