Learning To See: 4-Month Calligraphy Course
In-person in Melbourne + online worldwide
2nd Edition! Join calligrapher and designer Maria Montes for an immersive, 4-month hands-on course where you’ll learn the art and technique of calligraphy using traditional tools and modern sensibilities.
Whether you're a total beginner or looking to refine your skills, this calligraphy course will ignite your creativity and strengthen your letterform foundation. Looking forward to having you in class!
- March - July 2027
- 16 Classes 10am - 2.30pm
- In-Person in Naarm (AEST)
- Online Worldwide
- Rotson Studios, Fitzroy
- Calligraphy guidebook for each style
- Recordings available after each class
- Level 1: No calligraphy experience
- Maria Montes weekly class notes
- Weekly suggested homework
- Personalised feedback
What is included in this calligraphy course?
After a successful inaugural edition, Learning to See returns in 2027 with an expanded and refined learning experience!
16 weeks of live, guided learning + continued access to course recordings and materials until the end of the year. Check this year's student testimonials below.
Course Content
- 16 hands-on classes!
- 72 hours of calligraphy education
- 6 Calligraphy styles
Class 1: Schematic Roman Capitals
- Welcome to my Calligraphy Course!
- About your Melbourne instructor
- Calligraphy materials explained
- Beginner's calligraphy sets available
- Intro to Schematic Roman Capitals
- Brief historical context
- Calligraphy guidebook (PDF)
- Blank calligraphy guidelines
Class 2: Brush Roman Capitals
- Intro to Brush Roman Capitals
- Skeleton vs. schematic Roman Caps
- How to use gouache paint?
- What does OSP mean?
- Brief historical context
Class 3: Intro to Foundational Hand
- Intro to Modern Carolingian (a-z)
- Calligraphic colour explained
- What do control characters mean?
- The evolution of the Latin alphabet
- The Humanistic Letter context
Class 4: Intro to Blackletter
- Is Gothic & Blackletter calligraphy the same thing?
- Intro to Blackletter (a-z)
- Gothic calligraphy styles
- Width vs. letter spacing
Class 6: Neuland Calligraphy
- Intro to Neuland calligraphy (A-Z)
- Sexy spacing explained
- Brief historical context
- Contemporary applications
Class 7: Italic Calligraphy
- Intro to The Italic Hand (a-z)
- What does cursive means?
- Speed vs. form
- Brief historial context
Class 8: Italic Capitals
- The Italic Hand majuscules (A-Z)
- Capitals variations
- Modern Cancellaresca
- Brief historical context
Class 9: Copperplate Calligraphy
- Intro to pointed pen calligraphy
- Copperplate minuscules (a-z)
- Contrast explained
- What does slant mean?
- Ratio vs. scale explained
- What are Script alphabets?
Class 10: Copperplate Capitals (Level 1)
- Intro to Copperplate Capitals (A-Z)
- Capital stem mechanics
- Simpler vs. easier explained
Class 11: Copperplate Variations (Level 2)
- Copperplate Capitals (Level 2)
- Shading hierarchies
- Intro to swashes
- Intro to flourishes
- Into to ligatures
Class 12: Flourishing (Level 3)
- Intro to Flourishes
- Copperplate Numbers
- Grow, branch out & flourish!
- Brief historical context
Class 13: Script Brush Pen Calligraphy
- Script Brush Pen Calligraphy (a-z)
- Brush pens & brushes explained
- Brief historical context
Class 14: Script Lettering (Level 4)
- Intro to Script lettering design
- Designing a place card
- Designing a greeting card
Class 15: Design Ideation x 3
- Special guest lecture by Wanissa Somsuphangsri
- 1) Designing a poster (short text)
- 2) Designing a quote (medium-length text)
- 3) Designing a manifesto (longer-length text)
Class 16: Final Design Execution
- Special guest lecture by Fahad Sohail
- Personalised feedback provided
- Complete your final projects
Class 5: Blackletter Capitals
- Blackletter capitals (A-Z)
- Blackletter variations
- Brief historical context
- 20th century calligraphers
Calligraphy Course Summary
This Course In A Nutshell
After a successful inaugural edition, Learning to See returns in 2027 with an expanded and refined learning experience.
This second-edition course has been designed to offer total beginners and intermediate students a very solid foundation of calligraphy with an on-going support in their learning journey.
Four months of live instruction and feedback, followed by six months to revisit, practise and consolidate your knowledge.
Course Overview
Using an attention to detail and in-depth approach, students will discover the foundations of six calligraphy styles: Roman Capitals, Modern Carolingian, Blackletter, Neuland, Italic and Copperplate calligraphy.
These classes include detailed hands-on demonstrations, personalised feedback and historical contexts of each hand for you to learn about calligraphy as much as to practice it.
At the end of the course you'll have completed 3 calligraphy projects to add to your design protfolio. I cannot wait to see what you come up with at the end of this solid introductory calligraphy course!
