6 Week Courses for Beginners in 2026

Choose from either: Uncial & Gothic or Italic

TERM One: February to March
Italic – Beginners - February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11
Wednesday Evenings 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Italic – Beginners & Beyond - February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14
Saturday Mornings - 10am - 1pm
Beginners Uncial & Gothic - February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14
Saturday Afternoons 2pm - 5pm
Costs:  $500.00
Address: 8 Allison Road, Elsternwick 3185
                 A short walk from Elsternwick Railway Station.
Costs:      $500.00 includes some studio materials
EXTRA COST $50 for starter kit - Pay at first lesson.
                       A materials list provided after booking

Lauchean teaches budding calligraphers everything needed to get a
great start on the basics of calligraphy. Be inspired by beautiful calligraphy, colour blending and decorative techniques. Learn how to create simple artworks and cards.
THE STUDIO: Small classes where each student has their own drawing board, in a good sized classroom with access to studio equipment.

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Uncial and Gentle Gothic

As a complete beginner you’ll learn the basics of the Uncial, Gothic minuscules and Gothic Capitals. Learn creative techniques and how to use your lettering skills to design interesting layouts.

Study in a mixed ability group where you’ll work at your own level sharing experiences with others as you all apply your learned skills create rewarding projects.​

Dates: February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14
Times: Saturdays Afternoons: 2pm to 5pm

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Italic Script - Basics and Beyond

Italic script, also referred to as Chancery, Italian Hand or Italic cursive writing is an elegant versatile and valuable script. An introduction to Italic for beginners to experienced students.
Beginners will learn to draw the italic form through step by step techniques,
how to become consistent, then fluent with this elegant style.
Learn how to flourish, use gouache, ink blending, and layout basics and beyond.

Lauchean's Italic is taught as an exciting inspiring contemporary hand.

Those with experience will refresh their lettering, learn how to modify their italic to create pleasing hybrid variations. Learn in a small group with plenty of personalised attention.

Available Sessions: Saturday Mornings or Wednesday Evenings
Dates: Saturdays - February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14
Times: Saturdays Mornings: 10am to 1pm

Dates: Wednesdays: February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11
Times: Wednesdays: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
See a fuller description in the drop down menu listed "Italic - 3 & 6 Week Course"

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A Six Week Course structured for Mixed Ability Groups.
The program will be structured for first level or experienced students.  
There are two choices of course content:
Beginners: Roman Hands which will consist of Uncial and Foundational Hands.
Beginners and experienced: Italic Script
Each student will receive a personalised lesson guide for the course.

As the tutor of the 2 Year Calligraphy Course at RMIT University, Lauchean's classes consisted of groups of mixed ability students.

Each course program will include:
Getting started: How to set up a desk & work space.
General Pen Care: Maintenance and Cleaning.
Build Your Skills: Exercises with patterns & forming letters stroke by stroke
Calligraphy Styles: Both the Lowercase (minuscule) & Capitals (majuscules)
Style Characteristics: The anatomy of letterforms.
About The Style: Historical and contemporary references.
Info About Materials and Tools: Inks, gouache, metallic inks, papers, pens, nibs. The variety and suitability available, how to use them.
Spacing: letters, words, interline spacing, margins, textures.
Line Ruling: How to measure and rule your guidelines for any style.
Self Critique: How to analyze your writing and improve your own work.
Design: From basic composition techniques to more complex layout methods.
Applied Skills: Homework between lessons. Create a calligraphic project
Research: Developing a future file. Reference containing stuff you like, designs, styles etc

What will be supplied & things to Bring:

Materials that will be supplied in the studio:

• The use of studio drawing boards, coloured inks, gouaches, gold inks & many varied tools to experiment with in class.
• Take home - A4 paper, Course Booklet, your starter kit, cost $60.
• There's a Coffee machine, Teas and snacks.
  

What Materials to bring:

• Your own calligraphy materials if you have them.
• A list of basic art and calligraphy materials to bring each week will be supplied.