Topics

1

Kind Critique / New Fraktur addict needs guidance

« on: November 03, 2023, 07:37:10 PM »

Hello,

So, I took Filip Cislak's class on Fraktur this month, for a fresh perspective on calligraphy (I do mostly Italics and French Roundhand).
This is my homework for the last session. I started off not knowing the script at all and joined 2 weeks late, so I'm pleasantly surprised I got this far.

I am also surprised at how much I enjoy it. It is such a playful script, with endless variations!

But now the class is finished, I'm on my own! I would love some critique and/or guidance in order to improve, if you feel like it . In any case, I will be posting my progress regularly, because I enjoy when other people do this!


Done with Pilot parallel pen 3mm on cellulose paper.


I also own a copy of Stellahism's minuscule Fraktur worksheets, which are very helpful.

2

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Which phone for calligraphy pics?

« on: November 03, 2023, 07:20:12 PM »

Hello everyone!

I was wondering, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, which phones might be the best for taking up close pictures of my calligraphy. I especially enjoy showing the texture and of the ink. I mean, looking at the ink set on beautiful paper is one of the most wonderful feelings, isn't it? That's one of the things I want to share.

I have an old beat up phone that does decent pictures for now, but not close up. Also, it's dying. I'm saving up in order to replace it before it's gone.
I have looked up the best phones for macro photography, and so far I'm finding this:
- Iphone 14 pro and 15 pro
- Samsung Galaxy S23 ultra

These are super expensive, of course, it's a huge investment. Although I might find a second-hand one. And they can take pics up to 2cm from the lens!

But maybe I don't have to go that far. Maybe I don't necessarily need THAT much macro.

So I'm opening this thread to get your experience on camera phones and calligraphy! I'll be sure to add mine when I get there

Have a nice day everyone!




P.S. I have also found a thread that mentions apps that can generate macro with AI. It's here: https://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=2430.msg34127#msg34127

3

Inktober 2023 / Day 14 - Castle

« on: October 14, 2023, 05:52:57 PM »

So, tomorrow's the first workshop I give! I made some more experiments tonight with foundational hand and then went back to my "normal" calligraphy. I needed quality time with my nibs again. So I worked on a project for a friend who is a rheumatologist and particularly loves art that revolves around the hand.
(the text reads "the hand is the instrument of instruments", in French).

Here is some of my work tonight. It's my first layout attempt. And the first time I try to match texts of different size and color.

I am breaking away from the prompt list but aim at posting faithfully every day for the rest of Inktober!

See you around

And good luck with your day @K2!

4

Inktober 2023 / Day 10 - Fortune

« on: October 10, 2023, 06:19:43 PM »

Quick catch up session, as I'm preparing for a little workshop (intro to calligraphy) for my cousin and some of his friends. My cousin was my witness at my wedding and helped in many ways. So although I don't feel legitimate at all to host a calligraphy workshop, I owe him one.

5

Inktober 2023 / Day 7 - Drip

« on: October 07, 2023, 05:31:02 PM »

Hi there!
I've been playing with elongating my italic letters. I'm shy with variations so I will try to be a little bit more bold in the next prompts.
This first 7 days of Inktober have given me a lot of food for thought on where I need to improve.

Anyways, can't wait to wake up to everyone's prompts!

Night night!

6

Inktober 2023 / Day 4 - Dodge

« on: October 04, 2023, 06:17:11 PM »

Here's to say 4!
Had a longer practice session today. I'm happy that I'm finally getting a more balanced descender on my g. This is my current rabbit hole. Next I'll have to fix that oversize capital D.
Can't wait to see your entries in the morning.
Night night!

7

Inktober 2022 / End of Inktober PARTYYYYY

« on: November 02, 2022, 03:38:18 PM »

I don't know guys, I feel like there needed to be a thread to wrap up this month of awesomeness.
So here it is, post whatever you like 

8

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Script to go with illuminated letters

« on: August 26, 2022, 06:42:01 AM »

Hello everyone,

I would love to have advice on which script would go well with my illuminated letters. I'm just a beginner, attached are pictures of my very first experiments. On top of that I bought Tri Le's manual on Lombardi letters and my gold leaf and miniatum will arrive early September.