Course Calendar 2027
16 x Saturdays (72 hours)
March 13 - July 10, 2027
From 10am - 2.30pm
- 13/03: Schematic Roman Capitals
- 20/03: Brush Roman Capitals
- 03/04: Foundational Hand (a-z)
- 10/04: Intro to Blackletter (a-z)
- 17/04: Blackletter capitals (A-Z)
- 24/04: Neuland Calligraphy (A-Z)
- 01/05: Intro to Italic (a-z)
- 08/05: Italic Capitals (A-Z)
- 15/05: Intro to Copperplate (Level 1)
- 22/05: Copperplate Capitals (Level 1)
- 29/05: Copperplate Variations (Level 2)
- 05/06: Flourishing & Numbers (Level 3)
- 19/06: Brush Pen Calligraphy (a-z)
- 26/06: Intro to Script Brush Lettering
- 03/07: Design Ideation x 3
- 10/07: Final Design Execution
What Will You Learn In This Course?
- You will learn the foundations of six calligraphy styles: Roman Capitals, Modern Carolingian, Blackletter, Italic, Neuland, Copperplate and Script Brush Pen Calligraphy.
- Letterform anatomy and glossary of terms.
- Rhythm, contrast and composition while writing.
- The meaning of cursive, slant, ductus, contrast, ratio, scale, swashes and flourishes.
- Recommended calligraphy materials & bibliography to support your learning journey.
- Design principles including harmony, contrast, balance and tension.
- Spanglish for sure!
Who Is This Course For?
- Anyone with an interest in letters & visual communication
- Anyone looking for a mindful, creative and meditative practice
- Anyone in love with letterforms
- Professional graphic & type designers
- Graphic & type design students looking to expand their typographic skill set
- Calligraphers looking to refine their skills
- Lettering artists
Calligraphy Course Fees
In-Person Calligraphy Course (Early Bird Tickets)
A 4-month guided experience, with the added benefit of learning together in a physical studio and receiving materials in class.
- Limited to 10 Students
- 16 x In-Person Classes
- 16 x Class Recordings Available
- 72 Hours Calligraphy Instruction
- 6 Calligraphy Styles Included
- Early Bird Tickets: Coming Soon!
- Standard Tickets: Jan - Feb 2027
- Late Tickets: March 2027
In-Person course fee includes:
16 weeks of live instruction, guidebooks, course materials, paper and ink during in-person classes, personalised feedback, recordings/access until the end of the year.
Reach out if you would like to pay the course in 4 easy monhtly instalments!
Live Online Calligraphy Course (Early Bird Tickets)
A 4-month guided calligraphy education experience from anywhere in the world!
- 2 x Private coaching sessions included
- 16 x Live Online Classes
- 16 x Class Recordings Available
- 72 Hours Calligraphy Instruction
- 6 Calligraphy styles included
- Complete exercises during the week
- Submit work for personalised feedback
- Follow along at your own pace
- Live teaching with flexible participation for international students.
- Early Bird Tickets: Coming soon!
- Standard Tickets: Jan - March 2027
Online course fee includes:
16 weeks of live online, guided learning + continued access to course recordings and materials until the end of the year.
Reach out if you would like to pay the course in 4 easy monhtly instalments!
In-Person Calligraphy Classes in Melbourne
- 4 hours of calligraphy instruction
- In-person teaching
- In-person feedback
- Materials available to use during the class
- Class recordings NOT included
- Join a community of eight students in the heart of Fitzroy
Saturdays from 10am - 2.30pm (AEST/Australia)
Single classes available in Melbourne:
- 08/08: Intro to Script Brush Lettering
Online Calligraphy Classes
- Live online calligraphy classes
- Class recording included
- 4 hours of calligraphy instruction
- Follow along at your own pace
- Live online teaching with flexible participation for international students
Saturdays from 10am - 2.30pm (AEST/Australia)
Single online classes available including recordings:
- 08/08: Intro to Script Brush Lettering
Recommended Calligraphy Set (Add-on)
A beginner's calligraphy set is not included in the course fee. Students are welcome to use their own suitable materials or purchase my recommended Beginner's Calligraphy Set. The set contains all the essential tools needed to complete the course, excluding paper.
- 1 x Flat Brush
- 1 x Broad nib 3mm
- 1 x Broad nib 1.5mm
- 1 x Bamboo pen
- 1 x Nikko G Pointed Nib
- 1 x Hunt 101 Pointed Nib
- 1 x Straight Pen Holder
- 1 x Oblique Pen Holder
- 2 x Walnut Crystal Satchels
- 1 x Pentel Sign Brush Pen
- 1 x Plastic Paint Palette
- 1 x Small Colour Gouache Pot
- 1 x Small White Gouache Pot
- 1 x Small Watercolour Tube
Shipping: Calculated separately at check-out according to destination.
1:1 Private Calligraphy Coaching (Add-On)
- 1-Hour Private Coaching
- Online or In-Person
- Personalised Feedack
Students Testimonials 2026
Georgia Nichols | Beginner/Intermediate Calligraphy Student
“I have loved this course so much, I honestly don’t want it to end. It’s been the highlight of my week, every week and the way you deliver the content is so exciting and engaging. Your love for calligraphy and letters is contagious, I’m hooked!”
Paula Dakin | Beginner Calligraphy Student
Learn more about Paula Dakin in this Calligraphy Student Spotlight.
Natalie Grant | Beginner Calligraphy Student
“I didn't expect to enjoy the course as much as I did. I find doing my own personal calligraphy practice in my own time at home very relaxing. I also really enjoyed the community aspect of the small group environment. Everyone was so lovely and supportive of each other.”
Nida Asad | Beginner Calligraphy Student
“Before starting the course I intended that i will be able to explore different calligraphy styles and would be able to decide what would suit me to continue ahead. I was also intending to become better with my handwriting .
Now i am able to do Blackletter and Carolingian fair enough, of which i had no prior knowledge. I am able to analyse what’s incorrect with my writing and why its not looking right.”
Your Melbourne Calligraphy Instructor
Maria Montes | Calligrapher, Brand & Lettering Designer
Maria Montes is an independent lettering designer specialising in premium branding assets, type and calligraphy education.
Her multidisciplinary practice expands across brand identity, packaging illustration, custom lettering, calligraphy, fashion, art and culture. She has been teaching calligraphy independently since 2014 including: Copperplate, Italic, Blackletter, Carolingian, Neuland, Roman Capitals and Brush lettering.
Maria studied a Postgraduate Course in Advanced Typography in Barcelona and a Condensed Program in Typeface Design at Type@Cooper in NYC. In 2018 she released her first independent display chromatic font family called Green Fairy, and in 2025 Montes released her second display font called Kanat Latin.
Frequently Asked Questions
The in-person in Melbourne calligraphy course has a higher fee. Why?
Because every week, I’ll provide fruit, tea, ink and paper for all my in-person students, as well as a printed version of the course guidebook.
What’s the maximum course capacity?
I’ll host up to 12 in-person students + 12 online students only!
Do I need experience in calligraphy?
No, this course is designed for total beginners and intermediate students. Exisiting knowledge in calligraphy is not required.
Can I follow the course if I use different materials from the recommended list?
Yes! You can use the calligraphy materials that works best for you.
In my opinion, there is no "one-size fits all" approach in calligraphy. Everyone has different needs and what works for me may not be the same as what works for you.
My recommendations are based on my personal experience teaching calligraphy since 2014, and writing calligra[hy since 2011.
Can I purchase this course as a gift voucher for a loved one?
Absolutely! Purchase this course and email me the person’s details, and I will create a digital voucher for them.
Can I still do the course as a left hander?
Absolutely yes!
In fact, left handers are great calligraphers and you may find easier to follow the angle of the writing (slant) in comparison to right handers. Check this video about left hander positioning.
Is the calligraphy course in English?
Yes, and I am more than happy to answer questions and offer feedback in English, Spanish and Catalan.
Do you offer personal feedback?
Yes! In every class I will see each of you individually and will offer feedback from the homework suggested the previous week.
Is there a discount code available for this courses?
Yes, I offer $100 AUD DISCOUNT to the first 8 students who register their early interest on my next course edition.
Additionally, I offer an EARLY BIRD ACCESS which gives you the opportunity of saving up of your course booking.
The online version of this course has a lower fee compared to the in-person in Melbourne calligraphy course.
Is the course available online?
Yes! The course is live online. Additionally, every class will be recorded and available to watch 3 hours after the live class has been completed.
Students attending online will be able to follow the course watching the recordings and sending their questions during the following week by email. I'll schedule weekly catch ups with my online students to answer questions.
This format allows live online teaching with flexible participation for international students getting a personalised feedback.
Can I purchase a Recommended Calligraphy Set?
Yes, once you book your course, you'll have the opportunity of purchasing a RECOMMENDED CALLIGRAPHY SET which I will personalised myself containing the following materials:
1 x Broad nib 3mm
1 x Broad nib 1mm
1 x Flat Brush
1 x Straight Pen Holder
1 x Nikko G Pointed Flexible Nib
1 x Hunt 101 Pointed Flexible Nib
1 x Oblique Pen Holder
2 x Walnut Ink Satchels
1 x Pentel Sign Brush Pen
And more!
How long the recordings will be available for?
All course recordings will be available until the end of the year.
What if I cannot attend one or more classes?
All 16 classes will be recorded and you'll be able to catch up on the class contents during the week and be up to speed for the following class.
Is there any homework to be done between classes?
Yes! After each class, I'll suggest homework to complete during the week. At 2pm every Saturday, I'll review your work.
Homework is optional. Every person has a unique lifestyle, schedule and availability.
In short: The more you write, the more you'll learn, and it's totally up to you how many hours you can invest in your practice after class.
What’s the maximum capacity of my long-format calligraphy course?
I’ll host up to 12 in-person students + 12 online students only.
Still have a question?
Reach out and I’ll happily answer any additional questions you may have.
