Messages

31

Brush Calligraphy / Re: Flat Brush Practice

« on: July 09, 2014, 01:50:43 AM »

This word was lettered with black gauche on bond paper using a ZIG felt tip placed in a wooden holder.  Basically a stiff flat brush that can do a very fine line to a thick textured stroke. Definitely a lot of fun to play with.

Alan

32

Brush Calligraphy / Flat Brush Practice

« on: July 07, 2014, 01:12:04 AM »

I recently started lettering with a small #6 size flat brush. Basically a cheap brush with stiff acrylic bristles. The closest I could find to letter as if I am using a nib. The brush handle is very small diameter so I milled a larger diameter holder to allow my fingers to grip and rotate the barrel. This was my first attempt at lettering live with a brush. The caps were lettered with a Speedball C4 as a contrast element.

Alan

33

General How To's & Projects / Re: Input for Making A Oblique Flange

« on: June 25, 2014, 06:49:46 PM »

prasad1970,
Cool pen. I appreciate your input.

I am considering making a jig form a piece of hardwood. If I have success with it I will post a photo. With a series of pen holders a jig  might be the way to go for consistency. Fora a one of a kind pen the plier bending method looks excellent.

Alan

34

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 25, 2014, 06:08:51 PM »

A bowling pin nib holder of Lacewood and Birdseye Maple. THis was a practice session to develop an extremely high quality surface polish. Unfortunately with the normal size diameter its not easy from me to letter with this one compared to the larger diameter  holders. Much easier for me to apply minimal pressure to the nib and expand the stroke with a larger diameter pen. I have to get to work on a oblique holder sometime soon.

Alan

35

General How To's & Projects / Re: Input for Making A Oblique Flange

« on: June 24, 2014, 06:33:24 PM »

Andy,
Thanks for another excellent video reference. My pen milling skills will benefit from it.
I will definitely mill an oblique sometime soon and I owe to yours and Heebs input.

Alan

36

General How To's & Projects / Re: Input for Making A Oblique Flange

« on: June 24, 2014, 02:31:07 PM »

Thanks AndyT!
I was wondering about the hand saw as a better method than a band saw. I had thought about a vertical pen jig to do a partial cut in the underside of the pen body but I think the kerf will be to wide. I have an oblique pen from John Neal that allows the flange to slide out for replacement. Perhaps this might be a stronger pen construction method than cutting  a slot into the pen and pinning the flange. Cutting by hand also makes sense if the flange is set at an angle. Another oblique holder I own has the flange angled into the pen body.

Excellent info you posted and I appreciate it.

Alan

37

General How To's & Projects / Re: Input for Making A Oblique Flange

« on: June 24, 2014, 02:20:33 PM »

Thank you Heebs. I just viewed your video and luv it!. VEry nice homemade pen and beautiful lettering to go with it. Excellent source of info for what I am after.

Alan

38

General How To's & Projects / Input for Making A Oblique Flange

« on: June 24, 2014, 12:42:08 PM »

I am posting this thread as I am hoping for input from anyone with knowledge of making flanges for oblique holders. I am curious about tools required for the process or input of how the pen body is accurately cut for the flange slot.

At present I am thinking a handmade jig is required to bend brass into the shape of a flange. Wondering if there is a better method to cut a thin slot for the brass flange than using a band saw. Perhaps a Dremel jig or thin kerf Japanese handsaw.

I know this is not a woodworking forum but any help or advice with oblique pens and flanges will be greatly appreciated. I have searched on Fountain Pen Network but can not find specifics. Perhaps someone with knowledge of this subject can point me in the right directions for answers.

Alan

39

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 24, 2014, 12:22:34 PM »

Thank you Moya.
I have been doing whimsical lettering for 20+ years but have never found a commercial market be it advertising or publishing for that particular style. I just keep doing it.

About a month ago a client needed  some rough edge style calligraphy for his sons wedding, His request was lettered with a Speedball C4 on textured paper, scanned , minor cleanup  in Photoshop and exported as paths. Lately the C4 has become my main nib for everyday use.

40

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 24, 2014, 01:02:29 AM »

Practice this evening with 9 cm stub pen.

Alan

41

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Things that should be invented for calligraphers

« on: June 22, 2014, 03:40:01 PM »

I find the large diameter of the pen body allows ease of rotation and benefits nib manipulation.
I will eventually make a thin diameter pen body for lettering artist who prefer smaller size pen bodies. Eventually dip nib holders of this quality will be available for purchase. I polished this one yesterday. My first attempt to incorporate a high end durable surface finish on a pen holder. Truly a very nice pen shape to letter with.

Alan

42

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 17, 2014, 05:39:09 PM »

Amy,
I also live in the Chicago area. I'd luv to mill you a pen holder.
BTW, Gorgeous lettering you have on Instagram.

My e-mail contact info is listed in my profile.

Alan

43

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 17, 2014, 02:00:39 PM »

Erica, Brad & Moya,
Thanks for the nice comments and yes Reggie is a master at lettering and excellent teacher.
Odd thing is if I try pressurized with the pen at the bottom of the photo I am not able to get the same leverage to expand the nib tines. Perhaps the thin to wide opposite end of the pen makes it easier from me to apply pressure to the nib.

Alan

44

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 16, 2014, 03:26:55 PM »

These are some 10 minute quickies lettered on cheap practice paper with a Speedball C4 nib and C5 for cleanup. I've been using the least expensive paper I can buy at Staples as its just about practice for the time being.

The "I do it"  sample was lettered on a heavier weight bond paper with less fiber tear. Eventually when I get good at this I'll practice on some Arches. Lately all I've been doing is quick pressurized studies during breaks in my work schedule or wee hours of the morning.



Alan

45

Show & Tell / Re: I am now a dip pen junkie.

« on: June 12, 2014, 10:20:56 AM »

I appreciate the nice replies from you all.

Jana,
If you father has a lathe I am certain he can turn pen holders for you. I may eventually sell pen holders in the future when I refine my turning, laminating and finishing skills. Every craft has a learning curve. Perhaps in a year from now I will have a web site or Esty shop with pen holders and items related to lettering.

Alan