I'm pretty sure I want to make this my thing. I do practice copperplate on the side but I am having acute slantitis and need a break from slants and pointed pens.

Right now I'd like to do simple projects, like a name with an illuminated capital, the rest of the name with a broad edge script, and some flourished borders.

In the past I have studied foundational and could go back to it. I have done a lot of Italic too and have nibs of all sorts as well as parallel pens.

What would you feel would go well with my budding illuminated capitals?

Thanks for your help!

Lucie

P. S. My phone won't post attachments so here is the link to my Instagram post of my letters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChfAU1oNGv0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

9

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Book recommendations for studying pointed pen calligraphy

« on: July 13, 2022, 03:50:23 AM »

Hi everyone!

I have been learning copperplate for 6 month and I have a bunch of manuals and exemplars. However, I have heard over and over that studying masters helps you improve and understand the script better, and I'm all for careful analysis!
There is a lot of material online but I'm looking for an actual book that compiles relevant works and tells the history behind it.

A few years back my husband gave me a calligraphy book with all sorts of scripts. Now there is like 4 pages about copperplate and no mention of Spencerian, but still I get more from staring at the five samples of copperplate work on two pages, than browsing a million samples on Instagram.

I feel like you focus differently on a book with less samples than you can turn to over and over. Thus my search for a good book reference.

Now these books are usually pricey so I really want to choose the right one.

So, do you have a pointed pen calligraphy "Bible" to recommend?

Have a lovely day!

Lucie

10

Kind Critique / Please help me with my Copperplate :)

« on: July 02, 2022, 10:04:57 AM »

Hello everyone!

Would you mind helping me with my Copperplate script?
I started learning towards the beginning of 2022. I take in-person classes whenever I can but since I had a newborn, now 8 month old, and the classes are quite far from my home and workplace, that was no easy business.
I practice every night these days, and when I can't I practice visualizing or try to flip through calligraphy books. Still, the progress is incredibly slow.

Because I never seem to feel good enough to actually write sentences, I ask for commissions from my loved one.
The first image is a sentence I am practicing for my cousin. It says "Omnia vincit amor" which means "Love triumphs over all things" and comes from a poem by Virgil.
I have practiced this one several times over and have been learning the capitals that go with it.
I always practice with a height of 1cm for the minuscule.

Below is a text I haven't practiced before. It's the beginning of a poem in French. I have made myself write smaller, which I need to learn but am not used to. I'm fairly frustrated with my work and see a lot of things I need to change. But I need your eyes and perspective!

Would you be so kind as to give me advice based on the pictures below?

Thank you for reading!

p.s. the very last picture is a humble collection of wee things I do. Nowhere close to where I want to be, but it makes the post more personal than my dull practice above.

11

Introductions / Hello from Paris!

« on: June 12, 2022, 06:39:15 PM »

Hello everyone, I'm excited to join you on this lovely forum!

My name is Lucie and I live in Paris. I'm 32 years old and work as a caregiver in the hospital. Among other things, I like to muse on how calligraphy could be part of an art therapy program for very sick patients.

I have been learning calligraphy on and off in the past years. I picked it up again a few months ago, after a very busy period in my life, and I intend to keep it up... forever!

I am very introspective and like pointing out how the blocks and breakthroughs in my calligraphy journey teach me about myself and about life in general.

I also like comparing the process of learning calligraphy with the process of learning a musical instrument (I have been learning the Celtic harp for a year and a half.

Also, I overthink stuff... a lot! Feel free to remind me when I'm doing it haha.

That said, I'm grateful there's a place for calligraphy enthusiasts to meet and share, and I am incredibly happy to join you here.

Cheers from Paris!

Lucie