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CKwasniewski
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Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 10:13am | IP Logged Quote CKwasniewski

Can anyone recommend a good calligraphy book or book and pen set?

This would be for a child, not me.

I ordered the paperinkarts catalog, but in the meanwhile, I'm wondering about other ideas.

Thanks,
CK
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stefoodie
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Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 10:56am | IP Logged Quote stefoodie

We got this

calligraphy set for our 11-yo.

And The Calligrapher's Bible to accompany the set.

He loves both!

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JennGM
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Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 12:53pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM

What age? Is this total beginner?

Paper and Ink Arts are the best, IMHO. The catalog is very enticing, but most basic stuff is on the web, too. The owners are calligraphers themselves and I've received great advice over the phone for materials for children.

When I first started learning calligraphy, the Sheaffer cartridge pen set was my first pen (that was 30 years ago). It's a pretty good pen set. I've also used Osmiroid (which is no longer made), Platignum, and Manuscript. You can see some cartridge pen choices here. Manuscript is also sold at Michael's (or used to be) and $12.95 is a great beginning price. It is now my favorite cartridge pen.

If your child is younger and never had any experience with a calligraphy pen, I'd recommend starting off with a felt calligraphy marker to learn how to hold the point at the proper angle. permanent marker choices and water based. This is where the ladies helped me choose the right kind, as I was planning on teaching my nieces and nephews together.

The Usborne Calligraphy book is really good. I also like the looks of the Eleanor Winters books (see link).

I personally would hold off on the fountain calligraphy. The biggest keys to learning calligraphy is the angle of the pen, slant, spacing, and consistency -- so lots of practice with pages of loops, lines, circles and then letters. Calligraphy is a broad term, with many types of lettering under that name.

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CKwasniewski
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Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 1:05pm | IP Logged Quote CKwasniewski

Jenn and Steff,
Thank you for this info!

I think markers will be a better place to start. My ds is almost 8, and other than his own unique calligraphy, no experience.

We'll check out fountain pens later, if we take off. Good to know about the "Bible"! Looks fab!

thanks again,
Ck

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SuzanneG
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Posted: July 08 2010 at 3:46pm | IP Logged Quote SuzanneG

Bumping this....was searching for hints, book names, advice for beginning calligraphy for kids. My almost 8 yo would like to start learning this year.

There are several books for kids when I typed in Jenn's title Calligraphy For Kids into Amazon.

Quote:
If your child is younger and never had any experience with a calligraphy pen, I'd recommend starting off with a felt calligraphy marker to learn how to hold the point at the proper angle. permanent marker choices and water based. This is where the ladies helped me choose the right kind, as I was planning on teaching my nieces and nephews together.

Can I buy these at basic craft stores like Michael's? Or not?

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SuzanneG
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Posted: July 08 2010 at 3:50pm | IP Logged Quote SuzanneG

I just saw these two books at Emmanuel Books:

:: Book #4 in their Writing Can Help series
:: Calligraphy First Steps

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allegiance_mom
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Posted: July 08 2010 at 8:13pm | IP Logged Quote allegiance_mom

SuzanneG wrote:
I just saw these two books at Emmanuel Books:

:: Book #4 in their Writing Can Help series


That's what we used, it was very basic but just right for my son at the time (4th grade). We bought a calligraphy pen at the craft store. Be sure to check the width of the nib (? - I mean the tip). The first one we bought was too wide for the ruled lines in the book.

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Mackfam
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Posted: July 08 2010 at 8:30pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

SuzanneG wrote:
I just saw these two books at Emmanuel Books:

:: Book #4 in their Writing Can Help series

We enjoy calligraphy and have several different books, but this one is my dd's favorite. She used it and really liked it. We found it straightforward, simple to use, and great for a self-motivated child. My dd laminated the lettering guide and tucked it inside her copywork/commonplace book so that she can continue to use it. This would probably be a good starter book for your 8yo, Suzanne. Not expensive, and if she enjoys it and wants to pursue more, you can do that.

The Calligraphers Bible has been a good follow-up book. Once Sarah had her lettering and slant down well, she used this for further inspiration.   

JennGM wrote:
When I first started learning calligraphy, the Sheaffer cartridge pen set was my first pen (that was 30 years ago). It's a pretty good pen set.

Me too! In fact, I still have mine. Sarah started using ZIG calligraphy pens, which are nice, but once you start getting serious about calligraphy, you'll want a real calligraphy pen because we learned through some trial and error that though there is a learning curve, it just performs better and writes nicer calligraphy. Sheaffer pen sets are still available, and what I would recommend for a starter set. I think I saw these at Michael's so you could use your coupon.

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SuzanneG
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Posted: July 09 2010 at 3:53pm | IP Logged Quote SuzanneG

Thank You for the feedback, everyone!

While we were searching around this morning, we saw some books on Creative Lettering (there are others in this series too) which she thought looked fun for ideas, etc. And, also for big sister who isn't interested in the precision of calligraphy, nec....but would love the fun lettering stuff for decorations, designs, etc.


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JennGM
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Posted: July 09 2010 at 4:16pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM

Suzanne, those felt-tip calligraphy markers can be found at Michael's. There are different tip sizes.

I'll jump in here with a few other opinions. Calligraphy is a broad term. In fact the dictionary calls it "Art of fine handwriting" which does give it a lot of room. It can be using pointed pen, like Copperplate, to different nib sizes, smaller for Italic, broader for Uncial or Celtic, etc.

The basics would be across the board, like learning to print or write cursive at first, but using a different pen and holding it at different angles, and being precise in imitation of the fonts. Deciding which fonts to pursue would mean expanding into more specific tools.

Usborne has some wonderful books on Calligraphy that I would recommend, also.

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SuzanneG
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Posted: Sept 16 2010 at 6:41pm | IP Logged Quote SuzanneG

My daughter is very much enjoying her ZIG markers and is doing wonderfully with the Book #4 (Calligraphy) from Emmanuel Books! Thank you everyone! I'm looking at an additional "pretty book" for her for Christmas.

Thought you'd all get a kick out of one of her practice pages from a few weeks ago:






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Posted: Sept 16 2010 at 6:59pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam



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