College News

QE English Literature Students Discover Love for Calligraphy

Lively discussions around the word ‘palimpsest’ and different forms of writing have triggered an interest in calligraphy for A Level English Literature students from QE. Many of the students had seen this beautiful style but never worked with it until Julie Ashmore, Course Leader for English Literature, arranged for a workshop to be delivered by Angela from Creative Calligraphy. The session began by introducing students to ‘Foundation Hand’ before they learnt about angles of the nib, strokes which needed to be perfected and letter formation.

Mollie Clarkson, who studies A Level English Literature, History and Sociology at QE, comments: ‘The course was very interesting. I enjoyed learning some new skills in a relaxed environment and it was a great opportunity to gain experience in something that I otherwise would have never thought about doing’. Katelyn Carr, a student of A Level English Literature, History and Law, adds: ‘The workshop was really informative and it was fun to do something that will stand out on job and university applications. I enjoyed learning a skill that fits in with my course, but which is also completely different’. Julie Ashmore concludes: ‘It was a fantastic session. Many of us soon had our favourite parts and pet hates as each letter is made up of a number of different, connected strokes containing angles and wrist movements. The workshop was demanding but a lot of fun and we hope to welcome Angela back again next year’.