Reviews (25)

WOW!!
I bought this book about a year ago, allowed my cousin to borrow it, and he didn't return it fast enough, so I bought a second copy! I love this book. Every time I pick it up I find someting I didn't see before. It's inspiration, educational and just, well...just wonderful. And the cover is stunning.

wonderful book
I am a working student in graphic design for web and print as well as web site design. Because I need to work I dont have time to work through books cover to cover. It seems that I'm allways trying to extinguish the "fire of the day" and I refer to my books for fire fighting techniques. With more experience hopefully I'll have most of these techniques in my brain...
A modern, solid, informed, beautiful guide for all those who use letterforms...
If you are a fine or graphic artist, a signmaker or architect--even a historian, anthropologist or architect--then you simply have to have this book. Stop looking for a book more complete in its study of the letterform and how it applies to our daily lives;it doesn't exist.Leslie Cabarga,the great California designer instrumental in resurrecting an appreciation for Art Deco since the 1970's, has outdone himself with this book.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artistic Lettering    4. Design    5. Graphic Arts - General    6. Graphic Design    7. Lettering    8. Logos (Symbols)    9. Techniques - Calligraphy   

Reviews (2)

Disappointed with Amazon!
I paid $24 for this book only to receive it and the price is stamped on the back "$9.95 in USA"! I would look for this book elsewhere.

Disappointed
I paid $24 for this book only to receive it and the price is stamped on the back "$9.95 in USA"! I would look for this book elsewhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1812-1890    2. Art    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decoration and ornament    5. Design    6. Klimsch, Karl,    7. Monograms    8. Techniques - Calligraphy    9. Techniques - Printmaking    10. Victorian style    11. Art / Calligraphy    12. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900    13. Klimsch, Karl    14. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (12)

Marvellous handbook!
I have dabbled with calligraphy and have several books myself, most of them are big and have beautiful pictures and present the same styles; Roman, Uncial, Italic and Gothic styles with some variations. I ordered this book because of the raving reviews and its low price and was greatly, pleasantly surprised!
Caligrapher's Bible
I was able to pick up a few new styles. Not enough help for the lefties.

Calligraphy
The book is very easy to follow, with diagrams showing you the angle to hold your pen and numbers to show you the order for writing each letter.Absolutely excellent; a must-have for true lovers of this art. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Calligraphy    4. Specimens    5. Study & Teaching    6. Techniques - Calligraphy    7. Art / Calligraphy   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

Beautiful reproduction of an exquisite manuscript
This is an excellent reproduction of an exquisite manuscript produced during the last phases of the hand-written, hand-illuminated book. The introductory texts are concerned primarily with the history of the two artists responsible for the creation of this work, with some space devoted to its provenence and patron. The majority of pages are, of course, devoted to the plates themselves; no words can do justice to the art displayed therein. Commentary on the plates is mostly limited to identification of the various flora and fauna displayed on the pages ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. California    4. Calligraphy    5. Copybooks    6. European    7. Facsimiles    8. History - Medieval    9. Illumination Of Books And Manuscripts    10. Malibu    11. Manuscripts, Renaissance    12. Techniques - Calligraphy    13. Writing (Penmanship)    14. Art & Architecture | History | Renaissance    15. Art / Calligraphy    16. Bocskay, Georg    17. Hoefnagel, Joris    18. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (2)

Another wonderful book by Addiss!
This collection of zen masterpieces is one that you The Art of Zen: Paintings & Calligraphy by Japanese Monks
"The Art of Zen" is a beautiful, beautiful book and has taken its place on my read-again-and-again bookshelf. The 200+ page book is not only packed with the history of zen in Japan as exemplified by the majorzen monk artists but complemented by many examples of their art. Thehistory is divided into seven major periods that discussed the politicaland cultural climate of Japan as well as the philosophic perspective of ZenBuddhism. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Buddhism - Zen    4. Buddhist art and symbolism    5. Calligraphy, Zen    6. History - General    7. Japan    8. Painting, Zen    9. Subjects & Themes - Religious    10. Art / History / Asian    11. Lettering & calligraphy    12. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    13. Oriental art    14. Painting & paintings    15. Religious subjects depicted in art    16. Zen Buddhism   

Reviews (14)

