Author Topic: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?  (Read 11588 times)

Offline VictoriaP

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How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« 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
« Last Edit: January 02, 2016, 12:31:50 PM by Erica McPhee »

Offline Tasmith

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Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #1 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:

« Last Edit: January 02, 2016, 12:09:39 PM by Erica McPhee »
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Offline Tasmith

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Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #2 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.

« Last Edit: January 02, 2016, 12:10:33 PM by Erica McPhee »
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #3 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.

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Offline Jennifer J

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Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #4 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!  :)
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #5 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...

« Last Edit: January 02, 2016, 12:23:53 PM by Erica McPhee »
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: How to get started learning broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #6 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.

« Last Edit: May 03, 2023, 10:15:13 AM by Erica McPhee »
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Offline AndyT

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Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #7 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.

Offline VictoriaP

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Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2016, 08:05:08 PM »
Thanks for all of the great recommendations!  :)

Offline Trazo

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Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #9 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.

Offline Ken Fraser

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Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #10 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.

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2023, 10:17:09 AM »
Great advice!

This is another great video with Janet Takahashi.

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Erica
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: How to get started learning Uncial broad edge pen calligraphy?
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2023, 10:23:33 AM »
Another great tutorial from Patricia Lovett.

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Erica
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