The Liberated Line

A dynamic course with five instructors on the element of Line

The design element of Line is fundamental in our work as lettering artists. Each letter begins as a series of simple lines arranged in space to define a shape and form. The decisions we make about the ways those lines move and relate on the paper allow for a huge variety of graphic effects. Lines are design elements that have so much potential in the hands of the calligrapher. Lines create textures, emotion, tell a story, reflect the soul of the artist. Lines create shapes, images, letters. Lines lead you through a composition. Join us for The Liberated Line, a class series in which five different teachers will share five different approaches to working with the element of line in lettering art. (Scroll to the very bottom of this page to the FAQ section for logistical details.)

Who This Course Is For

This workshop is designed for lettering artists with some experience in calligraphy and hand lettering. It is not for beginners who are brand new to calligraphy. Some previous experience with calligraphy and/or hand lettering is strongly recommended. Check out the workshop details below!

  • Calligraphers who would like to learn more about design

  • Lettering artists who want to more deeply explore the element of Line in their artwork

  • Students who want to explore a topic from different points of view

  • Students who want to learn from teachers who love what they do

Introduction Session

Introduction to the Course (Oct 13) (9am to 11am PST)


In this two hour session you will meet your instructors, have an overview of the course, meet some of your fellow students, hear the story of the collaboration and creation of The Liberated Line, and have the opportunity to ask questions. 

Line and Texture

Session 1 with Cora Pearl (Oct 14) (9am to 4pm PST)

As an artist, I am fascinated by the emotion behind what we see visually and am delighted when I can see the energy that is influencing the written or painted letters. For our first class session we will start by exploring the different types of line we can make and playing with the element of Line and emotion. We will engage in some playful exercises using brush and watercolors to explore the different ways we can make and relate to Line. Next we will paint letters using a flat brush to create heavily weighted monoline letters. These painted letters will be the basis for a project using the outlines of our transparent letters to create layers and texture, mixing thick heavy transparent line with thin delicate outlines.

Line and Form

Session 2 with Yukimi Annand (Oct 21) (9am to 4pm PST)

The Form of “O” and Calligraphic Line: I am interested in any lines and forms I see surrounding me. As a calligrapher I have been experimenting to create letterforms based on those lines and forms I capture from the surroundings and play with them by writing text. The Roman alphabet is basically designed with a geometric system and the letter O is the mother form for developing a set of 26 letters. In this class, we will start by making variations of letter O. We will get ideas from existing letterforms including historical and contemporary forms , ancient sign language, man-made architecture, natural forms and abstract paintings. We use plenty of imagination for finding the best form that is suitable for an individual's chosen text. We will consider the meaning of the text and the form of O to create a unique alphabet. Then we will work on lines that are made by writing text from legibly written words to abstract composition with developed letterforms. We will pay attention to the negative and positive spaces, the shapes we create while playing with the lines, and then we will combine the lines and shapes into a composition to create calligraphy artworks with unique shapes as accents or dominant elements.

Line and Value

Session 3 with Amity Parks (Oct 28) (9am to 4pm PST)

In this class we will focus solely on the pencil as a tool to create a variety of lines. We’ll focus on the different qualities of line we can create using graphite, and use those qualities to enhance the emotion and meaning of our words. We’ll construct running lines of letterforms to create complex knots of texts that move not only across our page but also come forward and move backward to create depth and dynamic forms on the page. Most importantly we will learn to look at the forms we are creating with a critical eye, making changes and adjustments to improve the visual effect and meaning of our letters and words. Using only the grayscale of graphite we will play with the many contrasting lines that this medium allows from subtle to bold, soft and hard, organic or geometric. Through these exercises we’ll have a palette of marks, forms and ideas to create interesting, engaging layouts.

Line and Space

Session 4 with Massimo Polello (Nov 4) (NOTE TIME!) 7:30am to 2:00pm PST

Unlike the geometric construction of capital forms, cursive script is inherently much more spontaneous and naturally flowing. German calligrapher, Hans-Joachim Burgert, wrote in his book that, “Cursive calligraphy is full of movement and emotion. Calligraphy that runs along the page, in the full flow of writing, is filled with movement and life. Cursive writing breathes rhythmically, like a dancer. Cursive writing is a graphic dance.” This will be the spirit of our work together. In this workshop we will explore the possibilities of our writing moving freely in space and no longer having the horizontal or vertical orientation that we are more familiar with. The pure line and its ligature/connections between the letters will determine the shape of the letters themselves and therefore, the distinctive quality of each line will come from the variety of ways to create letters that start from the same ductus. The ligatures and parts of letters are used to create what I call “the dancing line space.” This movement in space describing a choreography, occurs between the random and the planned way to do a calligraphy composition. The pointed brush will be our main tool for this experience. We will also work with creating layers and different compositions using different tools.

