Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Book of Lettering and Design

I wanted to learn to write calligraphy. I knew a little already, but I wanted to refresh my skills and learn some new ones. As a teacher, I wanted to be able to impress my students with fancy letters sometimes. And, for other occasions like addressing a birthday card, or a love note to my wife, I wanted something to make people say, “Oooh! Did you write that?” Also, being able to write in calligraphy often makes you seem learned and knowledgeable of esoteric things. I’m all about that! I need all the help I can get seeming to be educated in mysterious and arcane subjects. So, I got some pens and this book. I’m very glad I did. This is a great book to, well, learn calligraphy. The first thing I like about it is that it is HAND LETTERED! I was kind of stunned to find this out. The entire text is written in calligraphy by hand. This is not a type set. That, in an of itself, makes the book worth looking at. I can’t imagine the work it took to write the entire book by hand. Additionally, the book is good at teaching you to write calligraphy, which is exceedingly helpful in a book called “Learn Calligraphy.” I disagree slightly with the author’s choice to begin with the Roman font, however. I learned “Chancery Italic” and “Gothic” some years ago (okay, 30 years ago). The Roman alphabet is simple in structure. But, nib angle is an issue. The Z is very difficult, as is the S. And many letters require you to change nib angle from 20 degrees to 45 degrees. But, on the other hand, her explanations and exercises teach you this. I just would have liked to start with an alphabet that was a little simpler in technique and more practical. Roman is, I think, really only good for titles. So, it’s hard to start using it for fun. That’s a very small issue, though. Mostly, I am very impressed with her great instructions and advice. Even though I don’t prefer it, I’m going to follow her instructions and go through the book little by little, doing the exercises, and learning the letters and strokes as she presents them. The book is designed to be a full course in calligraphy over time. You can’t digest the book all at once or quickly. It isn’t meant to be done that way. It’s meant to teach you the movements and habits that make calligraphy possible. Another strength of the book is the variety of fonts. She covers Roman, Celtic, Gothic, Bookhand, and Italic. Each alphabet has variations. In Roman, she covers the basic letter construction and then shows you five variations with serifs. It’s not huge, but I would argue that each style of serif does change the character and feel of the letters. She covers spacing the letters, as well, which can be difficult with some letters because the Roman alphabet has varying widths. She also shows a few examples of projects done with the Roman hand so you can see how it could be applied to your own artwork. Finally, she shows the “narrow” or Rustica version and “wide” or Quadrata forms of the Roman alphabet. So, if you’re counting, you have eight versions of the Roman alphabet: sans serif, five different serifs, Rustica, and Quadrata! Besides that, she also covers various flourishes and adornments for the alphabets. Oh yeah, you fancy now! Shepherd also includes some history on each alphabet and the book is arranged chronologically. So, by studying it page by page, you are also studying the history of letters. It helps to know some of the why the letters were formed the way they were. Finally, there are practice sheets included. However, you should make copies or use them as guidelines to put lines on your own paper. Or, for convenience, you can go to her website and print out pages on which to practice, which is kind of her. In all, this is great purchase for the calligraphy learner.

I recommend three manuals for the novice calligrapher: Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide by Patricia Lovett, The Calligrapher's Bible by David Harris (see my reviews of both texts) and this text, Learn Calligraphy by Margaret Shepherd, one of the foremost experts on the subject. While there are, of course, other books and certainly a selection of internet videos demonstrating various aspects of the subject, I have yet to discover any others that so thoroughly cover the material in such an organized manner and anticipate many of the stumbling blocks and questions often encountered by the novice. Ms. Shepherd's book starts right at the beginning and details all the does and don't s, obstacles and observations that a novice will chance to encounter from the start and answers the usual questions that every beginner will ask before and after having begun the task of learning the craft. While Ms. Lovett's text delves into greater depth and detail, Learning Calligraphy is the first text that I would recommend before referring to any other since this will definitely get you started and keep you going. I would also recommend her daily blog and website as it is happily filled with an endless assortment of perspectives, insights and recommendations for anyone searching for inspiration along the way. Margaret Shepherds other books are also outstanding but this is the one to get you started before digging into the others.

