Messages

1

Introductions / Re: Hello from Northeastern Pennsylvania

« on: April 02, 2014, 04:56:44 PM »

Hi Monica! I have a similar background as an illustrator and graphic designer. Did you take the online classes on skillshare? I signed up for both of those courses as well not too long ago. Welcome to the forum!

2

Tools & Supplies / Re: Hiro 41 Nib Users - Please read...

« on: March 30, 2014, 01:13:29 PM »

I spoke with someone at John Neal who said he found a rub of a little gum arabic helped - He's sending me a sample of gum arabic to test as I don't have any. My shipment won't come in for a few days, but if you've got some gum give that a shot!

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Coffee & Nib-bles / Article on the decline of handwriting

« on: March 29, 2014, 06:27:07 PM »

The NY Times has an article on the general decline of handwriting and penmanship in recent history as displayed by baseball players' autographs - I thought it was an interesting read
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/sports/baseball/in-an-era-of-squiggles-you-cant-tell-baseball-the-players-without-a-handwriting-analyst.html?hp&_r=0

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Introductions / Re: Hi

« on: March 26, 2014, 01:30:36 PM »

Welcome Neng!

5

Digital Design / Re: Adobe Creative Suite vs Creative Cloud

« on: March 25, 2014, 04:32:51 PM »

I just downloaded a 30-day trial of cloud today. Not sure what to think about this - I'm still on CS5.5, so at the very least will upgrade to CS6 in the near future. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say!

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Tools & Supplies / Re: Hiro 41 Nib Users - Please read...

« on: March 24, 2014, 02:10:06 PM »

I tried cleaning the nib with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol last night - rubbing gently. It only slightly improved the situation - I found it picked up a little more ink, but in order to get the vent hole to 'grab' the ink, I had to turn the pen holder almost vertically upside down after dipping for the ink to catch and stay in the reservoir. Then it lasted a little bit longer. But it's by no means a perfect situation. I'm going to try more rubbing alcohol tonight and I'm curious if anyone else has found a better solution!

7

Tools & Supplies / Re: Hiro 41 Nib Users - Please read...

« on: March 21, 2014, 11:48:06 AM »

Wow! I just received a Hiro 41 nib from John Neal yesterday and had this exact problem. I tried flame, soap, toothpaste, flame again - I was afraid I was doing something wrong (and also worried about melting the nib.) Eager to hear what you find works. I chalked it up to a newbie problem and wasn't even sure how to describe the issue here on the forum.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: What do you love most?

« on: March 21, 2014, 09:31:38 AM »

Thanks Erica! My husband is a playwright - I've sat through many nights of the exact same play and marveled at how a slight inflection and even the energy from the audience can nuance a performance. It's that hand-crafted, human touch and I'm sure that's part of what draws me to calligraphy.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: What do you love most?

« on: March 20, 2014, 03:04:50 PM »

I agree, Vielka! I'm just beginning, but I love the timelessness of calligraphy, the beauty of it, and the zen feeling I get from practicing letter form after letter form and stroke after stroke. I love the tactile quality of pen on paper and even the smell of ink and my dirty hands after staring at a computer screen all day and I love the historical nature of it - I like being a part of that history as I attempt to carry it on with my practice. I love that each instance is unique and that it's a performance art - there is only that one of a kind moment, like theater on a certain night, and no other night (or sheet of paper) will ever be exactly the same.

Erica, I like that saying "practice makes progress"! I'm going to ink that out later tonight.

10

General How To's & Projects / Re: Preparing Your Nib Properly by Schin!

« on: March 19, 2014, 11:44:54 AM »

This is wonderful! Thank you! I was wondering why one of my new nibs wouldn't write.

11

Introductions / Re: Hello, hello from Chicago!

« on: March 19, 2014, 08:55:00 AM »

Hi Anna! Welcome! I can't find any classes or workshops near me either - Maybe look and see if there's a guild with meetings in the city? I haven't found a guild in Vermont, but I know many states have them. See you around the forum

12

Introductions / Re: Hello from Sweet Home Alabama!

« on: March 18, 2014, 04:39:41 PM »

Hi Katie, Welcome! I'm a graphic designer from Vermont starting with copperplate also. If you haven't seen them yet, the pointed pen nirvana vidoes and worksheets are wonderful!

13

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Don't cry over spilled ink. A newbie calligrapher's diary.

« on: March 18, 2014, 04:16:09 PM »

I hope it's okay to reply to an old thread - new to the forum here so let me know what's what if I do something wrong! 

I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself as a newbie newbie and say YES my house is a mess and my hands are covered with ink and now there are sheets of paper with ink drying on them everywhere. If it gets set down, it's liable to be covered with a sheet of drying paper. Meals are becoming simpler because there is writing practice to do and we're exploring the intriguing depths of the freezer and pantry because I don't want to take time out to go to the store.

I don't know what I'm doing and every couple days I have readjusted my materials and setup to the new tips I keep finding on here. I started with a straight pen holder, then switched to an oblique. I was sitting with a pad on my lap and now I've dug out the old lightbox from my husband's slideshow days. I'm using my fountain pen ink while waiting for my new ink and nibs and a better holder to arrive in the mail. I filed a complaint to one company and the USPS last week because the tracking said a package was delivered and I assured them it was NOT - only to step out onto my porch later and find the box there by the door. (I apologized to everyone!  )

Ellen, your work is beautiful! I'll be sharing my work on the forum too, when I've moved beyond lines and curves and the minuscule - Looking forward to getting to know you all.

14

Introductions / Hello from Vermont!

« on: March 15, 2014, 08:34:16 AM »

Hi everyone! I've been a graphic designer and illustrator for over 25 years and am beginning at the very beginning with pointed pen calligraphy. I know it's the it trend right now, but I'm really interested in learning the basics and getting a good solid foundation in it. My hands are black and my house is littered with sheets of lines and curves. I'm so glad to have found this forum and look forward to the resources and inspiration it provides.