More Confusion on Chinese Writing
Trying to learn Chinese calligraphy, alone, from a book, is probably akin to trying to learn martial arts or ballet from a video or DVD - perhaps useless, potentially dangerous. Yet the book still deserves credit on the principle that in remote lands, a poor map made by a foreigner is better than no map at all. In fact, there is an apparent gap in the literature in English on this subject: a perusal of copious material available at Shanghai Foreign Language Bookstore on Fuzhou Rd reveals nothing any better. There is simply no authoritative English reference.
Insightful presentation
First, I have now been studying Chinese for about 4 years, and this was an early book I got cheap from a used book store. I have changed my mind about it several times over the years. The discouraging part of the book is indicating how many times you would need to practice a character to get good at it. In the beginning, this was definitely true becasue a newbie simply cannot understand the important parts of a character and the relative alignment of strokes. As you acquire more characters, it becomes clearer what is important within the character.
wrong stroke order and too much a stickler for the nonexistent perfect character
There are two problems with this book. One is that the author is unfortunately unaware of the correct calligraphic stroke order that's been used for many centuries and still is used for proper calligraphy. It's not used in schools in China and Taiwan, though all Japanese still only know the calligraphic stroke order. What am I talking about? You don't always follow the "horizontal before vertical" rule and that is very important for both speed and aesthetics. I think this of particular importance for foreigners who will never write characters as much as a Chinese child does in school. Take a proper calligraphy class. Look at masterpieces in books or museums and you can follow much of the stroke order (except not necessarily in kaishu).
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Subjects:  1. Chinese Language    2. Chinese characters    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. General    5. Language    6. Writing    7. Chinese    8. Foreign Language Study / Chinese    9. Language & Linguistics    10. Language self-study & phrasebooks    11. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (10)

Highly Illuminating Book. Buy It Now!
`3:16 Bible Texts Illuminated' by computer scientist extraordinare and lifelong Lutheran, Donald E. Knuth is one of those truly unique books which seems to be perfectly composed to illuminate a subject virtually everyone takes for granted. The best analogy I can think of in another field is the little book `The Elements of Style' by Strunk and White, which provides a brilliantly concise set of instructions on writing better.
Very Interesting
This is a truly unique work. Knuth has obviously studied a lot in order to produce this study and it shows. The concept in and of itself, composing a book of 3:16 of every book of the Bible that contains the said verse, is unique. And the word art is truly wonderful touch. And the overview of each book of the Bible being covered is great.
A computer scientist reads the bible ...
... and shares his findings with us. This book is in fact a very readable and highly original introduction to the bible. Though it has its focus on exactly one verse of each book of the bible, it manages to give on just three pages a concise summary of the book and an in-depth interpretation of the verse with plenty of cross-references. Knuth has read the scholars, but does not burden us with extensive citations. Instead he forms the material in his own way and this gives a refreshing impression of independent thought. Knuth also speaks as a computer scientist and draws several connections to this field. Therefore this book is also of special interest to all scientific minds who are invited to reread and rethink the bible. Last, but certainly not least, the book if of highly aesthetic value since each verse is pictured by world class calligraphers drawing the connection to Knuth's long standing interest in typesetting and calligraphy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible Commentary    3. Criticism, interpretation, etc    4. Religion    5. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    6. Art    7. Techniques - Calligraphy    8. Bible - Commentaries - General   

Reviews (6)

Complete Set for a Beginner
I am not a total novice to calligraphy, but it has been many years since I practiced this art.The book contains all of the essential information a beginner needs to know, and some of the basic tools: pen holders, nibs, a brush, pencil and various colored inks.There is a spiral bound Technique Book, and a spiral bound Project Book.I may have missed this in the directions, but most calligraphers I've met find a tiny cosmetics jar with a tight fitting lid.After this has been washed very well cut out a piece of soft foam and place it in the jar, add the ink you'll be using and dip your pen in this jar for getting just the right amount of ink on y,ou pen. You practically eliminate the possibility of getting ink over your project or table.HTH!

Brilliant Beginner Set
This Calligraphy set is truly a complete beginner set.The instructions are clear, the equipment is of high quality, and the projects offer a lot of other things you can do with your equipment.

Excellent set
This book contains everything you need to start learning calligraphy.The explanations are clear, the set truly complete (at least, for a beginner), and the project's book quite attractive.The testbook is clear and contains a lot of useful material for technique (i.e., types of ink, brushes, etc.) as well as models for uncial, italic, gothic, and other script styles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Calligraphy    4. General    5. Materials and instruments    6. Reference    7. Techniques - Calligraphy    8. Techniques - General    9. Writing    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Reference   

Reviews (7)

Calligraphy
It should of been in Chinese.

