Simply Calligraphy: A Beginner's Guide to Elegant Lettering

by Judy Detrick

Learning the simple and beautiful art of hand-lettered calligraphy is as easy as picking up pen and paper!Italic is the calligraphy’s most popular alphabet, and this delightful manual introduces basic capital and small letters and numbers, plus all the creative flourishes you need to customize your unique script for every project and occasion. With quick and easy instruction from calligraphy teacher and designer Judy Detrick, Simply Calligraphy will have you whipping up elegant invitations, pleasing place cards, and personalized thank-you notes in no time.Includes practice exercises, advice on tools and materials, and project ideas for place cards, invitations, and more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Crafts

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sample alphabet in these pages will help you learn the proper form of letters as they were created long ago, during the Italian Renaissance. Called italic, this is the hand most commonly seen on wedding invitations, hand-lettered menus, and other artful presentations.

This is the kind of book one really needs in physical form. I bet it's great.

That aside, I liked it. I must say I'm by no means any more skilled now in calligraphy than before reading it. It takes practice to find the perfect instruments (pen and paper), and even more practice to achieve that beautiful writing. But it is fun and the book has many interesting information in it.

By the way, did you know that "It's a good idea to warm up each time you sit down to do calligraphy"? I would have never thought of that.

*I thank Judy Detrick, Ten Speed Press Watson-Guptill, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Annamaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

You surely won't be a skilled calligraphist afer having read this little book but it was a lot of fun practicing the various strokes that make up the letters and to write down everything I wanted in a fanciful way (my own writing stile resambles little inky claws a chicken left behind while wandering on a piece of paper so...!)
I recommend it to whomever might be interested in the beautiful art of Calligraphy. I bet that the physical book must be gorgeous!

I kindly received this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book as an option on Blogging for Books to review, I had to take it. Lettering has been something that I want to get into. However, I am not very good at it yet, so I figured that I should pick this one up and see if it could teach me a few things.

And it does! Yay! That is always something you want in a book like this!

There is actually a lot more reading involved in this book than you might think a calligraphy book would have you do, but then again, the best way to learn is the right way? I don't know if it is necessarily the right way, but for me it works out.

One thing I would have really liked more of though was alphabets. This book actually only contains a few. So this book Simply Calligraphy, to me, appears to just have some very basic lessons. Definitely meant to be more for a beginner (again, something that is perfect for someone like myself).

All in all, I liked this one. I look forward to using it to practice and help me get on my road of being able to do amazing looking lettering.

This review is based on a copy provided by Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to know something funny about me? I am a lot more likely to misspell something while typing than I am while writing it out by hand.

I love writing things out in notebooks. And I have been keeping a journal since I was, well technically 9, but officially since I was 12 or 13. (Sadly I don't write as much as I'd like to anymore.)

One constant thing about my 13 years of writing: I have never liked my writing. By some miracle it would improve by the time I got to the end of the journal, but it's always been a sore spot for me.

I've always wanted simply to learn to write well, but the idea of calligraphy has always been a dream of mine.

And this book, just as the title suggests, is a great beginner's guide to get started. It's simple, to the point and doesn't overcomplicate something that seems incredible complicated.

It makes calligraphy something I would want to stick with until I got the hang of it and not give up because it seemed too daunting.

I don't think I've ever found another book that was so user friendly.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

[Clara Biesel]

This is a nice book I read through on my phone-- read it in paper, friends. You'll get a lot more out of it if you read it with a nib pen in your hand.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm working hard to improve my hand lettering. Calligraphy has always mystified me, mostly because I am too impulsive to follow all the directions given. I wan instant results, and that just doesn't happen. However, this is the first book that has actually made calligraphy approachable to me, mostly because it is straightforward, and recognizes that though the idea setup will, with practice, produce ideal results, most people aren't going to build a calligraphy desk or acquire eleventy billion nibs and handles and inks. When Judy Detrick said to practice on notebook paper, I think I fell in love.

I'm still practicing, which is more than I've done with any of the other calligraphy books I've tried. My only wish is that there were more full alphabets for me to see and play with, but that's what the internet is for.

