Bursting with innovative inspiration, Creative Lettering Masterclass will have you illustrating beautiful letters, words and phrases in no time at all! Created in collaboration with professional hand-letterers, this instructional guide includes hand-lettering alphabets, exercises, and fun projects for beginners and experienced letterers alike.

The 64-page instructional book introduces you to all the hand-lettering essentials, including tools, techniques and terminology. Master a range of medieval, vintage and retro alphabets and discover fun lettering projects with step-by-step instructions and practice grids, as well as handy insider tips and tricks. Then, take your lettering to the next level with advanced design and composition ideas!

What's Included:

• 64-page instructional book
• 32-page sketchpad
• 6 dual-tipped lettering pens
• mechanical pencil
• eraser shield
• eraser

Take a second look at the cover of this book--this time, turn it upside down. The title, "Wordplay," is an ambigram, which means you will be able to read it both right side up and upside down.
You may be familiar with the John Langdon's ambigrams from Dan Brown's bestseller "Angels & Demons" (see pages 186 and 188 of "Wordplay"), but if this is your first experience with the art of the ambigram, prepare to be dazzled! This lovely updated edition of the classic collection of ambigrams features a section of full-color ambigrams and dozens of stunning, mind-bending examples of this cryptic art form. Each strikingly beautiful and arresting illustration is accompanied by a short essay--sometimes serious, sometimes witty--to delight your brain as much as your eyes. Taken together, the art and the essays show how the very shape of letters can change our idea of words and their meanings. As Dan Brown says in the Foreword of this revised edition, John Langdon brilliantly rearranges the familiar, casting it in a new light.
Both playful and profound, "Wordplay "will challenge you to take a second look at your world.

Ornate, decorative letters (formed with long tails and flourishes) will add panache and style to ads, posters, signs, menus-almost any print project. Fonts include El Greco, Raffia Initials, Cantini Casual, Mardi Gras Regular, Italian Slab Fancy, dozens more.

Absolute beginners can learn how to get started on the basic Italic hand (also known as Chancery Cursive) in this practical guide. Two experts define terms, suggest materials, and illustrate basic strokes. Detailed discussions cover spacing and connecting letters; forming words and sentences; drawing "swash" capitals; changing nibs; using color; making corrections; waterproofing; and a variety of applications--addressing envelopes, making invitations and stationery, and transcribing special texts. Numerous b/w illus.

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.

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.

Arabic script remains one of the most widely employed writing systems in the world, for Arabic and non-Arabic languages alike. Focusing on naskh-the style most commonly used across the Middle East-Letters of Light traces the evolution of Arabic script from its earliest inscriptions to digital fonts, from calligraphy to print and beyond. J. R. Osborn narrates this storied past for historians of the Islamic and Arab worlds, for students of communication and technology, and for contemporary practitioners. The partnership of reed pen and paper during the tenth century inaugurated a golden age of Arabic writing. The shape and proportions of classical calligraphy known as al-khatt al-mansub were formalized, and variations emerged to suit different types of content. The rise of movable type quickly led to European experiments in printing Arabic texts. Ottoman Turkish printers, more sensitive than their European counterparts to the script's nuances, adopted movable type more cautiously. Debates about "reforming" Arabic script for print technology persisted into the twentieth century. Arabic script continues to evolve in the digital age. Programmers have adapted it to the international Unicode standard, greatly facilitating Arabic presence online and in word processing. Technology companies are investing considerable resources to facilitate support of Arabic in their products. Professional designers around the world are bringing about a renaissance in the Arabic script community as they reinterpret classical aesthetics and push new boundaries in digital form.

