General Instruction

Beginner's Guide to Calligraphy & Illumination

Cari Ferraro’s new Beginner’s Guide is an excellent first volume at a most reasonable price. Cari’s top notch alphabets include foundational hand, Uncial, blackletter, versals and Italic as well as planning, color and an intro to illuminating letters. Well done exemplars in this helpful, oversized format. 10.25”x 13.75”, 32 pp., pb.

Beginner's Guide to Calligraphy & Illumination (BEGCAL)

Annie Cicale's Art & Craft of Hand Lettering - paperback only

Since it's hard to say it better, here is an excerpt of a letter Hermann Zapf sent to Annie's publisher: "What a beautiful publication is Annie Cicale's book The Art and Craft of Hand Lettering. Great in the whole concept, instructive and with first hand explanations on how to use the writing tool in the best way and to get details of the different letterforms and techniques. A source book not only for beginners but also for advanced calligraphers. The result of the experience of many years and perfectly demonstrated in many illustrations combined with all the necessary information. I know no other book to learn calligraphy with so many examples and inviting everybody to take a pen and start a letter. Congratulations to Annie and also to you as the publisher."

A profusion of finely rendered alphabets, skilled instruction and projects from one of the best teachers in our calligraphic community. Alphabets include foundational, Italic, Roman, black letter, uncial, Italic handwriting, pointed pen, brush lettering and writing with a ruling writer style tool along with design principles and a huge gallery of contemporary work never before published. Enjoy seeing Carol Dubosch's outdoor lettering, fine books by Jean Formo & Carol Pallesen, and work by Eliza Holliday, Kirsten Horel, Hermann Zapf, Jean Larcher, Sherri Kiesel and many others. An excellent resource for beginners and beyond. Irresistible and a great buy. We repeatedly hear, Only $17.95?!

Congratulations, Annie! 160 pp., 10" x 10", pb.

Annie Cicale's Art & Craft of Hand Lettering - paperback only (PBCICA)

Parallel Pen Wizardry Book

Parallel Pen Wizardry by Brenda Broadbent. Our Parallel Pen Wizardry Book begins where Pilot's excellent instructions for each Parallel Pen end. In these pages you'll find cartridge tips & tricks, instructions for using other inks (acrylics, watercolor, gouache), writing & drawing possibilities (monoline & flourishes, high contrast thicks & thins, color blending, the effect of paper, expressive & experimental examples), writing on fabric, comments from teachers, a gallery of examples, a Gothicized Italic alphabet from Sheila Waters, Gothic Alphabets by Ward Dunham and an Uncial alphabet by Gina Jonas. Examples for all these ideas came from the hands of this stunning group of contributors: Judy Melvin, Martha Ericson, Judith Angelo, Suzanne Moore, Alice Koeth, Carol Pallesen, Sara Frank, Mike Gold, Gale Barbieri, Collene Kalb, Stephen Rapp and Victoria Pittman. You'll discover lots of techniques but don't miss Gale Barbieri's experiments with loading Duo Embellishing Adhesive into the pen barrel and covering her crisp writing with metallic foils, PearlEx and ultra fine glitters. Gale also discovered that Dr. Martin's liquid watercolor Hydrus has the perfect consistency for the pen as well as the lightfast qualities of fine watercolor. Profusely illustrated! 8.5"x11", 24 pp., full color.

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Parallel Pen Wizardry Book (PARABK)

Encyclopedia of Calligraphy Techniques

A book by Diana Hardy Wilson is one of our all time favorite books. In the first half, 32 topics are covered in encyclopedia fashion and include a few techniques that are rarely covered in manuals: brush & pen borders, calligrams, masking techniques, using split nibs. Ten alphabets are taught (Carolingian, Foundational, Gothic, humanistic, Italic, Lombardic, Roman, Rustica, Uncial, Versals). Color photos make step-by-step processes clear. Part two is a 100 page color gallery of 140 pieces by contemporary lettering artists such as Georgia Deaver, Dave Wood and Denis Brown. Captions comments on the technique and features. Enthusiastically recommended. 8.75" x 8.75", 191 pgs. pb.

