Everything you need to know to get started: choosing quality tools, understanding the structure of letters, and learning the basic strokes Includes alphabets, from classic Roman letters, to the intricate traditions of the Middle Ages, to the simple, creative styles of today Hundreds of photos of inspiring, beautiful samples How to embellish your calligraphy with decorative dropped capitals, celtic knotwork, scrollwork, flourishes, and more Learn and master the beautiful and varied art of Western calligraphy. This lavishly illustrated guide includes all the information you need to get started in calligraphy as well as techniques for the more advanced artist, including using color, carving lettering in wood and stone, and creating abstract and ornamental calligraphy designs. The 40 alphabets included are drawn from throughout the rich history of Western calligraphy, from elaborate Gothic lettering to the clean lines of modern alphabets. An essential reference for calligraphers of all levels.

The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering provides expert instruction on the intricacies of traditional lettering techniques, as well as an introduction to contemporary hand-lettering formats. From selecting the appropriate tools, such as pens, nibs, brushes, inks, and papers, to learning optimal hand positioning and understanding the intricacies of lettering angles, heights, spacing, and strokes, The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering will help lettering enthusiasts swiftly master their craft. Step-by-step lessons, practice templates, and a range of stunning alphabets demonstrate the breadth of artistic achievement that comes with practice and dedication. Four professional artists guide you through traditional calligraphy techniques, as well as an introduction to contemporary hand-lettering art forms, such as brush lettering and mixed media, for a well-rounded approach to the craft. Additionally, a short section on Chinese brush lettering and several mixed media lettering projects inspire creativity and demonstrate how calligraphy and lettering can be used in wider artistic contexts and projects. Including practice templates for several featured alphabets in addition to mixed media "bonus" projects designed to inspire artistic creativity, The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering will inspire lettering enthusiasts of all skill levels to strengthen their existing skills and delve into new, lesser-known variations of the trend.

In an age of myriad computer fonts and instant communication, your handwriting style is increasingly a very personal creation. In this book, Margaret Shepherd, America's premier calligrapher, shows you that calligraphy is not simply a craft you can learn, but an elegant art form that you can make your own. Calligraphy remains perennially popular, often adorning wedding invitations, diplomas, and commercial signs. Whether it is Roman, Gothic, Celtic, Bookhand, or Italic style, calligraphy conveys class and elegance. Margaret Shepherd makes this ancient art form accessible in a completely hand-lettered technical guide that will: * Provide context for calligraphy as an art, exploring the rich tradition of hand-lettering and mapping the evolution of the most popular styles. * Give detailed technical advice on choosing pens, paper, and inks, setting up your workspace, mastering various pen angles, along with step-by-step illustrations to guide you as you practice. * Explain which alphabets are appropriate for different forms of writing. For example, the Roman alphabet works well for short, unpunctuated passages, while the Italic alphabet is more suited to informal everyday communication. * Encourage you to personalize your lettering by using variant strokes and interpreting how you would like the words to look on the page. * Inspire you with carefully chosen illustrations and examples, which bring letters to life. In Margaret Shepherd's own words, "Calligraphy trains not only your eye and hand, but your mind as well." Learn Calligraphy is the authoritative primer for this age-old craft, and will help develop a new appreciation for lettering as you discover your creative personality.

The centuries-old art of calligraphy has rarely witnessed a more diverse and prolific explosion of new work than in today's hand-lettering revival. Mastering the Art of Calligraphy is the most comprehensive and up-to-date volume on this traditional craft and its contemporary practice. Brimming with both practical instruction and more than 700 inspirational photos, this is the definitive new guide for both serious calligraphers and budding hand-lettering enthusiasts. Inside are step-by-step instructions accompanied by examples of current work, plus historical information, artist profiles, troubleshooting tips, and an extensive resource section. Perfect for students, artists, professionals, and hobbyists, this is a tremendously valuable addition to any arts library.

Hello there crafty friends of mine! I’m Kristin - mama to the most incredible little human around, graphic designer, hand letterer, and creator of June & Lucy. I love the 4 C’s in my life: cats, coffee, couches, and cooking, and as you can tell from my Instagram captions, I think I am much funnier than I probably am. My goal with this book is to help you avoid the countless months of research, trial and error, and mistakes that I made along the way, by giving you a straight forward, easy to understand explanation of the process behind hand lettering so that you can start your lettering journey with a strong foundation.

Traces the history of Western calligraphy, demonstrates various scripts, and shows manuscripts and inscriptions from the past

The most comprehensive guide to learning the art of calligraphy. This step-by-step handbook to the ancient art of beautiful lettering includes the key scripts of the world: Europe's major Roman alphabets (including Versal and Copperplate), Greek, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. Each of the 14 script-technique sections contains a wealth of information and instruction, including: Letter anatomy Pen techniques and control Pens, brushes and nibs Stroke sequences Paper and other media Left-handed techniques Inks, paints and metallics Common mistakes and problem-solving tips. There are 50 authentic projects such as a kabbalah prayer in Hebrew, a fabric bag with Bedouin motif, an illuminated Celtic prayer, and a "hope, love and joy" talisman in Chinese. Whether for learning this ancient skill or for crafting personalized cards and gifts, this book celebrates the sage advice of calligraphers worldwide: "The joy of calligraphy lies in its practical aspect."

Offers an introduction to calligraphy, and includes discussion of tools, techniques, styles, and projects.

The Ultimate Guide to Essential Materials, Techniques, and Projects for Calligraphers From ancient to modern times, the art of calligraphy has brought the written word to life, beautifying folklore, letters, poetry, and more. Embark on a journey through time, as the book examines the history of writing and its transformations. Between these pages, you’ll find: · A detailed guide to materials, tools, and setting up your own workspace, as well as a troubleshooting section. · An Alphabet Workbook for practicing all the book’s letterforms, from Foundationals to Copperplate, alongside beautiful examples. · Clear demonstrations map out every type of line, stroke, and flourish you may encounter. · Easy to follow instructions for gilding, illuminating letters, mixing colors, flourishing, and creating ornate borders to frame your work. · A wealth of projects to put this ancient art to practical, modern day use, including wedding invitations, posters, letterhead, and more. · A comprehensive list of suppliers and calligraphers’ societies all over the country With something for everyone, Calligraphy Bible offers the tools you need to explore the limitless possibilities of calligraphy. Immerse yourself in this detailed, instructional resource, and, in no time, you’ll be flourishing, gilding, and writing like a calligraphy master!

This text presents a comprehensive analysis of major calligraphic techniques and their uses. Step-by-step instructions are included for creating beautiful designs of your own.