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General Categories => Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy => Topic started by: VictoriaP on December 23, 2015, 02:53:28 PM

Title: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: VictoriaP on December 23, 2015, 02:53:28 PM

Hi everyone!

I really like uncial script and would like to start learning it, but I don't know where to begin. I don't know much about broad edge pen calligraphy, so I was wondering if anyone could help me out  :)
Is there a certain style I should start with first, and then move on to uncial?
What supplies do I need?
Does it make a difference if you use parallel pens, or broad edge nibs?
Is there any specific books I should use to learn, or can I just use alphabets I find online?
If anyone has any tips or recommendations for me please let me know!

Thanks,
Victoria

Title: Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Tasmith on January 02, 2016, 11:07:20 AM

A great resource is Margaret Shepherd's books: http://margaretshepherd.com/bk_learn.html

Margaret's book on Amazon:

Title: Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Tasmith on January 02, 2016, 11:12:00 AM

Recently bought this book by Vivien Lunniss which is very good.  Has links to her online lessons.

Title: Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Erica McPhee on January 02, 2016, 12:15:38 PM

I love Margaret Shepherd as she was one of the first books I learned from and she referred me one of my first wedding clients when I went full time in 2001.

I would also recommend Beginner's Guild to Calligraphy by Janet Mehigan and Mary Noble. I like this book because they really start at the basics and there are plenty of photographs to show you exactly how to make each stroke. It is one of the most thorough beginner's books I have seen.

Title: Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Jennifer J on January 02, 2016, 12:18:03 PM

I have recently started learning broad edge calligraphy using Sheila Waters' book, Foundations of Calligraphy, and have found it really helpful! I am using it to learn Foundational Hand but she has examples of many other scripts as well. I think if you are drawn to uncial then that is a good place to start! I know that I wouldn't want to put the time in to practice at first if I didn't really like the look of what I was aiming for. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Okay, so Erica just posted... I would totally listen to her over me!  :)

Title: Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Erica McPhee on January 02, 2016, 12:22:20 PM

LOL! Actually Jennifer - Sheila's book is an outstanding resource! Great reference.  ;D

http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/s?keyword=foundation+of+calligraphy

This is a neat video showing uncial with a brush...

https://youtu.be/iw3IM1sTrw0

Title: Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Erica McPhee on January 02, 2016, 12:27:54 PM

OOOh .... this is even better... it's a full 16 video series on learning Uncial with a broad edge pen... unfortunately the link for the series won't work but here is one of the beginning videos and you can see the rest in the series once you start...

VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Title: Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: AndyT on January 02, 2016, 03:26:58 PM

I was going to suggest Sheila Waters' book, too - you really can't go wrong with her.

Regarding Parallel Pens, I see no reason why not, but eventually you'll probably want to move onto something which will give a better hairline and let you use a wider range of inks.  Most of the broad pen minded people I know seem to like the Mitchell roundhand nibs, which are a bit flexible.  Reeds are nice to write with, appropriate for uncial, and much easier to deal with than quills.

Title: Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: VictoriaP on January 05, 2016, 08:05:08 PM

Thanks for all of the great recommendations!  :)

Title: Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Trazo on April 06, 2021, 02:50:59 PM

You can also try this basic course at Domestika: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/826-uncial-calligraphy-for-beginners

I found it quite useful. The course is in Spanish, but I think it has subtitles and all the written materials are available in English.

Title: Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Ken Fraser on May 03, 2023, 09:03:01 AM

Exemplars of broad-edged calligraphy by Sheila Waters, are probably as good as you'll find anywhere. IMHO

When I was starting out, I remember reading this advice regarding writing Uncial "with regards to the letters - think wide and space closely". Just one sentence of advice, but so valuable.

Title: Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Erica McPhee on May 03, 2023, 10:17:09 AM

Great advice!

This is another great video with Janet Takahashi.

https://youtu.be/dt0yFnN4IiI

Title: Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
Post by: Erica McPhee on May 03, 2023, 10:23:33 AM

Another great tutorial from Patricia Lovett.

https://youtu.be/bhK0CNcB0EA