Pen Calligraphy With Fran

The third entry in the excellent calligraphy series from artist and instructor Fran Strom (the others were Aha! Calligraphy With Fran: Pointed Brush Writing, reviewed in our May 1992 issue, and Flat Brush Writing With Fran, reviewed in our November 1992 issue), Pen Calligraphy With Fran covers some of the same material as that of the earlier entries, but uses a pen as opposed to a brush to create the letters. Strom talks about the history of calligraphy, points out the necessary tools, and takes viewers on a letter-by-letter guide through drawing the alphabet in Humanist Bookhand. There are also sections on Roman capitals and italic letters and numerals, in addition to suggestions for and examples of various calligraphic drawing projects. Strom is an accomplished teacher who conveys both the technique and the spirit of the art of calligraphy. For example, before writing Strom advises viewers to "bless the pen," which one does by using saliva to clean the pen tip. (I considered hawking a loogie onto my keyboard to see if it would spritz up my writing, but decided against it.) Highly recommended. [Note: the tape does make references to a related manual which will not be available until this Fall.] (Available from: Video Textbooks, 585 Orchard St., Ashland, OR 97520-1675; (503) 482-1334.)