Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy: Essential Reference for Novice and Expert Letterers and Calligraphers

Written by best-selling author and hand letterer Abbey Sy, The Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy covers the basics and beyond for creative lettering techniques.  

The book begins with an overview of tools and materials, both traditional (pointed pen and fountain pen) and modern (including brush markers and chalk), then presents a visual glossary of letterforms, highlights the unique characteristics of the featured alphabets, and demonstrates how to draw letterforms to foster an understanding of how they’re created. The core chapters explore traditional, modern, and special effects lettering using a variety of mark-making tools, with in-depth how-to on adding flourishes and other special details, plus creative projects. There’s also an introduction to modifying and creating letterforms digitally, as well as practice sheets for the featured alphabets.
 
So whether you’ve never tried lettering before or you’d like to develop your skills and consider all your creative options, The Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy will guide and inspire you on your lettering journey.

Abbey Sy is an artist, author, and designer who loves art and traveling extensively as part of her inspiration-hunting process. She loves documenting her trips through her travel journals, frequently posting her colorful and imaginative journal pages on Instagram. Her curiosity for the world keeps her on her feet, whether it’s studying abroad, taking up an art residency, or traveling for vacation. She is constantly restless and looking forward to the next adventure, and her mantra is Always Be Creating.

Her passion for hand lettering and design is inspired by retro advertising, desaturated hues, and vintage labels. She is the author of The Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy (Quarry), Hand Lettering A to Z (Rockport Publishers), and Hand Lettering A to Z Workbook (Rockport Publishers). Abbey is also the founder and creative director of ABC Magazine, a publication for artists, crafters, and makers. Her popular social media platforms include three Instagram accounts and a YouTube channel. She produces her own merchandise and teaches art and hand lettering classes. Abbey lives in Berlin, Germany.

Instagram: @abbeysy, @alwaysbecreating.art, @shopabbeysy
YouTube: Abbey Sy
Website: abbey-sy.com