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Table of Contents

History of Calligraphy

Basic Strokes

Vertical Roman

Italic Cursive

Gothic or Black Letter

Uncial

10

Practice Paper

11

Works Cited/ About the Authors 17

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Copyright 2010 Ben Clarke and Moriah Sanford

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History of Calligraphy 11

History of Calligraphy

for everyday letters, formal correspondence and invitations. As the arts flourish during Europes Renaissance,
so too did the art of calligraphy. Italians during this
he art of calligraphy as we know it today
time invented the italic script, which became popular
actually finds its origins in cave paintings.
throughout most of Europe. But calligraphers were
Back in the days when communication was
threatened once again with the advent of engraved
a series of grunts, the written word was a
copperplates in the 17th century, which permitted the
mere pictorial representation of significant events in a
printing of finer lines more attuned to italic script. One
cavemans life. As humans developed, the art of drawhundred years later, artistic penmaning pictures became quite highly
ship was in a steep decline.
developed and reached great heights
To further complicate matters for
under the direction of the Egyptians.
artistic scribes, by the 19th cenAbout 3500 BC, the Egyptians cretury the steel pen and fountain pen
ated the highly stylized hieroglyphreplaced the flat-edged pen. The
ics for which they are so well known.
rounded tip of these new pens made
These symbols were incised inside
the special curves of calligraphy
tombs or painted with brushes
more difficult to achieve. The art
across papyrus paper. A few thouitself might have seen its extinction
sand years later, around 1000 BC, the
if it werent for the British poet and
Phoenicians went a step further and
artist William Morris. In the mid-19th
developed what is believed to be
century William Morris spearheaded
one of the first alphabets and writing
a calligraphic revival, reintroducing
systems. Luckily the Phoenicians
the flat edged pen and elevating the
were sea faring types and they readact of writing to the art form of its
ily passed along their new talents
past.
to every seaport through which they
It might appear that the art of calpassed. They most likely influenced
ligraphy couldnt possibly withstand
the Greeks who later developed their
own form of writing, which by 850 BC An example of Egyptian calligraphy, the competition from the 20th cenknown as Hieroglyphics
turys most important invention the
the Romans had adapted to suit the
computer. With a click of the mouse,
Latin language.
a list of various scripts are generated electronically and
It just so happens that Latin was the lingua franca
lasered onto bleached paper in an instant the art of
of the churches of Europe in the Middle Ages and the
script preserved in an electronic pulse. But calligraphy
monks (and a smattering of nobility) constituted the
is flourishing more than ever with calligraphic societies
only literate members of society. Since nothing could
throughout the United States and Europe. According
be more glorious than the word of God, the monks
to noted calligrapher, Julian Waters during a lecture at
began to carefully scribe ancient texts into decoraWashingtons Sidwell Friends School in 1997, true caltive books used by high-ranking church members and
ligraphy is the art of producing letters that capture the
royalty. Paper was expensive during the Middle Ages,
spirit of the text they represent. For many artists, much
so scribing monks developed a writing style that was
mental pre-planning is necessary to fully understand
narrower allowing more words to fit on a single line.
the text before deciding how to display it in its full
This style came to be known as Gothic and lasted as
beauty. This type of emotion can not always be genera popular scribing technique throughout much of the
ated from a computer, which for Julian Waters is simply
Middle Ages.
another tool to be manipulated by the artist.
By the mid 15th century, however, Johannes
Calligraphy is a popular art form whose boundarGutenberg had invented the printing press based upon
ies are not restricted to Europe and the United States.
the Gothic lettering of the monks. This new technique
Around 1500 BC the Chinese developed a complicated
allowed for faster printing of Bibles and threatened the
writing technique using more than 1500 characters.
mtier of the monks. Although the use of the printing
Today the Chinese consider calligraphy to be one
press spread worldwide, handwriting skills were still in
of their most respected art forms. Master Chinese
high demand. The bulky printing press was too coarse

