Brenna Jordan - The Lost Art of Handwriting: Rediscover the Beauty and Power of Penmanship

Praise for The Lost Art of Handwriting

Brenna captures the art of handwriting in such a beautiful way, from explaining the history and breaking down the basics to discussing her signature style of flourishing in this book. I was blown away by the information and topics covered in the book allowing me to see handwriting in another perspective. Such an amazing book that answers the why and getting started.

SHELLY KIM of Letters By Shells , author of Learn to Create Modern Calligraphy Lettering and Learn to Create Art Deco Lettering , each by Quarto Publishing

I am absolutely blown away by the vast amount of information there is in this book, and at how wonderfully detailed it is. From diving into the history of handwriting to being able to successfully learn by practicing different types of styles with clear and beautiful examples, there is no doubt this book will help anyone improveand thoroughly enjoytheir handwriting.

CHRYSTAL ELIZABETH, modern letterer and author of Brush Lettering Made Simple

A wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in penmanship! Brenna not only brings you into the rich history behind handwriting; she guides you through beautiful scripts and styles that will inspire you to put pen to paper.

YOUNGHAE CHUNG of Logos Calligraphy + Design

Brenna is a master of her craft and she doesnt hold back in these abundant pages full of instruction and inspiration. She has an effortless way of guiding you to fall in love with your unique handwritinghow to embrace it, mold it, and really own itshowing you the priceless value it has. This book is experimental yet timeless!

PEGGY DEAN, author and art educator

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This book is dedicated to Brent Jordan.

Thank you for the year of handwritten letters that changed the course of my life.

And for every year since.

Handwriting is a beautiful art form that connects us to one another. No two people share the exact style of handwriting, so your handwriting is an irreplaceable extension of yourself, providing a window into your unique personality. Thats why handwriting is so important, even in our age of touchscreens and texting.

At this moment in history, we are fortunate to have both technology and the art of handwriting, with its many and varied implements, at our fingertips. We can appreciate the efficiencies and convenience that technological progress has brought us while still celebrating the fine art of penmanship. Besides, handwriting is not just a nostalgic nod to the past; its a joy-inspiring and useful tool for our futureit can help us connect as humans even as we use computers more and more often.

The value of handwriting in relation to our interactions with others is immense. Handwriting is a slowing down, a connection with ourselves, one another, and the history of our complex humanity. And because there is an inexhaustible craving within us for beauty and creative expression, handwriting is getting noticed in our fast-paced culture.

Handwriting is designed for both functionality and enjoyment, in the same way we cherish a stroll along the beach or an artfully cooked meal savored among friends. (We could walk on a treadmill in a windowless gym or eat fast food alone in the car, but thats much less enjoyable, isnt it?) As a calligrapher and hand-lettering artist, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound reactions of people when they see their wedding vows, a favorite poem, or other meaningful words scripted by hand. I hear stories of what those words mean to them in the context of their lives and how special it is to see them handwritten with care.

Maybe youve picked up this book because youve noticed the renewed interest in handwriting for home decor, business logos, and greeting cards. Perhaps you recall an era before email, when a cherished pen pal or loved one sent letters in their unmistakable penmanship. Or maybe you want an opportunity to relearn or improve upon the cursive you studied as a child, and need guidance to focus your practice time and form new habits. Whatever your reason for holding this book in your hands, you are certain to meet delight as you embark on your own personal journey with the limitless potential of the alphabet.

In this book, we will explore proper stroke technique, letter forms, and ideas for evaluating and improving your handwriting. You will discover how the astonishing variety of letter forms provide endless avenues for exploration and opportunities for making these alphabets your own, and how to choose alternatives that fit your preferences while retaining legibility and consistency. You will learn how to join letters in cursive writing to help you write more smoothly and, with practice, more efficiently. And we will discuss how to apply what youve learned to your everyday life, including tips for integrating handwriting into already jam-packed schedules.

You'll find blank lines throughout the book for practicing certain techniques. Photocopy the blank lined pages at the end of the book to use as extra practice pages.

In time, you will acquire a new love and appreciation for this gorgeous art form, which is available to anyone who puts pen or pencil to paper.

Getting Started

Cursive

Printing

Putting It All Together

Handwriting and type evoke different responses in the person reading the words. Each one is good for certain circumstances and each one can serve a different communication purpose, so type doesnt need to completely replace handwriting. Sometimes type is the best form of communicationfor presenting a work project, submitting school term papers, or sending a group of people some logistical information, for example. But lets learn about the many benefits that the handwritten word offers.

Handwriting Gives Insight Into Your Personality

Like hearing someones voice, associating someones handwriting with him or her offers a powerful connection and deepens the friendship or relationship. There are so many variables in our writing stylesthe roundness or sharpness of our letter shapes, the slant of our writing, the pressure we use, the size and spacing of our words, and so on.

Writing by hand has a creative and artistic appeal that typing cant provide in quite the same way. When we form a letter, we decide how to cross that t and exit the last stroke of a letter. These choices lead to our distinct handwriting style, and help others recognize itand usin turn. Have you ever noticed how seeing someones handwriting reminds you of their personality? Their script may be tidy and precise, or large, loopy, and energetic. Handwriting can reveal clues about the writers inner characteristics.