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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)

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37 comments:

  1. ellenbrdJuly 11, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    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. Phyllis at All Things BeautifuJuly 11, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    I would love having and using this lovely book.

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  3. Marcia BeckettJuly 11, 2011 at 6:38 AM

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

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  4. Beverley BairdJuly 11, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    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. UnknownJuly 11, 2011 at 7:14 AM

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

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  6. GwenJuly 11, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    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. -WendyJuly 11, 2011 at 7:58 AM

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

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  8. janice skivingtonJuly 11, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    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. lovemyabbie@gmail.comJuly 11, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    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. KathyJuly 11, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    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. AimeeJuly 11, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    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. ToriJuly 11, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    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. COMILLERSJuly 11, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    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. Mrs. SkojecJuly 11, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    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. ClairityBeJuly 11, 2011 at 10:22 AM

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

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  16. NancyJuly 11, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    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. TinyteaJuly 11, 2011 at 11:17 AM

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

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  18. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    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. tamzJuly 11, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    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. Janie BJuly 11, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    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. wintunancyJuly 11, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    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. RebeccaJuly 11, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    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. The Modern Art SmockJuly 11, 2011 at 5:59 PM

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

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  24. SueJuly 11, 2011 at 6:18 PM

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

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  25. Actually KristenJuly 11, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    I would love to add to my calligraphy book collection.

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  26. KarinJuly 11, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    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. L. TuckerJuly 12, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    This looks like a marvelous book! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. HollyJuly 12, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    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. ~VeJuly 12, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    I'd love to win this!

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  30. KristenJuly 12, 2011 at 9:14 AM

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

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  31. artteacherJuly 12, 2011 at 7:06 PM

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

    Charlene

    wocketinmypocket7@hotmail.com

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  32. ayersfamilyJuly 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    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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  33. SerenaJuly 13, 2011 at 2:07 AM

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

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  34. Donna PeruginiJuly 13, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Beautiful! I'd love to get the book.

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  35. momincoJuly 13, 2011 at 3:57 PM

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

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  36. joe tulipsJuly 13, 2011 at 4:26 PM

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

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  37. UnknownJuly 13, 2011 at 5:30 PM

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

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