calligraphy

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with calligraphy

History Illustration

The World’s Oldest Multicolored Printed Book Has Been Opened and Digitized for the First Time

The earliest example of multicolor printing is now available for the public eye, digitally available through Cambridge University Library’s Digital Library site. The 17th century book, Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu), is so fragile that it was previously forbidden to be opened, its contents a total mystery before its recent digitization.

The book was created in 1633 by Ten Bamboo Studio and is the earliest known example of polychrome xylography, invented by Hu Zhengyan. The technique, also referred to as douban, uses several printing blocks applied in succession with different inks to achieve the appearance of a hand-painted watercolor. The Cambridge site explains that the although the skill required to achieve such douban prints is admirable, the gradations of color within the book are what led to its reputation as “perhaps the most beautiful set of prints ever made.”

The manual contains eight categories showcasing birds, plumbs, orchids, bamboos, fruit, stones, ink drawings and miscellany. All of these sections of the manual are contained in the original “butterfly binding,” and has been identified to be the finest copy in the original binding by a leading scholar.

In addition to Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu, the library has also digitized other selections from its Chinese collections including the oracle bones (the earliest surviving examples of Chinese writing anywhere in the world), a Buddhist text dated between 1127 and 1175, and a 14th century banknote that threatens forgers with decapitation. (via Hyperallergic)

Art Design

The Incredible Pencraft of Jake Weidmann, the World’s Youngest Master Penman

When in school, artist and penman Jake Weidmann watched as his classmates typed their notes in laptops. Weidmann instead took the old-fashioned approach and wrote everything longhand with pen and paper, using every opportunity to practice and perfect his exquisite penmanship. The hard work quickly paid off he’s now one of only a dozen people designated as a master penman—not to mention the youngest by three decades.

This new video from Uproxx profiles Weidman has he talks a bit about his process and shows off some of his delicate pencraft, much more of which you can see on his website where he also shares his paintings, drawings, and sculptural work. (via Sploid)

Art Photography

Stunning Arabic Light Calligraphy by Julien Breton

Artist Julien Breton aka ‘Kaalam‘ is a master of photographic light painting, turning full-body gestures reminiscent of dance movements into the invisible pen strokes of Arabic calligraphy. Breton works silently in secluded urban environments and against dimmed architectural backdrops to execute perfectly rehearsed motions that translate on film to both abstract and literal Arabic handwriting. With its sweeping tails, loops, and punctuated diacritic dots, it’s difficult to imagine any other language more suited to the transcription of human body movement into written language.

Collected here are a number of works over the last few years, but you can see much more on Behance and on his website. If you liked this, also check out the work of Stephen Orlando.

Design

Seb Lester Perfectly Renders Ten Famous Brand Logos with Calligraphy Pens

Over the past few months, London-based designer and illustrator Seb Lester (previously) shared a number of hand-lettered logos on Instagram. Using only calligraphy pens, some minor preparation coupled with years of experience, the identities for brands like Coca Cola, Converse, and the New York Times seem to spring forth, perfectly formed, from his exquisitely controlled hand. Lester just released this video featuring ten of his favorite attempts. See many more here.

Art Design

Graffiti Artist ‘Faust’ Draws Calligraphic Messages on Snow-Covered Cars in New York City

For the last few years NYC-based graffiti artist Faust has been putting everyone’s handwriting to shame with these impromptu notes drawn on snow-covered vehicles around the city. Faust is known worldwide for his fusion of classical calligraphy with contemporary graffiti in murals and other art projects. You can follow him on Instagram and see several more snow pieces spanning the last few years on Behance. (via Laughing Squid, Design TAXI)

Design Illustration

3D Calligraphy Experiments by Tolga Girgin

Turkish graphic designer and electrical engineer Tolga Girgin continues to experiment with calligraphy that seems to jump off the page. Girgin uses shading, shadows, and different forms of perspective to create three-dimensional letters that float, stand, drip, and slant. You can see more on Instagram and over on Behance. (via Lustik)

Design Illustration

3D Calligraphy by Tolga Girgin

I just stumbled onto the Instagram account of Tolga Girgin, a Turkish graphic designer and electrical engineer who experiments with calligraphy. His latest pieces involve a number of 3D lettering pieces that use shadow and perspective to make it appear like the letterforms are lifting off the page. Very cool.