Drawing, sketching and writing skills are beautifully presented and taught in this superbly illustrated practical encyclopedia. Packed full of expert advice, step-by-step projects and practice exercises, this book is perfect for beginners and intermediate artists and calligraphers looking to improve their skills. Divided into three sections, the book provides professional advice on the techniques of drawing, pastel work and calligraphy with sample exercises to increase skill levels. There are also 12 classic calligraphic alphabets included with a useful 'common mistakes' section to assist the novice calligrapher. The techniques are all illustrated with clear step-by-step photography and are packed full of useful tips to improve skills. Artists will learn how to see things as simple shapes, try out different ways of shading, practice blending colours with soft pastels, understand perspective and composition among many other techniques. Calligraphers will study brush lettering, embossing, resists, gilding, how to form classic letter shapes and much more. After each technique section follows a wonderful selection of more than 150 inspirational projects specially created by leading artists and calligraphers and designed to consolidate and test the newly acquired skills from the technique sections. Artists can choose from a range of subjects including landscapes, still lifes, people, animals, buildings, and trees and flowers. From a simple study of trees in winter and a Mediterranean seascape to an ornate Venetian building and delicate Autumn leaves there is something here for every artist. Calligraphers will be delighted with the range of projects for all occasions including invitations, headed paper, gift boxes, greetings cards, poems and much more. With its authorative text, clear step-by-step guidance and more than 2000 super colour photographs and artworks, this book is a practical teaching course of the highest quality and is the perfect starter manual for beginners, as well as a stimulating source book of ideas for more experienced artists and calligraphers.