Han Jiantang provides an accessible, illustrated introduction to the fascinating history and development of the written Chinese language, from pictograms painted on rocks and pottery and ancient inscriptions to the refined art of calligraphy and the characters in use today. Chinese Characters will appeal to readers looking for an introduction to the rich but complex Chinese language and to all those interested in the relationship between language and culture.

Practice til you’re perfect with expert drills, tips, and exercises!

There's only one way to take your hand lettering to the next level...practice, practice, practice. Now this handy workbook provides the smart coaching and blank workspace to make your daily practice easier, more efficient, and fun. It's the ideal way to speed you on your way to creating gorgeous and unique lettering styles.

The companion to Brush Pen Lettering, this book features helpful practice pages with guided lines, hints and tips, and drills of specific letterform combinations that will help you hone your brush pen skills.

Take your creative lettering to the next level with A Year in Calligraphy. The latest book from Kirsten Burke is packed full of fun, easy-to-follow craft projects and techniques that will inspire you through every season: create everything from calendars and cards to baubles and biscuits! The projects here will develop your creative lettering skills with nib pens, brush pens and paintbrushes. You'll be writing on pumpkins, bottles, watering cans, wrapping paper and more. Then, record and reflect on your new skills in the interactive journal pages each month. With practice space and traceable letters throughout, and template cards to pull out, use and keep, this is the perfect book for crafty calligraphers looking for their next project.

Learn the art of modern hand lettering, and create adorable banners, with By Hand: A Modern Lettering Kit! This kit includes: * Miniature watercolor brush. * Two pots of watercolor paint. * 10 miniature banner sheets, with holes for hanging. * 20 printed, instructional art paper cards. * 10 blank art paper cards. * White string for banners. * 32-page miniature book.

Take your lettering to the next level with beautiful, stylish flourishes. You've mastered every letter, from capital A to lowercase z. Now you want your hand-drawn projects to have the ornate and extravagant look that is only achieved through flourishing. Whether you go for a delicate, stately, whimsical, bold, funky or elegant look, flourishing is a wonderful way to develop a personal style and make your hand-lettering stand out. From basic theories and helpful practices to beautiful examples and complex compositions, this step-by-step workbook provides all the tools you need to flourish with confidence! * Elegant Letter Embellishments * Fanciful Flourishes & Filigree * Decorative Borders & Frames * Stylish Artistic Elements

Taking inspiration from early manuscripts, Vivien Lunniss illustrates how to create beautiful letter forms and how to apply rich glowing decoration.

The basic principles are covered in detail, with simple projects and over 35 step-by-step photographs to help develop confidence and skills.

This series of reference works is being published under the General Editorship of Jonathan Alexander, Professor of Fine Arts at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University and Francois Avril, Conservateur en Chef, Departement des Manuscrits de la Bibliothque Nationale, Paris. It provides authoritative, illustrated catalogues of manuscripts illuminated within the boundaries of present-day France, from early Merovingian books up to the beginning of the 16th-century. Manuscripts not only in French collections but in libraries, museums and private collections throughout the world are included. The format and arrangement of text, catalogue and illustrations are similar to that of the volumes in the "Survey of Manuscripts Illuminated in the British Isles", but the series differs in that the material is divided not only by date, but in some periods also by region.;This is a study of High Gothic manuscript illumination which draws material from all regions of France. With an authoritative introduction, detailed catalogue and illustrations, Alison Stones, Professor of History of Art at the University of Pittsburgh, covers the period beginning with the establishment of the "courtly style" and ending with the advent of a greater realism under the impetus of Jean Pucelle. Politically, it is the time of the Capetian territorial expansion under St. Louis and his successors which triggered a new sense of nationalism, although the painting of the period shows the vitality and individuality of all regions, where the quality and originality of what was produced on the painted page was second to none.;The illuminations of the surviving manuscripts are especially valuable when so many of the wall-paintings, panels, and glass have been destroyed. In certain groups of manuscripts there is evidence of close collaboration between different individual artists; other groups of books show evidence that mass-production techniques were employed. Regional stylistic differences are clearly noticeable throughout this period and artistic interchange is a central issue. In the north and east, there are major innovations in the kinds of books selected for illustration - epics and romances of Charlemagne, Alexander and Arthur, histories of Guillaume de Tyr and Vincent de Beauvais, rent-books, compendia of knowledge, science and medicine, although liturgical and devotional books still dominated the book trade.;In the south, the emergence of the municipalities as artistic patrons, stimulated the production of illustrated civic and legal documents and texts.

