Calligraphy Alphabets Made Easy

by Margaret Shepherd

For beginning calligraphers, this book presents a new lettering challenge for each day of the year, 365 in all (plus a bonus for Leap Day). In addition to daily practice, a practical lettering project is provided for each week--52 in all, ranging from wholly creative projects such as designing an award to money-makers like wedding invitations and greeting cards.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

111 pages, Hardcover

First published July 25, 1986

Reviews

[Issendai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite what the blurb suggests, this book doesn't offer much instruction in how to write the alphabets. What it does offer is hundreds of alphabets, from variations on classic hands to alphabets based on fonts to completely new alphabets. It varies the writing instrument, so if you follow the order in the book, you'll jump from flexible nibs to markers to Chinese calligraphy brushes. There's even an alphabet designed for an almost-dry marker. The alphabets are printed at a size that I found reasonably good for tracing practice, and the letters are grouped with like shapes together to help you learn the strokes particular to the hand. They're interspersed with projects (like writing around the edge of a circle) that push you to try new things.

I bought this book as an alphabet stylebook. For that purpose, it's disorganized, but effective. I'm dubious about its worth as an alphabet-a-day course, which was how it was written. You'd need to have or buy all the writing implements used, which means that if you've never done, say, brushwork, you'd have to get the materials and learn to use them on the fly, or skip that day. Also, the quality of the alphabets ranges from the beautiful to the hideous, so you'd spend a good chunk of your time practicing alphabets you hated.

My verdict: Use as a sourcebook or a prompt, but not a lesson book or a course.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great alphabets to work with and try out.

[♥Xeni♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has 366 different alphabets in it, which on first glance are incredible. And all of them complete with instructions on how you can write them yourself, by hand. Including weird ones like Wild West themed, and typewriter, and computer-age ones.

All the typical alphabets are also in this book, like copperplate, gothic variations, celtic, etc.

In between the actual alphabets are many notes and helpful hints on how to work with the different holidays and many gift ideas as well.

It's an incredible book, and I wish that I had gotten a copy sooner!

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Examples of, helps if you already are practicingng

[Steen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is primarily a compilation of font samples. It includes precious little instruction.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful store of innovative calligraphic fonts. I should find this useful as a library for illustration projects.