Events
Uncial into Capitals: A Calligraphic Workshop
with John Stevens
Uncial is more than just a historic hand—it’s a key to understanding how capitals work.
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“Uncials are true pen-forms—more quickly written than the “Square”, and clearer than the “Rustic” Capitals—having the characteristic, simple strokes and beautiful, rounded shapes which flow from the rightly handled reed or quill.” —Edward Johnston (Writing, Illuminating & Lettering, 1906)
Why start with Uncial? Because at its heart, this class is about Capitals. Uncial provides us with a foundation of pure pen forms—beautifully simple, rhythmic, and flowing—that open the door to understanding pen-made capitals.
Uncial was in everyday use from the 4th to the 8th century. Today, it is considered a specialist hand, but its lessons are timeless: it makes a superb book hand, and its clarity and rhythm can enrich both formal calligraphy and text hands. In my own work, I often borrow from Uncial when shaping Pen Capitals—sometimes alternating between them to achieve a particular effect.
In this workshop, we’ll move beyond the purely historic. We’ll explore design and lettering principles in depth, seeing how Uncial can train the hand and eye in ways that directly apply to both text and titling. This study provides not only historical insight but also creative freedom—giving you a reliable framework for developing your own Pen Capitals while experimenting with variations.
As with all my workshops, we’ll combine close study of the forms with practical design approaches, technique refinement, and best practices in calligraphy. Looking at a hand in its historical “peak” period allows us to see reliable, well-formed models—not as a cage, but as a roadmap. From there, you can move from walking to running, from study to personal expression.
Topics Covered
- Study and understand a historic hand
- Adapt and modify it for modern use
- Formal pen calligraphy practice
- Improve technique and refine letter design
- Learn the key differences between text-hand and titling
- Build a working Pen Roman—both simple and advanced
Sign up before March 17th for a 10% discount!
Diversity and Equity Scholarship
Diversity and Equity are important to all of us at Letterform Archive, and we are committed to increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups within the type and design communities.
We are offering one BIPOC/Equity scholarship seat in this workshop.
To apply for this scholarship, please complete and submit to us the short form linked here at least a week prior to the start of the workshop.
John Stevens
John Stevens is a renowned and accomplished letter artist, for his extensive and exemplary body of work. He began his career as a sign painter in New York, and his passion for letters and their design led him to explore type, calligraphy, and lettering.
His clientele spans multiple industries, including publishing, packaging, advertising, television, and film, with notable clients such as Lucasfilm, Life, Time, Newsweek, Tiffany & Co., and the New York Public Library. John is often called upon to create handwritten and illuminated documents on paper and vellum, which are traditional practices of calligraphy.
He has been invited to teach at numerous national and international letter arts conferences across the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. His original works are part of significant collections, including the San Francisco Public Library, Berlin’s Akademie der Künste, and La Casa del Libro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as many private collections.
John’s calligraphy and lettering have been featured in dozens of books and publications on lettering and calligraphy, with audiences in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States. He has written several books, *Scribe: Artist of the Written Word*, which was published in 2013, and his latest work, Mastering Broad Brush Roman Capitals.