Chinese characters are one of the most fascinating aspects of the language and occupy a prominent place in Chinese culture. Good handwriting is also very important in learning Chinese: the strokes that make up the characters must be written in a certain rigidly specified order, and they must also be written in a special way. This book is the only introductory manual for writing Chinese characters prepared specifically for an English-speaking audience. The author guides the reader through the fundamentals of writing and introduces the different types of script used in China today, their evolution, their place in Chinese tradition, and the relation among them. The book provides basic instruction in writing with a modern fountain pen rather than a brush. Only commonly used characters-both simplified and full forms-appear as examples and exercises. Also included is an explanation of how to look up characters in a Chinese dictionary. This attractive and charming book, full of anecdotes and calligraphic aphorisms, is both a useful classroom tool and an enjoyable reading experience for anyone with an interest in the language and culture of China.

An ideal resource for artists, illustrators and anyone in need of distinctive graphics for an unlimited number of print projects. These elegant calligraphic alphabets are copyright-free and ready to use. Classic and modern styles are featured in a selection of 100 different fonts. Upper-case letters are included in each alphabet, and most also contain lower-case letters and the numerals 0 through 9.

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.

Everything you need to know to get started: choosing quality tools, understanding the structure of letters, and learning the basic strokesIncludes alphabets, from classic Roman letters, to the intricate traditions of the Middle Ages, to the simple, creative styles of todayHundreds of photos of inspiring, beautiful samplesHow to embellish your calligraphy with decorative dropped capitals, celtic knotwork, scrollwork, flourishes, and more

Calligraphy is an ancient art that doesn't grow old. Known in Japanese as Shodo ( ) the Way of the Brush, a proverb has it that Shodo promotes perpetual youth and longevity. Research has shown that indeed, the practice of Shodo improves posture, regulates breathing, and even calms the heartbeat, all of which indeed has been shown to extend life. In China, it was considered one of the Five Excellences for cultivating character: Calligraphy, Poetry, Painting, Tai Chi, and Tea. Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink: Reclaiming the Five Treasures of Japanese Calligraphy brings this into a contemporary context. Calligraphy is crystalized time, and Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink shows readers how to unlock its secrets by learning how to wield the brush with precision, how to read and write the various scripts used in Shodo, and how to use it as a discipline for self-mastery and self-expression. Because of the language barrier, it has long been a mystery to the Western mind. Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink gives readers unprecedented access to the wonderful world of Calligraphy, removing the barriers of language, geography, time, and accessibility. William Reed is a leading expert on Japanese Calligraphy and Japanese Culture, who is actively engaged in teaching Calligraphy in Japan as well as to an international audience. Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink enables people to appreciate the philosophical dimensions of Calligraphy, enjoy it for interior display or as digital art, and as a path to self-discovery and self-mastery through master tips on practice.

Illuminated manuscripts and illustrated or decorated books - like today's museums - preserve a rich array of information about how premodern peoples conceived of and perceived the world, its many cultures and everyone's place in it. Often a Eurocentric field of study, manuscripts are prisms through which we can glimpse the interconnected global history of humanity. 'Toward a Global Middle Ages: Encountering the World through Illuminated Manuscripts' is the first publication to examine decorated books produced across the globe during the period traditionally known as medieval. Through essays and case studies, the volume's multidisciplinary contributors expand the historiography, chronology, and geography of manuscript studies to embrace a diversity of objects, individuals, narratives and materials from Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Americas - an approach that both engages with and contributes to the emerging field of scholarly inquiry known as the Global Middle Ages. Featuring over 160 colour illustrations, this wide-ranging and provocative collection is intended for all who are interested in engaging in a dialogue about how books and other textual objects contributed to world-making strategies from about 400 to 1600.

This volume covers Chinese art during the reign of the Sui and Tang Dynasties during which the various disciplines of plastic and performing arts all entered a stage of unprecedented prosperity and development. It also traces new explorations in calligraphy, painting, and mural art and highlights architectural achievements during the historic period. A General History of Chinese Art comprises six volumes with a total of nine parts spanning from the Prehistoric Era until the 3rd year of Xuantong during the Qing Dynasty (1911). The work provides a comprehensive compilation of in-depth studies of the development of art throughout the subsequent reign of Chinese dynasties and explores the emergence of a wide range of artistic categories such as but not limited to music, dance, acrobatics, singing, story telling, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, architecture, and crafts. Unlike previous reference books, A General History of Chinese Art offers a broader overview of the notion of Chinese art by asserting a more diverse and less material understanding of arts, as has often been the case in Western scholarship.

