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Molly Suber Thorpe is a renowned calligraphy artist whose work combines elements of modern lettering, pointed pen calligraphy, and digital lettering. Thorpe has been pivotal in stimulating interest in modern calligraphy; she teaches workshops both in-person and online, and is the author of three calligraphy books. Molly graduated from UCLA in 2009 with a concentration in typography and layout design, and since then she has received commissions from clients such as Google, Fendi, Michael Kors, and Martha Stewart. Her work and words have appeared in dozens of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, LA Times, The Guardian, UPPERCASE, and Buzzfeed.

Her first book, Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in Script Calligraphy, remains one of our best-selling products to this day, and makes an excellent beginner's manual to the art of pointed pen lettering. Her second book, The Calligrapher's Business Handbook, helps calligraphers learn how turn their skills into a career. Her newest publication, Mastering Modern Calligraphy, expounds upon the topics covered in her first book and moves beyond the basics. Although calligraphers of all skill levels will love this book, the first important thing to note is that Mastering Modern Calligraphy is intended for readers who have at least a basic understanding of the pointed pen. That being said, we're excited to give you a sneak peek at this comprehensive guide to modern calligraphy.

This beautiful, in-depth guide to modern calligraphy emphasizes experimentation and fun rather than rigid uniformity. With targeted exercises and lessons aimed at pushing you out of your calligraphy comfort zone, Mastering Modern Calligraphy will not only help you master tricks of the trade, but develop your very own modern calligraphy style, too. - Mastering Modern Calligraphy, back cover

Chapter One, Methods for Effective Practice, helps readers push themselves beyond comfort zones and break down their personal writing style letter-by-letter. By questioning and analyzing both rules you've been given and rules you've given yourself, you can begin breaking habits and implementing changes that will result in a unique calligraphic style that's entirely you. Thorpe gives examples of ways to add variation to your script, such as tweaking size, boldness, connector strokes, baseline bounce, and more. Chapter One finishes with a comprehensive list of Thorpe's personal favorite materials as well as a Q&A that troubleshoots common issues.

Chapter Two, Warm-up Exercises & Drills, provides readers with pencil warmups and stroke drills that build muscle memory and create a solid foundation for lettering creativity.

The book's third chapter, Modern Calligraphy, Letter by Letter, provides readers with an array of letter variants, from basic building blocks and alphabets to complex modern variations and ligatures. Readers can practice individual letters from these pages, working up from the fundamentals to the ornamental, flourished, and fancy. The next chapter, From Letters to Words, encourages calligraphers to explore a series of word variations, from ignoring baselines to increasing pressure on downstrokes. Practice prompts outline a series of methods to try with your personal script.

Chapter Five, Five Complete Alphabets, is exactly that: five modern alphabets in their entirety, differentiated by unique individual elements. Thorpe encourages readers not only to practice these alphabets as a whole, but to use them as a starting point for customization. Chapter Six, Majuscules & Monograms, includes three uppercase alphabets for additional practice.

Mastering Modern Calligraphy's seventh chapter, Small Layouts, gives readers phenomenal advice on combining two or more lines of calligraphy. These layouts are perfect for envelope design, writing quotes, sign painting, and other multi-line projects. From centering to flourish placement, this chapter helps calligraphers create layouts without awkward overlapping, smushed letters, or slanted writing.

For me, modern calligraphy is that which breaks with tradition and reveals the calligrapher's personal aesthetic strongly in the work. - Molly Suber Thorpe, Mastering Modern Calligraphy, page 13

The final chapter, Flourishes & Borders, contains 100+ modern, decorative, and botanical flourishes in the form of swirls, borders, corner ornaments, wreaths, and more. These fun drills will help you find a good rhythm and add some flair to your calligraphy. A number of useful appendices are featured at the end of Mastering Modern Calligraphy, including a glossary, grids and guides for different calligraphic styles, drill frames, rulers, and a resource list that includes calligraphy supply stores, networking websites, and educational opportunities.

Mastering Modern Calligraphy – SNEAK PEEK! – by Molly Suber Thorpe from Molly Suber Thorpe on Vimeo.

You can purchase this excellent book here.

Visit Molly's website to find images of her work, contact information, events, and upcoming classes.

All images from Molly Suber Thorpe.