Encyclopedia of Calligraphy Techniques (ENCALT)

Lettering & Calligraphy Workbook

By the Diagram Group. A few years ago we carried a terri?c series of instruction volumes (now out of print) published by Watson-Guptill at $8.95 each. Two were by Anne Trudgill (Basic Skills & Traditional Penmanship) which I highly recommended for their teaching technique and excellent exemplars. Those books plus the other two in the series (Applied Lettering & Designing with Letters) make up this large, comprehensive workbook which is designed to be used, not simply read and enjoyed. You’ll ?nd it packed with information and exercises. It is an invaluable resource for teachers as it gives numerous tasks which provide practice and reinforcement for topics presented. Letterforms, design & decoration techniques, projects. 8" x 10", 288 pp, pb. Index.

Lettering & Calligraphy Workbook (DIAGRM)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Calligraphy

By Jane Eldershaw. Very impressive! New York calligrapher Eldershaw has poured her years of experience into this text, so along with the basics, we get the benefit of lots of informative notes (“sharp points” and “additional flourishes") and a distillation of what’s really important in each chapter (“the least you need to know”). The readable text introduces the novice to the basics, teaching Italic as the introductory alphabet; Roman caps, Uncial, Foundational and Gothic are presented at the end. In between, Jane coaches us through tools, spacing, projects, calligraphy for your wedding, getting things printed. Sprinkled throughout are examples by a number of seasoned calligraphers: Harriet Rose, Margaret Harber & Holly Monroe. Good, clear
information for beginners; lots of tips and solved mysteries for intermediates. Glossary, appendix, index, guidelines to reproduce.8.5"x 11”, 225 pp., Pb.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Calligraphy (IGUIDE)

Calligraphy in 10 Easy Lessons

By Eleanor Winters and Laurie E. Lico. A solid introduction to Italic in a simple, easy to follow format. Letters are taught in families - lower case and swash caps, numbers & punctuation with sections on spacing and connections, tools, writing in color and making corrections. Good basic instruction. 112pp., 8.5"x 11", pb.

Calligraphy in 10 Easy Lessons (EASYLE)

Calligraphic Lettering

By Ralph Douglass. I think this was my first calligraphy book, the one where I fell in love with uncial letters. It still has inspiring alphabets, great information and alphabets (Italic, Chancery Cursive, pointed Italic, English Roundhand, black letter, versals & Lombardics, Spanish Round Gothic and Rustic & Irish Uncial). The entire book is written out by hand; each page is a lesson in layout. Ralph Douglass was a distinguished professor of art and applied lettering for more than 50 years. This classic was originally published in 1949; this is the 1967 version. 112 pp., 8"X10", hard cover with concealed sturdy binding, 90 b&w illus.

Calligraphic Lettering (DOUGLS)

Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers

By Jacqueline Svaren. Second revised edition. This revision includes suggestions for beginners, thoughts on design, suggestions and hints, numerals and punctuations as well as the 33 unretouched alphabets which were printed without reduction. An even better handbook than the previous edition. Paperback. 11" x 12", 75 pp.

Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers (WRTLET)

The Calligrapher's Bible

100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them by David Harris. Wow! Here's the largest array of alphabets currently in print in one volume ...AND... it features some wonderful modern hands along with the traditional ones. Alphabets are arranged historically beginning with ancient Rome with a helpful 8 page "hand selector" showing three letters from each hand for efficient browsing. In the Modern section, you'll find Neuland (caps& minuscule), flat & pointed brush scripts, and ruling pen hands. (First time I've seen this popular workshop style in a book). You'll find 24 Gothic variations plus chapters on tools & materials and layout and illumination and ornamentation. Each alphabet is well rendered by Harris; solid basics and tips are offered as well. 8" x 6 3/4", 256 pp., fully illustrated, index, sturdy covered spiral

The Calligrapher's Bible (CALBIB)

Uncommon Numbers: A Source Book for Artists

Eby Brenda Casey and Barbara Brandt. If you’ve ever wondered how to write numbers that coordinate with the rest of your text, this small resource book will soon become an invaluable part of your collection. Following several exemplar number sets, 32 well-known artists have contributed lively work that shows numbers done in a number of styles and with a variety of tools, including pointed and flat pen, ruling pen, pointed and flat brush, monoline, and fountain pen.
A selection of the artists includes Georgina Artigas, Hermann Zapf, Carl Rohrs, Nancy Culmone, Anna Pinto, Julian Waters and Sheila Waters. Brenda Casey’s brief introduction provides some basic understanding, as well
as a list of references for future study. Ideal as a browse-through book for ideas. 5.25" x 8.5", 64 pp, 55 b&w plates and 2 color plates, pb.

