What broad edge calligraphy hand to begin with

[AmyNeub]

I have a question for all the broad edge pen experts. My nephews would like to learn some calligraphy, so I was wondering what hand would be easy to learn for 10-14 year olds?

I was going to get them a starter kit with some parallel pens for Christmas and I thought I would get some exemplars too.

Would love your opinions.

Broad pen for 10-14 year olds:

Votes:
Gothic Textura (Gothic Bookhand) 7
Fraktura 4
Italic 4
Uncial 2
Foundational 2

No way just yet votes-
Roman Caps 2

Supplies:
Metallic broad pens

[Linda Y.]

I would say Italic or Foundational, but being 10-14 YO boys, they'd probably find them boring - so I'd say Gothic Textura, then move on to Fraktur - a lot of the cool/grungy street calligraphy stem from Textura and Fraktur.

Inspirations:

Steve Czajka
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/

Luca Barcellona
https://www.flickr.com/photos/luca-beanone-barcellona/

Theosone
https://www.youtube.com/user/theosone
http://instagram.com/theosone

[tintenfuchs]

Uncial is probably easier than Textura and it's also pretty cool

[AmyNeub]

Thanks! Yes, Gothic Textura is amazing. I love those artists. I think they will like it.

Thanks for your input!

[Erica McPhee]

They may find Gothic a bit overwhelming. If they do, go with italic. 

[AmyNeub]

I feel like Italic is feminine. Or is it just me.

Maybe I can find a good beginning book with a lot of exemplars and they can pick and choose. I was going to make up guide sheets too.

[Heebs]

I agree with Linda but Erica has a point, gothic/textura/fraktur require quite a bit of tedious practice that I could never see myself doing as a kid. I still can't get my spacing right actually :/

[Lisa]

The thing is, as a kid the foremost thought is: Having fun (def. not spacing @ Heebs ) ! And Gothic Textura and Fraktur may seem harder to learn but they are definitely more fun. I started with Fraktur when I was 11 (because I didn't know much about calligraphy and other styles, but when I learned more I still stuck to Fraktur, as I found the others  "boring" - yes I know, shame on me ^^; )

Maybe show him some samples and let him decide which one he likes best?
Let us know how it works!!

[Salman Khattak]

I don't think Italic is feminine at all but I wouldn't recommend starting out with it. It is much more difficult than it appears.

I think Uncial and Gothic styles are easy enough to pick up (see here) and here.

For people serious about learning Calligraphy nothing beats starting with Roman Majuscules but it isn't as 'fun' as some hands.

Also, Calligraphy markers are easy and fun to use and come in metallic colours - your nephews might like those.

Salman

[Estefa]

I agree with Salman that Italic seems much more simple than it is … can't write it at all. I found it easier to learn the basics of Blackletter. Plus I guess what others here said, is true … that Blackletter will seem much more interesting to teens than Italic! Let us know how it goes!

[Linda Y.]

I had a *really* tough time with Roman Capitals because there is NO room for error. All mistakes are obvious and glaring! I struggled with Italic Hand as well - 40-deg pen angle and 10-deg letter slant killed me. So I'd still say Textura or Fraktur because STREET CRED!

As an off-shoot, take a look at Irish Master Calligrapher Denis Brown's work for some masculine, powerful, dynamic and energetic Italic Hand. Also look at his demo videos - he's not called the "calligraphy swordsman" for nothing!

http://www.quillskill.com/

Swoosh swoosh swoosh like Zorro!
#t=19

[Scarlet Blue]

My head says foundation/roman hand and my heart says Fraktur!
Which ever you choose, do it large. I still love taping two pencils together so I can see the skeleton of the letter... this still fascinates me.

[Lori M]

I started out with Italic, so I'm biased towards learning it first. It's a good way to teach letter shapes and negative spaces. Once you get it down, it's not too hard to pick up other hands. I find Gothic, especially Textura, easier, actually -- more straight lines and not so many curves and ovals. But for 14-year old boys, you'd better go with something they like. 

I'd stay far away from Roman caps. (Sorry, Salman!) Changing the pen angle within the same letter is just too much for starting out.

[Brad franklin]

I started with black letter Textualis ( textura or Gothic bookhand) to be exact. I looked at Italic and had no interests as it looked to simple to me (boy was I wrong) and Gothic looked bad a**. I also looked at Copperplate I thought I would never be able to do such a thing. After a while I tried and tried Italic with no avail, so I took a class with Reggie Ezell and started to learn the proper methods. Trying to work on Fraktur now which to me is alot harder than textura. Anyway I think Black letter , Gothic , German hand what ever you want to call it would be a way to go to not only start with but pull you into this wonderful world of Calligraphy. Worked for me. I do have a 10-14 year old brain 

[AmyNeub]

Broad pen for 10-14 year olds:

Votes:
Gothic Textura (Gothic Bookhand) 7
Fraktura 4
Italic 4
Uncial 2
Foundational 2

No way just yet votes-
Roman Caps 2

Supplies:
Metallic broad pens

I dilly dallied with a few of the hands this past weekend. Anything with a slant might be too hard. I learned broad tip Chancery cursive in middle school and the slant always got me. I think straight would be easier. I think Gothic black letter seems the easiest. Fraktura with the points looks unforgiving, and I can barely do it.

I will focus on Gothic Textura hand for the worksheet exemplars. I am going to buy Reggie's videos on Black letter and Italic to for them. Also get them paper, ink and supplies. They are super creative (my sister and bro-in-law are practicing artists) so they will probably love it. My bro-in-law said he learned Old English (Gothic) when her was a kid, so maybe he can help them too.

Thanks for all your help. I still have a few months, but I will have an update later on.