
Strong Lines 1: Getting Comfortable
with the Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen
A fun, project-based introduction to the Pilot Parallel pen. Master basic calligraphy strokes while designing your own custom tattoo or motif.
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In this class, you will:
» Learn basic calligraphy strokes
» Learn to use a Pilot Parallel Pen
» Design a tattoo or decorative motif
This is a hands-on introduction to the fun and versatile Pilot Parallel Pen. Using basic calligraphy strokes, we’ll work through exercises which demonstrate pen angle and develop rhythm while creating a series of marks you can work with when designing your own tattoo. Learners will be encouraged to create an original design, and given four approaches to use in designing their tattoo or motif.
Although designed for beginning calligraphers, this class teaches skills which will enhance the work of illustrators, designers, typographers, tattoo artists, watercolour artists and anyone else who isn’t afraid of a little water-based ink on their fingers! Exercises and guidelines help break the process down and guide students along. No previous experience required, and body inking is totally optional!
Some of the class exercises:
Work along me as I create this sample project, demonstrating the process I went through to create it.
Supply List:
• 6.0 mm Pilot Parallel Pen (blue cap)
• 3.8 mm Pilot Parallel Pen (green cap)
• Pilot Parallel Pen ink cartridges (blue-black is recommended)
• Premium-quality inkjet paper or Clairefontaine paper
Class includes:
• 41 minutes of clear and concise video instruction
• Printable PDF of class notes
• Printable PDF of exercises & guides
***NOTE: This class is the first in a trilogy!***
My approach is to teach pen skills and working with with coloured inks in two fun and informative classes, to the give the student a strong skill base, as a prelude to lettering. The next two classes are:
Colour and Curves with the Pilot Parallel Pen; and The Gentle Gothics
Progression through the 3 classes looks like this:
Testimonials:
"Alice is a very thorough instructor. I've been doing calligraphy for a long time and I felt like I gained a lot from this." — DH, Online student
"I highly recommend this class for all fans of blackletter and "calligraffiti". You will learn a lot about pens, inks, papers, and what's even more important — techniques and exercises that will take your calligraphy skills to upper level. This teacher knows what she's talking about! ;)" — RB, Online student
Your Instructor

Alice is a GDC Certified Graphic Designer, with 20 years of experience in design and communications. She spent a decade working in the studios of multi-national ad agencies (Leo Burnett, Publicis, BBDO) in Toronto, Canada before moving to Canada’s west coast in 2000. She continues to work on local, national and international accounts, as a member of the team at Taiji Brand Group. Her specialties are typography and hand lettering.
Her love of letterforms carries through to her practice as a calligrapher and her work spans a broad range of applications – from commercial (logos and wordmarks) to just-for-fun (greeting cards) – to exploratory fine art (asemic calligraphy on canvas).
Her calligraphic paintings on canvas have been exhibited and sold internationally. Along with fifty other international calligraphers, she recently participated in the International Exhibition of Calligraphy for 2015, held in Moscow, Russia at the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy.
Website: aliceyoung.ca
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCK677EzBvyBscKOaSV1U16w
Facebook: facebook.com/onlinecalligraphyclasses