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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
A fun introduction to the art of calligraphy—plus how-tos and practice exercises
Calligraphy For Dummies, 2nd Edition is an approachable place to start for anyone interested in lettering with flair. This book provides helpful tips and tricks for learning this expressive artform, including choosing your pen and paper, taking care of your materials, understanding foundational concepts, and putting your own spin on classic alphabet styles. Once you've gotten the basics down, this book also helps spark interesting project ideas, including ways you can elevate letters, invitations, posters, and beyond. With plenty of practice opportunities and guidance, this easy-to-use resource will have you dotting your i's and crossing your t's—the fancy way.
Inside:
- Learn classic calligraphy lettering and techniques, as well as digital calligraphy
- Discover the world of ink, pens, and paper, and choose the best materials for your project
- Add your own artistic touch to alphabet styles
- Add beautiful lettering to your other art and craft projects
Pick up an exciting new hobby or brush up, with Calligraphy For Dummies, 2nd Edition.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting Started with Calligraphy
Chapter 1: You Can Do Calligraphy!
Removing Assumptions about Calligraphy
Having Patience and Focus
Using the Three-Step Practice Method
Introducing the EZScript Alphabet
Doing Calligraphy at Any Age
Taking Your Skills Further
Chapter 2: Assembling Your Calligrapher’s Toolbox
Finding the Right Materials
Choosing Your First Pens and Ink
Dipping into Dip Pens and Ink
Selecting the Right Paper
Adding Materials to Your Calligraphy Kit
Taking Care of Your Materials
Chapter 3: Putting Pen to Paper: Modern Tools for a Timeless Art
Using a Fountain Pen
Working with a Dip Pen
Setting Up Your Calligraphy Board
Keeping Letters Straight: Drawing Guidelines
Loosening Up to Get Started
Striking a Pose
Perfecting Your Pen Angle
Part 2: Taking a Beginner’s Path to Calligraphic Artistry
Chapter 4: Getting Acquainted with EZScript
Taking Your First Steps with EZScript
Grouping the EZScript Letters
Practicing All the Lowercase Letters
Lettering the Capital Letters
Customizing EZScript
Using the ZIG Writer Marker (or a Brush Pen) with EZScript
Chapter 5: Lettering EZScript with a Calligraphy Pen
Using the Correct Pen Hold
Warming Up to Your Pen
Forming Letters with Your Pen
Tracing Words
Realizing the Difference between Writing and Lettering
Chapter 6: Refining Your Calligraphy
Checking Yourself with the 5-S Formula
Reviewing the Most Common Errors
Practicing Effectively to See the Most Progress
Chapter 7: Creating Expressive Quotations: Elevating Your Skills
Gathering What You Need
Arranging the Lines of the Quotation
Creating an Impressive Spiral Design
Using Quotations to Express Yourself Creatively
Evaluating Your Success
Part 3: Exploring the Traditional Alphabets
Chapter 8: Classical Roman Letters: The Pillars of Written Language
The Simplicity and Challenge of Roman Letters
Getting to Know the Five Groups of Roman Letters
Putting the Letters Together
Drawing Roman Letters Using a Pen
Avoiding Common Roman Alphabet Errors
Adding on Some Serifs
Chapter 9: Uncial: The Irish Charm of Celtic Glyphs
Starting with the Uncial Alphabet
Adding Elegance with Uncial Serifs
Four Groups of Uncial Letters
Putting the Uncial Letters Together
Varying the Uncial Alphabet
Chapter 10: Manuscript: The Elegant Hand of the Scribes
Getting to Know the Manuscript Alphabet Basics
Going Low with Manuscript Lowercase Letters
Making Manuscript Capital Letters
Counting Your Number Options
Putting It All Together
Making Variations of the Manuscript Alphabet
Chapter 11: Blackletter: The Majesty of Medieval Script
Getting to Know the Blackletter Alphabet
Boning Up on the Basic Strokes of Blackletter
Combining the Basic Strokes for the Lowercase Alphabet
Moving On to Capital Letters
Nudging Forward to Numerals
Stringing Together Blackletter Letters
Chapter 12: Italic: The Renaissance of Elegance
Taking Baby Steps to Mastering the Italic Alphabet
Introducing the Italic Alphabet
It’s All in the Family — Six Simple and Easy Letter Families
Putting Together What You Know to Make Letters and Words
Doing Italic with a Calligraphy Pen
