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The Calligrapher's Bible: 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them

by David Harris

Buy new: $24.99 $13.45 Buy used: $13.53

Editorial Reviews

Both hobbyists and students of design will value this easy-to-use self-teaching book. Each of its 100 sections shows a complete A-to-Z calligraphy alphabet, with lessons on correct pen strokes and advice on avoiding errors. Beginners will find sound basic instruction, while experienced calligraphers can extend their repertoire with letter styles that range from classic Roman to clean and elegant contemporary styles. In addition to analysis of each alphabet’s features, the book’s detailed instruction provides information on— Tools and materials * Layout basics * Numerals and punctuation * Illumination and ornamentation * Tips for the left-handed calligrapher . . . and more. Readers will also find examples by master calligraphers from past eras. This book’s spiral binding ensures that pages lay flat when opened, allowing calligraphers to study and copy each pen stroke with ease. The Calligrapher’s Bible is printed in color and features more than 350 illustrations.

Customer Reviews

Simply Perfect, 2009-09-01
by L.M.Fields (Orlando, FL)

Whether a beginner or seasoned pro, this book contains a wealth of beautifully illustrated reference material as well as instruction. It's like having your own mentor every step of the way. I would recommend this to anyone with any interest in calligraphy.

Great reference, but not so great for the beginner., 2009-07-29
by Sci-Fi Fiend (El Cajon, CA United States)

I like the book for it's many lettering types, but no so great for the novice or one who is just beginning. I've had some practice and I would not recommend this book to the beginner. I do not think it's simplistic enough to learn strokes and such. Also I being left-handed it's quite the challenge. I do recommend it as a great reference for any library!

An Invaluable Calligraphy Guide-- for Beginners and Pros Alike!, 2009-07-12
by Rebekah Stillwell (Macon, GA USA)

This book is amazing! It has so many different (BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE and DIVERSE)alphabets, I can always find the kind I need for whatever purpose. It also illustrates how to draw them in excellent, helpful pictures and instructions. If you've not been doing calligraphy for very long, this book will soon take you to excellence! If you've been at it for years already, it's an invaluable source to draw from if you're seeking variety. I have used it for so many things I can't count them all.

Great variety of styles but not all well lettered, 2009-06-18
by Natalia Bakke (NV, USA)

I would give 5 stars for the great and unique variety of calligraphic hands, including the modern adaptations. The dissapointing part was the quality of lettering itself, some letters lack the perfection of form and grace you see in the other amazing Harris' book "Art of Calligraphy" (my guess is that the author had too much to accomplish for this book and was running out of time to polish his hand on each and every sample). As an experienced calligrapher I would highly recommend his "Art of Calligraphy", one of my favourite of all times for the beautiful professional models of most historic hands and outstanding instructions.

Lovely, but modernized alphabets, 2009-04-15
by Bungalow Lover (PDX)

There are many alphabets based on historical examples, but they've been adapted, including changing the 'S' from the long S that looks rather like an f, to a modern curved one. It does make your document more readable to the modern eye, and that may be what you want, but isn't very helpful if you're trying to recreate an accurate copy of the original.

The exemplars are clear but brief. It will help if you've had some calligraphy courses already. There are about 60 ancient, medieval and renaissance, including minuscules and capitals, and the others are copperplate and modern hands.

I like the format. This is a small sized book that would be easy to include in your scribal kit. The sturdy binding lets it lay flat. It makes me wish Marc Drogin's Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique came in a similar spiral bound edition!