89 of 89 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to Learn Calligraphy, 13 April 2003
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Calligraphy School (Reader's Digest Learn-As-You-Go Guide) (Hardcover)
I just sent out 200 elegant wedding invitations all done in Calligraphy that i learned from "Calligraphy School" in the last two months. i had never picked up a calligraphy pen and could not find any local classes so i bought this book to give it a try but was certain i would probably be hiring someone to do the calligraphy on my wedding invitations.
The book is interesting, easy to follow, has great instructions, modern colored pages, and a great font selection but not too overwhelming. i have the worst handwriting in the world and this book was able to teach me the basics in calligraphy. Worth every Penny and more.
suggestion to beginners - start with the thicker felt tip calligraphy pens till you master the letter flows and than change to the calligraphy cartridge pens (Scheaffer has been the best).
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excels in step-by-step instructions, 20 July 2000
By Jonathan Ellis - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Calligraphy School (Reader's Digest Learn-As-You-Go Guide) (Hardcover)
A very detailed introduction to calligraphy aimed at people who have NO prior experience. Pens, paper, ink are all covered in an unintimidating fashion. In tutorial fashion, the authors move from basic letter forms all the way to illuminating with gold leaf. Thorougly illustrated.
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, 8 April 2002
By J. Kelley "francophile" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Calligraphy School (Reader's Digest Learn-As-You-Go Guide) (Hardcover)
"Calligraphy School" is everything I was hoping it would be when I ordered it. Beautifully written, informative, gorgeous lay-out, very inspiring. I brought it to my calligraphy class to show the instructor and the other students, and they were as impressed as I. The book takes the student from Roman Serifs to the Lindesfarne Gospels and carolingian minuscules through to the Renaissance and some of the modern italic hands-- very comprehensive. Besides just the letterforms of virtually all the important alphabets throughout history, the authors also address the basics (and beyond) of applying a watercolor wash, interpreting text though color and design, even working with metallic leaf and illuminated letterforms! Pages and pages featuring the work of the most talented calligraphers. An absolutely beautiful book and very inspiring, as I said before, but it bears repeating.