Drawing Lowercase Italic Letters with a Calligraphy Pen
Making Italic Capital Letters
Combining Italic Lowercase and Capital Letters
Writing Italic Numbers and Punctuation
Checking Yourself with the 5-S Formula
Reviewing the Most Common Errors in Italic
Chapter 13: Copperplate: The Art of Flourished Perfection
Cozying Up to Copperplate
Using the Ten Basic Strokes
Drawing Lowercase Copperplate Letters
Stepping Up to Capital Letters
Numbers and Punctuation
Putting Copperplate Together
Chapter 14: Versals: Elegantly Outlined and Decorated Letters
Equipping Yourself with the Right Tools
Drawing the Illuminated Capitals
Experimenting with Creative Alphabets
Applying Gold Leaf in the Traditional Method
Exploring More Gilding Ideas
Part 4: Expanding Your Repertoire Beyond the Basics
Chapter 15: Adding Variations, Borders, Flourishes, and Other Embellishments
Using Variations to Change the Look of Letters
Mastering Flourishes
Enhancing Your Calligraphy by Using Borders
Adding Other Embellishments
Chapter 16: Broadening Your Artistic Horizons: Signatures, Quotations, and More
Gathering What You Need
Designing a Flourished Signature
Composing Beautiful Quotations: The Calligrapher’s Specialty
Incorporating Designs and Drawn Images into Your Calligraphy
Making Maps
Addressing Envelopes
Producing Plaques
Doing Your Own Matting and Framing
Creating Calligraphic Fine Art
Chapter 17: Crafting Elegant Certificates
Getting Your Materials and Skills in Order
Looking at Examples of Certificates
Filling In Names on Prepared Certificates
Working from Scratch
Fixing Mistakes
Creating Resolutions
Presenting Your Work with a Presentation Folder
Chapter 18: Designing Eye-Catching Posters or Signs
Getting the Tools and Skills to Polish a Poster
Using Pull-Stroke Italic
Avoiding Common Errors in Design
Making a Good Poster
Making Large-Scale Letters
Brushing on Letters for Signs
Chapter 19: Creating Calligraphic Computer Fonts
Using Custom Calligraphic Fonts
Creating Your Own Calligraphic Fonts
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Use Your Calligraphy for Weddings
Preparing the Invitations
Designing Envelopes and Cards
Making Announcements
Designing Custom Monograms
Getting with the Program
Setting the Table with Place Cards and Favor Tags
Cooking Up Menus
Making It Official with a Marriage Certificate
Signing the Wedding Guest Book
Creating Thank-You Notes
Chapter 21: Ten Fun Alphabets
Nearly Persian
Pseudo-Chinese
Hebrew-esque
French Ronde
Old German (Also Known As Fraktur)
It’s Greek to Me
Digital
Upside-Down Letters
Fancy Fancy
Funky Letters
Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Turning Your Calligraphy into Income
Making a List
Creating a Sizzling Business Card
Impressing with Your Portfolio
Getting Paid for Your Work
Making Reproductions
Showing Off the Goods
Taking the Order
Finalizing the Sale
Matting and Framing
Keeping Your Business Legal
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1
FIGURE 1-1: How to study, trace, and copy, using the generic Roman letter
x
as ...
FIGURE 1-2: An example of the EZScript alphabet.
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1: The ZIG Writer.
FIGURE 2-2: The Manuscript fountain pen set and Pelikan 4001 ink.
FIGURE 2-3: The left-handed and right-handed nibs.
FIGURE 2-4: Three hand-position options for left-handers.
FIGURE 2-5: The Mitchell Round Hand nib with a clip-on reservoir beside it, Bra...
FIGURE 2-6: The Brause, Speedball, and Mitchell dip pens with bottles of Pelika...
FIGURE 2-7: The correct way to use a lap board.
Chapter 3
FIGURE 3-1: The parts of a fountain pen.
FIGURE 3-2: Filling a cartridge pen.
FIGURE 3-3: Filling a pen that has an adapter.
FIGURE 3-4: A tense pen hold.
FIGURE 3-5: The ideal pen hold.
FIGURE 3-6: Holding the flat edge of the nib flush against the surface of the p...
FIGURE 3-7: The distinctive thick-and-thin ribbon-like look of real calligraphy...
FIGURE 3-8: Try to copy these doodles by using your fountain pen.
FIGURE 3-9: Figure out how to make these thick and thin lines by using your fou...
FIGURE 3-10: Details of a dip pen.
FIGURE 3-11: Filling the dip pen.
FIGURE 3-12: How to set up your calligraphy board.
FIGURE 3-13: Calligraphy lettering guidelines.
FIGURE 3-14: Using pen widths to determine the distance between the guidelines.
FIGURE 3-15: Use a T-square to align your paper.
