Messages

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Workshops & Conference News / A New Beginning In Script Writing

« on: January 04, 2016, 11:20:36 PM »

Hey Guys!

Towards the end of the month, I'm teaching a 4 hour workshop in Portland, Oregon on script writing. This will cover the basics of the oblique holder, some standard Engrosser's Script ductus work, and a few different style variations to give your script some personality and allow you to get started exploring the creative side of writing. I'm really excited to get to teach this curriculum, as it'll be the first class I'm teaching that's designed for absolute beginners. If you're around on the 23rd, check it out!

http://www.shop-fieldtrip.com/shop/a-new-beginning-in-script-writing

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Workshops & Conference News / Re: bmas Chicago workshop

« on: December 16, 2015, 10:45:41 PM »

It's goin' down for real!

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Hairlines: Contrast of Thick and Thin

« on: November 19, 2015, 04:10:30 PM »

Fair enough! I would agree that I find creating light lines quite easy. But controlling/aiming and transitioning into and out of them is not (as you've stated earlier in the thread). All the other stuff about beauty and aesthetics is subjective! I quite like heavily contrasted scripts!

Best wishes, and much respect, Ken!

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Contrast of thick and thin hairlines

« on: November 16, 2015, 07:38:07 PM »

If you take the finest nib, dip it in iron gall ink (possibly diluted) and on a piece of smooth, uncoated paper draw an upward line using only the weight of the nib, you will produce the finest, barely visible, hairline.

With a nib inserted into a staff, how does one write with "only the weight of the nib" exerting no technical skill into the matter? Are you calculating the weight of the holder, and then applying only enough lift to remove it's weight from the cumulative weight of the holder+nib? At that point, what angle are you approaching the writing surface in the environment above? Assuming most nibs+your holder of choice weight only a few ounces at best, don't you think that controlling how much of that weight you apply to the writing surface is at least a somewhat impressive skill?

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Double Letters

« on: November 16, 2015, 07:30:14 PM »

I have tried doing just the "stick" version (excuse my lack of technical term- I'm not sure what you would call it) but I feel it too looks off.

Not really relevant to the double descenders, but here is an interesting tidbit that I discovered recently while studying a letter from Baird to Lupfer. Notice anywhere there are two ascender loops, the second is slightly shorter than the first. Just food for thought! It's okay for them to be a bit different to add some variety for your script.

http://www.iampeth.com/sites/iampeth.com/files/artwork/BairdLetter1.jpg

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Yesterday's Copperplate workshop with joi and masgrimes in Portland, OR

« on: November 16, 2015, 07:15:53 PM »

Their approach in teaching is to focus on skill building around the fundamental shapes in lettermaking.  This was exactly what I was looking for, to help me ensure I am creating letters properly, and also to analyze why and where the issues are when they aren't created properly.  It was very illuminating.  Both David and Joi spent individual time with everyone, providing examples and feedback and giving tips and instructional guidance.  They were gracious and funny, and it was just so much fun.

Thank you so much. Wow! We couldn't be happier with how things went and we are so very excited about announcing our upcoming dates across the US. Thanks again and keep working hard on your forms!

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Flourishing / The Good The Bad and The Ugly - Blondie Flourishing Excercise

« on: July 30, 2015, 01:17:16 AM »

Hope you guys enjoy. Did this one just for fun!

http://i.imgur.com/DWJZVUL.jpg

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Calligraskype Sessions

« on: March 09, 2015, 04:31:53 PM »

I'm a Skype n00b - is it possible to have a group session? Or is it one-on-one only? I've done lots of Google Hangouts and you can have up to 8 people per session.

I was imagining 1 on 1, but a group thing could be awesome! I was more thinking a way to get to know and be friends with other people on the forums, It might be weird/hard to get to the good stuff with a big group.

I'm pretty sure group calls on Skype are free now, and supports up to 10 people.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Calligraskype Sessions

« on: March 09, 2015, 01:44:16 PM »

Hey Guys!

So I've been jumping on Skype pretty regularly with a few calligraphers on here for the past few months, and I thought it would be fun to 'meet' some more of you. Basically, we'd just hang out on skype while we practice/talk about calligraphy/whatever, and get to know the people behind the IG profiles and forum posts.

Anyway, if you're interested, either post your skype name here, or DM me, and lets set up a time to practice together.

Hope everyone had a good weekend! It was beautiful over here in Portland.

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Flourishing / Re: Peacemaker inspired flourished revolver

« on: February 26, 2015, 04:19:55 PM »

Wow! Thanks everyone! I wish that I had more experience with offhand, but I think I'm going to take a class on it

This one I did using the following steps.

1. Pull up a reference photo.

2. Free sketch the outline, marking key features. (In this case, the cylinder, the hammer, the handle, the barrel, and the extractor rod.)

3. Pick an easy stroke, (in this case, I used almost exclusively miniscule 'e's. But you could do whatever you want.) and follow the natural curves of the object.

It's really that simple, I didn't really plan this out too much, just kinda went for it. I know there are a million resources online for doves and figs and stuff, but I don't really like that stuff. I think there's a whole world of things to flourish, and I'd love to see any of you give it a shot!

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Design & Layout / Re: Layout And Design For Calligraphers - Alan Furber

« on: February 25, 2015, 09:53:24 PM »

@Milonguera - I think so! It talks about a few concepts that designers will know about from school, but they are also things that you learned about empirically. Balance, contrast, etc. All things that are pretty easy to grasp.

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Flourishing / Peacemaker inspired flourished revolver

« on: February 25, 2015, 02:08:34 PM »

http://i.imgur.com/SIf5DRv.jpg

Too big to share inline here, but I wanted to upload a high res version in case any of you who saw it on Instagram wanted to get a good look at all the mistakes!

It was quite fun to make, but I'm sure if I knew the first thing about offhand it'd be a million times cleaner. What do you guys think?

*edited link

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Design & Layout / Layout And Design For Calligraphers - Alan Furber

« on: February 25, 2015, 02:03:28 PM »

Click on image to view on Amazon (affiliate link):

I picked this little paperback up from my local book store on Monday and have really enjoyed it! It's only about 60 pages, and you can get a used copy on Amazon directly from Alan for $1.00. The examples in the book are largely Italic and Foundational, but the principals can be used for composing any variety of projects.

Post back here if you pick a copy up, I'd love to discuss!

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Digital Design / Re: Horizontal Vertical Bezier Handles

« on: January 08, 2015, 01:49:44 PM »

I found these links a while ago and then lost them...
THANK YOU so much for sharing them!
I don't think I'll ever be able to properly understand how they work but I have to try. 

If you have any questions, ask them here and I'd be happy to help you figure it out! We can also get Scannerlicker to chime in, as he's pretty open about explaining it to plebeians like us.

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Brush Calligraphy / Re: trouble with letters in brush lettering

« on: January 04, 2015, 12:04:07 PM »

Just my opinion, but I think that brush lettering is easiest to learn with a Tombow ABT, or something else that you don't need to dip. Maybe a Pentel pen, or something? The reasoning behind that is that it's largely about developing calculated, confident gestures and doing them quickly will teach your muscles how to shift and move in each letter (and ligature) instance. With a dip pen, you will end up with a dry brush in the middle of a stroke until you learn to properly load and manage your ink/paint/watercolor.

Brush markers remove that complication and let you focus on technique without the nuance of dipping. Kinda like Parallel pens!

Flat brush is a different story. X(