Learn with
Julie Wildman - Roamin' letters / Inside Curve
Class size - 34
Roamin’ Letters:
Finding Alphabets in the World Around You
Oct 27 & 28
In this imaginative and interactive workshop, students are invited to see the world through the eyes of a lettering artist—where every crack in the pavement, tree branch silhouette, or aerial landscape holds the potential for a brand-new alphabet.
Artist and instructor Julie believes that letterforms are always "roamin’" around us, just waiting to be discovered.
The class begins with an outdoor exploration. Students will observe their surroundings, take photographs, and sketch the shapes and patterns that catch their eye.
Whether it’s a painted line on a path or the edge of a rock formation, each participant will gather inspiration from the natural and built environment.
Those who prefer may also bring their own photographs or previously collected visual references.
Prior to the workshop, Julie will offer guidance on what kinds of forms and structures to look for.
Back in the studio, the class will shift into a deeper study of the Roman alphabet.
By analyzing basic letter structures, students will gain a solid foundation in form, proportion, and the subtle variations that make each style unique.
Through a series of creative exercises—using both traditional and unconventional tools—participants will begin designing their own alphabets inspired by their earlier observations.
As the workshop progresses, students will refine their letterforms, exploring decisions around composition, color versus black-and-white, and the use of light or dark paper.
Final works may take the form of a full alphabet, a small phrase, or a collection of individual experimental letters.
This class is perfect for those who love lettering, exploration, and the joy of turning everyday shapes into expressive, personal designs.
Julie Wildman
Roamin’ Letters:
Finding Alphabets
In the World Around You
Oct 27 & 28
Inside Curve:
Drawing Letters with Joy
Oct 29 & 30
Inside Curve:
Drawing Letters with Joy
October 29 & 30
Niente Senza Gioia: Drawing Letters with Joy
This distinctive and playful hand was developed by calligrapher Julie while participating in a workshop several years ago.
During a small lettering exercise, her instructor noticed something unique—Julie was combining soft interior curves with angular exteriors in her letterforms.
That subtle contrast sparked the beginning of a new style.
Later, in another workshop, she revisited the original sketch and designed the now-signature piece Niente Senza Gioia (“Nothing Without Joy”).
The bold, expressive design caught the eye of her students during an online Zoom class in 2020, who encouraged her to develop it into a full workshop—and so this joyful class was born.
The hallmark of this letterform style is the contrast between curved interiors and angular outer edges. It’s a hand that invites exploration and creativity. Rather than relying on a specific writing tool, the letters are built up through drawing—making them adaptable to a variety of materials and surfaces.
In class, students will first learn the foundational shapes, then expand into playful variations.
Using pencil, colored pencil, inks, watercolors, and metallics, participants will experiment across a range of papers to discover the versatility and expressive potential of this unique hand.
This is a class for those who love drawing letters, embracing process, and finding joy in every curve and angle.
Julie Wildman
Roamin’ Letters:
Finding Alphabets
In the World Around You
Oct 27 & 28
Inside Curve:
Drawing Letters with Joy
Oct 29 & 30