FIGURE 3-16: Draw horizontal guidelines by using a T-square.
FIGURE 3-17: Getting your ruler and paper taped down.
FIGURE 3-18: Using a right triangle to draw horizontal guidelines.
FIGURE 3-19: Calligraphy warm-up exercises.
FIGURE 3-20: The correct posture for calligraphy.
FIGURE 3-21: An over-the-shoulder view of the correct posture and pen hold for ...
FIGURE 3-22: Three basic pen angles.
FIGURE 3-23: Eight pen angles from 0 to 90 degrees.
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1: EZScript offers a great beginner’s alphabet.
FIGURE 4-2: Letters with the
o
shape.
FIGURE 4-3: Letters with an ascender loop.
FIGURE 4-4: Letters with a descender loop.
FIGURE 4-5: Letters that you make with two strokes.
FIGURE 4-6: All the lowercase letters.
FIGURE 4-7: The EZScript capital letters.
FIGURE 4-8: Three possible ways to customize EZScript.
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1: The angle of the pen when viewed from the side.
FIGURE 5-2: Two incorrect pen angles and one correct, viewed from above.
FIGURE 5-3: Warm-up strokes.
FIGURE 5-4: Zig-zags show thicks and thins.
FIGURE 5-5: Overhead view of how to hold the pen.
FIGURE 5-6: The EZScript alphabet.
FIGURE 5-7: Tracing EZScript capital letters.
FIGURE 5-8: Tracing EZScript lowercase letters.
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: Shaky stroke (left); better stroke (right).
FIGURE 6-2: A steep pen angle (top left); a flat pen angle (top right), and a g...
FIGURE 6-3: Incorrect shapes (left); correct shapes (right).
FIGURE 6-4: A visual for the perfect slant.
FIGURE 6-5: Inconsistent slant (left); uniform slant (right).
FIGURE 6-6: Inconsistent sizes (left); uniform sizes (right).
FIGURE 6-7: Inconsistent spacing (left); uniform spacing (right).
FIGURE 6-8: Using a
c
instead of an oval shape.
FIGURE 6-9: Poorly shaped ascender loops.
FIGURE 6-10: Problems with descender loops.
FIGURE 6-11: Awkwardly shaped
c
’s and
e
’s.
FIGURE 6-12: Improving imprecisely formed
t
’s.
FIGURE 6-13: Strangely shaped
s
’s and the correct form.
FIGURE 6-14: A poorly formed
r
and the correction.
FIGURE 6-15: Correcting incorrect branching and pointed arches.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1: Examples of poor arrangement.
FIGURE 7-2: An example of a nice arrangement.
FIGURE 7-3: An example of a spiral design.
FIGURE 7-4: A spiral design template.
FIGURE 7-5: An example of incorporating an image with a quote.
FIGURE 7-6: A calligraphic visual aid for remembering the 5-S formula.
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1: The Roman alphabet, lettered with a dip pen.
FIGURE 8-2: Letters
o, c, g, d,
and
q.
FIGURE 8-3: Letters
a, h, k, n, t, u, v, x, y,
and
z.
FIGURE 8-4: The letters
b, r, e, f, s, l,
and
p.
FIGURE 8-5: The
i
and the
j
are the narrowest letters.
FIGURE 8-6: The letters
m
and
w
.
FIGURE 8-7: Putting letters together.
FIGURE 8-8: Eight pen widths for letter height.
FIGURE 8-9: The 20-degree pen angle.
FIGURE 8-10: The 45-degree pen angle.
FIGURE 8-11: The 20-degree angle plus sign.
FIGURE 8-12: The 45-degree angle plus sign.
FIGURE 8-13: The letters using a 20-degree pen angle.
FIGURE 8-14: Letters made with a 20- and 45-degree pen angles.
FIGURE 8-15: Letters that are made entirely using a 45-degree pen angle.
FIGURE 8-16: Examples of equal (left) and unequal (right) spacing.
FIGURE 8-17: Equal spacing looks wrong (left); Uneven spacing looks correct (ri...
FIGURE 8-18: Fifteen very common errors in drawing the Roman alphabet.
FIGURE 8-19: The Roman alphabet with serifs added.
FIGURE 8-20: Three kinds of serifs.
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: The Uncial alphabet.
FIGURE 9-2: Five pen widths and two guidelines.
FIGURE 9-3: The 20-degree pen angle.
FIGURE 9-4: The two serifs used in several Uncial letters.
FIGURE 9-5: Drawing a serif on a vertical stroke.
FIGURE 9-6: Drawing a serif on a curved stroke.
