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Classic Calligraphy for Beginners

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Member Reviews

What a treat to receive an advance copy of Classic Calligraphy for Beginners, it is a truly beautiful book. The author describes the personal love for the art and the detailing is excellent. I am actively using the book, learning so much about materials, projects and the sheer beauty of this writing art. I am very grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for this book. All opinions are my own.

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Classic Calligraphy for Beginners by Younghae Chung is a delightful book for those wishing to start calligraphy.

The book is divided into 5 main sections:
- Introduction & Getting Started
- Copperplate Script
- Spencerian Script
- Flourishing & Other Techniques
- Creative Projects

The Introduction is a meet the author section and her reasons for picking calligraphy. It then moves on to the recommended tools and materials required, such as paper, nib, penholder, ink, and more. There are then instructions on the nib and how to have the paper positioned.

The Copperplate Script chapter begins with the ratios and X-Height variations and warm-up exercises. It then continues to give examples of the upper and lowercase letters, alongside how to connect letters and digraphs. The Spencerian Script chapter is similar, though there are no examples of how to connect the letters or digraphs.

Flourishing and Other Techniques gives suggestions on how to add extra loops to the calligraphy plus using brush lettering for softer lines or larger writing. It also explains faux calligraphy using non-flexible tools such as a fine liner pen.

There are 26 projects to try, from writing food labels, to creating a noel wreath design to marble coasters. Each example comes with written instructions plus step-by-step colour photography to match those steps.

At the back of the book are guide sheets for both scripts plus one for brush lettering. There are resources at the rear, though these are American based.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

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Full review will be posted soonish and I'll add links to blog as well.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Classic Calligraphy for Beginners is elegant, classy, and exquisite. Such quality. It's not just a great reference work for learning calligraphy but it's so beautiful it could be for a coffee table.

Younghae Chung is quality. Everything is done with thoughtful intention. The beginning doesn't feel for a beginner it still feel intimidating for me but it feels inspiring and this book a gift of adding beauty into the world. A thing we need more of.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Classic Calligraphy for Beginners by Younghae Chung.

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I pride myself on proper penmanship, but calligraphy always scared me a little bit. When I saw this book I knew I had to give it a shot. I’m so glad I did. While I do have a long way to go, I’m trying. Thanks to this book.

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Exactly what the title says! A wonderful and descriptive book on how to do all your own calligraphy!

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As far as I am concerned, Younghae Chung has written the perfect book for beginning calligraphers. It is extremely well designed and organized and easy to use. It includes: information about tools and materials,
instructions for copperplate and spencerian script with guide sheets, and
Instructions for over 25 creative projects with beautiful pictures. I am thoroughly enjoying Classic Calligraphy for Beginners and I am sure you will, too. Highly recommend.

I received a drc from the publisher via Netgalley.

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Thank you Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry and Netgalley for this ARC. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

I've always been interested in calligraphy. So I was excited to read this book. I definitely think this book is excellent. It was pretty simple instructions. Although I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of information because I am brand new to it. I think I am going to have to purchase the book because it's a little hard to read and follow the information as an e-book. I always prefer books in my hands anyway. Especially if it's an instruction book. I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to get the hard copy.

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I’ve always been interested in calligraphy but sadly have never displayed any talent for it. This book is very encouraging and well laid out with many tips and lessons and I will continue to work with it in the hope that my very limited skills improve.

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Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Now I have retired Calligraphy seemed to be an ideal pastime. This book will certainly help. A first rate book with lots of explanations and advice. I have not worked my way right through it, this will take time but I think it will be worth the effort. That and a lot of practice !!

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I have never tried calligraphy before but it's something I've always been intriguing by. I requested this book as I felt it was finally time to give it a try. The book is aimed at the complete beginner and starts with a lot of information about the tools of the trade - it's quite comprehensive and I felt a little intimidated! The tutorial sections are also very in depth, with easily understood instructions and clear, helpful illustrations. To my unexperienced eye, it appears to be a solid introduction to the basics and an excellent launchpad for further development of the art.

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I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Classic Calligraphy for Beginners is a great book for anyone wanting to start out in calligraphy. The book guides you through equipment, how to use your calligraphy pen, practice pages and tips too. My only problem with this book was it only focused on modern calligraphy pens not the old fashioned ones that I have. These modern ones look scary to use for me and I don't think I could hold them properly to use. But don't let that put you off, that's just my preference.
The photography in this book is fantastic and very aesthetic to the book.

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Thank you for the advanced copy!

I was so excited when I saw this book as i've always been very envious of people who have beautiful handwriting and lettering skills. Both of which are things i've personally never been able to master.

I think this book is a fantastic reference guide with great instructions, clear photos & a lot of cute ideas in the back pages on how you can use the things you've learned to make some wonderful gifts and other DIYS. Theres a lot more information than I expected but I enjoy learning about new things so I found it really interesting.

