The Art of Whimsical Lettering

Lots of Whimsical sample alphabets to use or inspire. I think the book will be very helpful.

Joanne Sharpe, you are the bomb! Having taken your online classes, I could not WAIT to buy your wonderful book, and, though I had high hopes, the actual book is so much BETTER than I could have imagined. Every time I need direction, inspiration or just an idea or two, I get this book off its prominent place on my bookshelf. With how to's and specific instructions, you can't help but improve your lettering and get all kinds of new ideas. The illustrations are stellar and there are so many examples of different ways to approach lettering that I could see taking a year and making a weekly project of each page. I do a lot of lettering, and this book has helped me find my own style and improve on it continually. If you are looking for inspiration, encouragement and awesome ideas, you need this book.

I have always hated my handwriting as I came of age when our public schools were changing from the beautiful Palmer method to a more "modern" (read less structured) handwriting method. I was very successful at calligraphy for many years, but arthritis and carpal tunnel have knocked that out for me. Joanne is so enthusiastic about using your own handwriting and believing it is beautiful, that I decided to buy her book after listening to her when she visited the Bernina shop where I work. If you want a shot of energy, just listen to Joanne. I wonder if she secretly plugs herself into an electrical socket at night to recharge while she sleeps. <G> The book has pages and pages of examples and suggestions for materials to use from the basic Sharpie pen to some more exotic alcohol markers. You don't "need" the fancier things, but it is fun to buy a few, experiment and enjoy expanding from your basics. I don't have a lot of down time, but between Whimsical Lettering and Zentangles (not covered in Joanne's book but easy to pick up on-line) I have more than enough inspiration to fill the few moments when I get to sit down and my journals are looking fresher and more alive. I find myself noticing words and phrases I want to embellish. You should see my 4th of July page.

Wonderful book! So packed full of incredible information on hand drawn lettering.

I love fonts. I purchases this book because it looked like fun and I have an issue with breaking the norm. My creativity doesnt always come out. Ineed it ia a fun book with looks of ideas, from fonta, to backgrounds, even embroidery. Mixed media of colored pencils, gel pens, watercolora, brush pens, etc. Really good book to start off with!

As is made fairly clear from the title and the style of the cover of this book, this is a book about whimsical lettering. Although I do not wish to disparage calligraphy, it is not my style, nor do I find it appropriate for the type of artwork I produce. I am very happy to see a book addressing a less formal approach to lettering. This book is an excellent introduction to lettering for people who work in mixed media who wish to utilize their OWN handwriting and style. Try a few of Joanne Sharpe's simple techniques and you will be surprised at how great your own handwriting can look. I really like that my own handwriting not only looks great, but retains an element of style that is distinctly my own and suitable for my artwork. This book is inspiring, accessible and the illustrations are a delight. A very welcome and useful addition my collection of mixed-media books.

I really wanted to like this book, and while I enjoyed many of the ideas I was disappointed by the end. The author encourages you to work on your own handwriting and turns a blind eye to any calligraphic training (even dismissing it in the introduction). Which is a shame, as many readers probably have ugly handwriting or they wouldn't be buying the book! (See review elsewhere from such a reader). But "lettering" is NOT handwriting - it is more like drawing. You look at a shape and try to draw it, paying attention to what makes it sing. Then you practice (with the right tool) until you get a satisfying result - which ideally looks nothing like your original handwriting! If you are looking for clear exemplars with a range of interesting styles to learn, you will be disappointed (as I was) since many of the styles are based on the author's handwriting - which got a bit old after a while. However, if you already have good skills in creating satisfying letterforms, you will likely find a few new ideas for how to present them (coloring, shading, shadowing, etc). Or if you want to see examples of what different markers can do, you might find some new art supplies to buy. But it was a shame that the author couldn't have included some exemplars and samples from a variety of guest artists, which would have broadened her range. If you consider yourself a calligrapher, or value the artform, be aware that the author doesn't. Which is a shame, because contemporary calligraphy is not your grandma's copperplate. While it is rooted in good letterforms and training, it is expressive and yet still personal. Search for artists like Sophie Verbeek (France), Lisa Englebrecht, Laurie Doctor, Yves Leterme, and others, if you are not aware of what's going on in this arena. Or just search on Pinterest for "expressive calligraphy". In fact, Lisa Englebrecht's book "Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering" (available on Amazon) would be an excellent companion to this book if you are new to lettering. Lisa covers the full range of styles from pointed pen to broad pen to calligraffiti. You will also learn about more than just markers and gel pens! Modern calligraphers would be nowhere without ruling pens, automatic pens, and Cola pens, all of which the author sadly ignores. (You can make your own Cola pen for free from soda cans - search for instructions.) If you do art journaling, love your own writing and are looking for ways to build on that and dress it up, this is the book for you. If you have any training in calligraphy or just value good letterforms and fonts, you'll need to selectively work some of the ideas here into your art.

Lo compré porque me interesaba el mundo de la caligrafía y me parece precioso. En mi humilde opinión, es un libro para inspirarse, si estás buscando un libro que te explique paso a paso cómo hacer las letras y pintar fondos, etc. no es tu libro. Si lo que buscas es sentarte bajo un árbol (o en tu casa) y coger ideas del libro, te va a venir fenomenal. Además que también te presenta una serie de materiales que puedes utilizar y para qué sirven. Si tienes un mínimo de nivel de inglés se entiende bastante bien, es más visual.

Ich verstehe dieses Buch, als Aufforderung, die eigenen Talente zu suchen und zu finden. Die Autorin gibt jede Menge Tipps für Materialen, Werkzeuge und Techniken auf eine durchaus freundschaftliche familiäre Weise - finden muss ich meine eigenen Favoriten (wie bei Schuhen eben). Die Anregungen sind leicht verständlich geschrieben, kurz und bündig, dennoch sehr lebhaft - ich habe die englische Version und kann als sprachliches Untalent trotzdem mit dem Buch gut umgehen. Meine Motivation dieses Buch zu kaufen war, Anregungen für meine selbst gestalteten Weinflaschenetiketten und Prospekte für unseren Weinbaubetrieb zu bekommen, meine Erwartungen wurden voll und ganz erfüllt! Danke Joanne Sharp!

I've been really looking forward to receiving this book. I pre-ordered it back in March, but only just now received it, even though it's been out for a while. Great value at the pre-order price. Thanks, Amazon! It's full of great ideas to spice up your art journals with creative lettering. Lovely, colourful pages throughout to inspire you. I'll probably sleep with it tonight, LOL!

Here's the thing; you HAVE to research what you are buying before clicking 'purchase'. There are a number of reviewers here complaining about Joanne's lack of Calligraphy instruction. 'She doesn't teach any proper Calligraphy', 'This had no Calligraphy, only stupid doodles' 'It's all mixed media' etc etc. This IS NOT a book on Calligraphy, it's LETTERING. They are very very different! Inside the first pages the author states flat out 'This book doesn't go into detail on Calligraphy, so if this TRADITIONAL style of lettering interests you, perhaps a formal class would be more beneficial'. Instead of criticising the author, take a minute to understand what she's teaching, and what she's not. I've had great success with her 'Doodle art & lettering' book and this one looks just as good. It's whimsical which I love & has just tons of lessons on mixed media & lettering. If you're an art journalist, into mixed media, and a home artist like me, this is another great reference. Got this for 16$, Book Outlet.

Nice book filled with inspiring ideas and examples. Made me feel like having fun with lettering. Recommended for everyone who likes art journaling