The Art of Letter Carving in Stone

ISBN 9781861268792

Written by an eminent practitioner and teacher, this book guides the novice through the basics of letter carving, drawn lettering, and making simple designs in stone. For the more experienced, it explains a new proportioning system for classical Roman capitals and demonstrates a useful approach to designing letterform variations. The book covers: the development of 20th-century letter carving; tools, materials, stone, and making an easel; drawing a range of alphabets for use in letter carving; inscriptions, gilding, and painting letters; detailed instructions for V-incising the keystrokes of letters; and designing headstones, plaques, and more. A handsome volume, illustrating a wide range of creative pieces and showcasing the exciting new work of contemporary letter carvers.

Tom Perkins was introduced to drawing Roman capitals in his early teens by his art teacher, kindling an enthusiasm for lettering that led to a training in calligraphy at Reigate School of Art and Design. From 1976 he began letter carving at his studio in London and in 1982 he set up his own workshop at Sutton in Cambridgeshire. Tom has taught lettering and letter carving at the Roehampton Institute until 1997 and at West Dean College. He is a fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society, Temenos Academy, The Royal Society of Arts and the Society of Designer Craftsmen.