Author Topic: Copperplate Challenge  (Read 6023 times)

Offline Salman Khattak

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Copperplate Challenge
« on: October 19, 2016, 03:38:02 PM »
Practitioners of Copperplate and Engrosser's Script know that the spacing in these scripts is fairly 'automatic' i.e. things fall in place rather nicely when the exit hairlines are drawn correctly and meet the following letter at about halfway up the x-height. It is interesting to ponder exactly why that is so.

It turns out (no pun intended) that the bottom turns of the straight letters (i, t, l) etc are actually similar to the rounded letters (o, c, e). When drawn correctly, i.e. like the bottom right side of an 'o', exit strokes will be at the correct angle (i.e. match the slant) when they meet the following letter. What is even better is that the join won't be jarring even if the hairline meets the following letter a little bit below the halfway point - this typically results in an abrupt 'impalement' of the hairline into the following letter if the hairline is drawn a bit too shallow.

Here is an exercise I give the students. The following image shows the bottom halves of 3 words 'ice', 'lit' and 'tie' - can you tell which one is which?


(you can see the full image here)

The challenge is to write these three words and show only the bottom halves to see if the words are recognizable. I will be looking forward to your participation.
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Offline prasad

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2016, 04:29:01 AM »
Been working with your tutorials for about 2 weeks now and thought I would give this a try.

The hidden one and the open one.
-Prasad
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Remember - An amateur built the Ark and Professionals built the Titanic
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Offline Salman Khattak

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2016, 02:18:54 PM »
@prasad

Thank you for participating in the challenge Prasad  :) I hope it encourages others to join in too.

- Salman
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Offline InkyFingers

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2016, 07:58:35 PM »
I don't know about Copperplate but it seems to work nicely with Italics.

















Offline Salman Khattak

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2016, 09:09:27 PM »
I don't know about Copperplate but it seems to work nicely with Italics.

... but it shouldn't.

In Italic the bottoms of the letters 'c', 'e', 'o' are more rounded than the straight strokes of the 'i', 't', 'l' etc. The letters 'a' and 'g' do have similar strokes as the straight ones. Even in gothicized pointed italic like you have written, the bottom curve of the 'c' and 'e' should move to the right a bit more to keep the letters from 'falling forward' - this would (and should) make them different than the bottom part of the straight letters.

The point of this exercise for Copperplate is to learn natural spacing and make uniform joins. The same would not apply to Italic or Batarde or even Textualis Quadrata.

I hope this makes sense :-)

- Salman
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Copperplate Tutorial :: Toronto Pen Company

Offline InkyFingers

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2016, 01:06:57 AM »


Thank you for pointing it out. I have been influenced by Cataneo exemplars.  It is very compressed and often I mistaken the strokes.  I hope to take the spacing as a lesson to be learned.  It does somewhat helped me to learn spacing when I practiced Italic.

Thick headed as I am, here's a second rendition.
(Please take no offense.)




Offline Salman Khattak

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2016, 02:35:59 AM »
Please do continue to share your Calligraphy and continue the discussion. I will not be offended in the least.

In fact, I am glad you shared the second example. As your 'e's and 'c's are better balanced on this one, you will see that the curve of the bottom half of the stroke is different for the round letters. I agree that it can be useful in checking one's spacing even if the strokes are not identical.

- Salman
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Copperplate Tutorial :: Toronto Pen Company

ash0kgiri

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2016, 03:14:00 AM »
Hi Salman,

Here's my attempt. I have to admit that I took it too lightly and thought it would be piece of cake. But eventually ended up doing 3 page full and somewhere got to this.

'ice' especially was a bit tough for me compared to other words. I think the reason been the 'i' starts with a straight line and you tend to draw the connecting hairline to 'c' a little narrower. But the 'c' as it naturally curves inside creates more space making the connecting hairline to 'e' look broader than 'i'. Hush.... Thats the hurdle i faced. It was a good learning experience.

Awaiting your comments and advice.

Regards,
Ashok

Offline prasad

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2016, 08:19:52 AM »
3 plus pages??   I need to develop that kind of commitment. 

I get what you are saying.  I found the last alphabet in each word the problem as the exit stroke tends to flare out more than when it is a connecting stroke. 

Need to practice this more and re-post. 
Re-posting allowed Salman? :)  @SMK

AND 6000 x 2000 image size? That is confidence,  I wouldn't dare go over 600 x 200  ;D ;D

-Prasad
« Last Edit: October 26, 2016, 08:23:20 AM by prasad »
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Offline Salman Khattak

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2016, 03:01:00 AM »
@ash0kgiri - that is nicely done Ashok. Very good work.

@prasad - please feel free to repost Prasad. I noticed that you start the taper on the longer letters a bit earlier than the shorter ones i.e. the taper on the 't' starts earlier than it does on an 'i' - the bottom halves of these two letters should be identical.

I will be looking forward your rework Prasad. Hopefully others might join in as well.

- Salman
I have an opinion and I'm not afraid to use it.

Copperplate Tutorial :: Toronto Pen Company

ash0kgiri

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2016, 03:11:58 AM »
AND 6000 x 2000 image size? That is confidence,  I wouldn't dare go over 600 x 200  ;D ;D

Hi Prasad,

Thanks for the kind words. Appreciate. Oh I didnt even notice that the image size is that big before you mentioned.
Ya but I prefer a little larger formats for sure. Waiting to see your repost.

- Ashok

Offline prasad

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2016, 03:14:22 AM »
@prasad - please feel free to repost Prasad. I noticed that you start the taper on the longer letters a bit earlier than the shorter ones i.e. the taper on the 't' starts earlier than it does on an 'i' - the bottom halves of these two letters should be identical.

I will be looking forward your rework Prasad. Hopefully others might join in as well.

- Salman

Got it.  Thanks Salman.
I have to learn to judge the bottom ⅓ of the x height consistently in all alphabets  :)

-Prasad
Never be afraid to try something new
Remember - An amateur built the Ark and Professionals built the Titanic
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ash0kgiri

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2016, 03:15:13 AM »
@ash0kgiri - that is nicely done Ashok. Very good work.

Hi Salman,

Many thanks. But not even closer to what you have posted. Also noticed the slat is off. Definitely need loads of practise.
Been travelling a lot the entire month and almost no practise at all :D

- Ashok

Offline Andrea K

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2016, 01:02:35 PM »
I am a rank beginner (1 class under my belt), so this is so interesting and revealing!   I am just so happy I've discovered this forum and all you wonderful generous instructors.  I look forward to exploring this site and practicing what you teach!  Thank you!
"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." — Oscar Wilde

Offline Salman Khattak

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Re: Copperplate Challenge
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2016, 12:25:05 PM »
@Andrea K - I am glad you find this useful Andrea.

I think it is important to introduce the finer points of the script at an early stage so one develops a clear idea of the ultimate goad (in script). It also helps train the eye to see the 'good stuff' in others' script :-)

- Salman
I have an opinion and I'm not afraid to use it.

Copperplate Tutorial :: Toronto Pen Company