Lin Kerr integrates art and lettering in her teaching. Participants can find a new lettering vocabulary by studying modern masters and learning new art techniques. Course level: beginner to advanced.

Workshops are run at Limetrees Studio in Chilton, Oxfordshire (unless otherwise stated) and can cater for 6-10 students depending on the workshop. It is best to book as soon as possible to ensure a place on these courses. To book, e-mail lin@linkerrdesign.co.uk or phone 01235 833 119 and pay £10 deposit on-line or by cheque.

A is for Ox
25 – 26 July 2011
"A" began life as a pictogram for an ox!
We will experiment with creating word designs using alternative tools such as sticks, ink droppers and metal stamps, as well as pointed pens and the round-ended nib. Considering artists like Matisse and Miro who used words as an artistic element, we will see how these can be added to artworks or book art as poetry and prose.

Untradtional Gilding with letters
27 – 29 July 2011
In creative loosely painted work, a smudge of gold is appropriate, or perhaps a small area of gold with writing over it as part of a textural background. We will also consider gold as pattern using sgraffito methods and gold or aluminium combined with water-colour washes.
Gilding materials will be real gold, gold ink and Dutch metal and we'll produce a number of small experimental pieces of work.

Book in December at www.oxfordsummerschool.com.

Strap Book in a Day
Saturday 22 January, Northampton Scribes, Northampton
Make a multi-section book with an open decorative spine in a day! This method does not use specialised bookbinding equipment and the possibilities of decorative covers and bindings are endless! These little books can be used as travel notebooks, wedding guest books or mini-photo albums and make wonderful gifts. We will make an A6 notebook (105mm X 148mm).

The Words of Matisse
Saturday 29 January 2011
Towards the end of his life, Matisse used letters in his fabulous cut-paper art. We will examine the context of his word usage and see how we can create something with a similar “feel”.

26 Soldiers
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 February 2011, Cinque Port Scribes, Hastings
We look at how to create a personal alphabet design by analysing the lettering and rhythms by Joachim Burgert and Ben Shahn. We then extrapolate what we have learnt from snippets of other modern alphabets, exploring monoline with a Speedball B-series nib and a pointed pen. We consider alternative spacing such as stacked and interlocking letters and polyrhythms.
Intermediate to advanced. For more info, e-mail megsart9@hotmail.co.uk.

The Art of Ben Shahn
Saturday 2 April 2011
Ben Shahn used letter design, words and images to communicate his spiritual and political beliefs. His lettering ranges from stark and naive to whimsical. We will explore the "essence" of Ben Shahn's style and produce a piece of work with a theme of musical instruments and notes.

Painting Words and Writing Pictures
Saturday 14 May 2011, North Downs Calligraphy Society, Effingham
If you can do calligraphy, you can draw! Learning how to look, and enabling the right side of the brain can awaken drawing skills. We will produce some exciting finished pieces of work combining monoline calligraphy and drawing using interesting tools, ink droppers, sticks and ink. The less experience you have with drawing, the more you will enjoy this workshop!

Art with Letters
Saturday 18 June 2011, The Beetroot Tree, Derbyshire
We will begin the workshop by producing monoprints on very fine Chinese Rice paper using words and textural effects. Then we will explore layering the hand printed paper onto a background and adding other words with metal stamped letters, handwriting or cut paper letters In this workshop we will create some wonderful materials which can be used in the Memories Workshop, but it may also be taken on its own.

Memories
Sunday 19 June 2011
We will work with layering Nepalese tissue and beautiful thin papers, adding photographs which have been scanned and printed. Scanned objects and words or poetry in calligraphy or stamped letters will create a cohesive piece of work to which we can add some real gold. People are encouraged to bring their own ideas and to look into their old boxes of photos for inspiration.
This workshop may be done in conjunction with Art with Letters, but can also be taken on its own.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

UNtraditional gilding (and a little bit of traditional!)
Friday 4 March 2011, Cape Town, South Africa
In creative loosely painted work, a smudge of gold is appropriate, or perhaps a small area of gold with writing over it as part of a textural background. We will be using real gold as flat gilding on Gum Ammoniac and Modern PVA based gold size.
Gilding materials will be transfer gold.

Postcards from the Edge: Colour
Saturday 5 March 2011, Cape Town, South Africa
If you were on holiday and wanted to create some exciting postcards using your watercolours and basic accessible materials how could you give them an "edge" This workshop is about colour and unusual designs to create a mini-masterpiece within a postcard format.

The Art of Adolf Bernd
Monday 7 March – Tuesday 8 March 2011, Cape Town, South Africa
Adolf Berndt combined crisp modern letter forms with decorative elements from illuminated initials. Using masking fluid and water colours the outcome was a fresh, very individualised result.
We will study his artwork and techniques and work out a way of producing something inspired by this great artist. We will include touches of gold!

Gilding Masterclass
Wednesday 2 March, Monday 7 March, and Wednesday 9 March 2011 (2 evenings and a morning), Cape Town, South Africa
Gilding on raised gesso using loose gold leaf. This course is geared to a small group of participants and will be offered to teachers initially so that they can pass their skills on to their students.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Postcards from the Edge: Colour, Tone & Texture
Saturday 12 March – Sunday 13 March 2011, Pretoria, South Africa
What if you went on holiday with only the basics of your calligraphy equipment and a box of watercolours? We will use stacked texts, your own handwriting, calligraphy and interesting backgrounds, to create a series of postcards. These will have an edge to them in that they will have unusual layouts and designs. Start collecting art quotations for our central theme which will enable us to hone in on line, shape, tone, texture and colour. Working with accessible watercolour techniques, you will end up with a series of mini-masterpieces!

The Art of Joachim Burgert
Monday 14 March 2011, Pretoria, South Africa
We will peruse Hans-Joachim Burgert’s Limited Edition Books and his combination of lettering and illustration, experimenting with monoline stacked lettering using a round nibbed pen, prducing a double page spread.

The Art of Ben Shahn
Tuesday 15 March 2011, Pretoria, South Africa
Ben Shahn used letter design, words and images to communicate his spiritual and political beliefs. His lettering ranges from stark and naive to whimsical. At every stage there is a perfect harmony between imagery and lettering.
In this workshop we will explore the "essence" of Ben Shahn's style and produce a piece of work which is inspired by his work, but using our own theme of musical instruments and notes.

Time: 10am – 4pm. Refreshments supplied. Materials: mostly bring your own; sometimes a nominal materials fee.. Level: Usually beginners and intermediate. Prices: One-day workshops: £45.00. includes refreshments. Two-day workshops: £95.00 refreshments includes lunch and refreshments. B&B list supplied. Booking: e-mail lin@linkerrdesign.co.uk or phone 01235 833 119 and pay £10 deposit on-line or by cheque.