Calligraphy & Lettering: A Maker’s Guide

This arresting compendium, published in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, convincingly and instructively posits precise, artful hand lettering as a viable antidote to the obsession with speed and efficiency that permeates modern life. Calligraphist Lach’s introduction tracks the art of calligraphy through its ancient and modern permutations and in different countries around the world. The book also contains preliminary instructions for embarking on a calligraphy project, including setting up the writing board at the right angle (a steep angle is best for slower ink flow, while a flattened surface lends more speed), choosing a pen tip, and setting line spaces. Fifteen projects then follow, each one conforming to a different tradition within calligraphy and hand-lettering as a whole, including, among others, Roman capitals, Gothic script, illuminations, embossing, vintage sign writing, and Japanese calligraphy. Every project is accompanied by measurements and techniques for creating perfect, beautiful, and symmetrical letters, all requiring patience and focus on the artist’s part. As Lach notes, “learning classic calligraphy is primarily a lesson in precision and humility.” This elegant volume will enable even inexperienced beginners to reclaim a venerable art form. (June)