The Illuminated Alphabet: An Inspirational Introduction to Creating Decorative Calligraphy

Images of beauty that will teach and inspire you to decorate your own spellbinding pages. As you gaze in astonishment through close-up reproductions of such dazzling illuminated masterpieces as the Book of Kells, as well as superb compositions of contemporary artists, you’ll appreciate the infinite possibilities of the form. Try your hand and imagination at twelve classic alphabets, from Celtic and Gothic to Renaissance and Modern Revival, all carefully broken down to their components. Undertake projects that include copying intricate lettering and designs from The Lindisfarne Gospels; Emperor Henry II’s Pericopes, from the 11th century; the Duc de Berry’s Book of Hours; and others. Every exquisite page is a pleasure to view.

When you study the close-up reproductions of illuminated manuscripts both ancient and new, you'll appreciate the form's infinite possibilities. Try your hand at twelve classic alphabets, all carefully broken down to their components from Celtic and Ottonian to Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Modern Revival, and thrill to magnificent projects that include copying intricate designs from The Lindisfarne Gospels; the Book of Hours; and others.