Calligraphy Handbook: Simple Techniques and Step-by-Step Projects

Description

Calligraphy, from the Greek for 'Beautiful script' is a stimulating and moving artform, whether combined with illumination, treated as 'painting with words', or emphasising the purity and simplicity of the letters themselves. The Calligraphy Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the art of calligraphy, from selecting pens and papers, mastering different alphabets and letter construction through to designing and laying out your own work and presenting it in a bound book. Step-by-step mini-projects demonstrate the vast range of techniques involved in this expressive and satisfying artform, from brush lettering and gilding to design principles and practice. Illustrated with examples from Roman through to Medieval, Gothic, and renaissance calligraphy and accompanying details on history, The Calligraphy Handbook is both beautiful and informative. It is an essential guide and source of inspiration for calligraphers at all levels.

Emma Callery is a freelance writer and editor who specialises in craft and craft-related subjects.

myshelf.com:They always say that your handwriting says a lot about your character, and even in these days of printed documents being able to write beautifully still holds an important place in everyday life. Learn how to make writing into a work of art, and make impressive posters, invitations and more.The page listing A"everything you needA" could possibly carry a subtitle of A"and then someA" but it doesn't, so reading through the book carefully is highly recommended before going shopping. With a subject like this it very much depends what you want your calligraphy for - handmade paper, quill pens and vellum are not for beginners or casual use. Getting to know your equipment and what it can do is also covered, along with lists of more itemsA...let's get to the important part and have a look at the actual lettering lessons. Learn how to lay out your work, space, rule lines and more before you start, and take a look at constructing letters and some impressive-sounding calligraphers' terms. Several of the most important lettering styles are covered in here, as are topics such as illuminating, gilding, decorative flourishes, making reed and quill pens, use of color and more. This is a good book for somebody who wants to really get into calligraphy, but if you just want to letter the odd greetings card or poster more attractively Search Press has some simpler books for this too. In depth but accessible, this is a good basic text for anybody who plans to make a hobby of this fascinating subject.