A creative journaling workshop
put ink on paperLeave with a journal page you'll actually love. No art skills needed.
The invitation
What if your fountain pens could do more than write?
In this relaxed, beginner friendly workshop you'll turn everyday moments into expressive journal pages using simple sketching and playful lettering. No art experience required. Think of it as a creative pause, a chance to slow down, unplug, and enjoy your pens in a more personal way. Just bring your favorite pen and start inking your world.
In two hours
You leave with a finished page you made, in your own journal, in your own hand.
A latte before it gets cold. The plant on your desk. We start with simple shapes and build up, so an ordinary scene becomes a page you'll want to keep.
Ink is the fun part
Fountain pens do things a ballpoint can't. Line that swells and tapers, ink that shades and pools. We'll mix colors, lay down swatches, and let the ink carry some of the work.
A title, a date, a few honest words about your day. We'll play with simple lettering styles that give plain handwriting personality, no calligraphy background needed.
“Quynh’s style of art is whimsical and so creative. I love her use of ink colors and learning her technique brings to light her unique view of the world around her. Her workshop is a must in learning how to not be afraid of putting pen to paper!”
Jacqueline Morethanlettering“Quynh creates a space that encourages you to dig deep and truly express yourself. She’s incredibly attentive, meeting each person exactly where they are and helping them unlock what they need to shine. The whole experience left me feeling inspired and completely fulfilled.”
Jessica T.“Quynh’s passion and enthusiasm for ink, color, and creativity are truly contagious. As a beginner, I felt completely welcomed, and she explains techniques in a way that’s easy to understand while giving you the confidence to experiment and have fun.”
Jennie V.Friday
August 28
2:15 to 4:15 pm
$70
Friday
August 28
5:45 to 7:45 pm
$70
Saturday
August 29
7:30 to 9:30 pm
$70
Sunday
August 30
8:00 to 10:00 am
$70
We saved your details for the workshop. Last step: pay to lock the seat.
Pay $70 with Venmo or pay with PayPal or cardCards welcome through PayPal, no account needed. Trouble paying? Email caliquynh@gmail.com.
Bringing someone with you? Pay once for each seat, and fill this form again with their name and email so we know who is coming.
If a seat opens up for the workshop, Quynh will reach out first. Nothing to pay right now.
Seats occasionally free up when someone transfers or can't make it. Questions? Email caliquynh@gmail.com.
Only 20 seats per session. Your seat is confirmed once payment is received. No separate SF Pen Show pass is required to attend. All sales are final, but if you can't make it, transfer your seat to a friend or swap sessions free.
The Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel, 1 Old Bayshore Hwy, Millbrae, CA 94030. Room to be announced.
Your favorite fountain pen and a journal or notebook. No drawing skills needed.
Anyone who loves fountain pens, whether you're brand new to sketching or already journal.
Your host
Quynh Vu (@itsquynhvu) is a fountain pen artist and journaler who helps people use their pens for more than writing, turning ink into a way to slow down and capture everyday life. She journals under the strict supervision of her two Chartreux cats, which might explain the ink in her collection named Cat General.
“Getting back into this brought me so much joy. I love documenting my travels and my day-to-day life, sketching the small moments I never used to slow down and appreciate. It was the first time in years I felt really excited about something, and I’d completely lose track of time.”
“It’s so common to feel like you can’t draw, that’s exactly how I felt when I started, and it’s easy to compare yourself to everyone else. But it’s actually really fun to look back on the pages you made. There’s no wrong way to document your day. My advice? Just start.”
“What finally helped me stop being so precious about a nice journal is simple: I just love buying stationery and notebooks. The more I use my stuff, the easier it is to justify buying more. So if you mess up a page, congratulations, that’s your excuse to go shopping for the next one.”
No. This is built for total beginners. We work with simple shapes and lines, no pressure and no perfection.
Your favorite fountain pen and a journal or notebook. We'll guide you through the techniques from there.
You don't need anything fancy. Quynh's beginner picks: the Pilot Kakuno (about $15), the LAMY Safari (about $30), or if you want to spend less than $10, the Platinum Preppy. Any of these plus a bottled ink you love is plenty. Or grab one from a vendor at the SF Pen Show that weekend and christen it in class. Bring whatever you have and we'll make it work.
That's Venmo's standard check when you pay someone for the first time. It wants the last 4 digits of Quynh's phone number: 3888. Or skip the step entirely and use the PayPal button, which also takes debit and credit cards.
Every session covers the same material, so one is plenty. You're welcome to book more than one if you'd like the extra practice.
No. The workshop is held at the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel, so a separate SF Pen Show admission pass is not required.
All sales are final and tickets are non refundable. But if your plans change, you can transfer your seat to a friend or swap to the other session at no charge. Just email caliquynh@gmail.com before your session date.
Still have a question about the class? Email Quynh at caliquynh@gmail.com.