typeworship:

Writing & Lettering & Illuminating

Edward Johnston, master calligrapher and the designer of London’s Underground typeface, was a captivating teacher at the Central School and Royal Academy of Art. He eventually distilled his knowledge and techniques into a classic text, “Writing and Illuminating and Lettering”. 

It’s been out of print for decades but I managed to find a 1929 copy. The book opened my eyes to a number of creative lettering and illustrative techniques and almost all of the letter making principles are fundamentally relevant today.

I posted a couple of images of my copy online and was contacted by designer, Paul Felton, who told me he was in the final phase of re-designing and updating Johnston’s book, first published almost 100 years before. The above images show what a great job he’s done. 

An essential manual for the amateur calligrapher and professional graphic artist alike, D&B Books are set on re-establishing Johnston as the godfather of Western typography. Creator of Johnston Sans, teacher to Eric Gill and genius behind the London Underground roundel – “Writing & Illuminating & Lettering” is truly a fitting legacy of a great man of British art.

You can get your copy here, on D&B books.