Looking for a good resource on hand-lettering

Microswede · 01-25-2012, 07:47 PM

Have you looked into calligraphy books/classes or anything like that? I don't know any book titles myself, sorry.

**Buda** · 01-25-2012, 08:12 PM

Hi Jon and welcome to GDF.

Calligraphy is learned by study, copying and lots of practice. There's nothing that will teach you more about seeing a letter than recreating it. First by sight and then later by memory.

We ask all new members to read the threads posted HERE and HERE. They explain how the forum runs, the rules, frequently discussed topics and our inside jokes.

<b> · 01-25-2012, 08:43 PM

There's the Speedball Textbook: http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-textbook/

As already mentioned, though, you can see pictures in books and get good tips on techniques and tools, but in the end, it's practice, practice and more practice that counts.

I've never had enough interest in it to practice, but when I was just starting out, I had the opportunity to work on some projects with an older guy who was probably in his late 70s or, even, 80s at the time. His name was Maurice Scanlon, and the design studio where I worked would hire him for special projects that required handwritten script and ultra-fancy calligraphy of various sorts. The guy had been doing it all his life, and watching him work absolutely fascinated me. He could make a pen and a bottle of India Ink do anything. It was like watching magic happen.

jrm27 · 01-26-2012, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome! I know noobs aren't welcome some places, but this seems like a great place to dig in and learn.

I learn by doing, so practice practice practice sounds right up my ally

Where I live there really aren't resources for classes, so I gather a lot from books. Are there any further recommendations on books? Is it advisable to start with calligraphy alphabets and then move on to other types of handlettering?

maynardsayswhat · 01-26-2012, 04:23 PM

Starting with Calligraphy isn't a bad idea but if you want to do it even semi-professionally you should also look into hand-rendered typography and typographic style/rules in general.

One idea would be to find some of the better visual art and design colleges classes and find out if they use a textbook of any kind. (can't suggest the ones I have, they are from the pre-computer days, ha!)

Good luck!

jrm27 · 01-26-2012, 04:45 PM

thanks maynard. That's a good idea.

Looking for a good resource on hand-lettering

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