Calligraphy Bookshelf

Selected books/media about the art of handwriting script... Calligraphy

Click any cover to find out more about the book.

Learn Calligraphy : The Complete Book of Lettering and Design
by Margaret Shepherd

Excellent book for learning
Reviewer: Gary Bisaga from Leesburg, VA USA

   I am learning calligraphy and have looked at a number of books on the subject. This book is, for most purposes, excellent. She gives you so much more than alphabets: key exercises to do before you start the alphabets, typical beginner's problems (most of which I have experienced!), practice pages you can reproduce. Her sections on swashes and "accessorizing" Gothic capitals are also wonderful - what had always seemed highly mysterious to me turns out to be a matter of combining building blocks, creativity, and - who would have thought - a lot of fun.

The only small drawback, if it is one, is that the book doesn't contain a lot that is good to know about techniques of setting up a drawing table, selling, etc. For that (as well as an excellent chapter on type design by Hermann Zapf himself), the book "Calligraphy and Illumination" provides more than you ever wanted to know. I don't think that book replaces this one, however - I find Margaret's explanations well worth the small amount this book costs. She'll even autograph it for you (see her web site for details).

This is a wonderful book that every calligraphy student should have.
 

Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide
by Patricia Lovett

Fabulous resource for calligraphers!, February 1, 2001
Reviewer: jennifergmiller from Manassas, VA United States

   I'm a long-time calligrapher. This book is a must have for any calligrapher. Not only does it cover all the basics, such as materials, historical alphabets, layout, etc, but also covers Illumination, including gilding and Heraldry, including how to design and paint a coat of arms and touches on Copperplate and handwriting, something not usually found in a calligraphy reference manual. My favorite chapter is on "Working to Commission", which is VERY practical.

   The book is very easy to read, and quite enjoyable. I read it from cover to cover like a novel. The author did such a good job summarizing all the important details of each subject. The text is heavily supported by wonderful illustrations, from ranging sources as medieval manuscripts to modern calligrapher's work. Each "hand" is laid out with the keystrokes, and organized by "key features". A must have for all calligraphers, beginners and masters included!

Medieval Calligraphy : Its History and Technique
by Marc Drogin

Not for Calligraphers Only
Reviewer: steve44 from Tucson, Arizona

   Hidden in this book for calligraphy hobbyists is a simple, concise history of manuscript (formal handwriting) from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. It explains the basics of why we write - and print - the way we do. Ever wonder why the letters of the alphabet are shaped the way they are? Or why we have capital and small letters? Or why the two are shaped differently? Or where punctuation comes from? Readers interested in language, typography, usage, European history, and mere interesting trivia would love this book if it weren't lost in the hobbyist and graphic-arts stacks.

Chinese Calligraphy: From Pictograph to Ideogram: The History of 214 Essential Chinese/Japanese Characters
by Edoardo Fazzioli

A fairly good introduction to the Chinese writing system.
Reviewer: Zhou Hanqing from Montebello, California

   This is a fairly good introduction to the Chinese writing system providing insight into its origins and current use. While the calligraphic representations of the modern forms of the characters may be somewhat off, much of the background information is fine. The romanisation system is the officially recognised pinyin romanisation scheme developed by Russian and Chinese linguists during the 1930s and updated in the 1950s; it is generally employed in the transliteration of Standard Chinese into Latin letters. There is no need to worry over what 'dialect' the transliterations belong to because the vast majority of any given publication concerning China and the Chinese language will be in Standard Chinese, the national normative based on Northern Chinese. There are seven to eight Chinese languages with a myriad of dialects each, and it would be illogical to favour the others over the national standard. With regards to the evolution of characters, the sources from which the author bases the evolution is explained in the background information towards the front. I would recommend this as a wonderful coffeetable book, art book, and general introduction to the Chinese writing system, but not as an ultimate foundation in learning the Chinese script. If one is seriously interested in learning good handwriting, I recommend Johan Bjorksten's «Learn to write Chinese characters» from the Yale Language Series. It's inexpensive and perhaps even more useful than the volume on sale here. Both books use pinyin romanised Standard Chinese -- and usually with the tones noted, too! Most books, unfortunately, tend to leave them out. Bjorksten's work should be used as a supplement to a full on course in Standard Chinese (biaozhun hanyu... or, as many may say, putonghua); however, it can stand alone for those who are simply curious about the writing system itself and would like an appliable introduction.