2 2 History of Calligraphy

calligraphers may appear to be spontaneously stroking


half-uncial (from the Latin uncia, or inch) devela brush over the paper, but many meditate extensively
oped from a variety of Roman book hands. The 7th-9th
before designing. The Arabs are also noted for their
centuries in northern Europe were the heyday of Celtic
history of calligraphy. Their cursive is written from right illuminated manuscripts, such as the Book of Durrow,
to left and formed by eighteen distinct shapes, the
Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.
various combinations of which produce twenty-eight
Charlemagnes devotion to improved scholarship
letters. Arabic script appears highly distinctive from the resulted in the recruiting of a crowd of scribes, aclettering used throughout most of
cording to Alcuin, the Abbot of York.
Europe, but Arabic calligraphy has
Alcuin developed the style known
had many of the same Greek and
as the Caroline or Carolingian
Phoenician influences. In Arabic
minuscule. The first manuscript
calligraphy there are six major
in this hand was the Godescalc
scripts (Farsi, Naskh, Kufi, Deewani,
Evangelistary (finished 783) a
Reqaa, and Thuluth) representing
Gospel book written by the scribe
various artistic styles.
Godescalc. Carolingian remains
For true calligraphers, the art of
the one progenitor hand from
penmanship will always be alive as
which modern book type descends.
long as there is at least one artist
Blackletter (also known as Gothic)
willing to carry on the tradition.
and its variation Rotunda, graduDespite super fast computers that
ally developed from the Carolingian
can produce a myriad of different The Phoenician alphabet. This alphabet hand during the 12th century.
fonts, real calligraphy comes from was spread throughout the Mediterranean Over the next three centuries, the
deep within the artist who strives to
scribes in northern Europe used
evoke the true emotion of the script through the words
an ever more compressed and spiky form of Gothic.
they draw. Calligraphy has survived throughout history
Those in Italy and Spain preferred the rounder but
despite printing presses and copperplate engravings,
still heavy-looking Rotunda. During the 15th century,
and dedicated followers of the art expect it to outlast
Italian scribes returned to the Roman and Carolingian
the next big invention of the 21st century.
models of writing and designed the Italic hand, also
called Chancery cursive, and Roman book hand. These
This passage was taken from: http://www.essortment.com/all/
three hands Gothic, Italic, and Roman book hand
calligraphyhist_reyt.htm
became the models for printed letters. Johannes
Gutenberg used Gothic to print his famous Bible, but
Western calligraphy is the calligraphy of the Latin
the lighter-weight Italic and Roman book hand have
writing system, and to a lesser degree the Greek and
since become the standard.
Cyrillic writing systems.[ Early alphabets had evolved
During the Middle Ages, hundreds of thousands of
by about 3000 BC. From the Etruscan alphabet evolved
manuscripts were produced: some illuminated with
the Latin alphabet. Capital letters (majuscules)
gold and fine painting, some illustrated with line drawemerged first, followed by the invention of lower case
ings, and some just textbooks.
letters (minuscules) in the Carolingian period. The history of lettering records many excursions into historical
Western calligraphy is the calligraphy of the Latin
obscurity and disuse as well as elaborating the story of
writing
system, and to a lesser degree the Greek and
what gave rise to contemporary print.
Cyrillic
writing
systems. Early alphabets had evolved by
Long, heavy rolls of papyrus were replaced by the
about 3000 BC. From the Etruscan alphabet evolved the
Romans with the first books, initially simply folded
Latin alphabet. Capital letters (majuscules) emerged
pages of parchment made from animal skins. Reed
first, followed by the invention of lower case letters
pens were replaced by quill pens.
(minuscules) in the Carolingian period. The history of
Christian churches promoted the development
lettering records many excursions into historical obscuof writing through the prolific copying of the Bible,
rity and disuse as well as elaborating the story of what
particularly the New Testament and other sacred texts.
gave rise to contemporary print.
[11] Two distinct styles of writing known as uncial and

