The word "calligraphy" literally means "beautiful writing." It is an art form that can be found in most civilizations with a written script. Originally developed to stress the importance of culture, religion and philosophy, over time calligraphy in most languages has developed into a purely artistic expression. In Japan, kanji characters from the panese writing system are used in calligraphy. "An Introduction to Japanese Kanji Calligraphy" is an exploration of this Asian art form, and examines how calligraphic poetry developed in Japan. Written by a Japanese shodo master, "An Introduction to Japanese Kanji Calligraphy" is a wonderful introduction to a beautiful art.

Calligraphic Drawing, written and illustrated by artist Schin Loong, is a step-by-step guide to the pictorial side of calligraphy. Learn how to make calligraphic flourishes, then apply the technique to draw 15 different flourished animals. You'll also find instructions for embellishing letters and drawing ornamental cartouches. In the past, masters of penmanship advertised their copperplate skills by shaping their calligraphy and flourishes into elaborate pictorial designs. Now the art of the flourish is back! With her fresh approach to this age-old art form, Schin will take you confidently through each step, from choosing your pen, nib, and ink, to creating calligraphic animals that express your own imagination and artistry. The basic steps for the strokes are simple, but as you learn each new pattern and stroke, you'll watch your drawings develop into ever more complex and beautiful compositions. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can create stunning drawings of a pigeon, swan, crane, rooster, jellyfish, goldfish, peacock, parrot, owl, raccoon, elephant, puppy, rabbit, fox, and zebra. Each exercise includes a photo of the animal, followed by an illustration and written guidance for each numbered step. You'll find helpful tips and encouragement throughout. At the back, a gallery showcase provides examples of Schin's own artwork to inspire you in your own flourishing pursuits. Whether you're a designer, calligrapher, doodler, or just picked up a pen, this guide to drawing with flourishes will enlighten and inspire.

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.

Introduction to the use of runes as a practical script for a variety of purposes in Anglo-Saxon England. Runes are quite frequently mentioned in modern writings, usually imprecisely as a source of mystic knowledge, power or insight. This book sets the record straight. It shows runes working as a practical script for a variety of purposes in early English times, among both indigenous Anglo-Saxons and incoming Vikings. In a scholarly yet readable way it examines the introduction of the runic alphabet (the futhorc) to England in the fifth and sixth centuries, the forms and values of its letters, and the ways in which it developed, up until its decline at the end of the Anglo-Saxon period. It discusses how runes were used for informal and day-to-day purposes, on formal monuments, as decorative letters in prestigious manuscripts, for owners' or makers' names on everyday objects, perhaps even in private letters. For the first time, the book presents, together with earlier finds, the many runic objects discovered over the last twenty years, with a range of inscriptions on bone, metal and stone, even including tourists' scratched signatures found on the pilgrimage routes through Italy. It gives an idea of the immense range of informationon language and social history contained in these unique documents. The late R.I. PAGE was former Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of Cambridge.

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.

This is a step-by-step workbook for learning to write standard style or regular script (kaishu). It is specially drawn by a well-known artist and calligrapher. It is a practical guide for enthusiasts and students.

Written Chinese can call upon about 40,000 characters, many of which originated some 6,000 years ago as little pictures of everyday objects used by the ancients to communicate with one another. To convey more abstract ideas or concepts, the Chinese stylized and combined their pictographs. For instance, the character for GCmanGC GCoa straight back above two strong legsGCobecomes, with the addition of a head and shoulders and arms held sternly akimbo, the character for GCofficial.GC This book, modeled after a classic compilation of the Chinese language done in the 18th century, introduces readers to the 214 root pictographs or symbols upon which this writing system, whose rich complexities hold a wealth of cultural meaning, is based. These key characters, called radicals, are all delightfully presented in this volume, with their graphic development traced stage-by-stage to the present representation, where even now (in many of them) one can easily make out what was originally picturedGCowith the authorGCOs guidance. Centuries ago, when the Japanese took up writing, they also adopted these symbols, though they gave them different names in their own spoken language. Each of the 214 classic radicals is charmingly explored by the author, both for its etymology and for what it reveals about Chinese history and culture. Chinese characters are marvels of graphic design, and this book even shows the proper way to write each radical, stroke by stroke. Finally, there are also samples of each radical combined with other radicals and character elements to demonstrate how new characters are formedGCosome 8,000 have been added to the language since the eighteenth century. With all its expertly executed calligraphic illustrations and fascinating commentary, this book serves as an excellent introduction to Chinese writing and its milieu.

This gorgeous gift book displays the truth of God's Word through creative expression. For both those new to the Bible and seasoned readers, Hand Lettered Truth allows people to see Scripture with new eyes through elegant hand lettering designs from artist Debbie Bratton. Debbie began lettering in 2014 as a way to meditate on the word of God, using art to bring the Bible to life in a fresh way. She has since carved out a following on Instagram and Etsy of other creatives who find inspiration in her unique, artistic treatment of Scripture. Debbie's attention to detail and creativity make this a treasured and meaningful gift for any occasion.

