With Maureen Hallahan
This month we were delighted to welcome calligrapher Maureen Hallahan back to lead a beautifully paced workshop on copperplate calligraphy. Copperplate, long admired for its elegance, has a rich history in botanical illustration; its name originates from the traditional technique of etching designs onto copper plates for printmaking.
Maureen guided us patiently through each stage of forming the letters, beginning with practice in graphite pencil. There was plenty of time to explore the script’s rhythm and structure before we even picked up a pen, which made the transition to ink both exciting and confidence‑building.
Her calm teaching style, clear demonstrations, and gentle encouragement created a wonderfully focused atmosphere. By the end of the session, everyone had produced graceful letterforms and gained a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind this historic script.
A truly inspiring and enjoyable workshop. Thank you, Maureen, for sharing your expertise with such generosity.