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Thank you Net Galley for a copy of Classic Calligraphy for Beginners. This book makes this look so easy. I am definitely going to try this out. The design of the book and it's content is spectacular.

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This is a fabulous book! I have always loved the written word and calligraphy is beautiful. The author gives you tips and options of the materials and equipment that is best to use and for what type of print you would use them for.
There are step by step guides for how to create the scripts used in the book, including exercises for practicing the positioning of the letters and making a guide sheet.
There are also step by step instructions on how to make a variety of items that you could use your calligraphy skills on.
Overall a great book that I would definitely recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

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Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for providing eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautiful book that guides the reader with Step-by-Step Techniques for Copperplate and Spencerian Scripts. There are 5 chapters in total: 1. Getting Started, 2. Copperplate Script, 3. Spencerian Script, 4. Flourishing and other Techniques, and 5. Creative Projects. Through these 5 chapters the author provides basics, the details of necessary supplies, some warm-up exercises, the right techniques and a variety of creative projects to try. This is a very good place to start for a beginner.

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A help to begin with Calligraphy
Younghae Chung is a classically trained left-handed calligrapher, teacher, and the owner of Logos Calligraphy & Design. She presents her book "Classic Calligraphy for Beginners. Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Copperplate and Spencerian Scripts - 25+ Simple, Modern Projects for Pointed Nib, Pen, and Brush", published by Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry. The book is divided into five parts: 1) Getting Started, 2) Copperplate Script, 3) Spencerian Script, 4) Flourishing and other Techniques, and 5) Creative Projects (with a nib, a brush, or a pen).s
Chung talks about her own journey into calligraphy and says: "As logos in Greek means “the Word” (John 1:1), my hope and vision is that calligraphy would bring the same encouragement, hope, and beauty to others as it did in my life" (p. 4) and "This journey has been unexpected but filled with joy and new opportunities. Now, I’m thrilled to share a bit of my heart with you through this book. In this book, we cover two of my favorite pointed pen scripts: Copperplate and Spencerian. These scripts are different but complement each other nicely. We begin with the foundation, from gathering the right supplies, to performing warm-up exercises, to understanding the basic strokes and learning how to form the lowercase and uppercase letters. In the latter half of the book, I share fun and creative ways to use calligraphy for various projects. The projects are grouped into three categories: nib, brush, and pen. What’s great is that calligraphy isn’t confined to the nib, and I show how you can emulate calligraphy using a variety of writing tools. I encourage you to enjoy the journey. Progress over perfection has always been my mantra, and it has helped me push through when things got difficult... May this book help deepen your appreciation and love for handwritten words" (p. 5).
Chung lists the supplies that are used for the various projects, lists resources, and includes tips throughout the book. There is an index at the end of the book and the sample guide sheets can be downloaded from her website. I highly recommend this book for beginners and advanced artists who want to learn more about calligraphy.
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.
#ClassicCalligraphyForBeginners #Netgalley

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Classic Calligraphy for Beginners is breathtaking and very well written. I absolutely love the tutorials and the pictures are amazing. If you have ever dabbled in calligraphy I highly recommend this book. I have never tried calligraphy but my Aunt loved using it and her cards and notes were incredibly delicate and beautiful. I have always loved the art of Calligraphy and couldn’t resist getting this book. I have always felt my handwriting was too bad to accomplish it. Now I feel inspired to give it a try. Hands down a beautiful book.

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Classic Calligraphy for Beginners is a well written tutorial guide for Spencerian and copperplate calligraphy by Younghae Chung. Due out 12th July 2022 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook currently available).

I love calligraphy books. There is something very relaxing and meditative about sitting quietly and finding a thoughtful zone and seeing a piece come together on the paper. Even (maybe even especially?) the practice that goes before getting comfortable with a new technique is a meditative process and valuable for the quiet time and sense of mastery it provides.

This is a well and logically formatted book which is beginner friendly and not intimidating at all, but which will also provide challenges and learning opportunities for more advanced beginner and intermediate calligraphers. The book is accessible. The introduction covers tools and supplies and is followed by the two main tutorial chapters covering copperplate and Spencerian script. The chapters are built up in practice lessons from introduction and overview through basic strokes, lower and uppercase letters, connections, and negative spaces/spacing.

The final half of the book contains specific tutorials for projects using nib, brush, and pen work. The projects are appealing and beautiful. The book includes a number of reproducible/copyable guide sheets with a link to her website for more practice sheets, a short links and resource guide, and an abbreviated index.

Five stars. This would make a good choice for public or school library acquisitions, makers' space studio library, and for the artist's home reference shelf.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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This is. lovely, practical guide to an ancient, but timeless, craft. The author shares the story of how she fell in love with this art, before introducing us to recommended tools and materials and comprehensive guides to popular copperplate and spencerian scripts.

I love that both scripts are covered in both upper and lowercase, meaning the reader has these to refer back to.

What I really loved was the projects section! Some beautiful and inspiring ideas to get started with!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

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