(back cover)
Illumination--the creation of elaborate, decorated letters and initials--reached its apogee in the monasteries of medieval Europe. Embellished with gold leaf, the illuminated letters of those early scribes seemed to reflect light, as though they were indeed "illuminated." This traditional art is now attracting new enthusiasts.

• Illuminated Letters presents step-by-step instructions for recreating illuminated alphabets from six historical periods, including Celtic, Gothic, and Romanesque. Diagrams for upper- and lower-case letters are accompanied by ideas for borders and decorations, and full instructions for gilding.
• Each section also explores ways in which the illuminated letters can be adapted to create a truly personal style, while a gallery of modern examples will inspire further creativity.
  ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  Margaret Morgan is a professional calligrapher and an Associate of the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society. She regularly accepts both public and private commissions and conducts workshops for calligraphic societies. Although traditional formal calligraphy involving gilding, painting, and heraldry form an important part of her work, she increasingly enjoys the challenge of more experimental lettering. She is the author of two previously published books on calligraphy.
  FOREWORD BY ROSEMARY BUCZEK
  Rosemary Buczek is a Master Penman and served two terms as President of the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH).

This expertly presented volume covers all aspects of the art of 'beautiful writing', setting out the essential tools needed, teaching all the basic strokes to form letters, and providing a rich variety of templates to work from. A dozen alphabets are illustrated, showing pen angles, strokes and common group structures, along with a section on using a computer to create digital calligraphy. The projects offer practical ideas for using calligraphy in all kinds of ways, explaining techniques such as embossing, gilding and bookbinding. With an inspirational gallery of examples and clear step-by-step guidance, this manual is perfect for both beginners and experienced calligraphers.

The Pennsylvania Dutch are noted for the beautifully designed and hand-lettered documents known as fraktur. These include birth and marriage certificates, family trees, bookplates, awards, and house blessings. Leading fraktur artist Ruthanne Hartung adapts the craft to modern tastes and needs in this practical how-to book, with information on tools, step-by-step instructions, ideas for design, lettering and coloring techniques, and a variety of projects. An assortment of traditional patterns to apply to personal frakturs are included.

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.

In this book, learn the basic know-how and techniques for traditional calligraphy through four classic alphabets: Foundational Hand, Italic Hand, Uncial Hand and one form of Gothic Hand. These styles are essential first steps into the world of lettering, and will form invaluable grounding in your calligraphic journey. Become familiar with what pens and papers to use, pen angles, pen nibs, key terminology, stroke directions, letter spacing and more to achieve classic letter design - all within a handy, pocket-sized book. Originally produced by William Mitchell, manufacturers of premium calligraphy products.

Daily Handwriting Practice, Contemporary Cursive is more than just a handwriting book; it is a learning tool that helps developing young minds practice basic skills in an interesting and unique way. For example, on the topic "Simple Machines," students learn about simple tools and the physics applied in using them. Students write letters, words, and sentences about a variety of content-area topics appropriate for the classroom. Monday through Thursday, the weekly subjects for writing exercises range from famous inventors to famous quotations, amazing hunters to the water cycle. On Friday, a full-page exercise draws the topic to a close by reviewing what was learned earlier that week. This book is a useful and effective teaching tool because each letter is introduced and practiced before students are asked to use it.

Hand Lettering for Relaxation presents 52 beautiful, whimsical and fun hand lettering techniques based on motivational themes. Readers will love the opportunity to practice the creative art of hand lettering in a way that inspires them and helps them relax. As an example of what's inside, Workshop 1 encourages readers to renew & recharge by writing, It's me time, with the easiest technique for a scripted, calligraphy look. Workshop 2 builds on the theme as readers use their skills from Workshop 1 to write, 'Practice makes progress,'and add a new skill of drawing laurels and wreaths that take their calligraphy to the next level. With each workshop, readers are inspired with a brief introduction reminding them to relax and cultivate joy, then learn step by step how to letter each word of an example lettered design and draw embellishments. With plenty of practice space and a page to draw their own final design, this interactive workbook meets readers' every need. High quality, thick art paper allows readers to utilise their favourite pens and markets, then cut out their finished hand lettered art if they wish. This book is the perfect gift for yourself or friends and family who love crafts, drawing and colouring.

The Golden Secrets of Lettering is a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated guide to hand lettering. With easy-to-understand instructions and guidelines, plenty of inspirational examples, and hundreds of hand sketches and illustrations, Martina Flor shows readers how to transform their initial lettering concepts and handdrawn sketches into a well-shaped, exquisite piece of digital lettering that can be sold and published. Readers learn how to train their typographic eye by studying lettering samples and the anatomy of letters; explore concepts of hierarchy, composition, and flourishes; and discover the many different ways of creating letter shapes. In addition, Flor explains the process of creating a lettering project step by step-- from start to finish, from analog to digital--and gives valuable tips about how to make a career as a lettering artist.