Author: Christopher Calderhead and Holly Cohen
ISBN: 978-1-4027-3368-0
RRP: $49.99
This book is so many things that I’m not sure anything I say will do it justice. Calligraphy is an ancient art-form that concentrates as much on the form of the writing and the characters as it does on what is actually being written. Calligraphers spend years practising their art to hone their writing skills.
Christopher Calderhead and Holly Cohen have scoured the world, mainly from their base in New York City, to explore the traditions of calligraphy that are still being adhered to by modern calligraphers across the world.
Fifty-five calligraphy scripts are brought together from across the world to appear in this book to serve as an inspiration, a guide and a how-to manual for beginners, experienced calligraphers and all lovers of fine writing.
Origins and traditions are explored and explained to give an understanding of how important different aspects are to different cultures and why this is so. The definition of calligraphy almost needs to be as fluid as the art itself so that it can stand true across all cultures globally.
This book covers many scripts but, equally as importantly, it covers the tools that are required to use the scripts and offers advice as to where the beginner will find the most success, where they need to start their experimentation for the highest chance of success.
Elegantly illustrated, on every page, with samples of text, step by step diagrams on how to make the text as well as a pen angle diagram makes this an extremely easy resource to use if you want to learn calligraphy.
There is a summary of each script, including details of its traditions, characteristics and origins as well as a more in-depth description that goes further into the information you will need if you plan to attempt the script yourself.
Calligraphy can be described as beautiful writing and that has been carefully considered in the layout and presentation of this gorgeous book, that would make a welcome addition to the collection of everyone who appreciates fine art and fine writing.
The scripts studied in this volume include Roman, Japanese, Russian, Slavic, Arabic, Tibetan and Hebrew. They will inspire and guide all who want to learn the art of calligraphy and there is something here for beginners through to those with some experience.
There is also the fact that this is a gorgeous volume, beautifully laid out and presented in a way that may leave you happy just leafing through appreciating the beauty of the art-form.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!