Mastering Modern Calligraphy – An Inspirational New Book for Calligraphers

Do you have a calligrapher or student of calligraphy on your gift list? If so, I have a new book to tell you about that will help them hone their skills, work on their technique, and foster their individuality. It’s called Mastering Modern Calligraphy, Beyond the Basics: 2,700+ Pointed Pen Exemplars and Exercises for Developing Your Style by Molly Suber Thorpe (St. Martin’s Griffin, October 2019), and it’s a fabulous reference and workbook for calligraphers.

* Complimentary book received for review. This post may contain affiliate links.

This book is designed for people with at least some experience with pointed pen calligraphy. Rather than giving lessons in how to hold the pen and create basic calligraphic forms, the author provides more advanced lessons, exercises, and exemplars that will help the practitioner not only to learn the forms but to experiment with them in order to develop their own personal calligraphic style.

Complete alphabets, letter combinations, words, numbers, flourishes, monograms, borders—all of this and more is covered in great detail in Mastering Modern Calligraphy. There are even suggestions for which pen nibs may be most suitable for different exercises, and the Practice Prompt sidebars throughout the book will help with focus and motivation. And always, the emphasis is on developing individuality while learning and practicing.

The spiral binding of Mastering Modern Calligraphy allows the book to lay flat, an essential feature in a book like this where the user may be tracing the letters and forms. This is a very hands-on book that will provide calligraphers at all skill levels with ideas and inspiration to help keep their practice interesting and productive.

The three appendices are sure to be very helpful, as well. The first, Grids & Guides, contains an extensive array of workbook-style pages that can be traced or photocopied to be used over and over when working through the exercises in the book. The second appendix is a comprehensive glossary of terms used in calligraphy and typography. The final appendix lists resources that should prove very useful for calligraphers, such as sources for supplies and networking opportunities.

Molly Suber Thorpe is the author of two previously published books on calligraphy, both widely acclaimed. In fact, Mastering Modern Calligraphy could be considered the sequel to her 2013 book Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy, also published by St. Martin’s Griffin. To learn more about Thorpe and read her blog, visit her website, and check her out on Facebook for the latest updates, too. And while you’re on Facebook, don’t forget to stop by St. Martin’s Press, for information on all sorts of interesting books.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!

Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may or may not make a small commission which helps to support this website. Thank you!!!