#Ornate pictorial calligraphy manual#
#Ornate pictorial calligraphy archive#
#Ornate pictorial calligraphy series#

A common feature of almost all classic flourishes is their execution by one continuous stroke, without lifting the pen, or (which is less often) a combination of two or more overlapped flourishes, the so-called ‘multiple-stroke flourishes’. Of course, as in any art, there are various combinations of the two styles mentioned.įlourishes can vary in design - from entirely abstract objects to the depiction of figures like people, angels, flowers or animals like dogs, snails, lions, eagles, horses, etc. Angular flourishes are called ‘cadels’ and they are usually associated with capital letters in Gothic calligraphy. They are often combined with curves and loops.

#Ornate pictorial calligraphy series#

Curvilinear flourishes are executed by smooth motions of the pen and consist of curves, loops and spirals, while angular flourishes are distinctive by series of parallel straight lines that meet forming sharp angles and often form square or diamond-shaped decoration. Consequently, there are two main types of flourishes - curvilinear and angular. Since they developed from letter strokes, flourishes were executed in the same or similar style as letters in manuscript. Thin and thick strokes at the same flourish are achieved by alternating low and high pressure of the pen, but never by tracing the same line more than once. Over time, some penmen began to perform intricate flourishes as the main subject of their artwork.įlourishes consist of combined lines, curves, spirals and loops, usually in form of a single, uninterrupted line executed by a quick but graceful movement of the pen. Initially, flourishes were attached to the letters and served as letter decoration, but soon they became stand-alone ornaments, often positioned around the text and between the paragraphs and chapters of the manuscript. In hand-written official documents from that time, flourished capital letters, as well as flourishes above and below the text and at the end of every written line, were rendered as decoration but also served to prevent additional writing to the text.

In Europe, flourishing was widely employed for the embellishment of English and German manuscripts. Decorative flourishes, also known as calligraphic ornaments or ornate pictorial calligraphy, developed during centuries of writing and decorating of manuscripts. Flourishes, that are considered a combination of drawing and calligraphy, presumably evolved during a long period of time from extended curved letter strokes executed for embellishment in calligraphy and penmanship, when beauty was an imperative in handwriting. Decorative flourishes were almost inevitable decoration of books and documents for centuries. The term ‘flourish’ implies embellishment of letters and text, as well as stand-alone decorative elements. These vector flourishes are suitable for use in graphic designs and, one might say, they are ideal for wood carving.

#Ornate pictorial calligraphy archive#

As this book belongs to the Dover Pictorial Archive series, its royalty-free illustrations may also be applied to a multitude of graphic arts and design purposes.All the flourishes are colored black, so that you can simply adjust their size and use them straight away it is, however, possible to change the color to your liking by editing it in an appropriate software.

#Ornate pictorial calligraphy manual#

Over 150 lovely examples of flourishes form in themselves a wonderful collection of ornate pictorial calligraphy.With this unique manual and ample practice, you will help keep alive a glorious decorative art. The approach is quaintly traditional, the results delightful. Complete instructions lead you from proper positioning and basic exercises to finished flourishes of increasing complexity.Frequent helpful hints encourage calligraphers to cultivate grace, harmony, and symmetry by means of diligence, patience, and perseverance. Therefore see that the lines run nearly parallel or cross nearly at right angles.'With the charm of words like these, this pleasantly old-fashioned manual inculcates a fine art that has been virtually lost: the art of ornate pictorial calligraphy, or 'flourishing.'A good pen, this book, and practice are all you need to create your own magnificent swirls, delicately shaded curves, harmoniously crisscrossing lines, from which birds, rabbits, deer, ribbons, and other images gracefully emerge. But as soon as some rival crosses the pathway, especially in a diagonal way, there is likely to be trouble in camp. As long as everything goes along smoothly, harmony prevails. 'The law of harmony in flourishing is the same as in love. Complete instructions and examples help you create your own magnificent swirls, delicately shaded curves, harmoniously crisscrossing lines, from which birds, rabbits, deer, ribbons, and other objects gracefully emerge.