Uncommon Numbers: A Source Book for Artists (UNCNUM)

Uncommon Numbers Manual

Uncommon Numbers Manual edited by Brenda Casey. Designed as a companion piece to Uncommon Numbers, this instructional manual offers the kind of in-depth analysis of numerals which is usually reserved for letterforms. The book contains an introduction & eight chapters (Uncial, Blackletter, Italic, Copperplate, Foundational Variation, Neuland, Pointed Pen Uncial, and Designing with Italic Letters and Numbers) by nationally known calligraphers Sheila Waters, Ward Dunham, Alice, Georgina Artigas, Cheryl Adams, Carl Rohrs, Michael Kecseg, and Julian Waters. Besides basic information about each hand and full exemplars with both numerals & letterforms, the first seven chapters include the artists’ detailed explanatory notes for each numeral, pointing out what to keep in mind in order to match numbers & letters, as well as a piece of applied calligraphy showing the forms used together. The last chapter deals with design considerations when using numbers with Italic letterforms in a variety of projects. 8.5" x 5.5", 80 pp, paperback.

Uncommon Numbers Manual (NUMANU)

Uncommon Numbers II

To be released summer 2009. This book completes Brenda Casey Zoby's trilogy on calligraphic numerals. It showcases historic and inventive styles, techniques with brush and pen, and many artists not represented in the earlier books. You'll also find help for dealing with fractions, ordinal numbers, and Roman numerals. Contributors include Marsha Brady, Larry Brady, Denis Brown, Michael Clark, Georgia Deaver, Eliza Holliday, Jean Larcher, Judy Melvin, Brody Neuenschwander, Charles Pearce and John Stevens. Reserve your copy now, we will mail then in summer 2009.

Uncommon Numbers II (UNCNU2)

All 3 Uncommon Numbers Books

Buy all three Uncommon Numbers Books and save! See descriptions above. Uncommon Numbers II will be mailed in summer 2009.

All 3 Uncommon Numbers Books (UNCALL)

Historical Scripts: From Classical Times to the Renaissance

By Stan Knight. This long-awaited, revised and expanded edition gives all of us access to enlarged portions of representative manuscripts and Stan Knight’s detailed commentary. In calligraphy, the serious student and practitioner needs to study historical scripts in facsimile, and if possible in enlargement, so that the skills of the original penman may be studied at source and not in contemporary interpretation. This book ful?lls this need in an exact and excellent way and is a mine of relevant information as to sources, historical in?uences, size and style of the selected manuscripts. Stan Knight has devoted considerable effort in the preparation and scholarship of his text so that his book is a suitable reference work for palaeographers, as well as a continuing source of inspiration to calligraphers. 9" x 12", 112p p, hb.

Historical Scripts: From Classical Times to the Renaissance (HISTSC)

Speedball Textbook, 23rd edition

Speedball celebrates 100 years of penmaking in the USA with this new 23rd edition and once again editors Joanne Fink and Judy Kastin have assembled a feast of alphabets and contemporary work from the hands of 79 ?ne calligraphers. Along with basic instruction in 15 lettering styles there are techniques for layout & design, reproducing artwork, invitations, greeting cards, formal and creative envelopes, logos and designs supplemented by a gallery of contemporary calligraphic art. A classic sourcebook for the lettering arts to influence generations to come. Contributors include Alice, Tim Botts, Karen Charatan, Inga Dubay, Connie Furgason, Mike Kecseg, Caroline Paget Leake, Marcy Robinson, Sheila Waters, and Donna Young to name just a few. 96 pp, 5.5" x 8.5", 16 pages full color.

Speedball Textbook, 23rd edition (23SPED)

Little Manual of Calligraphy by Charles Pearce.

We are delighted to bring back Charles Pearce's two excellent instruction manuals, out of print for nearly 10 years. Impeccable exemplars. Beginning exercises, six alphabets (name alphabets, , Roman, uncial, foundational, black letter, italic) rhythm and spacing, design and layout all packed into this beautifully designed, compact book. Excellent choice for an inexpensive class manual. 32 pp, 8"x10". Special price for classes/study groups: $8.95 each for 10 or more. Credit will be applied as we process your order.

