Starting with the historical background of calligraphy and the art's basics—materials and equipment needed and techniques such as ruling the paper, strokes, pen angles, and letters—then progressing through the most common handwriting styles, this is the perfect handbook for helping the first-time calligrapher develop and create a personal calligraphic style and enjoy the art of beautiful writing. Every letter—whether uncial, foundation, gothic, italic, sharpened italic, or copperplate—is drawn out in stroke order with advice on letter and word spacing, all shown in clear, step-by-step photographs.