Where to start with flourishing - books? websites?

[Cally]

I feel I have enough material on letterforms to continue my practise but I was wondering how to incorporate flourishing into this, for example off of Y's and T's. I think it looks great and would love to start practising but can't find any resources for this.

I would be grateful for any help,

Cally

[Judy G]

Hi Cally,

You may want to checkout Jean's blog: http://nibsandink.blogspot.com/

[jeanwilson]

At the nibs and ink blog, be sure to go to the Labels on the right side, and click on [flourishing]
Then, you have to scroll down and start with the first post, at the bottom.
There are lots of tips  - but I will mention the one that I think is the most important....
Don't try to learn all of them at once.
There is a fluidity to flourishing that only comes with practice and spending time making the motions with your whole arm
and not just wiggling your fingers.
Making tight little corkscrews or pigtails are  OK if you want a very quirky, naive style. But, if your goal is to have flourishing that is elegant, you will do better with larger, loopy, ovals that compliment the ovals and angles in the particular style you are writing.

I have about 50 more exemplars to post ....and hope to get them posted one of these days.....
I will post to the forum when I get around to it.

[Judy G]

I have about 50 more exemplars to post ....and hope to get them posted one of these days.....
I will post to the forum when I get around to it.

Yay! Looking forward to it, Jean Thank you so much!!

[NikkiB]

Wow, this is great Jean, thank you so much!

[Sarah Foutz]

Jean, I love your blog!!! Obvious talent and wonderfully written without being condescending. Can't wait to see what else you have to share. More, more, more!!!

[Chandra]

Thank you for sharing such an awesome blog Jean !

[ExtrasbyAlaina]

I have to chime in and also say WOW - amazing blog, Jean! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[lemonpassion]

This is great! Thanks for sharing.

[KartiniM]

At the nibs and ink blog, be sure to go to the Labels on the right side, and click on [flourishing]
Then, you have to scroll down and start with the first post, at the bottom.
There are lots of tips  - but I will mention the one that I think is the most important....
Don't try to learn all of them at once.
There is a fluidity to flourishing that only comes with practice and spending time making the motions with your whole arm
and not just wiggling your fingers.
Making tight little corkscrews or pigtails are  OK if you want a very quirky, naive style. But, if your goal is to have flourishing that is elegant, you will do better with larger, loopy, ovals that compliment the ovals and angles in the particular style you are writing.

I have about 50 more exemplars to post ....and hope to get them posted one of these days.....
I will post to the forum when I get around to it.

Jean, Thanks so much for your post on flourishing. I've just recently started using the pointed pen and I've been struggling with flourishes. Your two tips on using my whole arm and remembering to breath ( ) have made such a HUGE difference. 

Can't wait to see you other exemplars. Thanks again!

[chiarag]

thanks for sharing even if flourishing, for me, at this stage, is too ambitious!!!!

[inkcatcher]

Ate Heather Held once told me that Ornate Pictorial Calligraphy by Lupfer is a good book to start with!

(Click on image to see on amazon.)

[teresaling]

Thank you for sharing Jean! You blog will definitely help me practice my flourishing.

[Blotbot]

Italic and Copperplate Calligraphy, The Basics and Beyond by Eleanor Winters has a few chapters on flourishing minuscules and capitals in italics and capitals.  I find it has helpful suggestions. (Click on picture to view on amazon.)

[Achaneystudio]

Just another admirer saying thank you!!!!