Lettering & Calligraphy Workbook
by The Diagram Group

* * * Indispensable guide to Calligraphy * * *
Reviewer: turquoisky from Phoenix AZ

   Lettering & Calligraphy Workbook is the most thorough and well though out approach I've seen for both teaching and learning the art of calligraphy. Yes, it would make an excellent textbook and the reasons why are plenty; it's readable. It is straightforward in approach, the language is clear and direct. There are a plethora of illustrations; everything from compasses, brushes, writing tools and specific calligraphy instruments to setting up your workspace, studio layout and tips and tricks of the trade are drawn out through out the book. The Workbook is not overly scholarly, but it is professionally done; artistic principles are explained and the correct terminology is used throughout the book.

Do you have a specific project like producing a poster, want to get help with greeting cards, or do you want to add some variety to the repertoire of alphabets you can already produce? Did you get a calligraphy book that doesn't tell you much about paper products and now you need more direction? Maybe another calligraphy book doesn't cover the general history of writing and development of alphabets and you want your students to be aware that writing is a part of the culture? This book has all of that, and MUCH, MUCH more.

I find it surprising that others have not made this book the obvious choice for all levels of calligraphy practice. This book will be an excellent resource for anyone teaching, self-teaching, a student, a hobbyist, a beginner or advanced calligrapher. As you gain more experience of course you'll want to collect other books that are only about showing different type faces and nothing at all about how-to-do some things or investigate problem solving methods. A professional may have several books that are very artistic in scope, using watercolors and employing other very advanced techniques, but they may contain no information at all about how to make a quill pen.

This book will teach you everything you need to know to get started, get practicing and get excited about calligraphy. While I also like and use other books, this is by far the most important and indispensable one on the subject that I own.

Calligraphy Alphabets Made Easy
by Margaret Shepherd

This is a FUN! book.
Reviewer: An Amazon.com Customer

   This is a highly applicable, practical, creative and very useful book that will keep many a happy calligrapher, at any level, contently scripting along. It is a book with 365 alphabets, one for each day of the year (with roughly 106 that left handers can do...hey! Lefties have rights too) plus 52 projects for each week of the year. This is an affordable book at just under ten dollars, which also makes it even more tempting. Nor is it an intimidating book, in that it does not speak above ones head. Given true, it does not follow the historical end of calligraphy, that study is available for those interested. And although there are no color plates in Alphabets it wisely goes over the basics of calligraphy, the different kinds of nibs (pens), guideline sheets and how to use this book. Do not underestimate its quality; it is a well rounded, well thought out book for those studying letterform. It is fondly known as "Karen's Bible" in my classes (my tattered torn copy goes with me everywhere). Because of its usefulness, it also coincides with the concept that the greatest message in the world is useless unless able to be conveyed. Alphabets seems to handle that concept concerning letterform quite well. Margaret's book brings letterform to our dinner table and finishes it with large helpings of dessert. I highly recommend this book to anyone at any level, beginning or advanced in the study of letterform.

Learn Japanese Calligraphy Lessons 1 - 6 (cd)
by Eri Takase

I was surprised!
Reviewer: Janice J. Adams from Kaneohe, HI United States

  I was surprised!
'Learn Japanese Calligraphy' with Master Eri Takase is incredible!

   I have been interested in Japanese Calligraphy for years. I've purchased many popular books on the subject but was ready to give up in total frustration, not only because of the impossibility of trying to learn calligraphy strokes from a book but also because of the level of the Japanese language required. I was surprised and delighted to find in Takase Sensei's course strokes demonstrated, through videos, in minute detail, dynamically and almost exaggerated, and then frame by frame explanations and samples. There is no way to obtain this level of detail, and it is absolutely essential in calligraphy, from a book. Now I can actually see how it is suppose to be done..

   The videos showing students doing some of the characters, with Takase Sensei making corrections and suggestions, really helps me see and correct my own mistakes and bad habits. It is almost like having my own private instructor, available any time, day or night, there for me whenever I have time to study my calligraphy.

   Knowledge of Japanese isn't required but for those, like me, that are serious about learning the language too, I can improve my language skills as I learn Japanese Calligraphy. The translations given on the CD and the proper pronunciation of all terms are valuable learning tools.

   I do have to admit that I initially had trouble getting the video to play right but solved the problem after visiting the Shodokai forum. I found I needed to install version 7 of the Windows Media Player. Now it works like a charm.

   Another reviewer said that this is a valuable resource for the serious student and I whole-heartedly agree. The title of this course is a bit misleading in one respect. It is also a useful resource for those studying Chinese Calligraphy.

Can't find what you are looking for? Click here to find more books about Calligraphy.