Line and Structure

Session 5 with Mike Gold (Nov 11) (9am to 4pm PST)

In addition to the many things that a calligrapher can do with line, lines also create structures that can be the composition or the focal point of a composition. Whether you prefer creating readable or abstract calligraphic designs, you will gain insight into composition that will help you with whatever kind of artwork you do. You will learn about using line to spontaneously create letterforms to build structures with character. You will also learn about the Power of Two, a concept that goes hand in hand with building structures. Finally, you will learn about the master calligraphers whose work influences this teaching. The handouts will provide you with valuable reference both during and after the workshop.

Show & Share: Final Class Session

November 18 (9am to 11am PST)


In this final session of the course we will share student artwork from all the classes and will talk about and reflect upon what we have learned. More details will follow as the final class approaches.

Course Curriculum

    1. COURSE NAVIGATION INFORMATION

    2. General Handouts

    3. Full Supply List for All Classes

    4. Padlet QR Code and URL

    5. Video Recording Navigation

    1. Intro Session Video Recording 10/13

    2. Portfolio Demonstration Massimo

    1. Supply List for Session 1

    2. Session 1 Handouts for Use During Class

    3. Session 1 Demos and Post-Workshop Handouts

    4. Line & Texture Video Recording 10/14

    1. Supply List for Session 2

    2. Session 2 Handouts for Use During Class

    3. Session 2 Demos and Post-Workshop Handouts

    4. Line & Form Video Recording 10/21

    1. Supply List for Session 3

    2. Session 3 Handouts for Use During Class

    3. Session 3 Demos and Post-Workshop Handouts

    4. Line & Value Video Recording 10/28

    1. Supply List for Session 4

    2. Session 4 Handouts for Use During Class

    3. Session 4 Demos and Post-Workshop Handouts

    4. Line & Space Video Recording from 11/4

About this course

  • $395.00
  • 30 lessons
  • 0.5 hours of video content

Join Us!

We hope you can join us for this five week series of classes.

Enroll Here

FAQ

All About The Liberated Line

  • How are the classes taught?

    Classes are taught in real time using Zoom. You must download Zoom on your device to participate in the course. It is essential that you are familiar with how to use Zoom! Students will follow along with instructors during class sessions with hands on participation. Students will also be able to ask questions during the class sessions. We prefer that you keep your camera on during class time so that we can see your lovely faces and see how our instruction is being received. There will be a morning session, then a one hour break, then an afternoon session. All classes will be recorded and available for 5 months after the last class, so if you are not able to attend all sessions you will still be able to watch the recordings.

  • What level of experience do students need to have to participate comfortably?

    This workshop is designed for lettering artists with some experience in calligraphy and hand lettering. It is NOT for beginners who are brand new to calligraphy. Some previous experience with calligraphy and/or hand lettering is strongly recommended.

  • Will the classes be recorded?

    Yes, all the class sessions will be recorded and will be available for 5 months after the last class session (April 18, 2024 = last day to view the recordings). However, we do hope you will join us for the live sessions, as the course was designed for interactive participation. If you live in a time zone that is inconvenient for live participation, it may work better for you to watch the recordings only.

  • Do I need special art supplies for the course?

    Yes! A detailed supply list is given in the "Welcome READ ME FIRST" section of our Course Curriculum above. Our supplies will be listed with John Neal Bookseller online soon for easy purchase. We have included a full list of all supplies combined as well as separate lists for each

  • What is the class schedule?

    Friday, October 13th, 9:00am to 11:00am PST: Intro Session... Saturday, October 14th, 9:00am to 4:00pm PST: Session 1 ..... Saturday, October 21st, 9:00am to 4:00pm PST: Session 2 ...... Saturday, October 28th, 9:00am to 4:00pm PST: Session 3 ...... Saturday, November 4th, 7:30am to 2:00pm PST: Session 4 ...... Saturday, November 11th, 9:00am to 4:00pm PST: Session 5 ...... Saturday, November 18th, 9:00am to 11:00am PST: Show & Share... NOTE: Times for Nov 4 class are different to accommodate Massimo's teaching from Italy. Use this time converter tool to see class times for your location: https://dateful.com/time-zone-converter

  • What does the course include?

    The course includes five full day live online class sessions, each taught by a different teacher, each approaching the topic of Line and lettering art in their own way; a shorter two hour introduction session where you will meet your instructors and your classmates and hear more about the course and its creation; and a two hour Show & Share class at the end where we will look at student work done in the classes. You will also receive handouts from all the instructors as well as copies of their demo pages, and recordings of all the classes.

  • How much does the course cost?

    The price for all the components described in the previous answer is $395.

  • What should I do if I am having trouble accessing course materials?

    Google Chrome is the best browser to use for accessing course materials. Other browsers may block course content. If you are using Google Chrome and still can't access materials, try refreshing the cache and restarting your browser. Also, be sure that your browser is up to date with the latest version. If you are still having trouble please contact us at [email protected] and use Liberated Line Question as the subject line.

  • What should I do if my question is not answered here?

    You can send an email to Cora Pearl at [email protected]. Please use "Liberated Line Question" as the title of your email.