Denise Hagon Calligrapher

Denise Hagon works from a studio in Stratford-upon-Avon, four minutes' walk from Shakespeare's Birthplace, and has been a professional calligrapher since 1985. She trained in calligraphy for three years at the Arts College in King's Lynn in the late 1970s, then took a degree in art history before turning professional.

For weddings she writes invitations by hand on handmade, deckle edged paper, with place cards, table plans and guest names written to match. Couples who have already printed their invitations can send them to her with a guest list, and she will add the names, address the envelopes or write the place cards.

“Whatever your calligraphy project, large or small, I will work with you to bring it to life.”

Denise Hagon, calligrapher

The work is done with dip pen, quill and brush. Her wider expertise covers formal calligraphic scripts, historic hands and modern styles, illumination, gilding in raised 23ct gold and silver leaf, heraldic art and illustration on archival papers, vellum and parchment. The same skills appear in her poems, certificates, book inscriptions and family trees.

Commissions are arranged by email, telephone or post. Denise replies with prices and suggestions, sends a draft for approval where time allows, and delivers the finished piece packed by Royal Mail Special Delivery, or it can be collected from the studio. Her clients include livery companies, the Guildhall and RAF Cosford, and her calligraphy has been used on the television series All Creatures Great and Small.