Calligraphy For Dummies [Paperback]

Jim Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2007

You’ve always admired beautiful calligraphy, but you probably figured it was way too hard to master, right ?   Calligraphy is actually much easier than you ever dreamed. All you need is the right guide and you’ll be up to speed in no time!

Calligraphy For Dummies lets anyone discover the art and fun of lettering. With this hands-on guide, you’ll be able to develop your craft and test it out in no time. Starting with the italic alphabet, you’ll discover different types of strokes, how to angle your pen, and how to join letters. This easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide shows you:

• All the tools you need to practice the craft
• Where to get the proper ink and paper
• How to master several alphabets
• Different variations to change the look of letters
• How to mix and match your alphabets
• How to create a poster, sign, or certificate
• Ways to design and letter a quotation
• Common mistakes that can easily be avoided

Calligraphy For Dummies also provides tips on how to put your calligraphy skills to good use, with ideas for making money, adding flair to wedding invitations, and more! It also includes ten fun alphabets and practice pages to hone in on your talent, as well as examples of poorly formed letters to keep you on track. With a little practice, you’ll be creating stunning letters and experiencing the joys of writing calligraphy!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From Italic to Roman to Uncial — create calligraphic alphabets with ease

For many people, calligraphy is something they admire from afar, but don't believe they could ever do it themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth! Practice is the key to becoming a good calligrapher, and that 's what this book is all about. Open it and you'll find easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions in all the basics, from choosing the right pens and paper and holding the pen properly to using calligraphy to create six beautiful alphabets. Plus, there are plenty of creative projects for putting your skills into action. With just a little practice every day, you'll be well on your way to doing calligraphy with style!

• The simple, sure-fire approach to learning calligraphy

• How to use pen tips of various sizes and shapes

• Ways to embellish and personalize your lettering

• How to add a special touch to stationery, journals, diaries, correspondence, plaques, and more

• Exercises for practicing your skills with confidence

About the Author

Jim Bennett has been teaching calligraphy for about 30 years. He has taught at every level from kindergarten through college and has introduced thousands of people to calligraphy. Although he lost count some time ago, he suspects that he must hold a record for the number of students he has taught in the classroom, by correspondence, and through the Internet.
Jim has a B.F.A. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.F.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Among the awards he has earned are the Virginia Artists Certificate of Distinction and the Ohio Art Education Association’s Distinguished Educator Award in 2003.
In 1982, Jim self-published a popular instruction manual titled “You Can Do Calligraphy.” He also developed a complete Italic handwriting curriculum for grades K through 5 for Wakefield School in Virginia, created a calligraphy correspondence course for Lord Fairfax Community College, and pioneered calligraphy lessons on the Internet. His calligraphy website (www.studioarts.net/calligraphy) has had almost one million visitors. He is the founder and manager of the original Calligraphy Webring which is comprised of about a hundred of the finest calligraphy websites internationally.
In addition to calligraphy, Jim worked for several years as a portrait artist under the name Bennecelli. He has also painted murals. Recently, he has been developing art-related projects based on adventure themes that math teachers can use to enhance math instruction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (May 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470117710
• ISBN-13: 978-0470117712
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction, June 12, 2007

By 

T. Hayes "Some guy" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calligraphy For Dummies (Paperback)

I just wanted to say that I recently purchased this book and am pleased with it. The book has a nice structure to it and helps walk me through everything from getting the tools of the trade, to building my confidence. For someone with my complete lack of experience, this book was exactly what I needed. Some of the other books I've found have been somewhat slim on explanation, or a poor choice for a tutorial. While it doesn't have the full suite of letter forms inside it that others may have, it seems to have the major ones I'd like to start with, and is a great way to get started. I suspect that someone with experience already would find this book somewhat too basic.

I would have given this book five out of five, were it not for the fact that I really have nothing else to compare it to. As well as the fact that the pages are not really suited to practise on as they are of a newsprint type quality. For those who wish to begin with calligraphy, I suggest using this book to get started with without reservation.

Cheers,

t.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moving beyond "Dummies", October 12, 2007

By 

L. S. Nestor "Computer Tutor" (Westminster, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calligraphy For Dummies (Paperback)

This book is great for the beginner who doesn't mind being seen with a book for Dummies. The explanations are clear and there is even help for the left handed calligrapher. The illustrations help a lot. Although there are some different fonts to work with the selection has been kept to the simpler types. It is a good way to get started with the art of beautiful writing.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner book, July 24, 2007

By 

John Parsons - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calligraphy For Dummies (Paperback)

It has little depth to it but for the beginner is quite good. Better than many beginner calligraphy books.