FIGURE 9-7: The circular Uncial letters.
FIGURE 9-8: Uncial letters
b, f, h, I, j, k, l, n, p, q, r,
and
u.
FIGURE 9-9: Uncial letters that have diagonals.
FIGURE 9-10: Uncial letters
m, s,
and
t.
FIGURE 9-11: Words written in Uncial.
FIGURE 9-12: A narrow Uncial variation.
FIGURE 9-13: A wide variation of the Uncial alphabet.
FIGURE 9-14: A curlicues variation.
FIGURE 9-15: Celtic designs illustrate how expressive you can make your designs...
FIGURE 9-16: Fitting Uncial letters together in interesting and very unconventi...
Chapter 10
FIGURE 10-1: All the letters and characters in the Manuscript alphabet.
FIGURE 10-2: Pen widths for lowercase and capital letters.
FIGURE 10-3: The 30-degree pen angle.
FIGURE 10-4: Basic strokes.
FIGURE 10-5: The round letters.
FIGURE 10-6: Letters that contain the
n
or
u
shape.
FIGURE 10-7: The straight-line letters.
FIGURE 10-8: The letters with a
v
shape.
FIGURE 10-9: Letters
f, g, s, x,
and
z
.
FIGURE 10-10: Letters of equal height and width.
FIGURE 10-11: Letters three-quarters as tall as they are wide.
FIGURE 10-12: The half-wide letters.
FIGURE 10-13: Two very narrow letters.
FIGURE 10-14: The wide letters.
FIGURE 10-15: Two sets of numbers.
FIGURE 10-16: Examples of spacing.
FIGURE 10-17: A narrow version of Manuscript.
FIGURE 10-18: A heavy, bolder version.
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1: The lowercase Blackletter alphabet.
FIGURE 11-2: The angle for writing Blackletter.
FIGURE 11-3: The height for Blackletter.
FIGURE 11-4: The three primary strokes.
FIGURE 11-5: The four secondary strokes.
FIGURE 11-6: Capital letters for the Blackletter alphabet.
FIGURE 11-7: The capital
I
, complete with a flag flying on a pole.
FIGURE 11-8: The curved stroke of a capital
C.
FIGURE 11-9: The capitals
A, S, X,
and
Z.
FIGURE 11-10: Blackletter numerals.
FIGURE 11-11: Words done in Blackletter.
Chapter 12
FIGURE 12-1: A sentence that uses the Italic alphabet.
FIGURE 12-2: Visualize this parallelogram when drawing lowercase Italic letters...
FIGURE 12-3: The pull-down shape.
FIGURE 12-4: The pull-down, bounce-over shape.
FIGURE 12-5: The pull-down, swing-under, pull-down shape.
FIGURE 12-6: The oval shape.
FIGURE 12-7: Drawing the X shape.
FIGURE 12-8: The
v
shape.
FIGURE 12-9: The correct pen and hand position for a right-handed person.
FIGURE 12-10: Zigzag design.
FIGURE 12-11: The plus sign.
FIGURE 12-12: The distance between the lines for this style is 5 pen widths.
FIGURE 12-13: Letters that begin with a sharply pointed serif.
FIGURE 12-14: Letters that begin with elbowlike serifs.
FIGURE 12-15: The serifs at the ends of letters are elbow curves.
FIGURE 12-16: Round serifs are all wrong for Italic!
FIGURE 12-17: The ear (left) and foot (right) shapes.
FIGURE 12-18: Droopy
a
shapes.
FIGURE 12-19: Spiky letters.
FIGURE 12-20: Fat and rounded letters.
FIGURE 12-21: Rounded arches.
FIGURE 12-22: Crooked pull-down strokes.
FIGURE 12-23: Branching too high (left) or too low (right).
FIGURE 12-24: Gaps in letters.
FIGURE 12-25: Badly shaped
e’
s.
FIGURE 12-26: Badly shaped
s’
s.
FIGURE 12-27: Badly shaped
t’
s.
FIGURE 12-28: Errors in capital letters in the first half of the alphabet.
FIGURE 12-29: More errors in capitals.
FIGURE 12-30: Errors in capital letters
U
through
Z.
Chapter 13
FIGURE 13-1: The Copperplate alphabet.
FIGURE 13-2: The oblique pen.
FIGURE 13-3: The 36-degree slant.
FIGURE 13-4: Determine this slant by drawing the diagonal of a 3-by-4 rectangle...
FIGURE 13-5: The position of the pen.
FIGURE 13-6: The guidelines and the heights of the different kinds of letters.