Response with gratitude
I am the author of this book and just want to respond that I agree with the very critical reviewer who felt strongly that Copperplate should have been included.I wish so too.But it would need a whole other set of supplies and hand positions.Copperplate comes along much later, and is really outside the main core of the broad-pen historic hands.Maybe some day!
Excellent book for learning
I am learning calligraphy and have looked at a number of books on the subject. This book is almost perfect. She gives you so much more than alphabets: key exercises to do before you start the alphabets, typical beginner's problems (most of which I have experienced!), practice pages you can reproduce. Her sections on swashes and "accessorizing" Gothic capitals are also wonderful - what had always seemed highly mysterious to me turns out to be a matter of combining building blocks, creativity, and - who would have thought - a lot of fun.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Calligraphy    4. Technique    5. Techniques - Calligraphy    6. Art / Calligraphy    7. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    8. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (4)

Darkness into Light
I was glad I had this book along with me when I went to see the real Book of Kells at the Trinity College Library in Dublin.The lines of tourists waiting to view this famous eighth century manuscript were about a quarter of a mile long, and the museum proctors were really hustling us through the area where a small sampling of pages were actually on view.
awesome pictures, horrible writing
I like how the author gives various images of the book of kells, but gets really confusing and goes all over the place while writing about it. I think a lot could be learned from this book, but the author crams so many examples into the work that it starts to get annoying. Ever line seems to have parenthesis around something and folio this or that. For that alone i give the book two stars, multiple examples are good, just not when you plague every line with one. It hardly gives the reader a chance to understand the first few.

"The most precious object in the western world"
Resting at Trinity College Dublin is one of the truly singular products of early European art.This is 'The Book of Kells,' an ornately illuminated rendition of the four gospels, rendered sometime in the Ninth Century.It has been both an influence and an inspiration since the time of its making, illustrating both the story it tells, and the subtle mind of symbolists who wove the story and the art together.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Book of Kells    4. History - Medieval    5. Illumination Of Books And Manuscripts    6. Illumination of books and manu    7. Illumination of books and manuscripts, Celtic    8. Illustrations    9. Techniques - Calligraphy    10. Trinity College (Dublin, Irela    11. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    12. Illustration    13. Religious subjects depicted in art   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. General    3. Techniques - Calligraphy    4. Technology & Industrial Arts    5. Architecture / General    6. Design    7. Non-Classifiable    8. Product design    9. elektronische Technologie   

Reviews (6)

Best Book No Matter What Your Level of Expertise
This book is full of outstanding examples of calligraphic artwork, some of them unusual. It's extremely complete regarding pens, such as how to sharpen them. And it even gives you an excellent overview of how to watercolor. I own many calligraphy books and thought I knew a great deal, but I learned much from this book. Worth buying.

Easy to Learn Calligraphy
I just sent out 200 elegant wedding invitations all done in Calligraphy that i learned from "Calligraphy School" in the last two months.i had never picked up a calligraphy pen and could not find any local classes so i bought this book to give it a try but was certain i would probably be hiring someone to do the calligraphy on my wedding invitations. Wonderful
"Calligraphy School" is everything I was hoping it would be when I ordered it.Beautifully written, informative, gorgeous lay-out, very inspiring.I brought it to my calligraphy class to show the instructor and the other students, and they were as impressed as I.The book takes the student from Roman Serifs to the Lindesfarne Gospels and carolingian minuscules through to the Renaissance and some of the modern italic hands-- very comprehensive.Besides just the letterforms of virtually all the important alphabets throughout history, the authors also address the basics (and beyond) of applying a watercolor wash, interpreting text though color and design, even working with metallic leaf and illuminated letterforms!Pages and pages featuring the work of the most talented calligraphers.An absolutely beautiful book and very inspiring, as I said before, but it bears repeating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Calligraphy    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Study & Teaching    7. Techniques - Calligraphy    8. Techniques - General    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Alphabets    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artistic Lettering    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. General    6. Gothic type    7. Graphic Arts - Use of Ornament    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Specimens    10. Techniques - Calligraphy    11. Type and type-founding    12. Typography    13. Art / Calligraphy   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architectural Firms    3. Architecture    4. Architecture, Modern    5. Art    6. Color in architecture    7. Criticism and interpretation    8. Interior Design - General    9. Koolhaas, Rem    10. Techniques - Calligraphy    11. Architectural structure & design    12. Architecture / General    13. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (5)

Same content as Ready-to-Use Calligraphic Ornaments By Takahashi (Dover)
Buyers shoud be aware that this book has the same content as an earlier Dover book,Ready-to-Use Calligraphic Ornaments by Kiyoshi Takahashi.This is better becuase it comes with a CD, but it is the same collection of images.
No Vector But Great When Converted
I must say I am glad that I read the other reviews so that I was prepared when I purchased this item. It is a bit misleading that the CD contains files in EPS format because they act just like a placed image in Illustrator. HOWEVER, with a program like Adobe Streamline, the images are absolutely GORGEOUS. I highly recommend this item along with Streamline. In the end, the quality workmanship of a Dover book is found in this product.

