Friday, June 7, 2013

52 Photos Typography


52 week badge
Sally writes:
The power of the written or typed word can be more powerful then you thought!  
The style and appearance of printed matter has an effect to how we view items, websites, businesses, book titles and the list goes on and on.   Is the typography pleasing to the eye, does the font pull you in, draw you away, make you feel inspired?  This week focus on the printed word and see what the words are saying to you!


You may have heard this story before, but I'm telling it again. 
When I was young my mother sent me and my twin sister to learn how to sew.  Our instructors were two old spinster sisters.  While my sister excelled in sewing, I was a complete failure.  Not one to give in, as the spinsters were former teachers, they taught me the art of calligraphy and I was instantly smitten with the art of 'drawing' letters.  The photo above is a small instruction sampler of different styles.



This is another book on Calligaphy.  It even shows how to do it with paint brushes. 
I wish I could have found my very first instruction book to share.  It's not as pretty as this book, but it was the first one I ever used.  Maybe it will show up one day and I will share it here.

Please stop by Sally's blog  on Saturday to see what the written word means to the other participants.

17 comments:

Beti Horvath said...

Love calligraphy! I'm not a natural at it though!

Claire said...

It's a beautiful skill! I was never that good at it, but I did enjoy it :)
Great photos!
Have a wonderful week :)

Mary K. McGraw said...

My handwriting has always been terrible. In 8th grade one of my instructors decided I need remedial handwriting and began to teach me calligraphy. (It was a very small school). I never got super good at it, but I have always enjoyed seeing thinks hand done with calligraphy, Love all your images.

A Polymer Penchant said...

what fun! I certainly enjoy looking at calligraphy but found it a real challenge myself. I have very small handwriting and it never felt natural, the proportions, to me. Hope you kept up your skills

AntiquityTravelers said...

Oh what a perfect subject for this post! Now you have me thinking of my tattered calligraphy book ... I had the little red one with black spiral. Seems everyone had that one. It is in a sorry state - ha!

Adrienne said...

I agree calligraphy is a beautiful form of typography!

glassbead, isinglass design said...

How great that those women found something that you could connect to!

Becky Pancake said...

Calligraphy is so beautiful. I have always admired it but my handwriting is not pretty I never figured I could do it.

Cindy said...

Alice, what a great memory. I agree, it would be nice if you could find your original instruction book! I learned calligraphy too - I wanted to do my own lettering when I addressed my wedding invitations.

Ema Kilroy said...

I love calligraphy. I used to spend hours doing it when I was young. Such a beautiful form to each and every letter.

brokenteepee said...

I have always admired those with the patience for the beauty of calligraphy. My handwriting is atrocious. I always felt it was my rebellion against the nuns. I WOULD NOT do perfect Palmer penmanship. I would NOT.

My Life Under the Bus said...

I just posted some where else how I drew for hours when I was younger and Calligraphy was like a sport for me esp going to Catholic School we learned script in second grade with real cartridge ink pens! I remember coming home with blue fingers!

Diana Taylor said...

I've always wanted to be able to do calligraphy - it stemmed from wanting 'posh' writing on my book plates! However I just can't get the hang of it - I have great admiration for anyone who can do it, especially those lovely squiggles for the loops!

Courtney Breul said...

How lucky are you? I love calligraphy and to be able to do it, wow!

Honey from the Bee said...

I took a class once, because I was fascinated by it. I didn't keep practicing though. It's a wonderful skill to have. Good job!

Shel said...

Great post. I've never done this but always admired those who could!!

LoriF said...

Funnily enough, I excel at sewing...but my Calligraphy attempts were a washout LOL. I do LOVE the way wonderful Calligraphy looks though.