FIGURE 13-7: Create the thick and thin parts of the letters by varying the pres...
FIGURE 13-8: The ten basic strokes.
FIGURE 13-9: Using a hairline to lead into the stroke.
FIGURE 13-10: Squaring the bottom.
FIGURE 13-11: Letters that contain an
n
shape.
FIGURE 13-12: Letters that contain an
o
shape.
FIGURE 13-13: Letters that use the
c
shape (including
c
!).
FIGURE 13-14: L-shaped letters.
FIGURE 13-15: Letters that use an
i
shape.
FIGURE 13-16: Drawing the leftovers.
FIGURE 13-17: Capital letters that have an
I
shape.
FIGURE 13-18: Letters that use the
P
shape.
FIGURE 13-19:
A-
shape letters.
FIGURE 13-20: The
V-
shaped letters.
FIGURE 13-21: Letters that use a
U
shape.
FIGURE 13-22: Letters that include an
O
shape.
FIGURE 13-23: Letters
H
and
K.
FIGURE 13-24: Letters
E, L, S, X,
and
Z.
FIGURE 13-25: The Copperplate numerals and punctuation.
FIGURE 13-26: Examples of words drawn in Copperplate.
Chapter 14
FIGURE 14-1: A pencil sketch of the letter
y.
FIGURE 14-2: Different background designs.
FIGURE 14-3: The final, decorated letter.
FIGURE 14-4: A Roman capital
A
fill-in letter.
FIGURE 14-5: A whimsical design.
FIGURE 14-6: An actual-size example showing what a gilded letter looks like.
FIGURE 14-7: Three steps in the gilding process.
Chapter 15
FIGURE 15-1: Heavy and bold letters that use guidelines only 3 pen widths apart...
FIGURE 15-2: Create light and thin letters by using guidelines that are 7 to 8 ...
FIGURE 15-3: An angular version of the Italic letters.
FIGURE 15-4: A rounded variation of the Italic letters.
FIGURE 15-5: An example of flourishes suitable for titles.
FIGURE 15-6: An example of an
S
-curve that can be added to a descender.
FIGURE 15-7: Flourishes for all the Italic lowercase letters.
FIGURE 15-8: Flourishes for all the Italic capital letters.
FIGURE 15-9: Borders drawn by using a calligraphy pen, sharp-pointed pen, and r...
FIGURE 15-10: A border drawn by using a sharp-pointed pen.
FIGURE 15-11: Examples of doodles that you can create by using the broad-edge p...
Chapter 16
FIGURE 16-1: Examples of the many flourished signatures I’ve done.
FIGURE 16-2: Two quotations that feature gold leaf and acrylic paint used like ...
FIGURE 16-3: Flush left, flush right, symmetrical, and flush left and right des...
FIGURE 16-4: A flush-left design that has been dressed up.
FIGURE 16-5: Using strips from a preliminary version as guides for the final ve...
FIGURE 16-6: Using a preliminary version to line up the final version.
FIGURE 16-7: A flush left and right design that uses two alphabets.
FIGURE 16-8: A symmetrical design that uses three alphabets and a drawn image.
FIGURE 16-9: Some of the many possibilities for positioning a large word in you...
FIGURE 16-10: A map of my hometown in the late 1800s.
FIGURE 16-11: A map of Math Treasure Island.
FIGURE 16-12: A detail of a mural I painted that used calligraphy extensively.
FIGURE 16-13: One of my calligraphy-inspired abstractions, “Concerto with Dance...
Chapter 17
FIGURE 17-1: Examples of finished certificates.
FIGURE 17-2: A Master’s degree from the College of Hard Knocks.
FIGURE 17-3: Three basic, traditional certificate designs to start.
FIGURE 17-4: Two mock-up examples.
FIGURE 17-5: A curved title on a mock-up. Note the cropped
g.
FIGURE 17-6: Using a ruling pen.
FIGURE 17-7: The completed work in an elegant-looking presentation folder.
Chapter 18
FIGURE 18-1: The pull-stroke Italic lowercase letters.
FIGURE 18-2: The work of the notorious Bad Poster Artist.
FIGURE 18-3: Eye-catching design.
FIGURE 18-4: Effective lettering on a poster.
FIGURE 18-5: Managing white space like a pro.
FIGURE 18-6: How to hold your pencils when using the two-pencil letter-drawing ...
Chapter 19
FIGURE 19-1: The preset template filled in (left), compared to an enlarged temp...
FIGURE 19-2: The correct placement of letters in the template boxes.
FIGURE 19-3: Two primary views in FontCreator: the alphabet (left) and editor (...