I have a friend who is introverted to the extreme and the last few years have been very hard for them. They have reached some major life goals and to celebrate I got this book and some pens so they could embark on a new adventure. Finding new hobbies for lefties can sometimes be challenging if you don't think outside the box-- or your not sure which direction to look. I was very pleased to see the next handed info. I would have liked to seen more practice paper on the correct side for lefties but I put some graph in so they could make their own. I can't wait to see the amazing things that can be scribed from an amazing person!

The book itself is made of high quality paper. The instructions are easy to follow, and the author gives a comprehensive overview of what's needed to begin in calligraphy, plus various fonts to learn. Now, the practice, practice, practice is up to you.

EXCELLENT !!

I remember being so excited one year to get a calligraphy set and book as a kid. I don't remember which holiday it was, but I remember using the pens and book for years. My daughter expressed an interest in trying calligraphy last time we were at a craft store, so I was looking for some calligraphy supplies to give her as a Christmas gift. I came across this book listing on amazon and the author's name seemed familiar. Looking at the pages on the 'see inside' feature took me back to when I was a kid learning from this book. I can't recall much about it as far as layout and specific lessons or styles, but I do remember having hours and hours of fun practicing from this book. I also remember that I used it until it fell apart, and then actually cut it apart and rebound it with a comb binder so I could keep using it. I probably still have it around in a box somewhere. I went ahead and purchased a new copy for my daughter, along with another calligraphy book that got good reviews. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did as a child!

Indispensable si quieres iniciar con un adecuado conocimiento la pràctica de la caligrafìa.

Het was meer dan 25 jaar geleden dat ik dit gedaan had dus dacht ik om safe te zitten een boek er maar bij te nemen.Het is natuurlijk geen 100% eerlijk oordeel:ik heb er gewoon teveel van verwacht:dit is de absolute basis en het had eigenlijk superweinig toe te voegen voor mij.Ik hanteer mijn stijl volgens een heel persoonlijke handeling wat totaal tegenover de gebruikelijke manier staat dus had ik aan lettervorming totaal niets,een heel streng oordeel voor de lettertypes ook maar ook hier weer:ik heb een eigen stijl en had verwacht toch nog iets op te steken van iets dat ik kon gebruiken maar heb helaas in mijn geheugen moeten zoeken naar de stijl die ik gebruikte.De letter g had ik wel iets aan maar ja er zijn meer letters dan dat. Ik gebruik ook graag golvende zinnen op een liaan of iets dergelijks maar helaas ook niks.Vlinders,blaadjes een rode roos voor versiering waren er ook niet bij dus weer op gevoel en herrineringen moeten werken. Ik heb toch een ster gegeven(ik had in feite een halve willen geven) omdat er een met letters versierde kerstboom in stond:dit neem ik zeker mee naar de toekomst maar ik kan dit zeker geen aanrader noemen of het moet zijn dat je totaal van nul begint en totaal niet weet waar te beginnen.

Very nice book! Written in the author's own calligraphy, this book goes over the most common calligraphic scripts through Western written history and not only presents the scripts but also gives a lot of background/history and description on the letterforms. A good tool even for a habitual amateur calligrapher to refine or a pick up a new script.

I wonder if there could be a be better book on calligraphy. I mean it's handwritten!! So you know the author means business. Usual calligraphy books hardly tell you anything about calligraphy as such. They are more about craft projects. How to make cards for various occasions. How to make posters and other craft stuff. Not this one. Three author explains each calligraphic style and it's nuances. Tells you the specific things to master for each style. And then there are practice pages. Awesome. If you want an authentic book. If you're really interested in knowing about calligraphy- this book is probably the only one you will need.

Buon rapporto qualità prezzo. Consigliato per chi è incuriosito dalla “bella grafia”