Development of Western Style Calligraphy

Development of Western Style Calligraphy

History of Calligraphy 33

Long, heavy rolls of papyrus were replaced by the


of Copperplate hands have represented such writing
Romans with the first books, initially simply folded
to have been with a sharp pointed nib instead of the
pages of parchment made from animal skins. Reed
broad-edged one used in most calligraphic writing. This
pens were replaced by quill pens.
so called Copperplate Myth represents the name to
Christian churches promoted the development of
come from the sharp lines of the writing style resemwriting through the prolific copying of the Bible, parbling the etches of engraved copper printing plates. It
ticularly the New Testament and other sacred texts. Two is unlikely that this picture represents the historical oridistinct styles of writing known as uncial and half-ungins of the term accurately, but is rather more reflective
cial (from the Latin uncia, or inch) developed from a of later 19th and 20th century antipecuniary comfort of
variety of Roman book hands. The 7th-9th centuries in
the Arts and Crafts movement participants. It is most
northern Europe were the heyday of Celtic illuminated
likely that what is today written with pointed steel nibs
manuscripts, such as the Book of Durrow, Lindisfarne
began stylistic life before the 1820s with a broad edged
Gospels and the Book of Kells.
quill and a number of period pen hold, posture and arm
Charlemagnes devotion to improved scholarship
position variations to facilitate the fine lines. Hence
resulted in the recruiting of
there was likely a gradual
a crowd of scribes, accordchange in historic writing
ing to Alcuin, the Abbot of
practices and a reorientation
York. Alcuin developed the
of the vocation and place of
style known as the Caroline
writing rather than the elimior Carolingian minuscule.
nation of the art.
The first manuscript in this
At the end of the 19th
hand was the Godescalc
century, the aesthetics and
Evangelistary (finished 783)
philosophy of William Morris
An
example
of
traditional
western
style
a Gospel book written
and the Arts and Crafts
calligraphy with hint of Gothic style.
by the scribe Godescalc.
movement appealed to many
Carolingian remains the
calligraphers, including
one progenitor hand from which modern book type
Englishmen Edward Johnston and Eric Gill. Johnston
descends. Blackletter(also known as Gothic) and its
was introduced to 10th-century manuscripts, at the
variation Rotunda, gradually developed from the
Fitzherbert Museum by Sir Sidney Cockerell and based
Carolingian hand during the 12th century. Over the next his own calligraphy on them. Johnston and his students
three centuries, the scribes in northern Europe used
were to redefine, revive and popularize English broadan ever more compressed and spiky form of Gothic.
pen calligraphy.
Those in Italy and Spain preferred the rounder but
The legacy of the Arts and Crafts movement includes
still heavy-looking Rotunda. During the 15th century,
considerable myth. Published in 1906, Johnstons best
Italian scribes returned to the Roman and Carolingian
known work Writing, Illuminating & Lettering never
models of writing and designed the Italic hand, also
used the terms Foundational or Foundational Hand
called Chancery cursive, and Roman book hand. These
for which he is most remembered. Johnston initially
three hands Gothic, Italic, and Roman book hand
taught his students an uncial hand using a flat pen
became the models for printed letters. Johannes
angle, but later taught his foundational hand using
Gutenberg used Gothic to print his famous Bible, but
a slanted pen angle. He first referred to this hand as
the lighter-weight Italic and Roman book hand have
Foundational Hand in Plate 6 of his 1909 publicasince become the standard.
tion, Manuscript & Inscription Letters for Schools and
During the Middle Ages, hundreds of thousands of
Classes and for the Use of Craftsmen. The Johnston
manuscripts were produced: some illuminated with
Typeface (commissioned in 1916) became the basis for
gold and fine painting, some illustrated with line drawthe London Underground signage and continues today
ings, and some just textbooks.
in the New Johnston typeface, revised in 1988.
At about the same time as Johnston, Austrian Rudolf
Larisch was teaching lettering at the Vienna School
The rise of printing from movable type in the midof Art and published six lettering books that greatly
15th century did not mean the end of calligraphy.
influenced German-speaking calligraphers. Because
Illuminated manuscripts declined, however, after printGerman-speaking countries had not abandoned the
ing became ubiquitous. Conventionally the histories

