Lombardic Capitals
Online class in Brush & Pen Lettering of Lombardic/Versal Letterforms
Course Summary
Brush & Pen Lombardic Capitals + Variations: A 3-Session Course
I’ve always loved Versals and Lombardic letterforms—both for their decorative flair and for the freedom of expression in their flowing contours. These letters, bold and full of character, offer variation and energy whether they appear as capitals in a larger text or as striking designs on their own. Traditionally, scribes drew them with the quill. In this class, we’ll explore them with brush and pointed pen—tools that bring out their bold, juicy quality. Lombardic Capitals, with their medieval roots, are luxurious and ornamental, yet perfectly suited to modern interpretation. They can enrich your calligraphy pages or stand beautifully on their own. Across three sessions, you’ll gain not only an appreciation for these lively letterforms but also valuable training in handling both the broad-edge brush and the pointed pen.
Sessions: 1.5 hours Zoom live.
(Recording is available for later viewing until December 25th)
Date & Time: Three Saturdays, October 11th, 18th, and 25th, starting at 2 pm EDT
Level: Open to all levels, but knowledge of Roman proportion is recommended.
Tuition Fee: $115.usd
Material List: will be available to download upon registration.
Upon signing up, you will be able to download the materials list and class information. I hope to see you there!
Saturdays, October 11th, 18th, & 25th, 2025
John Stevens
John Stevens is a lettering artist and calligrapher with over 40 years of professional experience. He began his career as a sign painter in New York, and his lifelong interest in letters led him to explore calligraphy, type, and lettering with pens and brushes.
His work spans publishing, packaging, advertising, television, and film, with clients that include Lucasfilm, Life, Time, Newsweek, Tiffany & Co., and the New York Public Library. He is also commissioned for traditional calligraphic works on paper and vellum, continuing a centuries-old craft.
John has been invited to teach throughout the United States and abroad, including Europe, Japan, and South America. His original works are held in public and private collections, such as the San Francisco Public Library, Berlin’s Akademie der Künste, and La Casa del Libro in Puerto Rico.
His calligraphy and lettering have appeared in numerous books and publications worldwide. His first book, Scribe: Artist of the Written Word (2013), was met with critical acclaim, and his most recent, Mastering Broad Brush Roman Capitals, is currently available from John Neal Bookseller.
You can follow him on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook. Website: www.johnstevensdesign.com
Most Recent lecture: The Letterform Archive (2019)
Course Pricing
If you want to learn more about brush handling, I wrote this book, which you might find valuable, (but not essential for this course):
Mastering Brush Roman Capitals.
is now available! (June 2024) and was debuted at the Roman Holiday Calligraphy Conference. Order from John Neals’s Website. John Neal Booksellers.
