Letters Cali Style 2026 - Mid-Century Pen Moves - Sue Greenseth

Mid-Century Pen Moves - Sue Greenseth

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Travel back several decades with Sue to learn and play with these Mid-Century letters, which look as whimsical and fresh today as they did in the 1970s.In this workshop, students will practice steeply turning their pens to create unique letter strokes. The strokes will be combined to design a variety of different letters in all shapes and sizes. The class will also cover interlinear line spacing options, the importance of using contrast in one’s work, outlining, and other modifications.
Students will construct a simple Leporello book in class to store and showcase their favorite pieces. Through study and practice of these unique shapes, students may be inspired to take their own lettering to a new level.

SKILL LEVEL: Students should be familiar with using a broad-edged pen, and some experience with pen
manipulation is recommended.

Supplies:

• Paper
o Bond paper that takes ink well. Recommended: Capital Bond from John Neal
Booksellers (11x17” preferred, but 8.5x11 is doable)
o 2 – 4 sheets either Arches Text Wove or Arches MBM
o 10 sheets black cardstock, 8.5x11” (for Leporello book)
• Ink – black, plus any favorite colors, including Bister inks
• Gouache – black, plus one or two other colors
• Pens and nibs – we will be using a wide variety of sizes throughout the workshop, from
small to very large
o 6 mm Pilot Parallel Pen (required to work with exemplars)
o Automatic or Horizon pens – a variety of sizes, bring what you have
o Fineline black pens, such as Sakura Micron Pigma (01 is a good size)
o Your choice Speedball C-series, Mitchell, or Brause nibs in a variety of sizes
o Other broad-edge tools that make wide marks, such as balsa wood, thick felt, etc.
• Flat brushes (½” or larger)
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Water dish
• Plastic pipette
• Rag

BOOK MAKING SUPPLIES
• Metal ruler
• Bone folder
• Uhu glue sticks
• Scissors
• Cutting mat
• X-acto knife
• T-square and triangle
(only if you have room to pack these,
we may not use)