Foundational Hands
Roman, Italic & Copperplate Alphabets
- Basic letter proportion and construction
- Roman capital structure
- Italic rhythm and slant
- Copperplate foundations
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Volume IIPelavorien
Foundational Hands
Roman, Italic & Copperplate Alphabets
Learn three distinct lettering systems by understanding their proportions and recurring shapes.
$15.99
This is a digital ebook product. No physical item will be shipped. Your files will be available digitally after purchase.
- Basic letter proportion and construction
- Roman capital structure
- Italic rhythm and slant
- Copperplate foundations
Choose how you begin
This volume
The complete cabinet
One volume, or the whole cabinet.
Each volume has its own price and its own purpose. Together they form one path through the written page.
The Pelavorien Cabinet
Five Digital Volumes on Calligraphy, Ornament & the Written Page
- The Scribe’s First Strokes72 pages
- Foundational Hands96 pages
- Flourishes & Ornament84 pages
- Words Worth Framing104 pages
- Letters for Keeps112 pages
£64.99
All five volumes added to your basket · 468 pages · digital ebooks.
Open the Complete Cabinet
Volume II
Foundational Hands
Learn how Roman, Italic and Copperplate alphabets are built. Compare proportion, slant, spacing and repeated forms through annotated specimens and guided practice.
An alphabet becomes easier when you stop seeing twenty-six unrelated shapes. Foundational Hands groups letters by structure, showing how ovals, stems, branches and repeated proportions create a coherent writing system.
Study the strength of Roman capitals, the rhythm of the Italic hand and the contrast of Copperplate. Construction diagrams and complete reference alphabets help you compare each style without blending them into one generic script.
What you’ll learn
Six things this volume makes clear.
- 1Basic letter proportion and construction
- 2Roman capital structure
- 3Italic rhythm and slant
- 4Copperplate foundations
- 5Capitals and restrained swashes
- 6Consistent word and line spacing
Contents
Every chapter and its page · 96 pages
- A Brief History of the Handp. 6
- 1. Proportion & Constructionp. 12
- 2. Roman Capitalsp. 22
- 3. The Italic Handp. 38
- 4. Copperplate Foundationsp. 54
- 5. Capitals & Swashesp. 70
- 6. Spacing Words & Linesp. 82
- Complete Alphabetsp. 92
- Indexp. 94
Look inside
Pages made to be studied.
The contents page and a spread from inside, shown large and uncropped. These are previews of the planned edition, not the finished volume.
Contents
Sample page
Who this is for
Written for adult beginners
Beginners ready to move from isolated strokes to complete, recognisable alphabets.
No previous experience is assumed and no expensive set is required. The historical atmosphere is editorial; the instructions are plain, modern and meant to be followed at your own pace.
What you receiveDigital files only. Pens, ink, nibs and paper are not included, and nothing is shipped.
Honest expectationsA steadier hand comes from short, repeated practice. The volume gives you the order to practise in, not a shortcut past it.
FAQ
Before you buy
Is this suitable for a complete beginner?
Yes, although The Scribe’s First Strokes covers tools, posture and pressure first if you have never used a dip pen.
Is this a physical antique book?
No. The historical visual style is part of the editorial design, but every product is a newly created digital ebook. No physical item is shipped.
Do I need an expensive calligraphy set?
No. The first volume explains a small practical toolkit and separates useful beginner materials from items that can wait.
Can I buy one volume separately?
Yes. Each volume has its own price and solves a different part of the learning process. The five-volume Pelavorien Cabinet costs £64.99.
How many pages are included?
This volume contains 96 pages. The complete cabinet contains 468 pages across five volumes.
Does the purchase include pens, ink or paper?
No. Your purchase includes digital ebook files only. Writing materials are not included.
Is the antique design difficult to read?
No. Historical ornament is used for atmosphere, while body copy, navigation and instructional text remain clear and accessible.
Safety noteUse pointed nibs, inks and any cutting tools with care. Protect your work surface, follow manufacturers’ instructions and keep materials away from children and pets.
Pelavorien — Write slowly. Make it lasting. Digital products only; no physical items are shipped.