The Complete Calligraphy Set: Techniques, Tools, and Projects for Mastering Calligraphy [Hardcover]

Ann Bowen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Reader's Digest | Publication Date: October 11, 2001

With two 96-page, easy-to-follow books, highlighting techniques and projects-plus 12 tools-this definitive hands-on set will instruct and inspire both beginning and accomplished calligraphers. Learn the fundamentals and get the expert guidance needed to complete 25 different projects.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (October 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762103507
• ISBN-13: 978-0762103508
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #989,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Variety of Projects and Samples, January 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Calligraphy Set: Techniques, Tools, and Projects for Mastering Calligraphy (Hardcover)

I think it's a great book - lots of great projects - lots of variety - something for everyone.

I especially enjoyed the close-up pictures of the flourishes in Ms. Bowen's calligraphy - there were plenty of pictures of her calligraphy styles - great inspiration to try some myself someday!

I also loved the fact that the book had a good quality pen with nibs included that could have a reservoir attached - this has been hard to find in my area so it was great to be able to try them out - they seemed to be of a very good quality also which was an important selling point for me.

Ms. Bowen did an excellent job of visually showing how to lay out work for a finished piece - I have half a dozen books but it's the best I've seen - plenty of books explain how to make the strokes for the various font styles but very few have interesting projects in them or visually show how to plan and lay out a project.

This book has projects anyone can enjoy and there are plenty of pictures of the projects to inspire calligraphers for projects of their own.

131 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Tools not for beginners, June 20, 2003

By 

"bkjfoster" (Bristol, RI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Calligraphy Set: Techniques, Tools, and Projects for Mastering Calligraphy (Hardcover)

I purchased this book as a complete beginner to calligraphy.

The instruction book includes good instructions for forming the letters. The projects in the project book seems interesting. Unfortunately, there are no instructions for using the tools.

I've never used a calligraphy pen before and I could not figure out how to load the ink and get it to write. I tried dipping it in the ink and that didn't work either. I will probably end up going to an art store and buying a different kind of pen.

I purchased this set because I was hoping to get everything I needed to start. If I were to do it over again, I'd buy a different book and purchase pens and ink at a store where they can show me how to use it.

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Set for a Beginner, January 12, 2006

By 

Texas Tea (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Calligraphy Set: Techniques, Tools, and Projects for Mastering Calligraphy (Hardcover)

I am not a total novice to calligraphy, but it has been many years since I practiced this art. The book contains all of the essential information a beginner needs to know, and some of the basic tools: pen holders, nibs, a brush, pencil and various colored inks. There is a spiral bound Technique Book, and a spiral bound Project Book. I may have missed this in the directions, but most calligraphers I've met find a tiny cosmetics jar with a tight fitting lid. After this has been washed very well cut out a piece of soft foam and place it in the jar, add the ink you'll be using and dip your pen in this jar for getting just the right amount of ink on y,ou pen. You practically eliminate the possibility of getting ink over your project or table. HTH!