Mike Kecseg, Pointed Pen Blackletter (register by 4/28)

MIKE KECSEG owns and operates Pen Graphics Studio in Chicago and brings extensive pointed pen experience to his teaching. His work has been exhibited widely and he is a renowned calligraphy instructor on both the US and International circuits.

In this workshop, participants will learn to reinterpret Gothic Blackletter broad-edged lettering with the use of a pointed pen. Basic strokes will be taught, as well as lowercase letters and capitals. Students will also be encouraged to explore creative variations of more traditional pointed pen scripts. (Class recording available for 30 days.) For flyer, click here.

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Blackletter is defined as the visually dense, tall, angular, and tightly spaced style of lettering that flourished during the Gothic time period. Traditionally this style has been done with a broad-edged tool, but in this workshop, we will reinterpret these letters with the use of a pointed pen. Step-by-step instructions on the basic strokes, lowercase letters, and capitals will be provided along with ideas on how to blend this style with your other pointed pen scripts and create fun variations of this visually interesting hand.

Mike began his calligraphic endeavors when he worked as an engrosser. Since 1984 he has owned and operated Pen Graphics Studio, Inc. in Chicago. Specializing in the pointed pen, Mike has taught workshops in the US as well as abroad. His work has been exhibited widely and can be seen in various publications including Letter Arts Review, Lettering Arts, The Encyclopedia of Calligraphy Techniques, Calligraphy Crush, and The Speedball Textbook including the cover of the 23rd edition. His calligraphy is included in the permanent collection of the Newberry Library, an independent research library in Chicago specializing in the humanities. He was inducted as an IAMPETH Master Penman in 2002 and earned an IAMPETH Certificate of Excellence in Engrosser's Script in 2019. Mike has been on the faculty of five IAMPETH Conferences and 13 International Calligraphy Conferences.