Absolute beginners can learn how to get started on the basic Italic hand in this practical guide. Detailed discussions cover spacing and connecting letters; forming words and sentences; drawing "swash" capitals; changing nibs; using color; making corrections; waterproofing; addressing envelopes, making invitations, and stationery, and transcribing special texts. Numerous black-and-white illustrations.

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.

Practical guide teaches elegant 18th-century writing style. Each letterform demonstrated stroke by stroke with clear explanation. Write quotations, poems, invitations, more. Numerous black-and-white illus. Bibliography.

The author of Calligraphy for Kids returns with a new volume of alphabets and creative projects for artists of all ages and skill levels. With 1-2-3 Calligraphy, children can make eye-catching signs, design their own personal stationery, address colorful envelopes in elegant script, and create pictures and other decorations to hang on the wall. Inside this guide, budding calligraphers will find new alphabets—and new ways to render the alphabets they already know—as well as fresh techniques and projects. Author and calligrapher Eleanor Winters starts with a review of calligraphy basics, including the rules of layout and fundamental skills. She also discusses techniques such as changing the weight of italic letters and forming italic capitals. And with an introduction to both Swing and Modern Gothic handwriting, 1-2-3 Calligraphy is the ultimate guide to this endlessly creative artform.

"... A carefully structured beginner's course. Learn the basic principles behind a range of alphabets, letter-by-letter and stroke-by-stroke, in a series of focused technique-based tutorials..."--P. [4] of cover.

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.