My thanks to Blogging for Books and the publisher for sending this copy my way. I have to keep it hidden so my granddaughter doesn't steal it from me when she comes over.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is is very easy to follow. My husband does not do well with books in the "How To" family, but this worked well for him. He does tattoos, his downfall is lettering. A friend of his recommended learning to write calligraphy style do to the way you hold the needle in comparison to how you hold a calligraphy pen. It helped a lot.

I really recommend this book. The way the different letters are grouped together with similar letters written with the same motions is nice. Brush strokes are labelled in a 1,2,3 manner.

[Sarah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very simple and straight to the point. It breaks the basic calligraphy letters down into groups of like/similar letters making it easier to figure out groupings first and then moving on to the next group. It explains things very well so that any beginner could pick up a calligraphy pen and learn the basics. If you are looking for super fancy calligraphy this book is not for you, it's just a starting point.

[Raquel Cruz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not as thorough as I wanted it to be/expected it to be. It's a brief introduction giving you the basic building blocks to start your journey with calligraphy. It is short and sweet and makes calligraphy bery accesible.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Blogging For Books/Watson-Guptil Publications in exchange for an honest review.]

Although I am perhaps not the most ideal person when it comes to the practice of calligraphy, which is several orders of magnitude of more elegant handwriting than I am capable of providing on a regular basis, this does make for a fascinating book to read, and one which lives up to its goal of being a beginner’s guide to elegant lettering, with the goal of encouraging the reader onto further reading as well as the practice of calligraphy, while also providing some practical benefit for someone to spend the time necessary to master such an elegant form of writing. As is often the case, this book makes certain assumptions about its readers, and as is frequently the case, I do not fit in with these assumptions [1], given that the author assumes the reader will be right-handed, as the instruction in the book about slant and the order of forming letters depends on being right handed in order to do well. There are books about left-handed calligraphy, but this is not one of them. Southpaws would be advised to seek handwriting guidance elsewhere.

In terms of its contents, the book is short and its presentation is elegant, making the book a work of artistic design itself. Coming in at under 100 pages, this is not a book whose reading will greatly tax the reader, and both its calligraphy design as well as its font choice are elegant and attractive, with good texture for its paperback cover as well. The chapters of the book are organized in a very logical flow, starting with the tools and materials that one needs to get started (paper and pens, specifically), starting by getting a feel for a broad pen and how it works, and then moving through small letters, capital letters, numerals, and various flourishes that one can make with a pen (including lined paper to help with one’s calligraphy). After this the author discusses some project ideas on how to use such a skill effectively, and then provides some additional alphabets for readers to master, before providing further studies and resources and notes about the author as well as acknowledgements.

This particular book is dedicated to the author’s first teacher in calligraphy, and it makes for a worthwhile first book in calligraphy. Whether or not this book is the last book a reader will tackle on calligraphy depends on whether the reader finds the task of practicing letters and elegant brush strokes to be a worthwhile task to practice at, as skill in this art depends on being able to have consistent lettering in a variety of ways, including the angle lines are drawn at, the spacing of lines, the relative size and position of letters, as well as the components of letters, which in the book are grouped according to different families based on their shape and the pen strokes required to form the letters. Even the reader who may not find the art a worthwhile one to master may at least find this book helpful in appreciating the calligraphy of others. Regardless of how the reader approaches this book, it is an enjoyable one to read and a practical one as well. Readers who want to carry the art of calligraphy further will find good resources at the end of this book to carry on their efforts even further.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...

[Claudia {SparrowHawk} · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simply Calligraphy is a very very basic book for beginners. It offers simple step-by-step instruction to help beginners develop a foundation for this lettering art and that is all. There was nothing truly appealing about the book and to be frank, it lacked in style and quality. I guess what I am trying to say is, I expected more and this book simply did not deliver ― it was just okay for me.
___________________________________
Calligraphy is a lettering art I have always admired for its fluidity and beauty. Not only that, but it’s an artistic talent that has steadily been re-emerging in light of the numerous DIY’s out there. Thus, when I saw Simply Calligraphy I instantly requested it. At first glance, the book is welcoming and as you skim through the pages you notice that the book offers short easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and exercises to better help you craft these lovely italic letters. To boot, it offers a brief introduction to the various tools and materials needed to master this skill. Additionally, the book mainly focuses on the essential foundations such as hairline strokes, pen angles, pen nibs, paper, flourishes, and ornaments.

