Monday, July 11, 2011

"Calligraphy Magic" Book Review and Giveaway




So you've got the sketchbook, you're painting and sketching like mad capturing those summer memories, why not add some fancy lettering.

The gracious folks at FW Media have provided me with another book to review and giveaway.

"Calligraphy Magic" by Cari Buziak is a more technical manual.  I have only perused a few calligraphy books in my time and I must say I am quite happy to have this one in my collection.







Highlights:

- 15 alphabets showing you all the strokes (I love the versals)

- nice tutorial chapter to show you how to make all those calligraphy strokes

- like most painting/craft books it includes a chapter  on tools and supplies, usually I find these chapters redundant however in this case I really liked it.  It was fairly short and had some good tips, like proper care of your dip style pen.




- there is a whole chapter on ornamentation, gilding and coloring.  This was my favorite part of the whole book as I have always been fascinated with illuminated manuscripts.  The Celtic Knotwork instructions were great and I can see myself adapting this into a project for school.








- there is also 12 step by step projects for you to try.  I found the presentation of the projects a little formal. I think there are so many applications here it would have been nice to see some examples from contributing artists on how they incorporate lettering into their work.  But hey maybe that's an idea for another book.

- I was very interested in the chapter on how to create your own computer fonts as I would love to create a personal handwriting font

- practice papers for photocopying are also included




Like everything in life it just takes practice.


This is my ink box.  I don't do a lot of ink work but I love adding white ink details to paintings as well as metallics.





After reading this book though I realize how badly I want to be able to add that fancy lettering......so practice I will!




So if you are interested in this book you can enter the giveaway by leaving me a comment on this post or sending me an email at thatartistwoman@shaw.ca

- giveaway open till Wednesday July 13th/2011 at 11:59pm.  The winner will be picked by random integer.

- open to US or Canadian residents only

- I'll post the results on Thursday

If you are interested in purchasing the book "Calligraphy Magic" you can check it out here at the FW Media Bookstore

It's on sale now but I also have a coupon code (40% off) for you:

               July 11CM

Good Luck everyone! 

(Disclaimer: Review copy provided to me by FW Media)

37 comments:

  1. What a neat book! I'm so jealous of people who do this for a living. Thanks for the giveaway! Ellen

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  2. I would love having and using this lovely book.

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  3. I would love a chance to win this book. It would be an excellent resource for my art classroom.

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  4. I have always wanted to do calligraphy. I took an art class last summer and one of the gals used calligraphy to include quotes on her work. They looked beautiful.
    Would love the chance to win this fabulous giveaway!

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  5. My 12 year old son would love this! Thanks for this giveaway Gail!

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  6. Ooooh! I'd LOVE this book! My daughter and I had so much fun playing with illumination last year in our study of the middle ages.

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  7. What a great book! I love your blog. I learn about the most amazing things.

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  8. Oh Yes, I would enjoy a copy of this book for use in my art classes.
    Thank you for bringing books like this to our attention.
    And, I just want to say, the post on the color wheel and the project with the chameleon and color wheel are so useful, I want to do this project with my students this year.

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  9. Ever since I saw a notice in the church paper that they needed someone to help with the calligraphy on baptism certificates I've been dying to learn

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  10. I love calligraphy! I have a few sets and try my hand at it on cards sometimes. This book would be a great help and reference. Thanks for offering it as a gift to one of your readers.

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  11. I picked up this book at the library last week. It is marvelous! I took a calligraphy class last fall and fell in love with it. I had already decided to buy my own copy of this book. It truly is heads above most standard calligraphy manuals. I love the section on creating your own open type handwriting font. Thanks for the chance to win this great book!

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  12. I would love to learn how to do calligraphy. It would be perfect for my new found love of card making! Thanks for these great giveaways!!

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  13. I would love to learn calligraphy and teach my students how to do it too. Thanks for a chance to win=)

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  14. Calligraphy is wonderful! I just love it, but I am only moderately good at it. My son has an old Illuminated text which absolutely amazing! To be able to create a work of art such as that would be extremely satisfying! Keep practicing, you can only get better!!!

    ~Pam

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  15. Oooh! this looks like the exact book I would love!

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  16. I would love a copy of this book as I was thinking about trying calligraphy with my 6th graders this forthcoming year.

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  17. I remember learning how to write in calligraphy - what fun to teach this to my students!

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  18. I have a lot of calligraphy books, but your review makes this look more practical...to also teach my students, too.

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  19. What a wonderful book! I would love a copy! I like your idea of using it in your lessons. Thanks for a great giveaway!

    tamz_phipson (at) hotmail.com

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  20. This book looks very helpful in learning this graceful art of lettering. I'd love it! Thanks for offering the giveaway.

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  21. WOW! Looks like a lot of fun and I haven't played with calligraphy for a long time. Thanks for a chance to own a copy.

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  22. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. I would love to read this book. I love the look of calligraphy. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. I would love to have a book like that. Thanks for doing give-a-ways!

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  24. I have a daughter who would love this & her birthday is coming up. Thank you! sue.momof3@gmail.com

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  25. I would love to add to my calligraphy book collection.

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  26. I once tried calligraphy and still have all my inks and pens. This would be a great asset in starting again and sharing with my daughter the budding artist of 13.

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  27. This looks like a marvelous book! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. I never really think of myself as an artist (just as an art-appreciator) but this, I think I could do! What a lovely way to add interest to a variety of projects . . .

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  29. how fun! i have wanted to learn calligraphy since i was a young girl!

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  30. I learned calligraphy in high school art class and still practice occasionally.

    Charlene

    wocketinmypocket7@hotmail.com

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  31. My girls and I love calligraphy books! This one sounds great! I do a lot of calligraphy in my journals!
    Tara
    mamatayers@gmail.com

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  32. Oh, beautiful! I'd love to learn calligraphy.

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  33. Beautiful! I'd love to get the book.

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  34. I love to learn calligraphy and this book would be of help!Thank you for the generosity.

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  35. Cool! Another book I would love to win! Thanks.

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  36. I've always wanted to learn how to do calligraphy! Thanks for the chance for the great book :-)

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