FIGURE 19-4: Welcome to the High-Logic Forum, a valuable and friendly resource.
Chapter 20
FIGURE 20-1: A wedding program.
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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Calligraphy For Dummies®, 2nd Edition
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2025944156
ISBN 978-1-394-36899-0 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-394-36901-0 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-394-36900-3 (epub)
Introduction
Welcome to the 2nd edition of Calligraphy For Dummies. You can use this book as your guide to mastering the art of calligraphy. Whether you’re completely new to calligraphy or have some prior experience, this book can help you grasp the basics and explore the endless possibilities that calligraphy offers.
Starting with a beginner’s alphabet, EZScript, I guide you through the fundamentals of calligraphy with step-by-step instructions and practical tips. You’ll learn different styles, master essential techniques, and gain the skills to create beautiful, professional-quality calligraphy.
Many believe calligraphy requires innate talent, but I’ve seen determination triumph time and again. One of my students, despite a severe nervous disorder, steadied his pen with both hands and achieved professional-level work. Success in calligraphy isn’t about talent — it’s about persistence.
If you can write, you can do calligraphy. This book provides the knowledge and inspiration to help you succeed with calligraphy, whether as a relaxing hobby, a serious pursuit, or even a source of income.
About This Book
This book is both a guide and a workbook, combining two courses in one: Calligraphy I and II. Calligraphy I introduces calligraphy — tools, basic methods, and a beginner’s alphabet. Then you’ll meet seven traditional alphabets to build your lettering skills. Calligraphy II offers creative projects, from designing a unique signature to crafting elegant wedding calligraphy.
But calligraphy isn’t learned by reading — you have to practice. This book is filled with illustrations, examples, and exercises to guide you step by step. You set your own pace, progressing as quickly or slowly as you like.
Practice by studying, tracing, and copying the letters provided — almost as if I were right there helping you. Don’t write in this book! Photocopy the practice pages so that you can use them again and again.
With time and effort, you’ll see your progress unfold before your eyes.
Conventions Used in This Book
I use some conventions throughout this book to make your practice as easy as possible and to make sure that you don’t wonder whether you missed something along the way. These conventions make everything consistent and simple to understand:
Getting what you need:
At the beginning of chapters that require you to have certain materials or already know certain skills, I have a “Got What You Need?” section that lists what you need for that chapter.
Practice, practice, practice:
The chapters contain some short practice exercises to get you started, but for more practice, you have full page practice exercises available in the online Practice Pack and Cheat Sheet (
www.dummies.com
). Having full-page practice exercises available online means that you can easily print as many copies as you want.
Following guidelines:
There are several types of practice guidelines that that enable you to keep your letters uniform in proportion:
• Black lines separate sections of writing.
• Rectangles show where to draw the body of the letters.
• Dashed lines indicate the slant.
Using the three-step method:
The practice exercises in this book use a special three-step method: study, trace, and copy. Study the example letters printed in black that show the direction and sequence of strokes. Trace over the letters printed in gray. And in the blank spaces of these practice areas, copy the letters.
Foolish Assumptions
I try to avoid technical jargon in this book. Whenever I have a choice between a specialized calligraphy term that only calligraphers use and a word that everyone understands, I opt to use the more commonplace word. For example, I use the terms capital letters and lowercase letters throughout this book, instead of calling the letters majuscules and minuscules. (If you pursue calligraphy in greater depth, you can pick up all the specialized terminology.)
I wrote this book for anyone curious about calligraphy — whether you're a complete beginner, an admirer eager to learn, a practiced hand looking to refine your skills, or an experienced calligrapher seeking to improve and sell your work.
No matter which category fits you best, I believe that you'll find plenty in this book to explore.
How This Book Is Organized
Like all other For Dummies books, this one is divided into parts, so you can easily find where to start or revisit. Each section covers a different aspect of calligraphy, letting you explore at your own pace — whether you're a beginner or refining your skills. The book is organized into five parts, each focusing on key calligraphy topics.
Part 1: Getting Started with Calligraphy
Part 1 introduces calligraphy — its benefits, how to get started, and the special practice method used in this book. It covers essential tools like pens, ink, and paper, along with basic steps for using and caring for your materials — especially the calligraphy fountain pen, an ideal choice for beginners.
Part 2: Taking a Beginner’s Path to Calligraphic Artistry
Part 2 introduces EZScript, a beginner-friendly calligraphy style designed to make learning easy and affordable. If you're new to calligraphy, EZScript helps you get comfortable with techniques and tools while avoiding common pitfalls.
