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The Illuminated Alphabet: An Inspirational Introduction to Creating Decorative Calligraphy Hardcover – December 12, 2017

by Timothy Noad (Author), Patricia Seligman (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 98 ratings
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Create intricate, decorated letters, and then enhance them with brilliant gliding and rich hues. The Illuminated Alphabet puts a marvelous variety of alphabets and embellishments at your disposal!

Whether you’re looking for simple or the elaborate examples, you will find enormous elegance and beauty in your illuminated lettering. From interlacing spirals of Irish script to the spiraling tendrils of the Gothic style, you’ll re-create beautiful alphabets that have been admired throughout history.

Pore through the history of illuminated letters, at the artists who created them, as well as the patrons who commissioned them. Each alphabet includes diagrams for upper and lower-case letters, ideas for borders and decorations, a materials list, instructions for gliding, and a fabulous gallery of historical and modern examples.

Combine the best of traditional works and new masterpieces with this indispensable guide to the art of illumination.  The Illuminated Alphabet shows the budding calligraphy artist how to create beautiful medieval lettering that would make the monks jealous.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Chartwell Books
  4. Publication date
    December 12, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    9 x 0.88 x 9.13 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0785835679
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0785835677
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chartwell Books (December 12, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0785835679
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0785835677
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.65 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 0.88 x 9.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 98 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
98 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Crowblog
5.0 out of 5 stars Back In Print, Hurrah!
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
The most charmingest of books, even if you never pick up a pencil/pen to do it - step-by-step instructions for illuminated letters of the various ages - just grand for a gift to an artistic person or older kid who could really get into it. It's a discussion of the history of letter forms, decoration, followed by the instructions for an illuminated piece per alphabet - plus an alphabet to choose from to make your own designs for each font era... and, it's just fun to read and look at.

The last few I gave for gifts had to be purchased 2nd hand, so - very glad this is back in print again. It's been out in hardcover & paperback before, used copies were getting rare aka expensive. These new hardcovers are less expensive than used paperback copies...

Only complaint - one dustcover was torn in the shipping - enough to make a difference in a gift, so - keep that one for yourself!
2 people found this helpful
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Sew Kitty
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book to purchase if you want to learn illumination
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022
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This book provides the information you will need as well as the list of materials you will need to learn the lovely art of illumination. The writing is clear, and the plentiful pictures aid your accessing the knowledge necessary to execute beautifully illuminated letters.
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bearcatranch
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice brief history section
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2016
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This wasn't as extensive as I thought it would be. Nice brief history section. Decent material section, if your already an artist, which I am, so most of the materials I'm already familiar with. There is no information at all about the different styles of initials and how to build the designs themselves. This is a how to trace an already existing letter (like from a book or print out) and transfer it and the step by step is how to paint and gild it, which is the part I wasn't worried about. Again, if you're already an artist then you can read between the lines because every project has a few pages from the artists sketchbook so at least you can see how they practice and build references. Plus it is like a beginning in the categorization of the different styles of lettering which is the base for the initials and designs.
So, overall, it's beautiful, well written, easy to understand and follow. Just leaned more towards the painting side. Which is only half the battle.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2016
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I took this book out of the library and loved it so much that I wanted my own copy. As an artist, I love the pictures in this book and the instructions are fairly easy. You do have to have some artistic talent to begin with though. I don't ever copy "word for word" anyone else's work, so I mainly use it as a starting point and for a reference. Even if you don't plan on using it, the history and artwork make it a beautiful book to add to your library.
2 people found this helpful
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citizen fact checker
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully printed book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2009
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Whether you are interested in creating illuminated alphabets or want the book for other purposes, such as learning something of the history of illuminated alphabets, this is the perfect book. The printing examples are elegant, the colors brilliant and absolutely lovely, and the price, less than $11. for the beautiful paperback, cannot be beat--unless Amazon reduces the price even more. I have my own copy of the book and have today ordered two more to give as Christmas presents to friends that love beautiful artwork.
3 people found this helpful
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Sage
5.0 out of 5 stars Is as described
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018
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The book came in perfect condition, was very cheap and is very informative of the history of calligraphy and for inspiration in design for present calligraphers, even newbies like me!
One person found this helpful
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Cynthia L. Merritt
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2020
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This book has advanced techniques, which I’m eager to try!
One person found this helpful
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MusicSeptember
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for novice or novice+
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is my go-to book to copy samples of letters for illumination. I wish it had more samples, though.
What I like:
1. Gives me a little bit of information about the history of Illumination
2. Gives me pretty samples, simple and complicated that I can copy: different styles, different colors, different letters.
3. Explains easily the technique to use. I, however, don't pay much attention to it since I am quite novice at Illumination and I just use painting and thick paper. But this will be useful if/when I want to move to the next level

What I wish were better:
1. More diverse samples for all the letters of the alphabet
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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J.D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Quick delivery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2023
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Very happy an would recomend to anyone
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Andrew Mc
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource!
Reviewed in Canada on October 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
I borrowed this from a local library several times and liked it so much that I decided to get my own copy. It has wonderful historical notes and practical suggestions as well a a rich selection of beautifully produced colour pictures. There are examples of illuminated capitals, texts from manuscripts and a series of examples of how to achieve great results yourself. This is a keeper and It is one of those books that will be constantly used. Thankfully, it is a beautiful hardbound book that will not fall apart. Get this one for sure!!
Customer image
Andrew Mc
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource!
Reviewed in Canada on October 21, 2020
I borrowed this from a local library several times and liked it so much that I decided to get my own copy. It has wonderful historical notes and practical suggestions as well a a rich selection of beautifully produced colour pictures. There are examples of illuminated capitals, texts from manuscripts and a series of examples of how to achieve great results yourself. This is a keeper and It is one of those books that will be constantly used. Thankfully, it is a beautiful hardbound book that will not fall apart. Get this one for sure!!
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissimo e interessante
Reviewed in Italy on April 18, 2019
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Un libro piccolo ma prezioso, da cui posso trarre spunti interessanti e nozioni importanti sulla tecnica.
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Luis
5.0 out of 5 stars Instructivo
Reviewed in Spain on December 10, 2018
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Me encanta
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Alles-klar
5.0 out of 5 stars 金箔を使っての装飾法のガイドでは「一押し」です。
Reviewed in Japan on July 13, 2004
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カリグラフィーの装飾方法で、金箔を使う場合のガイド本を何冊か探しましたが、私の知る限りでは、この本は「一押し」です。
古典的な装飾文字の描き方・・・特に金箔を使う方法の教本を探している方には大変参考になります。
マテリアルの紹介に始まり、画材の扱い方、使われている絵の具の種類も具体的に丁寧に説明してあります。ただ、「装飾イニシャル」を初めて描く方や、「図案集」を探している方向けではないかもしれません。それでも、全ページカラーで絵柄が多いので、古典的なカリグラフィーに使われているイニシャルに興味のある方なら、眺めているだけでも満足できるのではないでしょうか。
6 people found this helpful
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