Calligraphy: A Complete Guide Paperback – September 1, 2013

As a practitioner of calligraphy and lettering for over 45 years, I have bought many related books for both instruction and inspiration. Where most books fall short, is that they leave you guessing on how to mimic the beautiful designs they show.This book truly stands out in not just presenting examples of the art's possibilities, but is rich in detailing the nuances of several styles and the pen/brush strokes that make execution possible. It is organized in chapters that are both engaging and easy to follow. It is a great book for both teaching and learning new and historic calligraphy fonts, which are my two primary and ongoing goals. I truly wish it had been around when I first started practicing lettering years ago. It literally prompts you to try different hands and to desire to experiment with an array of creative writing materials! The possibilities to create keepsakes are truly endless. It is a must-have, if you really want to excel in this art.

In my moderately large Calligraphy library this is one book that certainly stands out. The author is quite thorough, showing many scripts, some of which I'd never been exposed to before. He gives a short history of the origins of the script before showing you the upper and lower case letters, using the arrow method to show the order of stroke placement. I don't always agree with how other author's create letters and their particular arrow placement, this author doesn't use as many arrows as some others do which is a relief. Much of that is intuitive as you do more and more practice, you can see which stroke goes first ect. Each letter in the hand is grouped with other like letters. I've been having fun creating various letters in scripts I haven't been exposed to in the past. I love the section on Whimsical lettering. My Calligraphy skills have definitely increased since using this comprehensive book, something I can't say about other books in my library. Using this book has made Calligraphy more fun as I move away from my usual Italic to try other new and more complex hands. It's very easy to read, different scripts are grouped together, and the Calligraphy history that begins the book, and is seen throughout, is a great foundation of this beautiful art form. I'm only sorry I didn't know about this great book, and thus didn't add it to my library sooner.

Along with a couple of other calligraphy books I purchased, this completed my little library for now on writing calligraphy and to brush up on what I learned many years ago. Excellent instructions and examples of various fonts, enough for me to decide what to use for my daughter's wedding invitations, which turned out beautifully. But always keep in mind the many hours of practice needed after studying this excellent reference.

Made it about halfway through the book so far and I can say this; GET THIS BOOK. Seriously, if you're looking to start from scratch, get guidance on additional scripts/hands, get a copy.The tools, mediums, and materials covered are more than adequate to get started. Each script includes a bit of history as to when it was used, the common tools to do it as well as the module(x-height), stroke patterns, and additional advanced tidbits.I've got a copy of Drogan. I've looked through Harris. This, in my mind, has them both beat for the presentation of the material and instruction. This is the book I would throw at anyone wanting to learn calligraphy.At one point the book was like "This is a good script, it's a little complicated so maybe start with something like Uncial, but hey you do you".Did I gush enough over this? 'cause I could gush more.Now, for what I didn't like. Don't worry, it's a short list.JULIEN, WHY DID YOU NOT SITE ANY OF THE SOURCES FOR THE HISTORIES OR SCRIPTS?! Dude, Seriously, you were supposed to be complete! You were THIS close! (holds up fingers next to each other) The historical progression of the scripts I'm familiar with from a dozen other sources. Also, not going to be critical on what you know but what's your background?! There's no information on the author at all in this book and the website on the back has a placeholder page. I want to read a little bit about you and go "damn, you did good" or "damn, no wonder you did good"!So, is it "Complete"? Debatable, but I'd say it's pretty darn close. I'd have to split hairs to say it wasn't. I mean, did you know there was a Merovingian script? I sure as hell didn't.

A beautifully designed and produced book covering more than a millennium of scripts to include the tools and techniques necessary to create your own calligraphic artwork. The text is concise and illuminating, providing context and inspiration simultaneously. The artwork is inspirational, prompting the reader to find their own artistic voice and expression.

Coming from the world of college text books that were priced at a minimum of $75 for a book even this size, I think this is probably the best deal on an instructional text I have ever found.For $19 (shipping included!!) the book gives you 40 alphabets, including history and tools used for each, in 200 pages. I am sorry but I do not know what more you could ask for. Quality materials like this are hard to come by, anywhere in the art world.Bravo, Julien! Merci monsieur!

Buy this book! It is the only one you with history. It has every style, over 35, you would need and tells you how to do it with over 17 different instruments. It includes embellishments, shading, styles, paper types and ideas for use. Buy it!

I've been studying this for a while now and it's really a good book. Enjoying it thoroughly and really appreciate that it has history along with the letter guides. It's nice to know why things are the way they are.