“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