Messages

1

Kind Critique / Re: Spencerian with fountain pen - looking for feedback

« on: March 27, 2020, 11:25:20 AM »

Again, I'd like to thank everyone for your advice, which inspired me to carry on without fretting about arm movements etc.

I'm posting my monoline Spencerian after almost 3 months of semi-regular practice. Of course, with self-isolation the frequency and length of practice has increased.

These days I'm using a Lamy Safari, EF nib, J. Herbin Vert reseda ink. When I compare this sample to my January writing, I can see a lot of improvement, but also many mistakes  I find that the more you practice the more observant you become.

The only downside: I started practicing this hand with the goal of making it my handwriting, now I'm less convinced it's viable. It's really easy to stray away from slant without slant lines.

2

Kind Critique / Re: Spencerian with fountain pen - looking for feedback

« on: January 08, 2020, 02:25:08 PM »

@jeanwilson and @Estefa , thank you for your kind and thoughtful replies. It's a relief to have encouragement to find the writing position that works for me, as practically all other advice has been touting arm movements. I remember that I was able to do arm movements naturally when I was doing big flourishes in Copperplate. But for small letters these movements just don't come naturally.

3

Kind Critique / Spencerian with fountain pen - looking for feedback

« on: January 06, 2020, 04:05:10 PM »

Hi all,

I recently started practicing Spencerian with the goal to improve my handwriting. My background is in Copperplate.

I'd like to ask you for feedback - what can I improve? And how?

As the goal is everyday handwriting, I'm using a Pelikan Souveran fountain pen with EF nib and not shading, so I'm not looking for feedback on that or majuscules (haven't practiced them yet).

X height is 3 mm.

Do you think learning whole arm movements would make a big difference in my situation? As a "finger writer" I tried following posture directions in the original Spencerian book (knuckles gliding on the paper) and completely lost control of the pen. I don't see how this could ever work, despite watching tons of videos.

I'm confused by conflicting directions I've read online. Some people say that you're supposed to write lowercase/smaller letters with fingers and use whole arm movement for uppercase and flourishes. Is this accurate?

Big thanks to our member who created these guidelines with double slant.

4

Show & Tell / Re: Show your holiday greeting...

« on: September 02, 2019, 03:42:40 PM »

KristinT, these designs are delightful and warm <3

5

Flourishing / Re: Frustrated with beginner flourishing - looking for help

« on: November 16, 2018, 01:59:56 PM »

@Steph C

I had a look at this class and browsed its Instagram hashtag. I found so many examples that I was able to piece something together and design my first flourishes for a friend's name and surname. Once I'd copied a few flourishes from IG posts and spent more time on the piece, I figured out where to add some flourishes of my own. I feel like my design skill has improved a million times just by looking at the hashtag. Imagine what taking the actual class would do! Unfortunately the next one doesn't start until spring. Thank you so much for sharing this resource. Like you said, I also need to practice tons to improve my forms, but I know I can get this down - I struggled with the design/layout part of flourishing the most.

6

Flourishing / Re: Frustrated with beginner flourishing - looking for help

« on: October 11, 2018, 06:23:23 AM »

Jean, I loved your encouraging reply, thank you so much. I have more enthusiasm and optimism now and have started practising again.

7

Flourishing / Re: Frustrated with beginner flourishing - looking for help

« on: October 08, 2018, 03:47:32 PM »

Hi Erica! Thank you for your insight, much appreciated. I'll check out the tutorial you posted, and looking forward to your book!

8

Flourishing / Frustrated with beginner flourishing - looking for help

« on: October 08, 2018, 01:20:37 PM »

Hi all,

I taught myself Copperplate a few years ago. When I had enough practice under my belt, flourishing was the next step - flourishes add a whimsical and elegant touch to letter compositions that I love. Just the letters weren't doing it for me any more.

I looked at a ton of flourishes online and in books. Bill Hildebrandt's book is touted as the #1 resource to learn, but I find most of his flourishes incompatible with Copperplate, so the book wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped. But whenever I tried to sketch my own flourishes, I failed. It felt like I totally lack the imagination to see potential connections between letters that could be developed into flourishes. That calligraphy is my first experience with graphic design doesn't help either. I feel like I'm missing some crucial visual skill.

Has anyone had the same experience? How did you overcome it?

I was so frustrated seeing no way forward that I quit calligraphy for 2 years. I've started again and would like to improve, so I'd appreciate any help.

I have considered taking online classes (in person not available where I live), but the problem is not repeating the flourishes and doing drills, it's imagining and creating flourishes from scratch.

9

Tools & Supplies / Re: How often do you use your 'other' nibs?

« on: January 30, 2016, 04:42:08 AM »

I don't use my other nibs, I use Brause EF66 all the time. When I started I bought a variety of the most popular nibs, most of which I couldn't even write with (I tried them again several times as I improved, to the same result).

I've had a good experience with the Nikko and Zebra nibs, especially for square tops and bottoms, but I can achieve my favorite look with Brause EF66.

10

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Copperplate Guidelines Proportions?

« on: December 29, 2015, 05:25:05 AM »

Most Copperplate guidelines have the 2:1:2 ratio. It was only on this forum that I have seen 1,5:1:1,5 guidelines made by Erica. Thankfully, these were the first I found, as I find this ratio the most elegant!

When I try flourishing, though, I will try 2:1:2 guidelines as they allow for more room for flourishes.

11

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: How to achieve the right nib position?

« on: December 29, 2015, 05:20:54 AM »

Ken, this is a really helpful tip, I tried it yesterday and writing was much easier. Thank you!

12

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / How to achieve the right nib position?

« on: December 27, 2015, 12:26:19 PM »

Hi all,

this has puzzled me since I started learning Copperplate and I hope someone can advise. I'm right-handed.

I keep reading everywhere that the nib should be aligned with slant lines (in order to produce smooth, even lines), as seen in this image from Nina Tran's blog: http://i0.wp.com/anintran.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image8.jpg

However, I can only get my nib in this position if I move the paper to the left (for close to 90 degrees), and then it's impossible to write because of the angle:







I know that the rule of thumb is to do what works for you, but I wonder what everyone is doing to have their nibs parallel to slant lines and be able to write normally!

13

Tools & Supplies / Re: New Finetec palette

« on: November 25, 2015, 10:43:34 AM »

I might have to buy it for that blue color alone <3

14

Show & Tell / Re: My very first hand-made pen holder!

« on: November 11, 2015, 05:59:11 AM »

It's fantastic that you learned this! Congratulations!

15

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Penman Direct - UK-based supplier

« on: November 01, 2015, 01:41:17 PM »

Thanks for this! I am yearning for a European alternative to the American suppliers. A few days ago I tried to order from one of them and was hit with $50 shipping.