Topics

1

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Alternatives to Arches paper please

« on: September 10, 2016, 12:19:17 PM »

I'm trying to find an alternative paper for a finished commission with pointed pen. I've used Arches HP in the past, which a lot of people recommend, but I still find it too scratchy. I'm thinking of trying out Strathmore 400 Mixed Media with vellum surface. Has anyone used it and is it smoother than Arches and good enough for a finished piece? I'm using watercolour in my nib.

2

Letter Pixels / iPad Pro VS. Surface Pro

« on: August 27, 2016, 06:12:55 AM »

Have been saving my pennies and hope to be able to bag some new hardware very soon. Am really stuck between the pros and cons of the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro. I love what I've seen done with the Apple Pencil and Procreate, but my desktop computer is a dinosaur and needs drastic updating. I want to do a lot of digital work (logos/illustration etc), but am I better off getting the Surface Pro for all-round performace? How does the stylus compare to the Apple Pencil? Would love to hear your experiences with either!

3

Brush Calligraphy / Need to brush on styrene?

« on: August 24, 2016, 08:55:00 AM »

I hope someone can help. Tomorrow i am supposed to hand letter some menus in situ. The client has said that the menus are to be written on something called styrene, which I have not heard of. A bit of googling shows something plastic based, so I'm concerned that my sumi ink will not adhere to it. Can anyone recommend a paint or brush pen that will work on most surfaces?

4

Tools & Supplies / Wacom Tablet recommendations please!

« on: April 05, 2016, 08:58:17 AM »

I think it's time for one of these! I use a mouse for bezier curves in Illustrator, which I have always done even when I was a graphic designer. What are people's experiences of tablets? Logos/stamps... got to be easier yes? Can you get them to mimic the swells and hairlines of a pointed pen? How does it work? So many questions!!

5

Design & Layout / Protocol for splitting lines of poems/songs?

« on: March 13, 2016, 06:43:50 PM »

I'm just about to start a commission containing song lyrics. Given the chosen style (pointed pen uncial) and the size restrictions (A4), I'm really going to have to split some of the lines to fit it in. What's everyone's take on this? Is it OK or do you have to strictly follow the way it was originally laid out? Should I tell my client that I intend to do this?

6

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Ligature exemplars?

« on: February 14, 2016, 06:20:31 AM »

I'm now fully immersed in learning foundational and italic styles. Having trouble finding good examples for ligatures, fi, ffi, tt etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

7

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Edward Johnston museum in the UK!

« on: January 28, 2016, 10:04:41 AM »

Hi all, I'm about to start volunteering down at a rather lovely little museum in East Sussex in the UK. It's called the Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft. It popped up on my Facebook account some weeks ago, I'd never even heard of it, never been there, but the instant I looked at their website I knew I had to get involved. If you're interested in the work of Edward Johnston (and Eric Gill), regarded by some as one of the forefathers of modern calligraphy and designer of Foundational hand, then it is well worth a visit! Ditchling is where he lived from 1912 until his death in 1944.
https://ditchling-museum.squarespace.com/

8

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Master Penman Jake Weidman short film

« on: January 26, 2016, 12:11:53 PM »

Not sure if anyone has seen this, but this is a lovely little film about Jake and for promoting the cause to teach children proper cursive writing!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

9

Show & Tell / Logo design

« on: January 26, 2016, 09:12:49 AM »

My first logo using calligraphy! I learned pointed pen uncial (designed by the lovely Mike Kecseg, who was gracious enough to send me a full exemplar) especially to create this, so it's not perfect. I scanned and edited in Photoshop. Near East (as in not Middle or Far) is my husband's new musical project (traditional Greek, rembetika, urban folk stuff). I'm a bit shy about posting things here, but I'm so pleased with how this turned out, would love to hear what you think! 

10

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Pointed Pen Uncials anyone!

« on: January 20, 2016, 05:10:10 PM »

Not sure which area of the forum to put this. I discovered pointed pen uncials today, fallen in love and am trying to scour the internet looking for tuition on this style. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

11

Tools & Supplies / Colored paper recommendations

« on: December 24, 2015, 06:36:47 AM »

Hi everyone, can you recommend the best color paper stock for pointed pen calligraphy? Thank you!

12

Tools & Supplies / wooden pen holders becoming waterlogged

« on: December 21, 2015, 02:07:10 PM »

I recently upgraded from my standard Speedball oblique holder to a couple of lovely handturned wooden ones (like Century type). I really enjoy using them and think my writing has drastically improved. However, I'm experiencing a couple of problems. First off, when I dip into the pot, the base of the holder gets covered in ink. Secondly, I'm really anxious about washing them and worried that the wood will split from becoming waterlogged. Any helpful tips would be welcome!

13

Contemporary and Modern Calligraphy / Modern Calligraphy Summit

« on: November 27, 2015, 03:45:57 AM »

Hi all! Has anyone done the Modern Calligraphy Summit. Worth it? I'm thinking of enrolling and just want to be sure it will pay off  

14

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

« on: November 01, 2015, 01:14:01 PM »

Hey everybody, I'm probably well behind the times here, but I just discovered an unknown (to me anyway) supplier in the UK, Penman Direct. The most exciting thing is that they supply Roger Mayeda pen holders! I'm hoping that they might in time be a real Europe based alternative to John Neal and Pen & Ink Arts. The website is modern and has a nice clean layout and I think they are a tiny bit cheaper than other UK suppliers. Anyway, that's just a heads up! http://www.penmandirect.co.uk/

15

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Nice short BBC film on calligraphy!

« on: June 18, 2015, 08:53:21 AM »

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook this morning. Worth a look!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33168691