Inspired by print, Italic, copperplate, and cursive, EZScript feels familiar no matter your background. After teaching calligraphy for over 50 years, I created it to remove obstacles that often frustrate beginners, making the learning process smoother and more enjoyable.
In this part I also offer guidance on improving and developing your skills as you progress.
Part 3: Exploring the Traditional Alphabets
Part 3 introduces alphabets that expand your repertoire and build a strong foundation for your calligraphy journey. Each style has unique characteristics and conveys distinct emotions, helping you refine your craft and continue growing:
Roman
(
Chapter 8
): Classical, solid, and strong
Uncial
(
Chapter 9
): Artistic and expressive
Manuscript
(
Chapter 10
): Prioritizes readability and clarity
Blackletter
(
Chapter 11
): Conveys an ancient and formal aesthetic
Italic
(
Chapter 12
): Fluid, versatile, and highly legible
Copperplate
(
Chapter 13
): Embodies elegance with graceful flourishes
Versals
(
Chapter 14
): Adds decorative flair and visual impact to lettering
Mastering these seven alphabets equips you with the building blocks to explore and adapt virtually any lettering style.
Part 4: Expanding Your Repertoire Beyond the Basics
Part 4 explores exciting calligraphy projects to try once you're confident in your lettering skills. Start with an eye-catching signature or a beautifully lettered quote, then move on to posters, signs, certificates, plaques, and decorative borders.
If you work in other art forms, you'll find ideas on blending calligraphy with different mediums. You’ll also learn how to create custom calligraphic computer fonts and use digital tools for composition and layout.
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Part 5 offers valuable tips, starting with ten creative ways to use calligraphy for weddings — whether yours or someone else’s. You’ll also find ten fun alphabets that mimic styles like Chinese and Greek, helping you expand your skills. The final chapter covers a topic many find exciting: how to turn calligraphy into a source of income.
Icons Used in This Book
I include some icons in this book to flag important information. Keep an eye out for these icons while you read:
Want to know how do something better, easier, or faster? Just look for info attached to this icon.
Although the list of things that you have to remember — stroke sequence, what angle to hold your hand, and so on — may seem endless, this icon points out some really important info that you just can’t miss.
With this icon, I highlight potential pitfalls — whether it’s something that can spoil a calligraphy project or damage a favorite pen.
When you see this icon, go to the online Practice Pack and Cheat Sheet for this book (www.dummies.com) to find more practice related to that section.
Where to Go from Here
This book isn’t a textbook — it’s an adventure. Flip through the pages, scan the Table of Contents, and explore whatever catches your eye. There’s no set path, so take your time and follow your curiosity.
If you’re new to calligraphy, start at the beginning and work through every chapter and practice exercise in Parts 1 and 2. Don’t skip anything, and if you struggle, spend extra time practicing before moving forward. By the end, you’ll be ready to explore on your own.
If you already have calligraphy experience, feel free to jump between sections. But don’t miss the skill-refinement parts — especially Chapter 6 — as they can sharpen your technique. Also, try the projects in Part 4.
This book includes a free Practice Pack and Cheat Sheet to help you get started. Just visit www.dummies.com and search for “Calligraphy For Dummies Practice Pack and Cheat Sheet.” You’ll find practice pages to help you refine your skills, along with a list of traditional alphabets from the book.
No matter your experience level, these resources will help you get the most out of your calligraphy journey.
Part 1
Getting Started with Calligraphy
IN THIS PART …
Discover why anyone can enjoy doing calligraphy — no special talent or pricey tools required.
Gather the essential materials, including pens, ink, and paper, and find out how to use and care for them.
Start your calligraphy journey with confidence and a clear practice method.
Chapter 1
You Can Do Calligraphy!
IN THIS CHAPTER
Appreciating what calligraphy is all about
Getting the basics right
Using a step-by-step practice method
Exploring the possibilities of what calligraphy offers
Calligraphy literally means beautiful writing, but it’s so much more than that! Calligraphy enhances invitations, notes, signs, scrapbooks, awards, and cards. It adds elegance to anything you create and helps you develop your creativity.
It's an art form imbued with elegance, grace, and the power to express emotions beyond words. It’s also an art form that almost anyone who can write can master — yes, even you. With practice, patience, and a willingness to slow down, you can acquire the skills needed to create stunning calligraphy.
As an artist, I’ve explored sculpture, painting, and printmaking, from abstract to realism. I’ve worked as a portrait painter and owned an art gallery and frame shop. Yet, of all my artistic endeavors, calligraphy has been the most rewarding, bringing me deep satisfaction and endless opportunities. Now, you’re about to embark on an exciting adventure. The rewards await you, too.
