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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra

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Modern Calligraphy Workshop for Beginners

October 16, 2017

Here’s what happened during the latest Modern Calligraphy workshop for beginners here in Singapore.

Last September, The Happy Hour: Beginners’ Modern Calligraphy workshop is back! I love teaching this class because almost 99% of the time, the participants have not tried their hand at pointed pen calligraphy. Why do I love this, you may ask? Because they leave the class truly inspired by what they learned, and are able to write the alphabet using the beginners’ tools.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

The special ‘Make Your Own Happy Hour‘ booklet is a wonderful workbook to get started, printed in premium, super smooth paper. It has stroke-by-stroke instructions on how to write the letters of the alphabet. This is the pad that we use in class and will be used for further practice when at home.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

I always tell the story of how I started out in class. When I started modern calligraphy in 2012, there were no classes here in Singapore at all. The struggle was real, my friends. When I finally got the hang of it (after 2 years!), my friends convinced me to try to teach this craft. Needless to say, I felt very unsure. I finally took a shaky step and taught my first class—and I’m still having a wonderful time teaching modern calligraphy after almost 4 years!

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

It’s the first modern calligraphy class hosted by the awesome people at Fika Swedish Cafe, who prepared this delectable canapé spread for all of us. We had the cozy second level all to ourselves, and on a sunny day, the natural light is just perfect for writing with pen and ink.

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

My advice to beginners is still the same. Practice makes pretty! Here are some photos of our most recent modern calligraphy class. Upcoming classes are posted here. Enjoy!

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

 

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands ProjectModern Calligraphy Workshop with Happy Hands Project

 

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Comments

  1. Adeline Goh says

    March 30, 2018 at 11:02 am

    I am interested in modern calligraphy and would like to know more details of your classes
    Thank you .

    Reply
    • Pauline says

      May 15, 2018 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Adeline, the modern calligraphy class is for beginners, and you’ll find more info on the ‘Workshops’ page. I send out an e-newsletter to subscribers where I announce upcoming classes, so feel free to subscribe (the subscription box is on the right). Hope to meet you in one of the future workshops!

      Reply

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Hello! I’m Pauline and welcome to the Happy Hands Project! I’m a lettering artist and calligrapher located in Manila, Philippines.
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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra 🖋️ 
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Check out what's latest here ⬇️

When was the last time you wrote a letter to yours When was the last time you wrote a letter to yourself? 💌 
 
During ou workshop, everyone received these pretty Cafe Mary Grace greeting cards. The prompt was simple: write something heartfelt. It could be for a loved one, or a message for your future self. 
 
I decided to write to my future self for this demo. No need for perfection, just enjoying the ink touching the paper, especially when the paper is this smooth. 
 
Save this for the next time you need a reminder to slow down and check in with yourself. 🤍 
 
#cafemarygrace #cursivepractice #pointedpen
A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍    I recently taugh A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍 
 
I recently taught the very first workshop for @cafemarygrace ‘s Art of Slow series at their gorgeous Parqal Mall branch. Instead of worrying about perfect technical form, we focused entirely on intention, mindful creation, and embracing the simple joys of slow living. 
 
The afternoon culminated in everyone writing a heartfelt letter to themselves or someone they love, finished with a traditional wax seal. ✉️✨ 
 
To cap off the experience, we treated our senses to Mary Grace’s delicious new menu additions: the Vigan Longganiza Pasta, refreshing Lemon Basil Soda, and their delicious Mango Mousse. 
 
Thank you to everyone who paused their busy days to create with us. Here’s to more moments of slowing down. 
 
#artofslow #cafemarygrace #calligraphyworkshop #cursivewriting
So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile h So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile hihi 
 
This time I’m trying it out with my Pilot parallel pen and On Ink’s ‘turon’. We Filipinos like lumpia and turon is a version of it that’s filled with brown sugar, jackfruit strips and sweet plantain bananas (called ‘saba’ bananas locally). 😊 
 
#frenchroundhand #parallelpen #frenchronde
French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ I got two French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ 
 
I got two new inks from @inksbyvinta during the @manilapenshow. Haribon turned out to be a desaturated version of lavender, kind of like its introverted sister. It’s a beauty and I love it. The shimmer didn’t show up on the Rhodia pad, so I have to try it on a different kind of paper. 
 
Makopa, on the other hand, is loud and screams ‘main character’. It’s mostly a bright magenta when used with a broad nib. It reminds me of the fruits from our makopa tree we had when I was a kid. 🩷 
 
#frenchroundhand #inksbyvinta #frenchronde
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