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Part 2 - Lowercase
10 Lessons-
StartLowercase – Group 1A: i u w
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StartLowercase – Group 1B: m n v x
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StartLowercase – Group 2: a o c e
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StartLowercase – Group 3: r s
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StartLowercase – Group 4A: d t
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StartLowercase – Group 4B: p f
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StartLowercase – Group 5A: l b
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StartLowercase – Group 5B: h k
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StartLowercase – Group 6A: g j y
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PreviewLowercase – Group 6B: q z
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Part 3 - Writing Words
9 Lessons -
Part 4 - Creative Inspiration Gallery (Video 1080p)
11 Lessons -
Gallery – Downloadable PDFs
9 Lessons-
PreviewPLEASE READ ME!
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StartIsland Magic (PDF)
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StartOn earth there is room for everyone (JPG)
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StartTrees are the Poem (PDF)
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StartAttitude is Everything (from Abstract Marks) (PDFs)
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StartTime in a Bottle (PDF)
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StartCapture Your Creativity (PDF)
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StartA Corner of Nature (PDF)
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StartThe Rhythm Begins (JPG)
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CONTEMPORARY VARIATIONS
Class 2 in the Pointed Pen Possibilities series.
Take your pointed pen script beyond the formal with lively contemporary variations.
Redeem coupon XMAS25 for $30 off ($50 sale price). Expires 12/31/25.
If you are already enrolled as a student, please Sign In above. If you any issues, please contact Support!
2025 Holiday Special
Save $30 off regular price. Expires midnight on December 31, 2025
$50 sale price
- Click button below to apply the "XMAS25" coupon when you Checkout.
The class starts as soon as your payment is processed. The class runs on YOUR schedule and does not expire!
Contemporary Variations – Class Summary
Whether you’re a new or seasoned calligrapher, take your pointed pen copperplate script beyond the formal with Barbara Close’s lively variations. This is the second class in her Pointed Pen Possibilities series, produced by Sandia Workshops (note that each class in the series is sold separately so you can jump in at whatever level you are at!).
In this class, you’ll learn a variety of alternate characters for every letter of the alphabet, explore myriad options for capitals, then combine these variations with traditional forms as you practice words from ornate to contemporary to funky. Barbara also shares valuable tips and techniques for improving your layout and design in an extensive gallery section of her calligraphic art and handmade books.
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.
In this class, you’ll learn a variety of alternate characters for every letter of the alphabet, explore myriad options for capitals, then combine these variations with traditional forms as you practice words from ornate to contemporary to funky. Barbara also shares valuable tips and techniques for improving your layout and design in an extensive gallery section of her calligraphic art and handmade books.
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 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
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
“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 the Contemporary Variations class, 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 private Facebook Group where you can meet your fellow students.
We believe this class is a great value, but if you don’t agree (for whatever reason), we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
You will also be invited to a private Facebook Group where you can meet your fellow students.
We believe this class is a great value, but if you don’t agree (for whatever reason), we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Contemporary Variations
$80 USD
$50 USD
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Take your pointed pen script beyond the formal with Barbara’s lively variations
