Tips on flourishing techniques from the book Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering by Lisa Engelbrecht

Here are some fun tips and techniques on adding flourishes to your hand lettering and art from the book Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering: A Mark-Making Workbook for Crafters, Cardmakers, and Journal Artists. If you would like lots more, like all of them in the book, you could score yourself your very own copy by leaving your answer to today's question:

What do you think of your penmanship? Love it? Hate it?

Leave your answer in today's comment section by midnight ET on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 and you are in the running!

If you are into hand lettering and want to explore all sorts of styles and designs, check out:

 Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering:

A Mark-Making Workbook for Crafters, Cardmakers, and Journal Artists

By

Lisa Engelbrecht

Calligraphy, the art of elegant, beautiful lettering, has increased in popularity over the last several years. From brides who want to address their wedding invitations to do-it-yourselfers who want to prepare certificates or make a family tree, and even for art journalers and scrapbookers who like creative text in their works, calligraphy books and classes are hot.

This new-in-paperback book will spark the interest of the calligraphy novice by introducing a new approach to lettering, one that combines a lively combination of traditional lettering styles, fun and scripty modern styles, and artsy street-style lettering, along with project ideas that incorporate creative lettering.

 Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering demonstrates the uses of traditional and cutting edge lettering tools, from classic calligraphy pens to bling-producing metallic foils and glue pens. It introduces a wide array of lettering styles with complete alphabets sample artworks that show an application. Fully stepped-out illustrations break down each letterform, taking the reader through each stroke and a large collection of gallery images provides further inspiration for how to use creative lettering in artwork.

Lisa Engelbrecht (Long Beach, CA) is a lettering artist and was an instructor of calligraphy at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California, where she instituted a Certificate in Calligraphy. She teaches workshops and classes around the country specializing in lettering on fabric and alternative surfaces, experimental lettering and the creative process.

 

Comments

[annie!]

I think my penmanship is ok. I don't love or hate it and know it needs improvement which I'll work on between now and winning this book! Thanks!

[Michael Robert Lockridge]

I did a bit of calligraphy many years ago, and still love pens and writing. However, my motor skills have deteriorated over the years due to keyboarding over hand writing, much less writing as an art in itself.

Perhaps I owe it to myself to reintroduce my hands to the art of writing. Great post!

[Tamara Berg]

Mine? Not ugly, not pretty, but boring! I'd love to learn how to make boring beautiful! Fingers crossed -- until I pick up a pen, that is! ;-)

[Beth]

My penmanship is quite scripty but I would love to have a book such as the one you're offering to spruce it up and make it prettier.

[Aamir]

it's ok but i'm a left hander so it's hard to adjust to a lot of pens. But I would love to try the book you're offering. Sometimes the book and pen together make all the diff!

[GourmetPens]

I don't mind my penmanship too much. I struggle to write neatly with very fine-tipped pens though. For some reason my writing always comes out looking messy. I've just gotten a flex nib fountain pen and I'm trying to learn calligraphy with it!

[Kevin Sunley]

My penmanship is strange. I write quite small and at first glance it appears very neat, however many of the letters are hard to decipher even for myself. Its has a very neatly written, stylized font. It is just unfortunately a font with unrecognizable characters.

[Birgit]

I actually love my penmanship. I have gotten quite a few compliments on it over the years, but there's always room for improvement, so thanks for the chance to win that awesome book! :)

Happy creating,
Birgit

[Tina Nilson]

Oh-I discovered Lisa Engelbrecht in the U.S. 10 years ago- I´ve tried to get as good as her ever since- and I´m so excited she has made this book- Can´t wait to get my inky fingers on it!! Have actually tried calligraphy 30 years now- but still have so much to learn.

Crossing my fingers...
Love from Tina in Sweden

[Kathy Parks]

My penmanship is okay, I guess, however I would love to have the kind of control exhibited by calligraphic artists. I would enjoy this book.