The Artful Alphabet

Create uniquely artful words with secrets from Joanne Sharpe! Joanne Sharpe--author of the popular book The Art of Whimsical Lettering--has gathered together 55 of her favorite hand-drawn alphabets for this light-hearted collection. Follow simple illustrated steps to replicate each style...no lengthy instructions or extensive practice required. Any "imperfections" only add to their charm! Try your hand at letterforms inspired by feathers, flowers, postage stamps, vintage type, doodles, taxi cabs, chalkboards and more. Equally exciting are the variety of media used, from colored pencils and markers to paints and inks. Looking to add an artful touch to the world around you? These letters are perfect for personalizing anything from family calendars and daily planners to wall art, art journals, cards and one-of-a-kind gifts. You can even use the techniques and inspiration in this book to invent completely original alphabets of your own. With this A to Z guide, there's no limit to the statements you can make! • Awesome alphabets--55 in all, ranging from basic block and stick letters to fanciful illustrated fonts • Beginner-friendly instructions--Each alphabet is broken down into just a few simple steps • Creative variety of tools and media--pens, markers, brushes, inks, paints, colored pencils, fountain pens, cardstock and much more

Illustrations representing each letter of the alphabet reveal a variety of objects for the reader to identify.

No ordinary ABC book, this is an alphabet of the imagination; a book of art to pore over and enjoy time and again, delighting in its detail, exuberance and intricacy. Find equilibrium with E, enter the maze of M or take a train ride through T, accompanied always by the magic hat.

Through educational art, guiding copy, and use of inspirational quotes, The Artful Alphabet illuminates and showcases how small things - from apricots to marbles to zippers - can and should give us pause in our busy days and bring the focus back to our relationships with the present moment, the world in which we live, and each other.The Artful Alphabet is also intended to serve as affirmation that everyone has a unique perspective and story to tell. Everyone should be confident that their experience and connection with the world is enough and absolutely worth sharing, especially with the next generation. It is paramount that families authentically connect with eye contact, conversation, and shared experience. Art infused with educational content can inspire this; it can provide myriad perspectives and interpretations, while sparking storytelling, curiosity, and wonder for the world.

This grand compilation presents more than 250 depictions of the alphabet's changing forms, from handsome Roman letters cut in marble and delicate English courthand to sixteenth-century Greek initials and modern styles inspired by Gothic, Japanese, and other forms of writing. In addition to its intriguing survey of historical trends, this book also offers richly illustrated reflections on the artistic ability involved in rendering the alphabet. An introductory essay traces the evolution of the English alphabet, followed by a wealth of old alphabets arranged in order of date. Among the selection of modern alphabets are samples that offer evidence of how the surface — wood, stone, leather, mosaic — and the writing instrument — chisel, needle, brush, stylus, pen — can affect the character of the lettering. An assortment of ampersands and numerals concludes the volume, along with an index of illustrations arranged by artist, country, material and process, and style. Artists, graphic artists, historians, and anyone with an interest in calligraphy will appreciate the historic sweep and artistic range of this treasury of lettering.

Learn to draw your own alphabet as Abbey Sy and other artists teach you the art of hand lettering!