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Little Manual of Calligraphy by Charles Pearce. (LITMAN)

Calligraphy: A Course in Hand Lettering by Maryanne Grebenstein

Calligraphy: A Course in Hand Lettering by Maryanne Grebenstein. Following a well illustrated introduction to the history of calligraphy, Maryanne delivers thorough instruction for Italic, Uncial, Carolingian, Gothic and Foundational hands. Her horizontal spiral format and suggestion for tracing the letterforms are excellent choices; her five guideline sheets (one for each alphabet using a 2mm tool) are some of the best we’ve seen. Maryanne has included illustrations of her fine lettering and illumination as well as sections on design & layout. 11”x8.5”, 144pp., 20 color & 200 b/w illus. Hardcover over concealed spiral. Five sturdy guideline sheets.

Calligraphy: A Course in Hand Lettering by Maryanne Grebenstein (GREBEN)

Simple Stroke Calligraphy by Marci Donley

Simple Stroke Calligraphy by Marci Donley. Exuberant is the word. Four alphabets are taught here with fine exemplars & stunning examples contributed by Marci’s talented calligraphic family: Gothic by Virginia Farr-Jones, Italic by Carrie Imai, Uncial by Jane Shibata and Copperplate by DeAnn Singh. Exemplars are organized by letter family and written in multiple colors so that overlaps and joins are obvious. Especially helpful to the continuing student who wants to see how to use gouache, what some of the unusual tools do (ruling and folded pens), what some of the most creative people are up to! Highlights of the “getting creative” section include: pointed pen variations by Jane Shibata, elements of pointed pen flourishing, correcting mistakes, brush & monoline lettering, heat embossing, creating backgrounds and decorating letters informally. In addition to the scribes listed above Marci has included masterful work by Molly Gaylor, Alice Greenthal, Joan Hawks, Carol Hicks, Sylvia Kowal, Patti Peterson and Xandra Zamora. Wow. Thank you all! 8.5”x11”, 128 pp., hb. Color throughout, glossary.

Simple Stroke Calligraphy by Marci Donley (DONLEY)

Calligrapher’s Recipe Book

Calligrapher’s Recipe Book by the Marietta Calligraphy Society, Marietta, Ohio. A treasure trove of information-everything from cleaning your nibs, addressing envelopes, the golden mean, lettering in circles, correcting mistakes, paste paper recipes & techniques and recipes for making your own inks. Hats off to these Ohio lettering artists for putting several careers worth of tips and hints in one place! 7”X8.5”, 134 pp., sturdy spiral binding.

Calligrapher’s Recipe Book (RECIPE )

Modern Mark Making: From Classical Calligraphy to Hip Handlettering by Lisa Engelbrecht

Wow! Lisa's colorful and amazing work and a unique array of alphabets. Alphabets, collage, working on fabric and lots more.

Lisa presents her dynamic lettering with a unique array of alphabet instruction (formal and innovative) with broad edge pens, pointed pens and brushes. As she says in her introduction, her intention is to present lettering and how to do it but, more importantly, the book is about mark making and being true to your own spontaneous and free expression. Start anywhere in this book and teach yourself a hand (Italic, copperplate, monoline, Gothic –formal and innovative), play with letters, work on fabric, flourish and add sparkly things, explore mixed media, just have fun with lettering and see what happens. Sprinkled throughout, you’ll find exciting examples from the hands of Barbara Close, Linda Hirsh, Denis Brown, Glen Epstein, Carol Rohrs, Peter Thornton and of course, Lisa herself. Highly recommended! Hardcover with lay flat, inside spiral, 160 pp., 9”x11”.

Modern Mark Making: From Classical Calligraphy to Hip Handlettering by Lisa Engelbrecht (LISABK)

Celebration Calligraphy: Complete Instructions & Templates for Special-Occasion Alphabets, Borders & Motifs by Ruth Booth.

Thirty modern alphabet designs for a wide range of events from formal italic for traditional weddings to spooky lettering for Halloween invitations.

Advice on how to plan, measure & lay out projects and instructions for cards, invitations, place cards & party favors for special celebratory events including weddings (traditional, seaside & medieval), Christmas, Valentine’s Day & Halloween, birthdays, birth announcements, anniversaries, graduation & lots more.

Along with lettering instructions, Ruth includes directions on paper folding variations, paper layering, bordering, embossing & other decorative techniques. Highly recommended!

450+ color illustrations. 128 pp., 8.75”x8.75” pb.

Celebration Calligraphy: Complete Instructions & Templates for Special-Occasion Alphabets, Borders & Motifs by Ruth Booth. (CELCAL)