The Bible of Illuminated Letters

I have tried some calligraphy and have also produced a stitched illuminated letter. I wanted to improve my knowledge of this subject. This is a comprehensive guide from materials, preparation and techniques to history from certain time periods and guided exercises. The images are clear and easy to follow. I would thoroughly recommend this book

I think the books is beautiful and very informative. I was delighted with it. I am definitely going to do some letters for our family.

The Bible of Illuminated Letters is a comprehensive guide to illumination. Having learnt a couple of calligraphy hands, I was keen to develop my skills further by starting to create illuminated letters. This book is the perfect guide. It starts with a comprehensive introduction to the tools and techniques needed as well as layout and colour theory. The main body of the book contains decorated alphabets from six different time periods with step-by-step instructions of how to create them. I found the instructions straightforward to follow and I liked the inclusion of examples of historical work from each period. The illustrations are large enough for you to be able to see the details of each letter clearly and the book is printed on good quality paper.

It is not often that I am able to recommend a book that has nothing to do with embroidery or textiles, but for those who enjoy embroidering letters, this book is a must.

Of course there is a section on vellum versus parchment and the various inks to use. This of course can be disregarded.

Where I found this book interesting, was in its step-by-step instructions for recreating letters from six historical periods. Both lower- and upper-case letters are shown, accompanied by full instructions.

The illustrations give plenty of scope for imaginative interpretation on how to convert them for embroidery and incorporate them into your designs.

This is a book that should be kept on the bookshelf for that rainy day when inspiration needs to come calling.

Margaret Morgan is a professional calligrapher and an Associate of the Calligraphy & Letters Arts Society. She regularly accepts both public and private commissions and conducts workshops for calligraphic societies. Although traditional formal calligraphy involving gilding, painting and heraldry form an important part of her work, she increasingly enjoys the challenge of more experimental lettering.