Topics

1

Kind Critique / How can I make this better?

« on: July 26, 2018, 03:56:45 AM »

I started out learning copperplate last year but I'm a bit out of practice. A friend asked me to write signs for her wedding. She's super chuffed with them but they make me cringe a bit, I feel like the writing is super inconsistent and I haven't got the bounce or slant right at all. I'm a bit bored with copperplate drills and I'd like to make my style a bit more fun.
In the modern tutorial, the word Avalon is bounced in the second example. I think that's the style I'd like to go for.

Does anyone have any tips for me? (Aside from practice more!!)

PS I realise this is a mish mash of styles, as I was out of practice I just looked up a modern calligraphy alphabet for reference so some of the letters are a bit different.

2

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Newbie questions

« on: June 25, 2017, 05:29:48 PM »

Hello!

I've started calligraphy recently and am following Erica's copperplate tutorials. After many trials and errors with different papers/inks etc I have finally settled on an oblique holder with a metal flange, a Nikko G nib, some walnut ink I made from crystals and a Rhodia 18 pad, recommended at a workshop.
The ratio I used for the ink was 1/2 teaspoon to 1/4 cup water.

A few questions - apologies if they are silly or elsewhere on the board - there is a lot to read!

I'm having trouble controlling the amount of ink that comes out. I suspect it might possibly be too thin. I found this ratio online and I like the colour, but the first few strokes are quite blobby. Should I be blotting it first?

Secondly I am working on squaring off my tops and bottoms. I found a video online about the tines working separately to do this. I think I'm ok with the top of the letter, but closing off the bottom, say on an 'n' seems to result in the nib scratching the paper and picking up fluff.

There also seems to be a bit of debate about holding the pen. I'm working on not having a 'death grip' but I find this results in a crampy hand. Should the main pen rest in the space between your fore finger and thumb, as would a normal pen? Also, naturally my hand is sort of side ways when writing normally, resting on the knuckle of my little finger with the last three fingers crunched under the forefinger and thumb. Lots of pics I've seen online the person holding the pen seems to have a straight forefinger, and one video I watched suggested trying to keep the back of your hand flat. The meant I could apply pressure easily but again it wasn't so comfortable for too long. I keep playing around with it after every ink dip in the hope I'll just come across something that won't want to scratch the paper!

Also the amount of pressure to use is confusing me, but I think this might just come with practice?!

3

Tools & Supplies / Looking for a nice oblique holder in the UK

« on: May 31, 2017, 12:17:53 PM »

Hi folks

I'm looking to replace my plastic holder with a nice oblique one. Just wondering if anyone could recommend an affordable one in the UK?

Thanks!
Faye

4

Kind Critique / This weekend's practice!

« on: July 31, 2016, 02:25:05 PM »

Hi folks!

I'm putting myself out there after my first real practice attempts in over a year, so they are a bit rusty! The main issue I am having is finding the right angle to put the nib into the oblique holder and then what angle to work at. I feel like I'm mostly using the right side of the nib.. Also my o shape needs a lot of work! I practiced a few letters today to mix things up a bit.

Also I don't have the right ink yet so I'm using watercolours!

I can't attach photos from my phone for some reason, you can see pics here: https://www.instagram.com/kawaiiswirls/

5

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / probably silly newbie question!

« on: July 28, 2016, 12:12:01 PM »

Hi 

I have recently picked this up again after a mini workshop. The supplies I bought last year were all that were on offer in the shop and I wish I had researched better now. I am using a Leonard iii ef nib, which seemed nice for a while, but I've found the tip bent out of shape really quickly, to the point where the ink pools and then too much comes out. This is probably a lot to do with my pressure - maybe the downstroke lines are supposed to be thinner? I've just started the copperplate lessons.

I'm also using sheaffer skrip ink and I wonder if it's a bit too bleedy - again this is probably me ;-)

I've ordered some nikko g nibs so I'm hoping that they will make a difference.

Thanks!