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David Harris
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The Art of Calligraphy: A Practical Guide to the Skills and Techniques Hardcover – January 1, 1995

by David Harris (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 171 ratings
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Traces the history of Western calligraphy, demonstrates various scripts, and shows manuscripts and inscriptions from the past
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dk Pub
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    9 x 0.75 x 11.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1564588491
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1564588494
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-An attractive, oversized, well-illustrated introduction to a wide variety of written scripts used from Roman times to modern days. The detailed, practical instructions for 26 styles focus on step-by-step, clear visuals, as well as on the proper equipment-brushes, pens, pencils, paper, and ink. A brief history with examples from calligraphic masters introduces each style, making this book not only a practical working manual, but also a useful resource for art history classes.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

The skills and techniques of calligraphy are explained in a fine guide which details key elements of letter writing and uses clear examples to guide beginners. Lettering examples are done in different hues of color, which can emphasize textures and stylistic contrasts. One of the best beginner's guides available. -- Midwest Book Review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dk Pub; First Edition (January 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1564588491
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1564588494
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.69 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 0.75 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 171 ratings

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David Harris

David Harris

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
171 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

kre8iv1
5.0 out of 5 stars Used in one of the calligraphy classes I took ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2008
Verified Purchase
I recently took a calligraphy class, and my teacher used this book to teach the class.

I immediately bought it, even though I already own a "few" calligraphy books, but this is one I reference more than any other.

I particularly appreciate the history lesson of written script, as well as all of the samples of historical works throughout the book. I don't have this info in any of my other books.

Harris utilizes multiple colors to illustrate the order of the strokes. This is very useful in tandem with numbers and arrows to show how to form each letter.

25 letterform styles plus "cadels" are taught in this book.

The GLOSSARY in this book is fantastic. Any term you come up against, you can find it in this glossary. Saves a LOT of time instead of searching each page for the definition!

There is a reference table of all the letterforms in the book, which makes it easy to decide which hand you may want to utilize at any given time.

And to top it all off, there's a comprehensive bibliography. So, if you want to research anything on your own you have a great guide!

I REALLY wish this book was spiral-bound so it would lay flat without a lot of bending and creasing, but it is NOT spiral-bound. It is a regular paperback. However, once you do your creasing and bending and folding, the pages eventually stay open and flat. I have resorted to clipping my pages open with a binder clip because the book is still new.

Mr. Harris, if you are reading this review, PLEASE PRINT THIS BOOK WITH A SPIRAL BINDING!!!! Otherwise, 2 thumbs up!
18 people found this helpful
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Louisiana Levy
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Calligraphy out of all I’ve owned
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023
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My ex stole this book from me so I had to repurchase it as it’s my most used calligraphy book out of about 8 or so that I own. The guides are easy to follow and the Bastard scripts are so beautiful!!
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Mr.Wisit Potiwat
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
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Delivered earlier than expected
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DeBorah Pendleton
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2022
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This book not only shows how to write calligraphy but it also gives brief history lessons on some of the fonts. Very enjoyable even if you don't create calligraphy.
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Kay Tracy
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
It is a very nice overview of the development of written language and shows details of how letters should be formed. About the best you can do with a thousand years of history & about 130 pages.
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John Ellison
5.0 out of 5 stars History, Technique, Artistry and Practice
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
After pilfering through a library's entire selection of calligraphy books, I satisfied myself with this volume. It has extensive information regarding the tools, inks, and paper types for calligraphy, as well as detailed yet not exhaustive history of each script. The book is organized by the evolution of calligraphy alphabets from the Roman times. The stroke diagrams are present for each letter, making a very clear illustration of how each letter is formed. It gives tips and tricks about rotating the pen, the correct nibs to use for each alphabet, and displays historical variations of certain letters.

If you are interested in calligraphy, this is the first stop, and depending on how far you go, it may be the only one you need. I highly recommend this book to the modern calligrapher, or to the experienced scribe getting back into the swing of things.
10 people found this helpful
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julesinrose
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for modern calligraphers
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
An absolute must-have for anyone who wants to learn calligraphy. Simple, clear instructions. Bold, clear, and readable graphics. A great overview of many styles through the ages. Good info on using historically accurate writing tools. This book is not "dated" but it's not like some of the most modern calligraphy books which are stunning in their graphics, but leave much to be desired in terms of usability. The fonts are big enough to read, for one thing. Light gray seems to be a font color of choice in too many art instructional books nowadays. This one is uses black. Hooray.
9 people found this helpful
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Katje Sabin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2015
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Wow, what a fantastic introduction to the art and history of writing. The timeline chart and the script comparison chart are worth the price of the book, but there are so many clear instructions and illustrations on every page. This has quickly become my go-to ductus book. There are also hundreds of little factoids and bits of info stuffed in this relatively thin volume, but it's presented in a clean and clear manner so that you never feel overwhelmed. Terrific reference book for SCA calligraphers.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Eu
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
Very useful.
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo acquisto.
Reviewed in Italy on March 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
Soddisfatto. Il libro è stato spedito subito ed è arrivato rapidamente, entro i termini.
È in ottimo stato. Sono soddisfatto.
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Sarita Encarnacao
5.0 out of 5 stars Livro - The Art of Calligraphy
Reviewed in Spain on March 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
The Art of Calligraphy é um livro muito completo para quem quer saber mais sobre caligrafia. A minha encomenda demorou um pouco mais que esperado a chegar, mas é exatamente o que imaginava. Contactei o vendedor para saber um pouco mais sobre o atraso e este foi rápido, compreensivo e bastante proativo. Agradeço todo os esclarecimentos prestados.
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Sarita Encarnacao
5.0 out of 5 stars Livro - The Art of Calligraphy
Reviewed in Spain on March 20, 2023
The Art of Calligraphy é um livro muito completo para quem quer saber mais sobre caligrafia. A minha encomenda demorou um pouco mais que esperado a chegar, mas é exatamente o que imaginava. Contactei o vendedor para saber um pouco mais sobre o atraso e este foi rápido, compreensivo e bastante proativo. Agradeço todo os esclarecimentos prestados.
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Ash
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing
Reviewed in Germany on March 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
We had this book growing up which got destroyed by water. Very happy to have found it again. Love to have it and hope to find time to use and learn caligraphy someday. Lovely print and detailed illustration. Happy to have it.
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Andrew Mc
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfullly produced book!
Reviewed in Canada on October 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
I had been seeing excerpts from this book all over the internet and so decided to purchase my own volume. Typical of Dorling Kindersley books, it is colourful and beautifully produced. Hardback with large pages that show the ductus in sequence for all the different hands. It also gives the history of each hand and does so in a way that is easy to understand. It gives sufficient detail and history to be very informative whilst not overwhelming the student. I can see why it is referenced so much on Pinterest and other sites.... it is a truly wonderful resource. Highly recommended! If I could give it a higher rating I would.
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