Pointed Brush Roman Capitals

Please join us for a new workshop: Pointed Brush Roman Capitals

Course Description
1. Pointed brushes offer new creative options for Roman letters.
2.The course explores writing on challenging surfaces.
3. Students will experiment with expressive capitals and versals.

I have sometimes used this approach (pointed brush) in my commissions; I was familiar with brushes as a sign painter, but not much with a pointed brush. Then, I discovered that a good pointed brush gave me options; sometimes, a pointed brush holds a point more easily than a small, broad-edge brush at small sizes. For instance, I would have to write small capitals on fine furniture or a plaque.
You will increase your understanding of Classical Roman Letters. A new tool in your arsenal (offers new possibilities). Working on otherwise difficult-to-write surfaces or surfaces that ink in a pen might feather or bleed or just be difficult to control.
Like fabric, wood, and Washi (Japanese) paper, which are difficult to write on with a pen.

Control and detail on Letters with complex contours.
Explore letter-shape and contour outside the realm of the broad edge.
Enhanced media control: i.e., apply white paint that covers, or Shell gold, or even Instacol, Gesso, or Acrylic Medium
Pens are not always the right tool: examples include: Quotes on fabric: A tablecloth that I had to put a delicate quote on in acrylic, light-fast colors (shown), or small Roman letters on hardwood.
Variations on forms: like Expressive Capitals & Versals with touches of Lombardic, offering a different perspective on letterforms.
Skill level · Is this course suitable for beginners, or should I have prior experience with Roman letters?
Prior experience is highly recommended.
You will be able to expand both your knowledge of Roman Letters and do work similar to the pieces I show here and in class.

Date & Time: Three Saturdays: May 30, June 6, &13, 2026
starting at 2 pm EDT Sessions: 1.5 hours Zoom live.
(Recording is available for later viewing until August 25th)

https://bit.ly/PointedBrushRoman
Tuition Fee: $120.usd
Upon signing up, you will be able to download the materials list and class information.
I hope to see you there!

Assignments will be given, and people can share their work on a private Facebook page that we will set up for you. Joining is optional, but one has to join to see the works shared by the class, along with my feedback.

Comments / Testimonials for John Stevens online classes

John shared key fundamentals of #gothiccalligraphy, his design experience and insights, discussed historical exemplars we can learn from, and possibilities for further exploration. I enjoyed the class, and grateful to John @calligraphile —Bakhyt Kadyrova
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I am very happy to attend the course on Roman pointed pen. it has been a wonderful experience and i look forward to attend in future courses. Thank you very much.🙏 Caligrafia_mea (Iam very happy to attend the course roman pointed pen. it has been a wonderful experience and i look forward to attend in future courses. Thank you very much.🙏 –( MeryemTunca)
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John, your class as always is rich in subject & challenging in skill. Thank you for the generous sharing of your skills & knowledge! –Connie Posigian
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Last upload from the final lesson of this incredible class. Master John Stevens always confirms himself as a source of great inspiration and with many useful ideas for learning to think outside the box. Andrea Russo
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Many thanks for another great course. Your instruction as always have been most illuminating and challenging. This plus the posting of of so many brilliant contributions has made this experience very special. –Isaias Zelkowicz
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What a grand class… ( as per usual!) Studying with you is such a privilege… made possible by these internet classes. Your demonstrations have a kind of magic about them. ( of course it’s your years of experience) and your ability to turn that experience into such well thought out tasks that can be grasped by beginners as well as seasoned artists! Just Wow! And a special Thanks to Takako for assisting you so ably! She’s quite the gifted Calligrapher in her own right! Sorry for gushing a bit, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate both your efforts to support and promote such soundly based and thoughtful approaches to this artistry!–Jeff Redford

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), received 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