Messages

16

Contemporary and Modern Calligraphy / Re: When is the best time to learn modern calligraphy?

« on: February 02, 2016, 11:55:07 AM »

Hey Linda 

Without wishing to be controversial, it's been my observation that modern calligraphers who have also learned Copperplate (preferably first) are, by orders of magnitude, better at modern script than most of those who have not. Knowing the rules and being able to execute a script which abides by them gives you an extremely solid foundation from which to start breaking them. You'll know when, where, and in what way you're changing things and, most importantly, your technical abilities will surpass what's required.

At the end of the day though, it depends on your own personal goals.

I do agree with this. While I did start modern shortly after I began learning copperplate, I stopped it completely after practicing it for a bit and went back to copperplate. Now when I want to use modern I find that I've improved a lot at knowing what I should and shouldn't do to make sure everything is still consistent and not sloppy.

17

Completed/Past Exchanges / Re: Love Letters 2016 Exchange Lists Have Been Sent

« on: February 02, 2016, 11:45:45 AM »

I just wanted to let everyone on List 3 know that your cards are completed but below is the view outside so I won't be venturing out to the post office today. I will, however, send them off in the morning. I am so sorry for the delay! I should have been more prepared because I knew the snow storm was coming but didn't think to get stamps ahead of time so I could just drop the letters off in my mailbox.

18

Contemporary and Modern Calligraphy / Re: When is the best time to learn modern calligraphy?

« on: February 01, 2016, 11:22:07 PM »

You may get some very different answers but I essentially learned them at the same time. I went through all the copperplate forms first. Once I had a basic understanding of them I went ahead and started manipulating them to create a version of modern. It turned out I much prefer copperplate so I generally stick to that but really, to me, modern is kind of in the way you stylize and manipulate copperplate.

19

Tools & Supplies / Re: How often do you use your 'other' nibs?

« on: January 29, 2016, 11:18:39 PM »

I have two main nibs that I use. I use the Zebra G or Nikko G for when I practice or write at a regular size. When I want a large variation between thick and thins or want to write large letters I use the Brause 66ef. (My favorite nib.) I have a few others that I purchased to test out. I've found a few of them to be all but useless to me at this point. One I can't get to function at all. The others I will use as backups, say, if I run out of a favorite and need something similar. Some days I just feel like using a different nib for no reason at all. I guess my top two are in use about 75-80% of the time and the rest of the time I use my other nibs.

20

Completed/Past Exchanges / Re: Dear Diary Advanced Exchange 2016 - Sign Ups Now Closed!

« on: January 29, 2016, 09:34:59 PM »

I meant to ask this sooner but would a letter a character in a book receives qualify?

21

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Loose sheets or sketchbooks for practice?

« on: January 16, 2016, 12:14:00 PM »

Loose sheets. I tried a sketchbook but it didn't work for me. I have a couple sketchbooks that I just tear the sheets out when that is the paper I want to use.

22

Completed/Past Exchanges / Re: Dear Diary Advanced Exchange 2016 - Sign Ups Now Open!

« on: January 14, 2016, 02:01:50 PM »

I am so excited for this one! There's so much that can be done. Special inks, paper, envelope decoration related to the letter, themes....ah! Now I'm off to plan what I will do.

23

Word of the Day / Re: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

« on: January 09, 2016, 07:15:15 PM »

I imagine one could write this out in some really fun ways! I'll see what I can do.

24

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Your calligraphy could be a movie star!

« on: January 09, 2016, 12:21:51 PM »

Thank you for posting this! It certainly sounds exciting and fun! I'll have to give it a try.

25

Completed/Past Exchanges / Re: Flourish Forum Exchanges 2016

« on: January 09, 2016, 12:11:44 PM »

Oh I am so excited! There are so many exchanges I'm looking forward to.

26

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: PIA Catalog cover

« on: January 08, 2016, 08:04:50 PM »

Thanks for telling us about your process! I was curious how it was done. It certainly is beautiful and you put a lot of work into it, I'm sure.

27

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: I got Palmer's signature!

« on: January 07, 2016, 09:37:33 PM »

How cool! That is very exciting, I'm sure.

28

Completed/Past Exchanges / Re: Exchange Ideas for 2016

« on: January 07, 2016, 02:00:42 PM »

September 26- October 1, 2016 is the American Library Association's banned books week - celebrating freedom to read without censorship. An exchange based on that theme would be fun - favorite banned books, favorite movies based on banned books, favorite characters from banned books, etc.

I love all the ideas so far!

This sounds awesome!

29

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Oh no, oh no, oh no!

« on: January 07, 2016, 11:17:00 AM »

If it's cracked that much, there was probably already a crack there, maybe underneath the nib or a hairline all the way through. Usually, if you crack it the first time, you'll know when there's a break, and it will most likely be on one side or another, but not that extensive.

Don't ask how I know. (quietly sobbing to myself over the memories)

It's happened to a lot of us who have used vintage pens over the years.

This makes sense. I think the best course of action is to keep an eye out for another Wahl Oxford pen and see if I can interchange parts? Or try to find a replacement nib at a reasonable price.

30

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Oh no, oh no, oh no!

« on: January 07, 2016, 10:32:32 AM »

Oh please, you were not rude. I have been married long enough for the dermal adaptation to render me quite oblivious to such things :-)

I am not convinced that that much force can be transmitted that far back without there being some weakness present at the shank already. The tines would spring long before the curved part of the nib that far back. You might be a bit too hard on yourself.

I know how bad you must feel though. I have had a favourite nib sprung by a heavy handed person at our local pen meet - and this after I asked the user to be gentle with the nib. It may not sound very helpful but it is, after all, an old pen. There are plenty more to be enjoyed. You will probably not even remember this incident a year from now.

I will be happy to take a look at the pen for you. While I do not do this professionally, I have more than a little experience with nibs and tines :-)

Regards,
Salman

I agree with you saying that it had to be weak already. Maybe not visibly damaged, but something. I agree with that because I've finally taken the time to shine a bright light on it and take a much closer look. It is absolutely cracked right where it meets up with the plastic. At the time it had broken I had already written nearly a full two pages with it with no problems so I doubt that I all of a sudden pressed so incredibly hard to snap a 14k nib. Thank you for bringing this up.