No Vector...
When i first saw this book, i was very excited because it said that i had .eps files, which to me, mean vector, easy to use etc.These files are all raster, thus if you are seeking full vector, you might need to order a copy of Adobe Streamline and covert these.Big disappointment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Clip Art    4. Techniques - Calligraphy    5. Art / Clip Art    6. Lettering & calligraphy   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. History - General    5. Techniques - Calligraphy    6. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    7. History of art: c 500 CE to c 1400    8. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (1)

of turk art
I'm student and I have very intrese for the ottoman art for islamic. the miniature of this kultur �s very nice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1414-1492    2. 1414-1492.    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Freer Jami    6. General    7. Haft awrang    8. Illumination Of Books And Manuscripts    9. Illumination of books and manuscripts, Iranian    10. Illustrations    11. Jami,    12. Jåamåi,    13. Middle Eastern    14. Rare Books    15. Techniques - Calligraphy    16. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    17. Art / Calligraphy    18. Illustration    19. Iran    20. Jami    21. Persian (Farsi)    22. Poetry & poets: classical, early & medieval    23. Poetry anthologies: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (7)

Not for non-watercolor painters
Chinese brush painting is difficult if you lack enough experience with watercolor painting (I have painted with acrylics mainly).The pictures in the book are beautiful and the book is good as just a coffee table book to look at if you are a curious person and wonder how Chinese (or Japanese)painting is done.

Capturing the Spirit of Chinese Brush Painting
What a delightful treat for painters of all stages!!! Nan Rae's book is a very lively and spiritual work that draws you to her obvious passion for her art. I'm a beginning painter and have bought several brush painting books. The Ch'i of the Brush is a very dedicated book with beautiful illustrations that are easy to follow-her directions and explanations make you feel that she were giving you the lessons right in your own home!! This book gives you an exciting confidence and enthusiasm for the art that makes you want to learn all that you can do. The histories and works included are very appreciating and thorough--very interesting to read. Plus, the most beautiful part--Nan Rae's wonderful illustrations and paintings are displayed page after page and her happy spirit lifts right off of those pages!! If you could pick only one book on Chinese Brush painting, this is definitely the one to have.

Lacks the True Spirit of Chinese Painting & Culture
Being a collector of traditional and contemporary Chinese paintings for over 25 years, I am also very interested in the variety of techniques different Chinese painters use. This book covers the basics of Chinese brush painting, ideas and concepts taught for hundreds of years so there nothing new in this book. Not seeing Nan Rae's work prior to purchasing this book, I was very surprised by the mediocre level of her paintings. Her paintings have a western influence but her ability to merge the two cultures just doesn't work. For myself and other fellow collectors, her paintings in no way capture the essence of what true Chinese culture and its painting is all about. Another disappointment about her work (from this book and website) is that many of her paintings are copied (and not very well at that) from older Chinese paintings and famous artists works. If your really interested in Chinese painting techniques, find books by true Chinese painting masters such as the Chinese painting series by the Asian based publisher Art Book Co. (with English text) and not someone who paints as if it were a casual hobby. Buy this book if you're interested in "reading" about simple Chinese brush techniques but once your actually begin painting, find some reference paintings created by actual Chinese artists who capture the true spirit of Chinese painting and the culture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Ink painting, Chinese    4. Technique    5. Techniques - Calligraphy    6. Techniques - Painting    7. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    8. Art techniques & principles    9. China    10. Watercolours   

Reviews (5)

Great for calligraphy and gold illumination, ok on painting styles
Being a newcommer to calligraphy and illumination, I was looking for a book that covered both. Reviews I read here, and suggestions from others steered me to this book. I love the book for the amount of history it covers, the details on how to write each hand, how the hands progressed, and the wealth of information it covers on gold illumination, heraldry, even how paper is made is wonderful. If you want to make your own gesso sizing for gold illumination, it provides the recipe. It even covers how to make a little money from your calligraphic skills.
A Scribe's Best Friend
This book is the #1 book in my scribal library. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to get it.
The best book on calligraphy, illumination and heraldry!
Without a doubt, this is the best book on calligraphy and illumination ever in print, and the chapters on heraldry are as detailed and lucid as any other text devoted solely to that subject.Whether you are interested in this book to learn calligraphic technique or simply desire it for coffee-table 'eye candy,' you will be genuinely pleased with your purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Calligraphy    4. History - General    5. Illumination Of Books And Manuscripts    6. Illumination of books and manu    7. Techniques - Calligraphy    8. Art / Calligraphy    9. Illustration    10. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (9)

Worth having in your library.
Medieval Calligraphy by Marc Drogin is comprehensive and historically informative, certainly worth having in your collection.

Historical/Instructional Manual
This is both an historical and an instructional manual with information on materials, supplies, and other resources.It shows the strokes for each letter, and has many examples and covers alphabet styles that almost no one else does.
A Work Of Art
This book is a work of art and love in its self.The sheer number of positive reviews is a testament to that statement. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Calligraphy    4. Design - Decorative    5. Facsimiles    6. History    7. History - Medieval    8. Manuscripts, Medieval    9. Techniques - Calligraphy    10. Writing    11. Art / Calligraphy    12. Lettering & calligraphy