About the Course
Decorative Alphabets & Monograms
Engrave copperplate script, block, and Old English lettering, and draw ornamental leafy monogram letters.
This course teaches decorative letter engraving across three styles — copperplate script, block, and Old English — along with the V-graver and flat-graver technique needed to produce different letter effects and treatments. You'll finish by drawing and engraving ornamental, leafy-style letters for monogram work.
Class Details
Duration: 5 days (Monday–Friday)
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (one-hour lunch)
Class size: 4 students max
Prerequisite: Hand Engraving I and II
What's included: Tools provided for in-class use; materials and finished practice pieces are yours to keep
Skills You'll Gain
Engrave copperplate-style script lettering
Engrave block lettering with clean, consistent form
Engrave Old English (blackletter) style lettering
Apply V-graver and flat-graver technique throughout each lettering style to produce different letter effects and treatments
Draw and engrave ornamental, leafy-style decorative letters for monogram work
Practice writing and drawing each lettering style by hand before engraving it, to build strong letterform fundamentals
Day-by-Day
Day 1 — Copperplate script: practice writing copperplate script by hand, then engrave it using V-graver and flat-graver technique.
Day 2 — Block lettering: practice drawing block letterforms by hand, then engrave clean, consistent block letters using V-graver and flat-graver technique.
Day 3 — Old English lettering: practice drawing Old English (blackletter) letterforms by hand, then engrave using V-graver and flat-graver technique.
Day 4 — Ornamental letters: practice drawing ornamental, leafy-style monogram letters by hand, then engrave using V-graver and flat-graver technique.
Day 5 — Capstone project: bring copperplate script, block, Old English, and ornamental lettering together on one finished piece.
What This Class Doesn't Cover Deep relief engraving and gold inlay accents (Hand Engraving III) and wire inlay / sheet-metal onlay (Metal Inlay & Onlay) — neither is required for this course, and it can be taken directly after Hand Engraving II without either.
What You'll Leave With A finished capstone piece featuring copperplate script, block, and Old English lettering, plus an ornamental leafy-style monogram design — bringing together everything practiced during the week.