This volume investigates the artistic development during the Qing Dynasty, the last of imperial Chinese dynasties, and shows the importance of opera and playwriting during this time period. Further analysis is dedicated to the development of scroll painting and the revival of calligraphy and seal carving. A General History of Chinese Art comprises six volumes with a total of nine parts spanning from the Prehistoric Era until the 3rd year of Xuantong during the Qing Dynasty (1911). The work provides a comprehensive compilation of in-depth studies of the development of art throughout the subsequent reign of Chinese dynasties and explores the emergence of a wide range of artistic categories such as but not limited to music, dance, acrobatics, singing, story telling, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, architecture, and crafts. Unlike previous reference books, A General History of Chinese Art offers a broader overview of the notion of Chinese art by asserting a more diverse and less material understanding of arts, as has often been the case in Western scholarship.

Lettering and traditional handwriting books continue to sell well, Ulysses Press' Spencerian Handwriting has sold 15,000 copies in two years The competitive book in this space, Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy, is 28 years old, black and white, and has recently jumped to selling over 4k copies per year on BookScan Includes hundreds of step-by-step color photos Basic copperplate calligraphy tools are found at every craft and art store including Michael's Author is a modern calligrapher with over 24k followers (@sarahscript) and has been featured in Goop and Martha Stewart Weddings

Beautifully illustrated with a covetable rose gold foil cover, Modern Calligraphy is a step-by-step workbook for those wanting to learn this super trendy form of lettering. Written by Lucy Edmonds, the founder of Quill London, the book will guide readers through the first steps of pointed pen calligraphy, encouraging you to spend an hour a week developing and practicing the new skill. Designed for complete beginners, the book offers tips, tricks and techniques on the materials required and how to use them properly, how to approach the modern calligraphy letterforms, and most importantly explores ways to develop our own modern calligraphy style. You'll learn about inks and how to make your own, brush calligraphy, and what you can do with your new skill - from envelope addressing and event stationery to beautiful dinner party menus and gift tags.

This user-friendly book is aimed at helping students of Mandarin Chinese learn and remember Chinese characters. At last--there is a truly efficient and enjoyable way to learn Chinese characters! This book helps students to learn and remember both the meanings and the pronunciations of over 800 characters. This otherwise daunting task is made more accessible by the use of techniques based on the psychology of learning and memory. Fundamental principles include the use of visual imagery, the visualization of short "stories," and the systematic building up of more complicated characters from basic building blocks. Although Learning Chinese Characters is a comprehensive book intended for students, it can be used by anyone with an interest in Chinese characters, without any prior knowledge of Chinese. It can be used alongside (or after, or even before) a course in the Chinese language. All characters are simplified (as in mainland China) but traditional characters are also given, when available. Key features: Specially designed pictures and stories are used in a structured way to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective, reducing the need for rote learning to the absolute minimum. The emphasis throughout is on learning and remembering the meanings and pronunciations of the characters. Tips are also included on learning techniques and how to avoid common problems. Characters are introduced in a logical sequence, which also gives priority to learning the most common characters first. Modern simplified characters are used, with pronunciations given in pinyin. Key information is given for each character, including radical, stroke-count, traditional form, compounds, and guidance on writing the character. This is a practical guide with a clear, concise and appealing layout, and it is well-indexed with clear lookup methods. The 800 Chinese characters and 1,033 compounds specified for the original HSK Level A proficiency test are covered.

A beautifully illustrated practical guide to creating beautiful modern lettering with brushes and brush pens, complete with a sumptuous selection of projects. For the follow-up to her popular book Modern Lettering, calligrapher extraordinaire Rebecca Cahill Roots, AKA Betty Etiquette, concentrates on the area of calligraphy that she's increasingly finding is the most popular: brush lettering. In this quirky and relatable guide, she guides you through how to use brushes and brush pens to make exquisite letterforms. It's a beautiful, free-spirited style that, once you've cracked the basics, you can add your unique personality to. The book is divided by type of media, with each section containing a set of exercises to help you get used to the pen or brush, an alphabet and a set of numbers to copy, and an example quote in the lettering style. Techniques include: * Using ink and brush * Lettering with watercolour * Lettering with gouache * Brush pens * Metallic brush pens To finish off, there's a selection of pretty and practical projects to make using brush lettering, including beautifully decorated celebration cards, cushions and tableware. Word count: 20,000 words.

Mindful Calligraphy is a unique and groundbreaking book that fuses the art of calligraphy and mindfulness. Calligraphy has long been known to centre and balance mind and body - concentrating on pen strokes is a good way to tune in positively and live in the moment. And lettering and calligraphy is having a major renaissance as we look for an antidote for our digital age. Progressing from simple movements and shapes to words and phrases, this creative, step-by-step guide helps you to learn how to focus your mind, beat stress, and tune out unwelcome thinking. Tracing the letters helps you stay on the path, always progressing, always centred. Your creation, at the end, is a mini work of art. Organized in progressive and easy-to-follow exercises, Mindful Calligraphy is the perfect guide on this journey towards tranquility and calligraphic beauty.