Calligraphy & Penmanship Gift Guide

Whether you use the pen craft professionally, or just for personal expression, it embodies a tradition of beauty and discipline that few other crafts can match. Here are my favorite learning guides for mastering the time-honored art and craft of calligraphy, lettering and penmanship -- for young and old! The first time someone sees you writing in pure copperplate and exclaims "Wow, how did you learn that?" you'll know you've gained a skill few others posess. Any of these books will also make a superb gift for anyone on your list. October 27, 2011

Copperplate Calligraphy

I've preached about the beauty of copperplate calligraphy before -- arguably the most beautiful form of hand lettering. I've encouraged you to at least try your had at producing it by hand, because by doing so you experience the true are and craft of penmanship. Here's some help to get you started September 30, 2011

Retro Fonts : the real thing

One of my serious on-going complaints in the graphic arts industry is the use of the term "retro" -- fewer and fewer designers actually know what it means. We're seeing literally hundreds of tutorials titled retro-this or retro-that. So, listen up young designers: here's the quintessential reference on the use of 'retro' fonts. In fact, it's called RETROFONTS! September 29, 2011

17th Annual Fonts Surf Three

As we continue our typography surf for this year, we take some twists and turns from the Korean Pavilion At Shanghai, to the branding remake for Chocolate ... along with * Eden Martinez : Typography Illustrations * Lettering on photographs * Panos Vassiliou - PF Champion Script Pro * Typefaces give us signals, and more -- continuing through October ... September 23, 2011

Michael Doret's Steinweiss Script

It's always a thrill to get a new font, and a major thrill to get one from Michael Doret. You might remember we spotlighted Michael's Metro Script five years ago for the 12th Fonts Fest. We are thrilled again this year with Michael's Steinweiss Script -- and it's been voted the 'official' font for the 17th annual fall fonts festival! September 15, 2011

Xandra Zamora: calligraphic hands

Designing Women presents Xandra Y. Zamora, a master at calligraphy, hand lettering, and classic styled quill work! Don't miss this inspiration in hand lettering March 30, 2010

Michael Doret: Deliscript Font

Our good friend and master graphics expert Michael Doret is back with a fabulous new OpenType font that does more tricks than you've ever seen! Just get a load of Michael Doret's wonderful Deliscript font! September 19, 2009