In this chapter I introduce calligraphy, its benefits, and the idea that anyone can create beautiful letterforms. Calligraphy can reveal hidden talents and abilities. Slow down, take a deep breath, and give it a try. You may discover a new passion.
Removing Assumptions about Calligraphy
Maybe you admire other people’s calligraphy but feel hesitant to try it yourself. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t let doubts hold you back:
You don’t need innate talent.
Creating great calligraphy involves practice, patience, and attention to detail — not as much natural talent as you may suppose. Talent helps but is absolutely not required, especially when the only critic you need to please is yourself.
Age is just a number.
From kids to seniors, anyone can excel at calligraphy with a bit of effort and curiosity. (See the section “
Doing Calligraphy at Any Age
,” later in this chapter, for discussion of the benefits of calligraphy for all age groups.)
You can buy supplies without breaking the bank.
You just need pens, ink, paper, and a few simple tools. The pens can last a lifetime.
Calligraphy requires minimal space.
You won’t need an elaborate setup. You can practice just about anywhere, anytime.
And most importantly — calligraphy is fun!
You see progress quickly, and the more you practice, the more rewarding it becomes.
The best calligraphers are skilled and understand the history of the alphabet. They appreciate how letters evolved and know the tools used in writing. They see themselves as part of a long tradition — preserving the past while shaping the future. This book includes brief notes on each alphabet for historical context.
Having Patience and Focus
You may not have thought about handwriting since childhood. Calligraphy helps you slow down, focus, and turn ordinary writing into something special. Many find it relaxing.
To become a good calligrapher, you need
Patience:
Calligraphy thrives on a slow, deliberate pace — you create the best calligraphy when you take your time. Masterful lettering is the goal, not speed.
Precision:
Focus on forming letters with care, and enjoy the process of mastering these skills.
Practice:
You can master the first two needs if you consistently practice. Explore exercises in the alphabet chapters in
Parts 2
and
3
and the downloadable practice sheets online.
Using the Three-Step Practice Method
To help you master each alphabet, I use a reliable, time-tested method: study, trace, and copy
Figure 1-1 shows the three-step approach using the Roman letter x as an example. (See Chapter 8 for details on the Roman alphabet.) This illustration helps you understand the method so that you'll know how to apply it when studying calligraphic alphabets.
This method goes to the heart of how I structure this book. For every alphabet, I give you opportunities to study, trace, and copy the letters individually, as well as to practice combining them into words. Additionally, you can find extended practice exercises in the Practice Pack and Cheat Sheet where you can further hone your skills.
FIGURE 1-1: How to study, trace, and copy, using the generic Roman letter x as an example.
Here are the steps in more detail:
Carefully study the example.
The box on the left of Figure 1-1 shows a simplified Roman letter x as a model for study before you trace and copy. It displays the letter’s shape, along with numbered arrows indicating the stroke direction and sequence.
Imagine that you’re watching someone demonstrate each stroke step by step.
Trace over the letter printed gray.
The middle box of Figure 1-1 features the Roman x drawn in gray. Follow the direction and stroke sequence that you study in Step 1.
Go slowly and aim for smooth, even strokes — you begin working on precision in this step.
Copy the letter in the blank space.
In Figure 1-1, the box on the right is intentionally left blank, giving you a chance to practice copying the letter freehand. The idea is to re-create the shape of the letter as accurately as possible.
How did it go? If it felt challenging, that's normal — every attempt brings you closer to mastering the art. With practice, it will feel more natural and effortless.
Follow the sequence: study, trace, then copy. Stick with it, and soon your strokes will be confident. If it felt easy, you may be a natural. Calligraphy could be your niche!
Always complete these three steps in order — study, trace, then copy. I’ve seen students skip the tracing step or do all the tracing before moving on to copying. Although tempting, these shortcuts can disrupt your progress. Calligraphy relies on progressive muscle memory development. Studying builds a mental blueprint, tracing reinforces stroke precision, and copying solidifies independent execution. Skipping or rearranging these steps disrupts retention, weakens consistency, and can cause mistakes in letter formation.
You can best use the study, trace, and copy practice pages in this workbook by photocopying or scanning them so that you can practice over and over again; or you can download the practice pages from www.dummies.com/go/calligraphy and print them out.
Introducing the EZScript Alphabet
I designed the EZScript alphabet, shown in Figure 1-2, with beginners in mind. If you’ve never picked up a calligraphy pen before, this is the perfect place to start. Why? Because EZScript is all about simplicity, accessibility, and getting you off to a confident start.
FIGURE 1-2:
