Gothic Cursive—An online workshop with Nina Tran
** Registration opens: April 5th, 2026 **
Saturday, May 23 and 30, 2026
10 a.m. to 3:00 pm Pacific (includes 1/2 hour lunch)
YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF WESTCOAST CALLIGRAPY SOCIETY TO REGISTER.
The class minimum is 25. Registration closes on May 18, 2026, or when the maximum number of participants (50) is reached, whichever comes first.
The sessions are delivered via Zoom and are recorded and available to view for 60 days from the last session. Review of submissions made on Padlet by registrants will be made until June 5th, 2026 by Nina.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
In the 12th century, a more compressed and angular form of the late Caroline Minuscule called Proto-Gothic script developed as a response to the growing need for written books and documents. By the 13th century, Proto-Gothic script diverged into two separate families: Gothic Textualis (a bookhand) and Gothic Cursives (a documentary hand).
In this class, we will learn a standardized Gothic Cursive style based on the work of Julien Chazal, a renowned French calligrapher, which features pointed o forms and arches, and sweeping ascenders and descenders.
Fees: Members $95.00 CAD This fee includes service and transaction fees.
To Register
Step 1: Email Violet Smythe at seminars@westcoastcalligraphy.com to be put on the class list.
Step 2: Click the Register button on this page. Select I am a member, and log in with your email and password. Click Next. Click the button “+ Add a participant” and proceed with registration.
Didn’t join and register in time? Send Violet an email to be added to the waitlist. There are no refunds unless the spot can be filled from the waitlist.
MATERIALS LIST
• Broad edge pen of your choice:
• Pilot Parallel Pens (PPPs) 1.5 and 2.4mm
• Mitchell sizes 1.5 and 3
• Brause 2.5 and 1.5mm
• Ink (cartridges for PPP or in an inkwell for dip pens)
• Straight pen holder for dip pens
• Paper: 9x12" Borden & Riley Boris 37 Marker Layout
• Mechanical Pencil
• Eraser
• 12" ruler
• Low-tack adhesive tape such as washi, Scotch, artist's tape, etc.
• Paper towels
• Small container for water
• Optional: Small brush for mixing and applying gouache (if using gouache)
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Nina Tran is a calligrapher based in sunny Los Angeles, California.
In 2015, she was introduced to Copperplate calligraphy and has not put the pen down since! She currently teaches in-person and online classes including Copperplate, Spencerian, Pointed Pen Flourishing, Monoline Foundational, Gothic Textura & Fraktur, and Gothicized Italic. A beloved and talented teacher, she has taught for the Society for Calligraphy, and numerous Calligraphy Societies and Guilds as well as a number of conferences.
As a single mom of three, she finds balance by reserving her early mornings for reflection and journaling. Since 2016, she has conducted over 350 live Q&A sessions via Instagram. You can tune in every Wednes-day from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).
