Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide [Hardcover]

Patricia Lovett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

Illuminated manuscripts provide a rich source of inspiration for today's calligraphers, artists, and graphic designers. Patricia Lovett, a professional calligrapher and expert on the medieval book arts, looks at the history of calligraphy and illumination, explores the use of gold in miniatures and highlighting, and then shows how to create a variety of projects ranging from the simple to the technically advanced.

The step-by-step directions provide ideas for creating letter shapes and page layouts and instructions on how to design and paint a coat of arms. Exquisite illuminated manuscripts from the British Library and other sources illustrate the text, and a detailed reference section provides help in selecting papers and brushes, mixing colors, and preparing and stretching vellum. With special chapters written by experts in the fields of calligraphy, illumination, and heraldry, and clear instructions throughout, this colorful volume is a treasure trove.

PATRICIA LOVETT is a professional scribe, author of several books on lettering, and chair of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society in England, where she lives.

325 illustrations, 175 in full color, 81/2 x 101/4"

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Lovett, a professional scribe, has written an amazing book for art students wanting a practical guide to calligraphy, illumination, and heraldry. It is also an amazing resource for those studying the Middle Ages. The author begins with a succinct description of calligraphy including how to sharpen a quill, recognize alphabets, design projects, and run a calligraphy studio. Illumination is discussed in detail with a stunning collection of graphics that describe how to gild and create illumination projects. Photographs of historical and modern illuminations are part of this section of the book. The final chapters pertain to heraldry-its history, design elements, and works of modern heralds. Several chapters written by other experts in the field are included. Readers will find this fine manual easy to read and visually captivating.

Linda A. Vretos, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Professionals and beginners alike will welcome this latest offering from calligrapher and medieval book arts expert Lovett, chair of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society of England. She provides step-by-step, stroke-by-directional stroke instructions on everything from lettering techniques to a range of projects from basic page layouts to advanced design. Lovett explores the history of illuminated manuscripts as a fine art and as a design influence for today's artists, and includes chapters by renowned contributors Herman Zapf on type design; Michelle Brown on illumination; Rosemary Sassoon on handwriting and calligraphy; and Hubert Chesshyre on heraldry and coats of arms. The 225 illustrations, 175 in color, amply complement the text and include reproductions of some of the world's most exquisite illuminated manuscripts. The detailed back matter, a treasure trove of information, has a glossary, paginated index, reading list, and a reference section providing tips on paper, brush choice, and preparation of colors and vellum. Collections strong in the visual arts will be especially interested. Whitney Scott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810941198
• ISBN-13: 978-0810941199
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Illuminations

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous resource for calligraphers!, February 1, 2001

By 

Jennifer G. Miller "jennifergmiller" (Manassas, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide (Hardcover)

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!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on calligraphy, illumination and heraldry!, September 1, 2003

By 

__Alessandro__ (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide (Hardcover)

Without a doubt, this is the best book on calligraphy and illumination ever in print, and the chapters on heraldry are as detailed and lucid as any other text devoted solely to that subject. Whether you are interested in this book to learn calligraphic technique or simply desire it for coffee-table 'eye candy,' you will be genuinely pleased with your purchase.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GORGEOUS book, would be well worth several times the cost!, April 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Calligraphy and Illumination: A History and Practical Guide (Hardcover)

I *LOVE* this book. It is a gorgeous hardcover, which puts to shame many skimpy books at the same price (or much higher). The directions are clear and explicit, covering virtually every aspect of this exquisite art.

In addition to all the basic essentials of illuminated calligraphy (including in depth descriptions and directions for gilding), this even includes explicit directions for coats of arms and similar heraldry -- which is very often an important part of illuminated calligraphy, but which I've never before seen addressed in print, much less with such detailed descriptions and explicit directions. (It not only relates the components of the coat of arms, but what they're based on, how to have one designed and assigned if your family history doesn't include a "legal" one, etc. -- as well as how to decorate this for illuminated calligraphy.) From how to make essential paint mixtures (color, fish glue, or whatever) to how to make the decorations, this book includes everything. The pictures are beautiful, the text is priceless, the directions are invaluable, etc. -- for anyone seriously interested in illuminated calligraphy, this book would be worth many times its modest cost -- and, I never expected to describe 29.95 as a "modest cost", but that really seems to apply to this book when I compare it with other books on the subject.