@weavingheart This shows much improvement Rachel. You have a natural sense of letter shapes. This is a good thing but it can sometimes dictate the strokes which is something we don't want. I will address this in the instructions for the next exercise below.
Your slant is still off but it is consistent. Remember to slide the paper after every couple of words to keep the writing area in the 'sweet spot'. Also, make a habit of checking that the slit of the nib and the slant lines are more or less aligned when you write - turn the paper if to align them, don't modify your grip.
Your work has clearly improved since the last exercise. Now we need to refine it. Here you go:
1. Lift the pen for a beat at the bottom of your stroke when you reach the base line. This will break down the letter into components and you will no longer be writing an 'i' or a 'u' but just drawing a shaded stroke. It also keeps the turns from becoming too rounded. This is important in Copperplate.
2. Introduce just a tiny bit more space between your letters so the exit hairline joins the shaded stroke of the next letter naturally at around 1/2 x-height. You will notice that there is very little space for the crossbar of the 't' when it is next to an 'l' - a bit more space between the letters will fix that.
3. The dot of the 'i' should be the same thickness as the shaded stroke of the 'i'.
4. Start your entry hairline at the base line and go up. In the 'i' of 'ill' and the 'j' of 'jilt' you have a curve that first goes down to the base line.
I think this exercise bears repeating with these points in mind. Keeping to the slant is important but being consistent in the slant is even more important - and you have that covered.
Let's do 'wilt', 'built', 'jilt' and a word of your choice for the next round. I will be looking forward to it.
- Salman