I am new to calligraphy and have been looking at a lot of books to help me improve my skill. Unfortunately, lots of books about hand lettering and calligraphy are for people who already know what they're doing, so as a beginner...not helpful. The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering was WONDERFUL and is perfect for any skill level. I appreciated the section about putting the calligraphy pen together, as well as the many different styles of letters and templates.

Whether you are new to hand lettering or an experienced calligrapher, this book is incredibly helpful and beneficial for anyone!

Thank you to the authors and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book. All opinions are my own.

This book provides instructional ways to write in beautiful calligraphy. It shows all different times of letters such as skeleton hand and contemporary lettering. Each is shown with the complete alphabet in each style. This makes the different types of letters easy to compare. They are a great reference guide for beginning calligraphy.

I loved this book. It contained easy to follow directions to many styles of calligraphy. I am getting out my fountain pen now.


I received an ARC from Quatro Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to read a digital ARC of The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering: A comprehensive guide to more than 100 traditional calligraphy and hand-lettering techniques. The book begins with a short overview of calligraphy, and then is split into three main parts; Traditional Calligraphy, Modern Hand Lettering and Creative Lettering Projects.

The first part, Traditional Calligraphy, has five chapters, and is fantastic. Chapter 1 deals with the tools and materials needed, how to set up a work area, how to get started and then moves on to the parts of the letters and how to prepare the paper correctly. Chapter 2 discusses the various basic calligraphy styles, while chapter 3 shows a variety of traditional alphabets. Chapter 4 is all about illuminated calligraphy, both the supplies needed and techniques used, and even has information on colour theory. Chapter 5 deals with contemporary calligraphy and highlights the different fundamentals and techniques used in more modern lettering.

Part 2, Modern Hand Lettering, is split into the following three chapters; Flourishes and Embellishments, Illustrated by Hand, and Chalk Lettering.

Part 3, Creative Lettering Projects, is by far the shortest part of the book and contains three different projects to tackle. Starting with making personalised journal covers, moving on to making quotable art, and finally an idea for calligraphied place settings.

The first part of the book is tremendous, and easily my favourite part. With so much good information for beginners, I think the book is worth buying for the first five chapters alone. The second part is also interesting and has lots of helpful information, but I didn’t think the projects in the third part lived up to the rest of the book. However, my lack of enthusiasm for the projects didn’t detract from the rest of the book which is very good. I will be adding this one to my shelf.

I confess: I picked up The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering A

comprehensive guide to more than 100 traditional calligraphy and hand-writing techniques by Cari Ferraro, Eugene Metcalf, Arthur Newhall, John Stevens for a review because I am a letter-writer, but my handwriting is horrible :-)

This book will teach you everything you want to know for better your handwriting. It starts by pens, pencils and material that we use for writing that sometimes as we will learn, can makes the difference.
This book then focuses on various styles, and each letter appears as "animated" to you and ready to be discovered in all its potentialities.
If you are an enthusiastic calligrapher, this book is for you!

Highly recommended.

I thank NetGalley and Quarto for the ebook.

I have always loved the art of calligraphy. My Dad practiced this technique. Even the simple task of signing his name was filled with flourish. I remember his collection of nibs and pen holders. His ink well. Smudges of ink on his fingers. I remember finding practice sheets filled with swirls and curlicues. For this reason alone I have always wanted to learn this craft, along with the possibilities of making something beautiful and unique.


Needless to say, I was pretty gosh darn excited was I was given permission to access this book. No craft is as easy as just flipping through a book. The onus is on me to practice, practice, practice. I don't think I could have gotten a better book to guide me through the process. This book is filled with easy to read instructions, helpful suggestions and beautiful samples to provide inspiration.

I am grateful to Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster and Netgalley for granting me permission to view this lovely book.

A wonderful, hands-on with practice sheets step by step how to book! Learn how to write Calligraphy & Lettering!

The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering is just that. If ever there was a book about calligraphy that has everything you would ever need to understand and execute this style of writing this is it. There are many,many sections to this book. There is an Introduction, history and a basics section which teach the reader the parts of letters, the various tools you can use. There are sections with traditional alphabets, as well as, contemporary alphabets. There are sections about flourishes, embellishments, blocking, and working with negative space. There is another whole section devoted to the art of chalk lettering. There are many, many creative projects like journal covers, place cards and wall art.
If you ever wanted to try calligraphy I would suggest this book. It is full of inspiration.
I would like to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am really enjoying this gorgeous calligraphy book! There are so many creative styles to choose from and tips on how to improve your writing. There are how-tos as well as practice sheets. I will be using this a lot in the future to improve my calligraphy for crafting projects!

This is probably the most complete calligraphy guide I've looked at, It has everything a beginner needs to know. From traditional calligraphy to modern styles, to digital and even chalkboard lettering, backgrounds, tools, materials, techniques and project ideas. I'm itching to go find my pens and practice some of the suggestions!

This book is really helpful. I am interested in Calligraphy and lettering and have purchased similar types of books. I do love that this book gives a brief history and lessons about the different styles and pens used in calligraphy. This book also included modern lettering and how to create boarders and choose the style and colors of the ink. It also list the steps of photographing, uploading and how to use a computer to 'update" your lettering.

This is the perfect "how to" book for someone new to Calligraphy and Lettering.
There are over 100 techniques mentioned in this book on how to master the art of beautiful writing. It gives you all you need to know about creating beautiful hand letterings, and it also includes blank pages where you can practice. This book will teach you how to design and decorate congratulation and gift cards, wall posters, chalkboard signs, journal covers and so much more. Very inspiring and I recommend to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received the Ereader version of this book from Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster in exchange for an honest review. I am fascinated with calligraphy so that's an automatic 3 stars for me based on subject matter alone. I enjoyed reading about the different types of nibs and learning what individual parts of letters are called. I also liked the various fonts used as samples.

