Messages

1

Kind Critique / Re: How can I make this better?

« on: July 26, 2018, 11:31:33 AM »

Thanks - I've not even tried numbers yet so that's why they're a bit odd! My friend is happy though :-)

In hindsight I think some guidelines might have been useful even though I was trying to be 'bouncy' - I can do it much better with brush pens on graph paper so maybe I should have used that as an example ;-)

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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.

3

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

« on: June 26, 2017, 04:06:30 PM »

Wow thanks Stephanie for such an in depth reply! I couldn't wait to get home today and practice following your advice. I did prep my nib but I might do as Erica suggests and do it a little more. Thanks also Erica for the tip on the gum Arabia - I'll have a shop around and see if I can get some nearby. Anyway today's practice went much better than yesterday, so thank you! I've still not got my position right but I ended up letting a little more of the ink run off before using the nib which helped. I think the whole pressure thing is interesting and I'd like to fix this before I get stuck in a bad habit, so I'll persist!
I'm posting today's practice on IG - you'll see I have a long way to go but I'm pleased with my progression so far

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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?!

5

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

« on: June 21, 2017, 08:54:20 AM »

Thanks Claire!

In the end I went for this one https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/ornamental-wooden-oblique-holder-with-metal-flange/ as the cheapie one Simone linked to was out of stock. I know it's only a very basic one but I'm hoping a bit better than my plastic £2 one and will help me realise if I've 'got the bug' or not! I've also bought myself a lifetime's supply of walnut crystals so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in now and having a play.

I'll keep a note of the all the other recommended pens as they're potentially things I can pop on my christmas list - if I've seen any improvement by then! ;-)

6

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

« on: June 15, 2017, 04:22:33 AM »

Thanks Simone for the scribblers link, this one is out of stock at the moment but I think it could be suitable for my practice so I'll keep checking!

Then maybe one day I can treat myself to a nice handmade one like the gorgeous ones by Melanie and Darrin

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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

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Kind Critique / Re: This weekend's practice!

« on: August 01, 2016, 05:36:21 AM »

Hi Prasad

Thank you for your reply, that is really useful! I will add a new holder to my list this week and give that a go. I bought the plastic holder on a whim last year but I think I should have done more research on this first.

When the new holder turns up I'll come back to your advice and let you know how I get on! 

9

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/

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

« on: July 29, 2016, 04:37:21 PM »

I love that!

New nibs turned up today, tomorrow I'm going to play with watercolour

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

« on: July 29, 2016, 09:38:00 AM »

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I'm hoping my new nibs and paper will turn up today or tomorrow. The paper I was using was marker paper, as it was the only thing I found locally that didn't bleed, but I recently did a workshop with Megan Riera who recommended the nikko G's and Rhodia paper, which is what we used that day (and what I've ordered). I think on her list Higgins and Sumi were also mentioned.  I did go out and buy the ink especially but thanks for the warning about fountain pens! That also makes sense as the pot is so deep the ink goes all over the pen and I make a mess. 

I made some good progress yesterday and was pleased with my efforts, but I think I'll be happier when I'm not using such a bendy nib. (Also I have rebent it about 20 times, which I'm sure is a bad thing to admit to on here!) I am very much enjoying creating the shapes though and actually went to sleep last night practicing the motions in my head, very soothing! 

Once I've got my kit sorted and I've had a play I'll post something, I look forward to some kind critique!

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

« on: July 28, 2016, 04:02:36 PM »

Thanks Erica!

I really enjoyed the tutorials today, very mindful

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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!