Resurgence of Western Calligraphy

4 4 History of Calligraphy

Gothic hand in printing, Gothic also had a powerful


to this nothing can be added; all Rules must give way
effect on their styles. Rudolf Koch was a friend and
to Truth and Freedom.
younger contemporary of Larisch. Kochs books, type
The multi-million dollar Saint Johns Bible project
designs, and teaching made him one of the most infor the 21st century has engaged Donald Jackson with
fluential calligraphers of the 20th century in northern
an international scriptorium and is nearing compleEurope and later in the U.S. Larisch and Koch taught
tion. It is designed as a 21st century illuminated Bible,
and inspired many European
executed with both ancient and
calligraphers, notably Friedrich
modern tools and techniques.
Neugebauer, Karlgeorg Hoefer,
The earlier 20th-century Bulley
and Hermann Zapf.
Bible was executed by a student
Graily Hewitt was most reof Edward Johnstons, Edward
sponsible for the revival of the
Bulley.
art of gilding, both by contributThe digital era has facilitated
ing to Writing, Illuminating and
the creation and dissemination
Lettering (Chapter 9 Appendix)
of thousands of new and historiand through his own publicacally styled fonts. Calligraphy
tions, most notably Lettering for
gives unique expression to every
Students & Craftsmen (1930).
individual letter form within a
Hewitt is not without both
Calligraphy in a Latin Bible of AD 1407 on design layout which is not the
critics and supporters in his
strength of typeface technolodisplay in Malmesbury Abbey,
rendering of Cennino Cenninis
gies no matter their sophisticaWiltshire, England.
medieval gesso recipes. Donald
tion. The usefulness of the digiJackson, a British calligrapher,
tal medium to the calligrapher
has sourced his gesso recipes from earlier centuries a
is not limited to the computer layout of the new Saint
number of which are not presently in English translaJohns Bible prior to working by hand. Writing directly
tion. Graily Hewitt created the patent announcing the
in the digital medium is facilitated via graphics tablets
award to Prince Philip of the title of Duke of Edinburgh
(e.g. Wacom and Toshiba) and is expected to grow in
on November 19 1947, the day before his marriage to
use with the introduction of Microsoft Windows Vista
Queen Elizabeth.
operating system (Vista Pen Flicks) in 2007. Apple Inc.
Many typefaces are based on historical hands, such
introduced a similar shorthand facility in their Tiger
as Blackletter (including Fraktur), Lombardic, Uncial,
operating system in 2005. Graphics tablets facilitate
Italic, and Round hand.
calligraphic design work more than large size art pieces.
The internet supports a number of online communities
of calligraphers and hand lettering artists.
Calligraphy today finds diverse applications. These
include graphic design, logo design, type design, paint[Excerpt taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
ings, scholarship, maps, menus, greeting cards, invitaWestern_calligraphy]
tions, legal documents, diplomas, cut stone inscriptions, memorial documents, props and moving images
for film and television, business cards, and handmade
presentations. Many calligraphers make their livelihood in the addressing of envelopes and invitations
for public and private events including wedding stationery. Entry points exist for both children and adults via
classes and instruction books.
The scope of the calligraphic art is more than
pure antiquarian interest. Johnstons legacy remains
pivotal to the ambitions of perhaps most Western
Calligraphy of the German word Urkunde which transcalligraphers:
lates to deed.
It is possible even now to go back to the childs something like the early calligraphers - point of view,
and this is the only healthy one for any fine beginning:

Calligraphy Today

History of Calligraphy 55

Basic Strokes

Probably the first thing you would do as a beginner calligrapher is practice the
basic elements of letters vertical and horizontal stems, round strokes, slanted
stems. Here are some letter elements for the Roman hand:

More Tips
1. Intentionally make time to practice. I've found that if you actually schedule
practice time, it becomes a part of your routine. It is the routine that will help
make you a better calligrapher.
2. Consistently practice your craft. Setting a schedule to practice once per month
will not help you learn how to write calligraphy. Consistent, scheduled practice
makes for beautiful works of this amazing art. Let's say at least once per week.
3. Share your practice works with others. Sharing what you create is a powerful way
to gain momentum in the learning process. Praise and constructive criticism is
always helpful for the mind and the spirit.
Now try your hand at performing basic strokes using the lins below (Note that none of
these basic strokes will be used as ascenders or descenders yet).

6 6 History of Calligraphy

Vertical Roman
Vertical is the most common type of calligraphy. Its shape is created from a
rectangle with serifs on the ends of the letters. A serif is a small line on the
beginning of a stroke and the end of a stroke.

Practice: trace the letters with a paint brush or pen.

History of Calligraphy 77

Italic or Cursive
This font is slanted rather then straight, it is also flowing and free. Be sure to ease
up on your grip when using this font.

Practice:

8 8 History of Calligraphy

Gothic or Black Letter


A more formal font but it is difficult to read. It is one of the first fonts of calligraphy
ever used. It is also the most recognized of all fonts.

Practice:

History of Calligraphy 99

Uncial
Uncial is a combination of upper case letters and lower case letters. It shows
stregnth and intensity with elegnce.

Practice:

1010 History of Calligraphy

History of Calligraphy 1111

1212 History of Calligraphy

History of Calligraphy 13
13

1414 History of Calligraphy

History of Calligraphy 15
15

Works Cited
History of Calligraphy- http://www.essortment.com/all/calligraphyhist_reyt.htm
Calligraphy- http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/calligraphy.html
Phoenician Alphabet- http://www.phoenician.org/alphabet_phoenician.GIF
Western Calligraphy- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_calligraphy
How to Write Calligraphy- http://www.squidoo.com/howtowritecalligraphy
Inkscape Tutorial: Calligraphy- http://www.inkscape.org/doc/calligraphy/tutorial-calligraphy.html

About the Authors


Ben Clarke

Ben Clarke is a student at Hamilton High School in Chandler,


Arizona. He enjoys spending his time hanging out with his friends,
watching TV, and playing video games. For this book, he set the type,
did research on the history of calligraphy, and formatted the book.

Moriah Sanford

Moriah Sanford is a junior at Hamilton High School in Chandler,


Arizona. She enjoys her spare time playing video games, hanging out
with friends, and playing with her ferrets. For this book she did all the
calligraphy and created the background and covers.

1616 History of Calligraphy

History of Calligraphy 17
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