Longhand

Penmanship courses for practicing

The Lost Art of Handwriting

Practice and refresher courses in classic and modern penmanship.

Choose a courseThe first warm-up in every course is open to everyone
Letterpress letter sheets and note cards printed with the inscription 'From the desk of Peter D. Mitchell'

From the desk of

Peter D. Mitchell

Dear Friend,

The pen moves slowly at first, then finds its rhythm. A page a day is enough.

Write soon —

P. D. M.

402 Thelma Drive · San Antonio, TX 78212

Fig. 00 — The letter sheet and the note card, with a short letter set in Gothic Capitals.

The courses

(a) — the courses
1

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Classic School Cursive

The continuous, old-fashioned cursive of grade-school copybooks. Every letter joins the next; the pen rarely lifts. The study of rhythm and flow.

4 modules · 7 sessions · Beginner

Begin the course
  1. 1

    Foundations

    Set up well, loosen the wrist, and learn the drills every letter of this hand is built on.

    2 sessions
  2. 2

    The Letters, First Half

    Slow, guided practice — every letter opens with its own warm-up before the ink commits.

    1 session
  3. 3

    The Letters, Second Half

    The remaining forms, joining what you already know into even, confident lines.

    1 session
  4. 4

    Speed & Real Life

    Spacing and composition, then the payoff: the notecard, the envelope, and the letter.

    3 sessions
2

AVE

Gothic Capitals

Dense, angular capitals built from broken strokes. The study of structure.

4 modules · 7 sessions · Intermediate

Begin the course
  1. 1

    Foundations

    Set up well, loosen the wrist, and learn the drills every letter of this hand is built on.

    2 sessions
  2. 2

    The Capitals, First Half

    Slow, guided practice — every letter opens with its own warm-up before the ink commits.

    1 session
  3. 3

    The Capitals, Second Half

    The remaining forms, joining what you already know into even, confident lines.

    1 session
  4. 4

    Speed & Real Life

    Spacing and composition, then the payoff: the notecard, the envelope, and the letter.

    3 sessions
3

And

Casual Hand

A relaxed, connected everyday script. The study of economy and flow.

4 modules · 7 sessions · Foundation

Begin the course
  1. 1

    Foundations

    Set up well, loosen the wrist, and learn the drills every letter of this hand is built on.

    2 sessions
  2. 2

    The Letters, First Half

    Slow, guided practice — every letter opens with its own warm-up before the ink commits.

    1 session
  3. 3

    The Letters, Second Half

    The remaining forms, joining what you already know into even, confident lines.

    1 session
  4. 4

    Speed & Real Life

    Spacing and composition, then the payoff: the notecard, the envelope, and the letter.

    3 sessions
4

Ellis Marlowe

Rediscover Your Signature

The smallest thing you write is the most important. Three short modules bring your signature back — or help you design one you're proud of.

3 modules · 3 sessions · All levels

Begin the course
  1. 1

    The Anatomy of a Signature

    Learn to see before you write — what to observe in any signature, and the four principles that tie it together.

    1 session
  2. 2

    Two Paths

    Write your signature the way you actually sign, read it honestly, then choose: refine it, or design a new one.

    1 session
  3. 3

    Muscle Memory

    Write from the wrist, speed up rather than slow down, and climb the Repetition Ladder until your signature writes itself.

    1 session

Consistency over perfection · Date and keep your sheets · Enjoy the process