Calligraphy for Dummies

By Jim Bennett

A fun introduction to the art of calligraphy--plus how-tos and practice exercises

Calligraphy For Dummies, 2nd Edition is an approachable place to start for anyone interested in lettering with flair. This book provides helpful tips and tricks for learning this expressive artform, including choosing your pen and paper, taking care of your materials, understanding foundational concepts, and putting your own spin on classic alphabet styles. Once you've gotten the basics down, this book also helps spark interesting project ideas, including ways you can elevate letters, invitations, posters, and beyond. With plenty of practice opportunities and guidance, this easy-to-use resource will have you dotting your i's and crossing your t's--the fancy way.

Inside: Learn classic calligraphy lettering and techniques, as well as digital calligraphy Discover the world of ink, pens, and paper, and choose the best materials for your project Add your own artistic touch to alphabet styles Add beautiful lettering to your other art and craft projects

Pick up an exciting new hobby or brush up, with Calligraphy For Dummies, 2nd Edition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1394368992
• ISBN13: 9781394368990
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 320 Pages

Customer Reviews

For Dummies Only! (bg)

As with all dummie books.....I love them! Basic information. Clear and basic. Great referance.

Jim Bennett does it again!

"Calligraphy for Dummies" is excellent. The author, Jim Bennett, is not only a writer but also a teacher. The book makes an outstanding textbook--either for use by an individual or a group. Both the text and the illustrations are very clear and easy to understand. In my opinion, there's not another calligraphy book available that even comes close in information and clarity for a beginner in the ancient art of beautiful writing.

Calligraphy for Dummies was definitely for me

This book was fantastic. It supplied all the information needed to begin calligraphy, including how to set up your lap board for an easier beginning writing experience. I really don't feel I would ever have been able to complete the projects without the help and guidance of this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the beginning stages of calligraphy.

Moving beyond "Dummies"

This book is great for the beginner who doesn't mind being seen with a book for Dummies. The explanations are clear and there is even help for the left handed calligrapher. The illustrations help a lot. Although there are some different fonts to work with the selection has been kept to the simpler types. It is a good way to get started with the art of beautiful writing.

Nice introduction

I just wanted to say that I recently purchased this book and am pleased with it. The book has a nice structure to it and helps walk me through everything from getting the tools of the trade, to building my confidence. For someone with my complete lack of experience, this book was exactly what I needed. Some of the other books I've found have been somewhat slim on explanation, or a poor choice for a tutorial. While it doesn't have the full suite of letter forms inside it that others may have, it seems to have the major ones I'd like to start with, and is a great way to get started. I suspect that someone with experience already would find this book somewhat too basic. I would have given this book five out of five, were it not for the fact that I really have nothing else to compare it to. As well as the fact that the pages are not really suited to practise on as they are of a newsprint type quality. For those who wish to begin with calligraphy, I suggest using this book to get started with without reservation. Cheers, t.