“Help! The printing company wants a vector file!? What do I do?” If you’ve ever designed a graphic and had a request to provide a vector file, chances are you felt a sense of panic. Working with vectors can seem intimidating on the surface, but with a few simple tools and understanding how to use them, you should be able to create and edit vector files of your artwork. Whether you need a logo, a cut file, or a batch of SVGs to plug into that font-making software, Adobe Illustrator will be your best friend.

Topics Covered

• How to import a graphic into Illustrator
• How to convert that graphic into a series of paths (the basis of the vector)
• How to use the selection, direct selection, and pen tools to edit those paths
• The “hot spots” I focus on for vectorizing calligraphy
• How to collect your graphic(s) for export.

This class is the perfect complement to our How to Design a Logo and Digitizing Your Calligraphy classes. Let’s get started!

Want to...

If you’ve been needing to design a logo but had no clue where to begin, this class takes you step-by-step to demonstrate how to brainstorm, sketch and refine your logo. Whether you’ve already established your business or are getting ready to embark on the entrepreneurship journey, this class will help you understand the thought process behind logo design and includes a questionnaire to help you identify your brand story. It can even be the door to begin offering logo design for clients!

Topics Covered

• Brainstorming your logo design
• Elements to consider when branding your company
• Where to find inspiration
• How to sketch logo compositions on paper
• How to sketch logo compositions on the iPad using Procreate
• How to create floral line drawings by tracing photos
• How to export your digital logo design into a jpg or png
• How to import a jpg or png into Adobe Illustrator
• How to convert the image into a vector
• How to export the vector in various file types

For an extended class on...

Homework Hashtag: #kcaspeedball

You've been introduced to the square Speedball A nib with Hill House Script, but now it's time to explore the Speedball B nib. Its tip has a round appearance as opposed to a square shape. In this class, you will learn how to make your own variations and make a unique A-Z pattern!

Topics Covered: 

• All about the speedball nibs
• Warm-up Exercises
• Variations to the letters
• Making an A-Z pattern

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only Class:

• Go to www.kallicampacademy.com
• Log in to your account
• Click on Classroom
• Click on Tier 2 -- Class Archive
• Click on Different Calligraphy Scripts
  

Enroll

Materials Needed:

• B nib (half size is closer in size to the A-1 we've used before)
• straight pen holder
• ...

Homework Challenge: #kcajapanesestabbinding

Introduction:

Japanese Stab Binding is exactly what it sounds like. Books are bound together after the binder stabs holes along the left spine and sews thread through the holes to bind the book. It can be the standard 4-Hole Japanese Stab Binding called "Yotsume Toji" that I taught last year or it can be more intricate in design like the Hemp Leaf Binding or "Asa-No-Ha Toji". 

I will be showing you how to create a simple Inner Binding to hold the inside pages together as well as the Noble Binding or "Koki Toji" along with the Hemp Leaf Binding. 

Topics Covered:

• Create an Inner Binding
• Create templates
• Start with the Noble Binding stitch
• End with Hemp Leaf Binding stitch

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only...

Have you ever been tempted to try modern calligraphy? Not sure where to begin? Well, this class is for you! Modern calligraphy boasts a very wide range of styles and is perfect for creating your trademark look! That being said, modern calligraphy can easily get out of hand without a set of rules to work within. In this class, you will learn a basic majuscule alphabet that is very similar to copperplate with a few exceptions. We will also discuss small changes that can be made to each letterform that can drastically change the look of your script while still staying within a set of basic rules. This will help your script to appear whimsical and beautiful while maintaining the integrity of the letterforms! At the end of the class, you'll create your own alphabet using the techniques we discuss in the lesson. So let's get started!

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1...

The wedge or triangle brush is a specialty paintbrush where the ferrule and hairs of the brush form a triangle. The tip of the brush comes to a fine point and the body of the brush is full. This unique shape helps the brush hold a lot of water in the body which helps distribute pigment evenly throughout the strokes. Petals and leaves and many other shapes can be created with one stroke. In this course, you will learn to create petals and leaves using a press and release technique as well as press and sweep, press and wiggle, press and pull. You will put these techniques together to create florals, including my signature wedge brush rose.  

 Topics Covered:

• Wedge Brush petals (press down and move back & forward and to one side)
• Jane's "Signature" rose (press down and pull to one side and lift)
• Wedge Brush petals and leaves (press down and sweep to one side and repeat to the other side)
• Using a non-wedge brush to create these petals and leaves

Want to join us for...

Have you ever been tempted to try modern calligraphy? Not sure where to begin? Well, this class is for you! Modern calligraphy boasts a very wide range of styles and is perfect for creating your trademark look! That being said, modern calligraphy can easily get out of hand without a set of rules to work within. In this class, you will learn a basic alphabet that is very similar to copperplate with a few exceptions. We will also discuss small changes that can be made to each letterform that can drastically change the look of your script while still staying within a set of basic rules. This will help your script to appear whimsical and beautiful while maintaining the integrity of the letterforms! At the end of the class, you'll create your own alphabet using the techniques we discuss in the lesson. So let's get started!

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students....

Inspired by both organic and geometric forms, Art Nouveau first appeared in Brussels in the late 1800's and quickly spread through Belgium and France and all throughout Europe. During this time, the Art Nouveau Style can be seen most prominently in furniture, textiles, architecture, interior design, glass art,  ceramics, jewelry and graphic design. Art Nouveau lettering styles took on the overall look and design of the trend of very high or very low waistlines, diagonal and triangular shapes, curved organic shapes, and long lines. In this class, we will explore the Hill House Typeface using the Speedball A-1 nib. This typeface is said to be based on the "distinctive handwriting" of Glasgow architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  Come join me in getting to know the Speedball "square bent nib" through a series of warm-up exercises and let's have some fun learning this stylish asymmetrical typeface!

Topics Covered: 

• Bent nibs
• Charles Rennie Mackintosh
• Hill...

Homework hashtag: #kcaengraving

This class will show you the basics of getting started with engraving your calligraphy on various surfaces and objects for gifts or clients. If you’ve been wanting a way to add luxury calligraphy to your portfolio, elevate your calligraphy or add a new skill set to your hobby, this is the class for you.

Students will learn:

•what tools to use for engraving

•safety while engraving

•items to engrave on and what to use for drafting your calligraphy

•correcting your mistakes

•how to refine your calligraphy on 3D objects such as tile, glassware and metal

•ideas for additional surfaces that can be engraved

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only Class:

• Go to www.kallicampacademy.com
• Log in to...

Let's kick off the new year getting organized! How many of you have more than a dozen nibs? How many of you like to share the nibs that you have? Perhaps you can use a nib organizer or a pretty way to gift nibs to your favorite calligraphy friend. I have designed this nifty nib organizer and will take you step by step in showing you how to make one (or more) for yourself or for gifting!

Topics Covered: 

•  How to create a nib organizer
• How to use the organizer 

Want to join us for class? It's offered on-demand and available now for all Tier 2 students.  Some classes are also available to Tier 1 students. Click here to see the Tier 1 Class Listing.  

How to Access Your Members-Only Class:

• Go to www.kallicampacademy.com
• Log in to your account
• Click on Classroom
• Click on Tier 2 -- Class Archive
• Click on Organization
  

Enroll

Materials Needed:

• Printed Supplies List
• Printed cutting and scoring templates
• Cardstock and...