This expertly presented new book covers all the necessary aspects of the art of "beautiful writing", setting out the essential tools needed to begin, teaching all the basic strokes to form letters, and providing a rich variety of alphabet templates from which to work. A dozen classic alphabets are illustrated, with step-by-step pictures showing pen angles and strokes and common group structures. This book also contains over 50 original step-by-step projects that offer practical ideas and inspiration for using calligraphy in all kinds of ways, including invitations, menus and place names, posters and flyers, headed paper, certificates, and greetings cards. With its authoritative text, inspirational gallery of examples and clear step-by-step guidance and alphabet templates, this practical teaching course is the perfect starter manual for beginners as well as an inspirational sourcebook for more experienced calligraphers.