Modern Calligraphy: Learn the Beautiful Art of Brush Lettering

“Even if you think you are not creative, this book will help you unleash the lettering artist within you,” advises calligrapher Ramos in her beginner-friendly debut. A self-taught letter artist, Ramos found the learning process to be full of “struggles and frustrations,” and to help readers steer clear of such woes, she begins by assuring newbies they can succeed at lettering whether their handwriting is “beautiful or terrible.” Ramos lays out the brush pens and papers required for the craft and offers an in-depth look at the fundamentals of brush lettering, emphasizing the importance of the “thin up, thick down” concept (moving the pen upward creates a thin stroke while moving the pen down with extra pressure creates a thick stroke). Practice strokes are accompanied by helpful commentary (“transitions must be done slowly to create smooth lines,” Ramos writes of the compound curves used to make the letters m and n). After artists have mastered the alphabet, they can customize projects with the author’s creative tips for adding flourishes, embellishments, and creating shadowing techniques for a 3-D effect. Simple yet comprehensive, this is a must-read for budding calligraphers. (Nov.)