Messages

61

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: When to change nibs ?

« on: March 09, 2017, 04:10:33 AM »

This has been posted before, but you can always make earrings with the old ones 
I'm with you; I hate wasting stuff. I don't have great advice on this since I'm still learning the ropes and have probably run my Nikko into the ground, but you might switch out and keep the old one. Come back to it in a couple of days and if it's still that much worse, it's probably done.

62

Introductions / Re: Hello from Singapore!

« on: March 06, 2017, 07:55:22 AM »

Hi and welcome Ryan-- love your envelopes. Nicely done!

63

Introductions / Re: Hi from Western Australia

« on: March 06, 2017, 07:52:13 AM »

Welcome Amanda, glad you are here!

64

Copperplate Tutorial by SMK / Re: Copperplate Minuscules - Group 1

« on: March 04, 2017, 05:42:36 AM »

This is fantastic @SMK ! Sorry I'm a little late to the party, but thank you very much for putting this together. I JUST started to buckle down on learning and practicing Engrosser/ Copperplate. You have made my day!

Thank you @ash0kgiri for posting the link. I happened across it this morning in Simone's introduction. I haven't been on in a while until a few days ago, so what a treat this morning!

65

Introductions / Re: Hello from the Netherlands!

« on: March 04, 2017, 05:29:50 AM »

Welcome Simone!

66

Introductions / Re: Newbie from Mexico

« on: March 01, 2017, 06:00:58 AM »

Hi and Welcome Toņo.  You are doing WAAAY better than I did when I first started. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

67

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: ORNAMENTAL CALLIGRAPHY PRODUCE BY ME SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME TO IMPROVE

« on: February 28, 2017, 05:28:45 AM »

Wow, absolutely stunning! Are you making these into cards or as framed art? Love the way you are able to keep your script flowing into different sizing and shaping (hope that made sense).
Calligraphy goals right there   

68

Show & Tell / Re: My First Completed Project

« on: February 28, 2017, 05:13:09 AM »

This is gorgeous!! Fabulous work and what a neat idea. I love the simplicity of your calendar. Did you also hand paint the flowers?

69

Introductions / Re: Hello!

« on: February 28, 2017, 05:06:42 AM »

Glad you are here, Ohana and Welcome!

70

Find a Pen Pal / Re: Seeking victims...err penpals...to inflict bad calligraphy upon

« on: February 26, 2017, 06:18:23 AM »

Hi! If you are still interested in a penpal, I think that would be fun and would help motivate me to practice more.
I started learning calligraphy last year around Mar/April, put it down for 8 months and recently picked it back up. I am still experimenting with different scripts, so I have no idea what would be coming your way.
I'm in GA btw, can't cook for crap either.
Just saw you said PM, so I'll do that too 

71

Introductions / Re: Hi Everyone

« on: February 26, 2017, 06:04:40 AM »

Hi Sarah,

A little late to the party here but just wanted to say your work is gorgeous!

72

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Newbie Here: Anyone work with Acrylic or India Ink? Also any thoughts on Inkcage

« on: April 14, 2016, 05:26:33 AM »

Thank you Elsa! That's exactly what was happening. I hated doing "a's" and "o's", or any downstroke/hairline transition for that matter. I found a post about the speedball acrylic and got it to work, but it's got to be diluted. Sumi is available here, so I got some of that and there's a difference for sure. Walnut is next on my list.
I also finally bought some smoother paper, which has helped TREMENDOUSLY(thanks Jean)-- Canson Pro Layout and a few sheets of Office Depot brand Premium to try. One of these days I'll be patient enough to order some Rhodia paper. I really appreciate all the suggestions on here!

73

Show & Tell / Re: Couple Monogram designs :)

« on: April 08, 2016, 06:27:34 AM »

Wow!!! Beautiful work!

74

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Newbie Here: Anyone work with Acrylic or India Ink? Also any thoughts on Inkcage

« on: April 07, 2016, 09:19:49 AM »

I initially got the tracing paper as training wheels and it's kinda worked so far for what I needed it for. I'm at the point though, where  I'm now seeing a difference in my practice and trying to fix errors, but can't because part of the issue is the supplies. I have to agree that life would have been much easier starting out with the correct materials. Unfortunately, I'm hard headed, and at the beginning, paper was paper.  I'm like my 5 year old son...but whyyyy.....Now, I'm seeing why certain paper is recommended over others. They all aren't created equally, but for us hard headed people, it has to be a lesson learned first hand.  I'll definitely appreciate the good stuff when I get it. And my ego will be happier when it sees the results. Thanks again for your help Jean!!

75

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Newbie Here: Anyone work with Acrylic or India Ink? Also any thoughts on Inkcage

« on: April 06, 2016, 08:52:45 PM »

I agree with most everything that has been said above. I do really love the HP Premium Choice paper.  It's important to note that not all laser papers will perform well.  I print guidelines right onto the HP and it's my current favorite practice paper, but I do also love Rhodia (still haven't tried Clairefontaine- my loss).  Canson marker layout is wonderful (expensive for practice, though), but I haven't tried ink with their tracing paper. I suspect the results are quite different.  Anyway, the right paper and ink will fix you right up! 

I suggest also reading up on Sumi inks, as there are SO many, and some are as wonderful for pointed pens as others are terrible for it.  I like Moon Palace and today am using Sumi Best, which I bought on a whim.  Anyhow, I think there's a thread on here full of helpful Sumi opinions - maybe I can find it. Or stick with McCaffrey's for now so you have a simple, no-fuss solution.

No matter what, be sure to prep your nib, as Jean mentioned.  Make sure your ink does not bead up at all on both sides of the nib.

I have a lot of reading and research to do I believe. Thank you  for your help and input, Bianca. I didn't realize there was also a difference in Sumi inks also.
Toothpaste method should be fine, right? Or is there a better method?