Basic Blackletter with Eleanor Winters

For beginners as well as more advanced students, this class offers a detailed introduction to Textura, the form of Gothic calligraphy so effectively used in medieval illuminated manuscripts.  Textura originated in northern Europe and was used in writing centers throughout Western Europe from the 12th century well into the 16th.  It was the basis of the earliest typefaces, one of the first examples of which is the Gutenberg Bible.

In this class we will study the basics of this script as well as some lively variations.

The class will also be introduced to a wide range of Black Letter capitals, and experiment with both simple and more ornate forms.  We will look at examples from the Middle Ages giving us a wide repertory of capital letterforms.

Dates: 4 Saturdays February 21, 28 & March 7, 14, 2026
Time: 10am–3pm (New York time)
Price: $300
Member Price: $260
Max Enrollment: 15 students
Location: SVA Annex, 214 E. 21st Street, Room 701A

Supply List:

• Brause 3mm and 4mm nibs (Left-handed students please use left-handed Brause nibs . You can order from John
       Neal; be sure to allow time for delivery)

• Black, non-waterproof ink, such as Higgins Eternal, Quink, Waterman

• Smooth practice paper, such as Canson Pro-Layout Marker, Bienfang Graphics, or similar

• Water container & cloth or paper towels

• Pencil, eraser

• Ruler