The products I use as a lettering artist and designer tend to change over time. However, these are the ones I keep by my side at all times.
These resources may include a referral link, meaning your purchase will result in a small monetary compensation for me at no cost to you.
Ken was an early influence on my work. I wanted to be him, to draw like him, so I got his book - an easy solution for a big problem. The manual is a great introduction and it has been a faithful partner to this day.
A practical guide to creating a typeface, this book will not be a fast read but faster and easier than years of lettering. Karen did the hard work of comparing decades of type design history and style for us to be able to create a compelling typeface as beginners.
I took immensurable inspiration from Doyald, which might be an understatement of how much of an influence he had on me. This book will not teach you how to draw like Doyald. It will not teach you how to draw at all, at least not directly. However, it is a window to Doyald's mind, so if you're anything like me, you'll treasure it for a long time.
Much like its author, this book is truly poetic. With its comprehensive insights and numerous type illustrations, this is a valuable reference for lettering artists. Besides, it's an enjoyable read and a fantastic book to hold.
Like many other reference books, Love Letters will not teach you how to draw letters. Instead, Tony introduces his readers to a new and liberating way to create flourishes and lettering, mainly Spencerian and Italian hand scripts. If you're a visual learner, you will gain a new perspective on these styles and how to execute them.
Given my references as a young designer, I have always had a keen interest in printing types, how they were made, and why. This book is all about that. Lawson gives a detailed analysis and a rich history of the world's most famous typefaces.
Lettering and calligraphy have been used interchangeably, and still are on occasion, but they are two different things. Some lettering artists will argue that you can draw letters with no knowledge of calligraphy, and I agree to some extent, but the truth is that you cannot run away from it. Good lettering is the same as good calligraphy, not in technique, but in theory, Gerrit's book is not an easy read but a necessary one.
Focusing on English roundhand calligraphy, this beautifully illustrated book showcases Bickham's exquisite penmanship and includes examples of flourishing, ornamentation, and various letterforms.
