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Calligraphy with Keiko Shimoda

Aspinal is offering viewers the chance to gain an insight into the brand's trade secrets, as part of our #AspinalAppreciates learning new skills series. Introducing the talent behind the calligraphed names on our London Fashion Week invitations. Using everyday pens at home, learn how to create beautiful calligraphy script lettering.

Masterclass Available on Our Aspinal Instagram TV Channel Now

Masterclass Description

This masterclass will teach viewers how to create calligraphed lettering using pens you will have around the house, in this case, gel pens. Learning how to write 'Thank You', in script lettering and how to use pressure to create different effects.

If you would like to practice more following the master class, please download Keiko's easy alphabet sheets to help you practice.

Download Upper Case Worksheet
Download Lower Case Worksheet

What you will need:

• Gel pens, black or coloured. Different sizes would be useful but not essential. i.e. 0.5 and 0.3.
• Plain & lined paper. Ideally, the paper would be slightly see-through so you can see the guide which can be downloaded here.

Keiko Shimoda

Keiko Shimoda was born in Kobe, Japan, and moved to London in 1995. Keiko has always been interested in calligraphy and lettering and first started to learn Japanese calligraphy at age 4. Upon moving to London, Keiko saw English handwritten manuscripts in the British Museum Reading Room, this inspired her to started to take evening classes and workshops to learn English alphabet calligraphy. Fast forward to 2001, after a year's work experience in a Calligraphy and Stationery studio, Keiko decided to stay in London, where she lives and works to this day. Now a member of the SLLA and SSI, Keiko became a freelance calligrapher in 2010 for both English and Japanese alphabets. During her freelance career, Keiko has worked across many film sets, writes for hotels and luxury fashion events plus graphic design studios across London. Keiko now also teaches both western and Japanese calligraphy in London and Cambridge.

Learn More About Keiko in Our Exclusive Interview

What made you pursue a career in calligraphy?

Only thing I feel naturally confident. I was not good at anything else!

Which part of your job do you enjoy the most?

Matching my skill or ability to the needs of my clients. If its designing work, creative process. If teaching, when my students fall in love with calligraphy.

Do you have a favourite type or era of calligraphy to create?

Roman capitals, Foundational hand or Italic hand - they have been here for centuries and still lots to learn. This project is based on Copperplate (English Round-hand) which became popular recently comparing the others - 18th century. I love the elegance of it.

What is your personal design style?

With respect to historical scripts, simple and elegant, sometimes free my hand!

Where do you seek inspiration?

Inscriptions, old manuscript books and archives. V&A, British Museum and Library, and I love the Klingspor Museum, near Frankfurt, Germany. Also Japanese historical calligraphy and many other arts, i.e. prints or paintings.