I’ve been reading a lot of calligraphy books lately – there’s something oddly soothing about them, while I also enjoying learning more about the subject itself. Plus there’s the constant attempt to better myself at calligraphy as well. My point is – when I say that a calligraphy book is extremely comprehensive, I really do mean it. The Complete Book of Calligraphy is exactly what is it boasting to be – a complete book of the medium.
This book covers everything I could have hoped for. From the history of calligraphy, to the basic supplies and techniques, and onward to inspirations and even other techniques you could bring into the fold.
The book itself is split into three sections. The history section isn’t included in any of these though, so keep that in mind. The first section focuses on traditional calligraphy. This is where the basics are covered, everything from tools to the terms used for font types and parts. It also includes chapters in illuminated and contemporary calligraphy, which may a bit of a surprise.
The second section covers modern hand lettering. You know the type – the lettering used in those inspirational signs we see all over the place. So it’s here we learn about embellishments and illustrating by hand. There’s even a chapter on using chalk as a tool – which is a brilliant thing to include here. I would never have considered it.
Finally the third section is mostly project assignments and ideas. Here they really want to teach you how to push everything you’ve learned and do something with it. To make the art form your own, so to speak. I love it when art books take the extra step to try and help the readers form their own styles. It’s a wonderful touch.

Thank you NetGalley for my copy.

I recently started to learn how to do calligraphy and lettering and have been searching for the perfect how-to-guide for beginners.
This book with its wealth of information and step-by-step guide about traditional calligraphy to modern lettering techniques has everything I need!

*~.Book Analysis.~*
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)

Rating: 5 stars
Reading period: Dec. 08th to 12th, 2018
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley – I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: Sept. 25th, 2018

PROS
I loved the amount of tips that this book contains besides the regular learning methods. Calligraphy and lettering are arts, so the authors were deeply concerned to make the readers most comfortable while learning and practicing the craft. From tools to rest periods to training sheets within the book, there is always something to help make us to succeed easier.
It is also nice to see how much drawing is involved in writing!

CONS
Can’t think of a single thing!

COVER ANALYSIS
This cover is so clever and simply design! It displays the purpose of the book directly into its title delivery! =O The mix of writing fonts with key colors is amazing.

QUOTES
“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali

RECOMMENDED FOR
History, craft and calligraphy lovers! Also, if you’d like to start practicing the true art of hand writing, this book is the perfect tool.

This is an amazing book about calligraphy and lettering. I found out about types of nibs,, what can I do with each one. The most I love Chapter 6.
thank you Netgalley for this beautiful relaxing book.

A valuable guide about calligraphy and hand lettering
Cari Ferraro, Eugene Metcalf, Arthur Newhall, and John Stevens are the authors of "The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering. A comprehensive guide to more than 100 traditional calligraphy and hand-lettering techniques" which is published by Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster. The book offers a brief history of calligraphy and very detailed instructions about the various materials which can be used for calligraphy and hand-lettering, for setting up the workplace, for handling the implements, ... It covers a wide range of topics 1) Traditional Calligraphy (Introduction to Calligraphy, Basic Calligraphy Styles, Traditional Alphabets, Illuminated Calligraphy, Contemporary Calligraphy), 2) Modern Handwriting (Flourishes & Embellishments, Illustrated by Hand, Chalk Lettering), and Creative Lettering Projects (Lettering Arts & Crafts). It is important to underline that it treats the less known topics of Illuminated Calligraphy and Chalk Lettering which usually do not show up in other books.
The material is presented with a clear layout and in a pleasing design. It is important to note that this is a comprehensive guide not a workbook. For this reason there are few practice sheets. Nevertheless, it would be helpful if the book was not presented with a hard cover but in a flexible way (spiral-bound, comb-bound) that the user who would like to copy or can the practice sheets could do so more easily or if the worksheets would be offered as a downloadable PDF.
I would recommend this guide to everyone who is interested in calligraphy and hand lettering and is looking for an extensive guide and reference book about these topics. I do not recommend it to the reader who is just looking for a workbook since there are few practice sheets.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheCompleteBookOfCalligraphyLettering #NetGalley

Very interesting read and I’d like to purchase this one for myself and improve my handwriting skills. It was useful and interesting

Hundreds of ideas, practice pages, techniques and tools that if used will allow the reader to create beautiful script on paper, in booklets, on chalkboards or just about anywhere. I would love to add this book to my library!

*I learned a trick to put two pencils together to assist in drawing letters to later illuminate with color.
*I learned that to “charge” a calligraphy pen one with an eyedropper or brush rather than dripping then dropping on the paper
*I decided that I want to try some of the techniques and perhaps make then decorate a chalkboard

I believe this book would be of interest for anyone wanting to make an interesting menu on chalkboards and for anyone who wants to dabble in various types of lettering that is or is not calligraphy. Some of the ideas for embellishing were superb and ideas I had not thought of. Creating patterns and how to transfer them carefully to the page and all the terminology used along with tools and...well...this book has a plethora of ideas, tips and tricks that I am eager to implement!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing – Walter Foster for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I am in love with this book! As a youngster, I loved stationery and creating beautiful lettering. The calligraphy book I had has nothing on this comprehensive and gorgeous book! It has everything from equipment to classic and contemporary lettering. On top of this, it has an incredible section on decorations perfect for the journaler interested in guidance and inspiration on how to write and decorate journal pages. If you're into calligraphy, hand lettering, journaling, and word art in general, this is a must-have!