Calligraphy Bible: A Complete Guide to More Than 100 Essential Projects and Techniques Paperback – April 3, 2012

I looked for quit a while trying to decide what calligraphy book to buy and ended up going to a large bookstore in our area so I could look through the books in person, they had approximately a dozen different calligraphy books. This one stood heads above the rest.I am about 1 month into calligraphy and don't plan to go beyond the fountain pen type pen. But if I do decide to go further this book gives information plentiful, varied and detailed enough that I could set up a professional workshop if I chose to go there in the future.The book is very comprehensive. It covers gilding, pens from fountain to dip pens, papers , how to setup and prepare a workspace, needed tools. This section you can following completely or easily determine how much, how little and what you do or do not need for your personal needs.I love that the book addresses holding the pen for right and left handers. There are 10 alphabets to choose from learn one or all and concise instructions on how to make each letter, ie... pen placement and stroke order.Other areas covered are doing calligraphy on colored papers, mixing colored inks to make new colors, how to choose color combinations. Also included is the pretty stuff, flourishing, which are all the pretty curly cues and such that you may want to add to a letter, a line or a border. Ornamentation of say like a capital letter at the beginning of a book, an invitation, or announcement where they make a beautiful capital letter and then add pretty designs like leaves, flowers, these specially flourished capital letters are often contained within a square then embellished with ornamentation and different colors, even gold leafing or embossing, which of course the book covers.This book also gives ideas and how to's on making pretty borders around your paper , or just in one corner of the paper, or up one side of the paper. Design ideas and layouts are included, they show how to make your design on graph paper first is you need to keep the design lined up with the letter or other parts of the design. This means that you can make up your own ideas for your own design after a little practice, very cool.The book ends with 60 pages of various calligraphy projects, running a big variety of design, style and materials. Then at the very end there is a wonderful list of resources, suppliers etc....I am so glad I did my homework, I know I have chosen the only book I will every need on calligraphy unless I want to get into the kind of flourishing where they draw birds and other designs. I should be so lucky to get to that stage, but I love thinking maybe someday I will. This book has everything you need for a long time to come and is an excellent value.

I love this book - Has a workbook incorporated and decorative initials ideas in the last pages

I got this book for $2.50 not sealed. However, the book feels like it's never been used. The pages aren't creased at the binding so I don't think anyone has actually ever even opened it long enough to read a full page. This was an absolute steal of a bargain on my end. I was a bit skeptical about purchasing a calligraphy trainer for that price from a second hand store. I figured I would have to break out a notebook and do the work along side the book. I will still be doing that. However, when I am done, I can pass it along to my son. Absolutely delighted with this purchase!

Thank you for the quick shipment! Love the book, very informative!

Fast service & Book as stated was as could be bought from a book store.

A good book with plenty of room to practice shaping letters. Perfect for a beginner or someone looking to refresh.

I had no idea how comprehensive this book was when I ordered it on a whim to go with my pointed pen manual. It's just awesome and has motivated me to return to some square pen work.

Boyfriend loved this book and was excited on how big the book was