Hand Lettering: Simple, Creative Styles for Cards, Scrapbooks & More

by Marci Donley, DeAnn Singh

If you think creating beautiful and graceful calligraphy requires years of training and a closet full of fancy pens and exotic inks, think again! Here, the authors explain how anyone can use simple tools and materials found in ordinary craft stores, as well as Q-tips, sponges, and other common items, to produce outstanding results. They provide examples of a dozen alphabet styles, as well as many decorative details. Color photography reveals more than merely the necessary brush and pen techniques—it also shows a vast range of ideas for using calligraphy in new and surprising ways.  

Genres: Art, Reference, Crafts, Drawing, Nonfiction, Design

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to try a more creative addition to my OmniFocus app for TBR review copy organization (March and May are bananas, yo) so I checked out the only available hand-lettering book from the library. This is kind of nice as far as explaining different tools and techniques but since I was interested in something that had more alphabet exemplars (hello, Google) this book didn't quite work for me.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I found this book helpful. There are some lettering samples in this book that I really liked and the book is set up so you can trace the letters onto tracing paper and practice.

[Lesa Parnham · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the start I not only knew this book would be too hard for me, but the list of supplies would be way too expensive. Basically I am going to try to use this book for trying to trace letters, which they do tell you how to do and to get ideas from the pretty flourishes that may make less complicated lettering prettier. I agree with other reviewers, this is not a book for beginners. I bought a few others that I haven't looked at yet,l let's hope they will be more instructive.

[Susie Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find this book intimidating. I was really disappointed. I was under the impression it would have simple, precise instructions but, instead, it's geared more towards someone who already has a great deal of experience with handwriting.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book for the idea of adding flourishes to calligraphy. The pictures are well done, as are the pages with the alphabets. However, this is by no means a beginners guide, and I would use this as an intermediate sourcebook to find ideas for making basic alphabets more fun.

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Pretty pictures and a decent breakdown of lettering supplies, but the alphabets themselves weren't particularly compelling, and it didn't give a great explanation of how to actually use them.

[Electric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Play, practice, write, repeat. Kind of boring.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the different font ideas and clear explanations with pictures on how to make the fonts. There are also plenty of project ideas. This is one that will be added to my craft book library.