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FOUNDATIONAL HAND

WITH PATTI ADAMS

Foundational Hand

$195

full year access

Learn the timeless beauty of the Foundational Hand in over 23 bite-sized lessons!


From pen angles and basic strokes to complete alphabets and graceful variations, Patti Adams will guide you through mastering this essential broad edge style.

Taught by Patti Adams, hosted by Kestrel Montes

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How this will work:

  • This is a prerecorded class.
  • You will have instant access upon registering.
  • Includes closed captioning in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Japanese (others by request).
  • All handouts, links and recordings are found in the course portal.
  • Includes ongoing access to the Student Artboard, our community forum.
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What you'll learn:

Explore and examine Foundational hand with Patti Adams. This visually simple hand is considered a staple in the broad edge calligrapher's toolbox, perfect for it's legibility and familiar letterforms. Mix it with pointed pen, other broad edge hands, or let it shine on its own. 

  • Pen angle and principle strokes of the hand.
  • Construction of the upper and lowercase alphabets
  • The proportions, shapes, counters and branching, and spacing of letterforms
  • Exploration of variations of the letterforms.

BONUS: Patti will teach letterforms from exemplars of both Sheila Waters and Ann Camp as well as her own preferred variations.

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Who It’s For:

  • Calligraphers seeking to strengthen their broad edge skills through the study of the Foundational hand

  • Artists interested in understanding letter construction, proportions, and spacing for greater consistency

  • Individuals who appreciate clean, legible lettering suitable for both standalone pieces and mixed calligraphic styles

  • Students eager to explore classic exemplars from masters such as Sheila Waters and Ann Camp

Self-paced. One year of full access. Suitable for all skill levels.

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LESSON MODULES
With 23 bite-sized lessons, Patti Adams will guide you through the beauty of the Foundational hand, from pen angle and basic strokes to complete alphabets, spacing, and elegant variations inspired by master calligraphers.

Module 1: Getting Started with Foundational Hand

  • Welcome to Foundational
  • Introduction to the Foundational Hand
  • Key Characteristics of the Style

Module 2: Building the Minuscule Alphabet

  • Understanding Skeletal Forms (Lowercase)
  • Principal Strokes: Serifs
  • Principal Strokes: Circles
  • Practice Set: Putting the Strokes Together
  • Using a Double Pencil Template
  • Pencil Line Sketch, Part II
  • Practice Strokes for Consistency
  • Forming Minuscules with g shapes
  • Forming Minuscules with n shapes
  • Practicing Vertical Strokes

     

Module 3: Developing the Capital Alphabet

  • Introduction to Capitals
  • Using the Capital Guide Sheet
  • Writing Monoline Capitals
  • Creating Narrow Capitals
  • Writing Capitals in Pencil
  • Writing Capitals with a Broad Edge Pen

Module 4: Refining Your Work

  • Understanding Spacing
  • Writing Words and Building Flow
  • Exploring Pangrams for Practice
  • Recommended Books
  • Foundational Hand Inspirations
FULL YEAR ACESS

About Patti:

Patti is a busy calligrapher, living and working in New Orleans. She specializes in a wide array of unique commissions including proclamations and invitations for Mardi Gras, custom lettering for books, gilding projects and book illustration.

She teaches workshops across the country including most recently, at IAMPETH 2022.  She is on the faculty of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and Loyola University and in her "spare time,” continues her 30 year career as a professional flutist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. She lives in the historic Garden District with her musician husband and their two incorrigible doodle doggies, Bijou and Beignet. 

@pattinola

LearnCalligraphy.com classes are hosted by Kestrel Montes. Aside from serving her own clients, Kestrel is perhaps better known for creating innovative tools and resources for the calligraphy community. Kestrel's own success as a professional artist paired with her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, gives her a unique skill set to create quality educational opportunities and enhance professional community building.

@inkmethis