Messages

1

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Flowers

« on: Today at 05:42:06 PM »

Ah, flowers are perhaps my favorites thing to photograph, and quotes abound to go with them. Flowers have been a topic for the forum exchanges many times. Here's a few from the last ten years.

2

Tools & Supplies / Re: KOUS Shimmering Walnut Inks

« on: Today at 05:28:48 PM »

What do you think? Do these tempt anyone? What would you use them for?

Terrific review, @K-2
Brown as a base doesn't really tempt me at all, and agree with you the green is the best of the lot (perhaps to draw or write about an enchanted forest, I'd give it a try.

Some years ago, I bought both sets of Dr. Martin's Iridescent inks (not sure if that qualifies as shimmer, but it did fulfill my desire for inks that sparkle and look different in different lights). The one oz. size is about right for me, as I don't do large works or drawings with them, and I like the dropper tops--make it easy to load a nib. I've only had to buy a few of them , notably Copperplate gold, so again, the amount is just right (1 oz.)
I have a few of the Pearlescent inks in colors not in the Dr. Martin's bunch, and I like them too.
And, of course, the Diamine Inkvent inks (thanks, K-2). Terrific effects. The 15 ml bottles are a little small, and I've bought a few larger bottles of favorites (which are too big for my use, unless I take up drawing in a big way), and found with a little doctoring, the shimmer effect shows up with pointed pen, particularly when making larger shades.

You have a ton of different shimmer inks, @K-2 . Your top 3-5 for writing (vs. drawing)?

3

Show & Tell / Re: Hotel Menu

« on: May 10, 2024, 05:19:13 PM »

Lovely.

It would be nice to get such a meal these days for that price.

4

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Re: A msatter of personal taste

« on: May 06, 2024, 10:28:38 PM »

AS a lifelong vegetarian this sounds particularly disgusting.  However, it's not for me to judge and a job is a job, regardless of the content. This was written some years ago for a Sheraton Hotel restaurant.

So interesting. I, too, have been a vegetarian for nearly a half century. Not sure it's helped my skill as an aspiring scribe, but there you have it. Perhaps the best is yet to come. Hope is eternal.

5

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Blooming Landscaping

« on: April 29, 2024, 02:28:00 PM »

Oh sooo gorgeous @AnasaziWrites !  Are those Eden roses? So pretty! We have a climbing rose bush we planted last year that is going up the water spout in the front of the house and it is full of buds but only one rose has bloomed so far. I can’t wait to see it in full bloom.

Those white fluffy peonies! I bet your backyard looks spectacular!

@Erica McPhee

The roses are "New Dawn" roses. We planted them in 2008 to climb up and over the top of a portico in our back yard, and they are in full bloom just now. The real star this year is the peony plant, which we've had for 10 years at least, but until this year would only get a blossom or two at most. This year we have at least twenty, and the plant is about 4 times larger than it ever has been.The ferns likewise are enormous this year. Lots of rain in March did it, I guess. The lawn is still coming in (zoysia), but overall, the yard does look good just now.
Here are a couple more small flowers seen today (most would call these weeds, but they are pretty if one looks closely).

6

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Blooming Landscaping

« on: April 29, 2024, 11:30:36 AM »

Taken in the back yard this morning.

7

Show & Tell / Re: Phone doodles

« on: April 25, 2024, 10:35:20 AM »

@liquidpope
Au contraire, this is certainly art and well done, too. Such patience.

8

The Library / Re: “Learn American Calligraphy: The Complete Book of Lettering, History, and Design

« on: April 17, 2024, 09:46:17 PM »

I'll look into it.

9

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Engrossed Diploma from 1912

« on: April 17, 2024, 09:44:54 PM »

Wow. Fantastic.

10

Show & Tell / Re: Calligraphy

« on: April 15, 2024, 10:40:50 AM »

Calligraphy

Wow. Nice.
How long might it take you to do something like this?
@Ken Fraser

11

Coffee & Nib-bles / Re: Total Eclipse

« on: April 11, 2024, 10:39:33 AM »

We were about 82% total here in Atlanta, but it still fun to wee. In the first photo, my wife used a colander as a pin-hole telescope to view the eclipse. The rest are images of the eclipse generated by the sum filtering through various trees and bushes around the house. Big fun.

12

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Re: Gothic Variation

« on: April 10, 2024, 09:45:50 AM »

Variant

That is indeed quite striking.
I like those idiosyncrasies--they make it outstanding from its peers.

13

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Written with a superb nib

« on: April 10, 2024, 09:39:42 AM »

P.S. Would you believe a different box? 

@Erica McPhee

I would. You are a very smart buyer.

Also, I still look at that gorgeous inkwell EVERY SINGLE DAY. Sometimes I just pick it up and stare at it. 

I'm happy it gives you pleasure still after all this time.

14

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Written with a superb nib

« on: April 09, 2024, 05:19:52 PM »

Anyone ( @Cyril Jayant , @Mark T , @JanisTX  ) who would like to try one, just pm me your current address and I'll send you one, no cost. As @Ken Fraser said 7 years ago, given my age, I probably have enough to see me through.

WOW!
What an offer. I will pm you my address, but I live in the UK, however, I am more than happy to send you the coverage for postage.

Mark

Goes out to you this week, but may be slow to reach you, as mail from Atlanta is very slow. No need for postage--I have lots of international stamps that need using.

15

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Written with a superb nib

« on: April 09, 2024, 02:38:11 PM »

@Masgrimes I have been so fortunate in that I invested in a box of vintage ones about 15 years ago.  So I haven’t purchased any more recently. Funny though - I haven’t used them for some time so I will have to dig them out. 

Ah, yes, invested is the right word. A good buy, but closer to 6 yrs., 9 months ago--time does indeed fly but not (thankfully) that quickly. Trot those boys out @Erica McPhee , and give 'em a workout. They're dying to be used. Your work is so good now, you can really get the most out of them.

Anyone ( @Cyril Jayant , @Mark T , @JanisTX  ) who would like to try one, just pm me your current address and I'll send you one, no cost. As @Ken Fraser said 7 years ago, given my age, I probably have enough to see me through.

As to whether the new ones are less good than the old ones, I can't say, @Masgrimes , as I have only the old ones, but if you would like a few old ones to compare, let me know (I have your address, of course).