In the end, however, Simply Calligraphy was, as its title clearly suggests, a simple overview on calligraphy for beginners. The pages are bland and monotone with nothing to really keep the student engaged. I personally would have liked to have seen more color, more vision, more examples with details to provoke me to drive to my local craft store and actually invest in some tools and materials.

All things said, Simply Calligraphy is a great elementary reference book; howbeit, I will invest in a more interactive book that is up to par with my taste and influence me to master this beautiful and stylish art form.

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review, it was not required of me to give a positive review, but to solely express my honest thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

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[Jaina Rose]

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

I have a huge confession to make: I didn't actually use this book to learn calligraphy.

You see, when I actually sat down to start trying out the lessons, I discovered that the ink in my calligraphy pen (bought on a whim several years ago, and left abandoned under my dresser for two whole years) was entirely dried out. I tried to resuscitate it with a jar of red ink, but all I got for my troubles was a mess of crumpled red paper towels, a near heart attack when I almost stained the carpet, red fingers that looked like I'd gotten the worst nail polish job ever, and some concerned questions from my sister after she found my seemingly bloody paper towels in the bathroom trash can.

Oh, yeah, and I also got about twenty seconds of globby red ink coming out of the calligraphy pen. Not enough to actually learn to write with, and too messy to make dipping and writing a feasible option for this (rather clumsy) beginner.

So yeah, I feel absolutely terrible but I wasn't able to test this book out the way I'd thought I would. Instead I just read through it, and - for what it's worth - I can say that to the naked eye it looks like a good book for learning calligraphy. You learn lower case first, and then upper, and then numbers, and then fancy decorations (or "flourishes"); the characters in each category are grouped according to the motions you use to make them, instead of just by their order in the alphabet, and little numbered arrows are written in next to the characters to show you what motions to make when writing them. I could totally see how focusing on just one page at a time and moving steadily through the book would be a great way to learn all of calligraphy. I don't know that I'm really the sort of patient person who would settle down to do all of the practicing I can see now that it would entail, but I can definitely enjoy looking at the finished product!

I can't vouch very well for the quality of the book, both because I didn't actually follow its instructions and because I've never read any other book on the topic that I could compare it to, but to me at least it seems like a good starting point for a beginner who wants to learn calligraphy. If any of you know anything about calligraphy, have you tried this book? Do you like it? I'm really curious to see what people who actually know what they're talking about think about Simply Calligraphy!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Blogging For Books program in exchange for an honest review.

[Madelyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Rating: 3.5 Stars

Let me just say-- I love calligraphy and I have read many different books involving calligraphy... This book was a very simple way to learn calligraphy, yet I did have some issues with it.

This book was mostly written in paragraphs and wrote about how to execute types of writing. I would prefer it if there were more illustrations and activities within the pages. By that, I just mean that there needs to be more and more unique photos. The book was written out and was very specific, yet didn't really have enough about how to execute to characters. The final comment that I had that was a bit negative was that the way that the letters were divided in sections was a bit odd in my opinion. It just made it a bit difficult to find specifically what you are looking for.

But, there were many things that I liked about this book. The cover was very pretty and had many nice designs on it with some metallic dots on it. The book was also written in a way that is very easy to understand, especially for beginners. The instructions are easy to understand and the pictures that are in the book can show how to execute the characters. In the beginning of the book, there are a bunch of introductions explaining what tools to use when learning calligraphy. These were tools/technologies for beginners, and what professionals use. There are also many cool ways and introductions to using the skills that you have learned throughout the book.

This is a good book for the VERY beginner that is great for someone who needs to know the basics of calligraphy.

I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogging For Books as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Source: Free copy from Blogging For Books in exchange for a review.
Rating: 4 stars for very good.

