Messages

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Coping with perfectionism

« on: November 15, 2023, 02:44:24 AM »

Great idea @Lucie Y ! Exchanges are also another way to get elevated practice and let go because you have a deadline.

@Erica McPhee absolutely! I was going to say that but I forgot. Although I t'il now I didn't feel ready to participate, I realize the exchanges are a similar strategy for getting of your comfort zone of endless practice and stiffling self criticism.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Coping with perfectionism

« on: November 14, 2023, 05:22:37 PM »

Hi there! I love this conversation.

Perfectionist/obsessive human here! 

I loved reading about everyone's experience with perfectionism.

Personally, it was holding me back from getting out of my comfort zone and actually completing projects.
The solution I found for this was hiring people around me to be my calligraphy "guinea pigs". Basically offering free calligraphy work for them, having 2 or 3 projects lined up. This forced me to finish projects (decoration for nurseries, bookmarks etc.). Thing is I kinda had to, because I had committed to it, and also at some point I would get tired of a project and just FINISH the darn thing so I could move on to the next.

This helped me grow and I'm still doing it. It also allows me to micropractice on the name/word/short phrase of the project, so I get the satisfaction of studying my letter forms in depth despite the frustration of having to finish a job 

Basically, I needed to assign myself homework, that I had to turn in even if not perfect.

And now I have a bunch of innocent guinea pigs hanging my experiments in their homes, and they're delighted 

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

« on: November 12, 2023, 08:25:40 AM »

Thank you @Cyril Jayant @Ken Fraser and @Zivio for your helpful input. I will be reflecting on all of this.

@Zivio yes nothing is better than ink on paper, and my stuff goes to new owners who can hopefully appreciate the ink (or spill their coffee over it. I like having a souvenir of my work though, with details on the texture and shades, so a good photo can be part of my digital library as a reference for new projects

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Kind Critique / Re: New Fraktur addict needs guidance

« on: November 06, 2023, 03:01:16 AM »

Thank you so much @tiffany.c.a and @Erica McPhee   

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

« on: November 06, 2023, 02:56:58 AM »

Thank you so much @JanisTX and @Erica McPhee

Janice: I have heard a lot of good things about the recent Phones, but my brother has a reconditioned IPhone 11 and is delighted with the pictures.

Erica: I hadn't at all considered the Google phone, but now I have looked into it and I'm very interested in that one too. I'm also a bit wary about Phones because all my other devices are android and I want my things to be compatible.
That's a lovely cat!!!
Thanks for all the precious info.

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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.

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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

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Happy 10 Year Anniversary Flourish!

« on: November 03, 2023, 04:31:25 AM »

Congratulations Erica and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredibly kind and supportive community you've created.
All the best for your current projects including your book! What a fantastic thing to hear! I'll be ordering my copy for sure!

Long live Flourish!

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Inktober 2023 / Re: Inktober 2023 - After Party

« on: November 01, 2023, 08:01:40 PM »

Well done everyone! And thank you for being part of this adventure! Thank you so much @Erica McPhee for making all of this possible.

@K2 I love seeing all your entries reunited. Such a lovely ensemble! I haven't commented yet on how much I love that little mailbox in "Urgent". I think my favorite is "Knife", the K and the script, they're just too cool!
I came across this post on Instagram. It has K2 written all over it. I just had to share.

Here is the link to the IG account, he has some great stuff: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6LEFKukj5/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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Inktober 2023 / Re: Day 31 - 2023 -Fire

« on: November 01, 2023, 07:49:08 PM »

Out with a bang! Or is it FLAME?! These are all fabulous! @Cyril Jayant - So charming! And you can’t help but smile while admiring it!
@K-2 - DANG! That Fire (and dragon) are well - FIRE! 
@AnasaziWrites - You should write a book from all your travels including your photos and calligraphy!
@tiffany.c.a - Way to pull it all together for a finale!
@Matthew H. - Wowza! Your Celtic is on fire! And what a beautiful one it is!

Thank you all so much for delighting us each and every day with your commitment, work, and sharing (@Lucie Y @Mary_M , too.) It’s been a true pleasure!

Erica said it all! This is great way to end Inktober, so much fire!!!

I am late again.  But I did receive my Ferris Wheel Ink and have gotten to play around with it. I am still taming it, but the effects of the ink are incredible (this one is Tumultuous tide). If a heavier flow of ink is used, you can get a lovely black outline of your letters. The variety of shades obtained is incredible.
And it's sparkly.

Now after a bit of playtime with the fancy ink,  I had to get back to work on my homework for the Fraktur class. Still figuring out the letter shapes!
I want to write the quote dear to my heart "Practice makes permanent" (or in full: practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent!").
I am happy I found a way to link the r and m (in the middle of the page), as I was struggling with getting proper spacing.

Anyway, enough rambling!

Night night everyone!

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Inktober 2023 / Re: Day 29 - 2023: Massive

« on: November 01, 2023, 07:38:13 PM »

I read earlier that you hope to make a living out of calligraphy,..... You, ma'am, are going to be a busy, wealthy lady in years to come. That is 'fact' if ever there was one.

@Mark T thank you for your kind words! I'm aiming at a professional level, and teaching is my happy place. I'm hoping I can implement that in my life as a side job (I work part time), and keep it a "happy place" but also one where I grow and help others grow every year.

@Cyril Jayant I CANNOT wait to find out what your idea for next year's inktober is! Get your best paper ready!
Thank you for so much encouragement and those uplifting words. It doesn't matter if it takes me years to get there, it's the journey that matters!

And yes, Paris is lovely for art, and I haven't been enjoying it enough at all!

I have just looked into Nikola Ouchenir, amazing stuff he does!His Instagram is very fun to go through!

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Show & Tell / Re: The Vatican Observatory

« on: October 31, 2023, 03:44:49 AM »

Thank you so much @K2, for the demo in 3 different scripts!!!

I have noted the instability problem and unfortunately, I'm a very spill-y type of person. Guess that has to change 😂 will be extra careful!

I can't wait to put it in my brand new pink 3mm parallel pen (did you see they issued 2 new nib widths, including 3mm?)

Have a nice day!

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Inktober 2023 / Re: Day 30 - 2023: Rush

« on: October 31, 2023, 02:25:03 AM »

Oh awesome work everyone!
I had great calligraphy plans for last night, but I lay down at 9pm and fell asleep. And now 10 hours later I have just woken up and still squinting through sleepy eyes.
See you tonight everyone!

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Show & Tell / Re: The Vatican Observatory

« on: October 30, 2023, 02:22:22 AM »

I loves reading this @K2, such a cool story behind this review. I hope you get to go to the vatican.

I'm wondering, how does the Iron ink look out of a pilot parallel? Is it very dark or more greyish on the strokes.
I think it maybe available on the Europe shop now 

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Inktober 2023 / Re: Day 29 - 2023: Massive

« on: October 30, 2023, 02:06:51 AM »

@K2 I forgot to say I especially loved the color of the background on your effervescent post.
Now the x on your extra large is something. Lovely elephants and very nice nuanced shading (with the pinkish undertones). Love it!

Also, who wants to be remembered for their fabulous restraint in terms of calligraphy inks?

I think you should get yourself both the Veuve Cliquot and the ink