Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy: A Step-by-Step Manual (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

I've bought a few modern calligraphy books and noticed there was practically no instructions. Though a few had the stroke orders listed, there was no explanation on the strokes themselves or what technique to use. However, they did introduce me to copperplate.This book is VERY specific. It shows you incorrect examples. It gives visual and textual explanations for each letter. It teaches you how to make your own guide sheets. There's sections on margins and centering. Honestly, at first it was a bit overwhelming. It's not just a bunch of pages where you trace over the letters.But after taking it one letter at a time, I've realized there's a lot of knowledge in these pages.HEADS UP, there are no practice sheets with this book. At least not with the spiral bound one. I recommend buying some sheets or smooth paper with this book if you're eager to get started :)

I was trying to find a book with the style of cursive that I was taught at a private school in the early 60’s. I couldn’t believe it when I found this book that was in the calligraphy area! When I moved to public school a few years later, they worked to train the style of cursive I knew out of me. I’m glad I found such a good book to help me rediscover it.

This is such a great book for learning this type of calligraphy. So glad I bought it.

Only book I could find that actually has REAL calligraphy rather than slovenly cursive, and decent instruction.FAR better than any other I've found.

I saw reviews of this book on Youtube by teachers of penmanship and they gave it top rating. First published in 1989, it remains the top recommended text for Copperplate Calligraphy. Author also references to another book: "The Universal Penman" first written in the early 1700's - another book I recommend. This is a true text book -- start at page one - practice the material - go on to page two etc. Only thing I'm going to change is the binding as I prefer to be able to fold the book back and lay flay so off to my local Office Depot and let them spiral bind it for me.

This book is very helpful if you are trying to learn Copperplate Calligraphy. Many years ago I had taken a calligraphy course and have forgotten most of what I had learned so this summer I ordered this book and a few others and thought maybe by the end of the year or over the winter I would hone up on my skills.PROSStep by step directions on how to form the letters including how much pressure to apply on upstrokes, downstrokes, etcDetailed list of supplies you will need to get started withMany detailed photos of the lettering and techniquesGlossary of termsStep by Step on how to change size of lettersCONSNONEOnce mastered, the sky is the limit on what you could do with this skill, just making pretty Christmas cards, or make money doing wedding invitations, anniversary invitations, award certificates, etc they turn out beautiful!

For the last six weeks, I have been eating/sleeping/breathing alongside this book. Despite owning a dip pen for over three years, I struggled to make any progress toward the 'modern calligraphy' style I wanted to learn.I finally saw an online comment where a pious experienced calligrapher pointed out that 'duh, it's all based on Copperplate so how can you expect to freestyle without learning the basics?' Well, this was news to me, but at last I found a place to start.This book seemed overwhelmingly thorough when I received it but I resolved to take it slow. I did pages and pages of practice drills before even attempting a letterform. After about two weeks and many hours of practice, I moved on to lower-case letters and did alright--all those drills were teaching me about slant and the proportions and starting a little muscle memory in my hand.I've got a long way to go, but if I put in another hundred zillion practice hours in I might get somewhere.Products available on Amazon that hugely helped this beginner:Zebra G nib (10-pack)Sumi ink (I like the one in the green bottle)T-40 pen holder

This is a definitive study of copperplate calligraphy. However, the book cover was sticky all over. It looks like somebody spilled something on it or ate lunch on it. It washed off, and the book looks as if it has never been opened, but I am wary of the sender now.