Summary:
Art journaling and penmanship has become popular. On Pinterest, boards have been created in order to share and help those of us who are apart of this artistic community.
Back in high school I took Art I. In this class I learned calligraphy. I have loved this art ever since.
Simply Calligraphy: A Beginner's Guide is a basic study of the art, and a stepping stone to further study.
The focus is on italic, small lettering, punctuation, and capital letters.
The first section of the book is on the tools needed.
The last section in the book gives ideas for calligraphy uses.
Other types of lettering is introduced.

My Thoughts:
Simply Calligraphy has two strong elements:

The book is easy to read and understand. The information is clear and concise.
Just the right amount of information is given to a student. The book is not a heavy calligraphy study, but beneficial to a beginner.
I love the engagement Detrick has with the reading audience. She is positive and made me feel apart of a one-on-one lesson.
Helpful hints are given, for example, "make sure you." The author knows from her experience in teaching the "things" beginning students will not know to do.
I believe this is a worthy book for a beginning calligrapher student!

[Heather Rochon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a long time, I’ve always wanted to learn the art of calligraphy but I just never took the time to sit down and do it. Getting an ARC of Simply Calligraphy helped solve that problem. With book and new broad-edge pen in hand, I sat down to read and practice.

Judy Detrick’s calligraphy guide is a well-informed how-to handbook to introduce the beginnings of artful writing. It’s not simply a how-to though, Simply Calligraphy provides the history of calligraphy and breaks down the science of pen strokes and letter forms.

Simply Calligraphy really works to help with comprehension of calligraphy, how different writing tools work and how the math of angles factor into letter positioning so that the final product looks elegant and finished.

The guide is educational and well put-together, simple and easy in explanation. Compared to other calligraphy handbooks that I have seen, it is a forerunner to be among the best. Everything you need to know to get started in word art is in Simply Calligraphy; the only thing you need to do to keep going is practice.

4/5 Stars.

I received a free copy of Simply Calligraphy from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Shalini Ayre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This step by step guide shows the reader the techniques used to create beautiful letters. Detrick's easy style and images showing which direction to draw in and therefore forming each letter is not complicated.

Whether a complete beginner or someone who dabbled in calligraphy and stopped and need a reminder, this is a good companion. Each chapter on pens, small letters, numbers etc., are well thought out and there is logic behind the 'flow'.

Perhaps a lost art, this book will appeal to those who are creative but haven't felt brave enough to write their own labels or invitations. With careful reading and practice anyone will be able to create the delightful italics and become a 'pro' in no time at all.

I haven't finished practicing yet! I found it very easy to follow instructions. The ways on how to use this particular art - wedding invitations, place names etc. - was especially helpful. Easy to follow and gave me confidence to write in this style.

A recommended read for crafters as well as those interested in the art of writing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always found calligraphy to be such a beautiful and useful skill to have and so when I saw this book I immediately wanted it with hopes that by the end of it I would be writing super beautiful calligraphy everywhere. Well I'm not going to lie to you, unfortunately you wont be a brilliant calligraphist after reading this book, but you will know how to do what you are meant to be doing (even if, like me, you still can't do it!)

The book is divided into various sections for the various things you will be wanting to write such as small letters, capitals, numerals, flourishes etc. It gives loads of information on the tools and materials you need to be using, plus some great ideas for the type of things you can create with your new (or non-existent in my case) calligraphy skills.

Just like with the animal facts book I would definitely recommend you getting this one as a paper book, as the eBook was slightly hard to use when looking at the images. Even so, I feel like this book gave me a great basic knowledge of what I'm meant to be doing and after some (a lot!) of practice I should be able to write something half decent.

[Just Commonly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simply Calligraphy by Judy Detrick is just what it said. It's simply a "beginner's guide to elegant lettering," the traditional calligraphy style once taught in school. It's easy to read and quite simply annotated. As someone that did take calligraphy in school, this was more of a refresher. However, I did enjoy the latter part of the book on "flourishes" that elaborates on the traditional taught style. For example, the cover of this book, the word, "Calligraphy" have additional flourishes in the "g," "h," and "y." There are other ways to add flourishes allowing the style to change. Some of the beautiful lettering we see of quotes in framed pieces are not the same style, which I'd say are more freehand modern style than traditional calligraphy. With that said, I think Simple Calligraphy is a great start for those who want to try their hands on lettering art or simple to have better penmanship.


NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

[Alexandra Consolver · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars - I recommend if you are looking to learn calligraphy, and want to start with a clean, easy to follow lesson.

This little calligraphy book is short and sweet, including information on calligraphy basics as well as project ideas. Detrick creates a clean, simple, and straight-forward approach to calligraphy in it's most basic styles; perfect for beginners. I like that she gives tips and step by step advice for working through her samples on your own, and there is not so much text that the hints get lost in the pages. She additionally adds further resources and fun project ideas to further practice and show off your new calligraphy skills. I have read quite a few calligraphy books, and I really liked the simplicity of this one. However, I personally find more modern types of calligraphy a little more personally appealing. All the same, this book is worth a read for someone who wants to learn calligraphy basics, a perfect starting place.

I was given advance access to by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and again, a person needs to read a book that is educational, productive, and enlightening. So I chose Simply Calligraphy by Judy Detrick. I like her simple directions, her easy-to-follow examples, and the beautiful font style that can come out of the hands of the person willing to practice. Each lesson helps the calligrapher get a grasp on pen angles, quality paper, ink, and pens. For a job to be done well, one must have the right tools and Judy provides great instruction for that. The next thing she covers is technique--small strokes, long strokes, connecting strokes, and punctuation. Once the reader has completed the exercises, a simple but beautiful itallic will flow of the reader's hand. It will take practice, but anything worth doing does take practice.

I rate this book five stars, two thumbs up, and a hand lettered invitation to a special occasion.

Watson-Guptill Publications provided this book in exchange for my honest opinion. No other obligations were leveed on either of us for this review.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply Calligraphy presents basic letter shapes in a clean format. This book isn’t intimidating! The instructions stick to the essentials and inspire confidence. I especially liked the recommendation to use a 1.5 mm pen so that the letters fit correctly on notebook paper. The letters are organized by stroke which makes it easy to practice and see how letter shapes are related. I was able to get started for a few dollars with chisel-tip calligraphy marker, but I’m looking forward to getting a set with metal nibs for more complicated projects.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always found calligraphy elegant and pretty. There seems to be a lot you can do once you know how to write this way and this book is perfect for beginners!! It starts with down strokes and lines and works up to bigger letters and writing. This book is set up nicely and makes it easy to understand and practice. I wasn't overwhelmed by too much at once, which can happen with books like this.


Highly recommend!!





I received this book from Blogging For Books for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Holly's Little Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this little book is perfect for people who want to begin to learn calligraphy! It goes over basic lettering for each letter, and groups similar letters together, which, I think, makes it easier to learn. I also love that the book teaches "flourishes" for an extra fun touch when working on lettering projects. I would definitely recommend this book!

I received this book from Blogging for Books for review.

[Lynndell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Watson-Guptill for the arc of Simply Calligraphy by Judy Detrick! I love this book with it's easy directions and understandable illustrative examples of calligraphy. The focus is kept on the italic alphabet, which makes it more doable and the instructions are short and to the point! Recommended for everyone who wants to embellish their writing!

[Brooke Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with all things hand lettering. This book sets a great guide on how to begin, but the real skill comes from lots and lots of practice. I would suggest using the lined paper included with the book and make copies so you can practice lots with a loose piece of paper. I also recommend trying a few different types and styles of pens. I really like the tombow double ended brush tips.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful, informative and easy to follow! I love it!! Easy language and steps. No pride or advance starting point but low cost and basic doable steps... then advancing to more difficult steps. A skill that should not be lost!!

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple beginner's calligraphy instructional book. I think that many beginners will find it helpful. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love working with this book! I just wish it had some workbook pages on the inside to practice, but all the same I love it!

[Gracie]

I'm not necessarily more skilled at calligraphy after looking through this book it does give me some ideas of some stuff I could do in my journal.