specialist skills award in alternative tools

overview

Unlock your potential with the New CLAS Specialist Skills Award in Alternative Tools, led by the renowned Rachel Yallop. Starting on 31st August, this is a rare chance to learn from a top expert. Since places are limited, book now to avoid missing out.

Rachel Yallop, an Honoured Fellow of CLAS, guides you through this online course on alternative calligraphy tools. The course includes four modules, each with three hours of teaching, totalling eight 1½-hour sessions on Zoom.

For more details, contact the SSA Administrator at ladder@clas.co.uk.

Where: All tuition is online via Zoom.

When:

• Dates: 31st August, 14th September, 9th November, 30th November 2024 and 25th January, 8th February, 29th March and 12th April 2025
• Time: TBA

details

• Format: 8 Zoom sessions, each lasting 1½ hours
• Class Structure: First session (31st August) extended for introductions and instructions. Subsequent sessions include teaching and time for questions.
• Total Teaching Hours: 12 hours
• Recordings: All sessions recorded and available to students throughout the course.
• Homework: Assigned before each module, with 3 or 4 weeks given for completion and submission.
• Feedback: Provided via online noticeboard (Padlet) for real-time feedback from tutors and peers.
• Assessment: For Specialist Skills Award, assignments need to be submitted via post to tutors.

course format

• Module A: Broad-edged Tools — The first section will focus on using broad-edged tools other than the traditional nib. These are balsa wood strips, flat brushes, and Automatic pens. We will look at each of these tools & how they can be used.
• Module B: Ruling Pens — In this section we will look at the pointed ruling pen, the folded ruling pen, and the cola pen. These tools produce a very characteristic line, and we will practice how to hold them and change the position of the tool to achieve a variety of line weights and textures.
• Module C: Pointed Tools — In this section we will look at the pointed brush, the brush pen, and the pointed nib. We will practice the pressure and release technique which allows for different line weights and swelling and tapered lines.
• Module D: Pencils — In this final section we will be focussing on Conté pencils, compressed charcoal, ordinary pencils and coloured pencils. We will draw lines with the pencils and look at how they can be enhanced by adding weight.

about the tutor

Rachel Yallop is an internationally renowned calligrapher and tutor, celebrated for her impressive qualifications and achievements. She holds a BA(Hons) in Graphic Design from Ravensbourne College of Art & Design and an MA in Graphic Design and Expressive Calligraphy from Central School of Art & Design. Rachel is a Founder Member of Letter Exchange, an Honoured Fellow of CLAS, and an Elected Member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA).

Rachel says, “My passion for letters stems from a lifelong love of drawing. I first learned calligraphy and lettering design at art college, and from that moment, I was hooked.”

Since 1988, Rachel has taught a wide variety of calligraphic disciplines at art schools, conferences, and workshops both in the UK and internationally.

additional info

COURSE TERMS & CONDITIONS