Copperplate, a calligraphic style popular in England in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, remains one of the most elegant and popular styles among calligraphers. This volume is a complete manual on the technique of writing with the pointed pen in roundhand, which is the American version of copperplate.
You'll find detailed step-by-step instructions for executing the straight stroke, variations on the straight stroke (heavy strokes, hairline), curved stroke, push stroke, shading, ligatures, and other components of the style. Mastery of these strokes will in turn enable you to form lowercase letters and variations, capitals, alternate forms of capitals, numerals, and more.
The author has provided numerous sample letters in both upper and lower case, alphabet sentences, and two short compositions for use in learning to draw the letters properly. Also included are helpful suggestions on selection and care of a calligrapher's tools: inks, nibs, paper—even how to make your own pens.
A model book as well as an instruction book, The Technique of Copperplate Calligraphy is completely written in roundhand. By carefully studying its elegant script and practicing the formation of letters according to the author's expert advice, even beginning calligraphers can achieve mastery of the influential and distinctive copperplate style.