In The Lettering Workshops, you'll learn all about the art and practice of drawing letters using hands-on techniques in 30 lessons across five workshops. Whether you're a beginner or a professional graphic designer, you'll quickly learn how to develop and advance your lettering skills. In this richly illustrated book of lessons and exercises, you'll find: Workshops to learn the art of drawing letters--from an introduction to brush lettering and lettering script to the decoration of letters; from the secrets of good composition to the process of digitization and vectorization of your type Exercises that gradually develop from beginner through intermediate and advanced levels Analyses of lettering samples to understand what makes good lettering Inspirational contributions in featured galleries from international letterers and brands Pages for all skill levels Letters to learn and explore TABLE OF CONTENTS What Is Lettering Why This Book? First Lesson Lettering, Calligraphy, or Typography? Basics and Technical Vocabulary WORKSHOP 1: DISCOVERING BRUSH LETTERING Exercise 1: Finding the Right Position Exercise 2: Setting Up a Grid Exercise 3: Carrying Out the First Motions Exercise 4: Drawing the Letters Exercise 5: Connecting the Letters Exercise 6: Reworking Your Drafts Analysis of Lettering Samples Gallery WORKSHOP 2: INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPT LETTERING Exercise 1: Discovering the Skeleton Technique Exercise 2: Drawing an Alphabet Exercise 3: Drawing a Complete Word Exercise 4: Lettering in a Classic Script Exercise 5: Leaving Your Comfort Zone! Analysis of Lettering Samples Gallery WORKSHOP 3: USING TYPOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS Exercise 1: Embellishing a Letter Exercise 2: Practicing on a Complete Word Exercise 3: Going Further with Vintage Style Exercise 4: Discovering Interlock Exercise 5: Practicing Interlock with Serifs Exercise 6: Producing a Complete Interlock Lettering Project Analysis of Lettering Samples Gallery WORKSHOP 4: THE SECRETS OF GOOD COMPOSITION Exercise 1: Thinking in Terms of the Block Exercise 2: Completing the First Sketches Exercise 3: Choosing the Styles for Each Word Exercise 4: Drawing the Skeleton Exercise 5: Developing and Finalizing Your Path Analysis of Lettering Samples Gallery WORKSHOP 5: DIGITIZATION AND VECTORIZATION Exercise 1: Digitizing and Preparing Your Lettering Exercise 2: First Steps in Vectorization Exercise 3: Testing the Vertex Theory Exercise 4: Vectorizing the Entire Lettering Project Exercise 5: Critiquing Your Vectorized Lettering Project Exercise 6: Preparing Your Lettering Project without Vectorization Exercise 7: Isolating the Lettering Exercise 8: Adding Texture to the Lettering Project Exercise 9: Finalizing the Composition Gallery Artists Represented in this Book Resources

Both hobbyists and students of design will value this easy-to-use self-teaching book. Each of its 100 sections shows a complete A-to-Z calligraphy alphabet, with lessons on correct pen strokes and advice on avoiding errors. Beginners will find sound basic instruction, while experienced calligraphers can extend their repertoire with letter styles that range from classic Roman to clean and elegant contemporary styles. In addition to analysis of each alphabet's features, the book's detailed instruction provides information on-- Tools and materials * Layout basics * Numerals and punctuation * Illumination and ornamentation * Tips for the left-handed calligrapher . . . and more. Readers will also find examples by master calligraphers from past eras. This book's spiral binding ensures that pages lay flat when opened, allowing calligraphers to study and copy each pen stroke with ease. "The Calligrapher's Bible" is printed in color and features more than 350 illustrations.

Add creative flourishes to your handwritten notes, signs, or artwork by using the techniques in Harry Potter Hand Lettering! Learn to write the alphabets for all four Hogwarts houses, draw the official house crests, and even create a house crest of your own in this 176-page instruction book. You’ll find useful information on font selection, must-have supplies, practice techniques, and step-by-step directions that yield spectacular results. Spellbinding sections include Spells, Charms & Potions, Quidditch, and Magical Creatures, where you’ll learn how to draw your own creatures inspired by the Wizarding World and combine them with lettering to create amazing compositions. Plus there are plenty of blank pages for practice!

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.