Calligraphy.org

Illuminated Borders: A Modern Take with Kalo Chu

$140.00

STUDENTS OF ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

DATE: Saturday, August 15

TIME: 9am-4pm

LOCATION: West Jordan, Utah. Near 9000 South and 1300 West. Exact address will be emailed to attendees prior to the event.

Lunch and snacks will be provided. See below materials list for what to bring to class.

This painting workshop provides a unique opportunity to explore modern techniques for creating border designs, inspired by historical medieval illuminated manuscripts. Tailored for beginners, participants will receive hands-on instruction in the artistic principles and methods behind these exquisite works.

Throughout the workshop, you will learn to paint and design floral watercolour paintings, intricate border decorations, and illuminated letters, taking inspiration from the manuscripts housed in The New York Public Library's Rare Books and Manuscripts archive. No prior artistic experience is necessary, just a passion for history and a desire to create! Students of ALL levels are welcome!

• History & Inspiration: The origins of illuminated manuscripts.
• Foundational Skills: Brush control, watercolour blending, and line drawing.
• Botanicals & Vines: Painting flowers, foliage, and decorative motifs.
• Letters & Details: Painting illuminated initials and line fillers.
• Modern Projects: Contemporary ways to apply your skills to modern art and design.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Kalo Chu is a calligrapher based in Hong Kong and the founder of Kalo Make Art. Since 2015, she has dedicated herself to promoting calligraphy, penmanship, and handwriting throughout the region. Kalo holds IAMPETH Certificates of Excellence in Engrosser’s Script, Spencerian and Illumination and Borders, and has taught internationally at IAMPETH, the New York Society of Scribes, the Western Canadian Calligraphy Conference, and Flourish Summit, among others.

Kalo’s fascination with medieval illuminated manuscripts began during her European Art History studies. In 2023, she studied original works with Master Penman Harvest Crittenden and Yves Letterme during the Illumination Saga in Michigan. In 2024, she was commissioned to create a manuscript for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, now displayed in the Royal Family’s residence. In 2025, she designed the President’s Certificate for the president of IAMPETH — her largest artistic creation to date.

Supply List

Please prepare the following supplies*:

Paper:

3-5 sheets of high-quality, hot-pressed watercolor paper
5 sheets of blank white paper for pencil drawing
1-2 sheets of tracing paper,

Pens:

Sakura Pigma Micron in black (size 005)
1 Colored pencil (any brand; red or yellow)
Mechanical pencil
Pencil (HB, B or 2B)

Brushes:

Watercolor pointed round brushes with a fine tip for intricate painting, please include 3 sizes of brushes - size 000 or 4/0, size 0 and size 2

Ink:

Gold metallic ink for painting

Paint:

Watercolors (tubes or palette)
Please include the following colors:
• Red (Cadmium Red and Alizarin Crimson)
• Blue (Ultramarine Blue and Cobalt Blue)
• Yellow (Cadmium Yellow and Hansa Yellow)
• Green (Phthalo Green and Viridian Green)
• White (must be opaque) | Recommended: Dr. Ph Martin Bleedproof White
A Mixing Palette

Additional Supplies:

Water pot for cleaning brushes
Plastic eraser
Kneaded eraser
Grid transparent plastic ruler
OPTIONAL: sand eraser

* Bring what you have. Workshop host, Melissa, will be bringing additional materials to share and supplement.