Calligraphy: A Complete Guide

I really wanted to love that book because the author is French, I bought the english version because it's half of the price of the french version, unfortunately no crush on this book. It's definitely better than the calligrapher's bible from Harris. There is a nice short chapter on calligraphy basic, a nice short history about the different alphabet. I didn't like the layout, I didn't like the brown colour colour, I think black with red numbers for tracing guide would have made the letters pop, I didn't like the samples because they are short cut, there is no full sentences or paragraphes to really show the overall effects or to try copy until you're confident enough to develop your own style (nothing consistant to give a try to flourish, ligature not too sure how say it english. I am not impressed either by his alphabets style. I learnt calligraphy long time ago when I was little girl at school and more with the help of nice little book-workstation (I wish I could find it again) so that's maybe why I am so difficult to satisfy. That's not a bad book to be fair but not for me.

I bought this because it seemed to cover a wide range of content and seemed to be on a more advanced level than an entry level book.In terms of format there are many many alphabets, all which have been practiced formally as calligraphy or nice handwriting, covering many hundreds of years. The method for each letter is laid out and also potential variations, flourishes and opportunity for individual creativity. Following the alphabets the book goes into topics like decorations, page spacers, using different media, and some fun alphabets. Unfortunately the coverage of the decorations and illuminations is only a few pages.Overall this is a high quality book with plenty of content for years of meaningful study to achieve perfection. However if you want a beginners guide, coverage of more modern scripts (e.g. Copperplate) or detail on decoration/illumination/celtic knots you will need another guide. I'd say definitely get this book for it's distinctiveness and use others for the basics.

Very comprehensive book for the serious calligrapher.