Thank you
@Salman Khattak and
@jeanwilson for your suggestions!
I am using a recommended 28lb "high end" printer paper (I'm too lazy to run backdownstairs to see it's exact name.....its one by HP that many like).
It seemed to run better last night, though something quite odd happened at one point. On one of the last lines of "w," it suddenly felt like the paper or my nib was waxed.....i.e. like trying to write with a sharpie on wax paper. The ink wouldn't stay, the pen felt extra slick across the surface. Utterly bizarre! On my paper, you'll see a series of 2-3 entry strokes that look faint, that is when it started and I was trying to clear the pen. Then on a W, the ink started at the top of the shade and just pulled down the length of the shade, like a blob. It was really odd. Please know that I'm NOT complaining, just rather marveling. I'm a scientist by nature and training....critical observation is my fiber.
My focus last night was on two things: trying to get all my letters to sit on the line (vs floating or hanging below) and trying to lift on the pen, as approaching the baseline in a shade, at the appropriate time. I see many shades where I stay on the pen too long and then it's a sudden up (and ugly!), or if I'm really focusing on getting off the pen, then my letters float. Again, not complaining or frustrated, observations.
My submission is below. It's 'rules' are as follows: i's had to earn their dot. If the shade was floating (and I caught it in time), no exit stroke. Break off the chain of incorrect behavior (rules of dog training!). After the row was complete, I tried to critically examine for "not floating, entry/exit stroke, not too round nor narrow" and then if happy with those, the i could receive it's dot.
So those are the ones I chose.
U's were a bit more tricky, I saw many uneven entrance strokes from shade 1 to shade 2, as well as trying to not float shade 2 (because my mind was racing ahead to the exit hairline). I underlined the ones that I liked. When I made 5 in a row, I think they were far too narrow.
W's.....well, they're entertaining at best
I love making this letter, but my inconsistancy really showed up here.
Look forward to your thoughts. This was done with Hunt 101 and Higgins Eternal. I will try Hunt 22 tonight, I have a pack of them. May also wander back to the Brause 66EF and see if I can get the shades thick enough for instruction.
Thank you @Salman, this really is an amazing resource and I am loving the challenge!!