Classic Calligraphy Careers in Southborough, MA

Hi, I'm Sandy Kiess, owner of Classic Calligraphy. I began my study and practice of calligraphy in the late 1970's. What started as a hobby, however, rapidly evolved into a business that I began in 1985. My "tools of the trade" include steel-nib pens of various widths, bottles of inks, watercolors and gold leaf, as well as a few other "toys." Each letter is drawn by pen, using multiple strokes. The process of creating a piece of calligraphic art begins with the verse, quotation, or document to be lettered. I will often work with pencil and thumbnail sketches to determine the layout of a piece. After deciding the layout and lettering style, known as a "hand," 2 or 3 ply paper will be laid out with pencil depicting where text and illustration will go. Most of my work is lettered using Mitchell nibs, although sometimes I may substitute a Brause nib or pointed pen. Verses created for reproduction are usually illustrated before printing and then are hand finished after printing. The finishi