Copperplate Essentials with Barbara Close

COPPERPLATE ESSENTIALS

Class 1 in the Pointed Pen Possibilities series.
Learn the elegant Copperplate script with a series of 26 step-by-step video tutorials.

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The class starts as soon as your payment is processed. The class runs on YOUR schedule and does not expire!

Copperplate Essentials – Class Summary

Learn the elegant Copperplate script with a series of 26 step-by-step video tutorials by Barbara Close. This is the first class in her Pointed Pen Possibilities series, produced by Sandia Workshops

Using a pointed, flexible nib, you will start by learning the basic strokes that form the building blocks for the entire alphabet using Barbara’s easy-to-follow method. Then, by practicing lowercase and capital letters as groups of related letterforms, you’ll soon be writing words with confidence. Copperplate calligraphy is perfect for creating graceful invitations, addressing envelopes, name cards, poetry and quotations.

The duration of this class is 1 hour, 15 minutes. Lessons are professionally recorded and tightly edited – we spend time so we don’t waste your time! And there is no time limit – you can rewatch the videos for as long as you like! You’ll also be invited to Barbara’s private Facebook Group where you can share your progress and ask questions.  

You only need a few supplies to get started; see the Materials List below. 

Barbara Close is an internationally renowned calligrapher, designer and instructor with a passion for creativity and a love of lettering. She encourages her students to create appealing calligraphic art using a wide variety of mixed-media techniques.

Barbara’s studio is located in La Mirada, California, where she teaches regularly to a loyal group of students. She has taught at several national and international lettering conferences, including IAMPETH and Lettering CA Style. 
Barbara Close

Barbara loves the exhilaration of discovery in playful experimentation along with skillful execution: “Finding one’s own path is a true quest of mine – and I love sharing this with others.”

To learn more about this series, please visit the Pointed Pen Possibilities page on our main site.

How it works

  • Classes are prerecorded with excellent HD video quality and audio so you can see every detail
  • Practice immediately after you check out – no waiting for the class to start! 
  • Watch as often as you like, as long as you like. The videos will not disappear after a few months! 
  • Replay a particular stroke or letter as many times as you like – even at different speeds!
  • Bite-sized lessons make it easy to pick up where you left off in the course or jump to a specific topic
  • Progress through the lessons at your own pace – without the instructor being interrupted!
  • Videos are tightly edited so as not to waste a second of your time!
  • Download PDFs and exemplars directly from the classroom
  • English Subtitles are available for this class.
  • Learn more on our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us with questions
  • To learn more about this full series, please visit the Pointed Pen Possibilities page on our main site.

Sandia Workshops partners with leading art instructors to produce prerecorded professionally edited video lessons. You can sign up for a class at any time. Once you purchase a class, you can watch it immediately after you check out, as often as you like, as long as you like.

If the class is part of a series, each class is sold separately so you can choose the right level for you. We believe you will love the quality of our classes, but if for some reason you find a class is not for you, we offer a full refund within 30 days. Full details on how our classes work can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page on our main website.

Course Curriculum

Julie Gray

“Great course! Not only for beginners, but as a good refresher for experienced copperplate calligraphers. Barbara makes everything clear, concise and professional. A nicely produced online class for everyone interested in pointed pen.”

How It Works

As soon as you enroll in Class 1, you will have immediate access to all the videos in this class. You can watch the lessons at your own pace as your schedule allows. Because everything is captured on video, you can go back and replay a particular stroke or letter as many times as you like – even at different speeds! There’s no need to worry about being left behind, or missing something. You will also be invited to a Closed Facebook Group where you can meet your fellow students.

We believe Copperplate Essentials is a great value, but if you don’t agree (for whatever reason), we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.


Each class in this series can be purchased separately, so you can jump in at whatever level you are at. Or you can buy both classes in the Series at a special price. 

Copperplate Essentials

$80 USD

  • Learn the basics of the formal copperplate script

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