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Topics - Calligriophile

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Hey there guys and gals! I figured I'm long overdue with my yearly post, and seeing as how l managed to find a box of these chiseled set of markers, it gives me the perfect opportunity to ask you all what type of letterforms I am supposed to be creating with them. These markers, truth be told, are more or less "junk". I'm not saying that because I am at a loss as to what they are supposed to do, but I am saying this because there are plenty of other markers on the market that serve the same purpose, in a much better fashion.

I kind of expected these to be like the Kuretake oblique nib markers, but, they're not. They are also not like the Pilot Parallel markers, as the chiseled edge is cut at roughly a 45° angle. They really just fail to do any one thing great, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something. I grew up learning with "Elegant Writer" broad edge markers, and sadly, these markers are not even a close second.

So, will someone please explain to me how I should be using a broad edge marker that is cut at a 45° angle?
.

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I've tried Hobby Lobby (where I originally bought the set of four pens quite a few years ago), JoAnn Fabric, Michaels, Staples, Target, even Walmart, and not one of the stores carries these pens in-house. Is there some sort of exclusivity agreement that I am unaware of, or is this Pilot's plan to increase demand by making them available, same day anyhow, to no one? For every 25 things I walk right past in Hobby Lobby that I can't imagine being more popular than a Parallel, I may walk past 1 thing that is. Heck, they even started carrying those Speedball brand oblique holders, which I get may be appealing to someone just starting pointed-pen, but for the rest of us, they're more limiting than anything.

I forget, is there a cartridge that is compatible with the Parallel? I dont do much broad edge calligraphy, so pardon me for being a moron.

3
I'll admit to frequently nerding out to some YouTube videos about all things calligraphy. Recently, I've come across quite a few videos where the calligrapher is using a plain old #2 pencil. There are also a few videos of people using 0.7mm mechanical pencils. All of them look great, but the ensuing comments after each video is downright nauseating, and wreaks of condescension. Everything from "the x-heights are incorrect" (to be fair, they're not), to "are you sure youve got the right slant for that script?" So, I got to thinking about a post I made many years ago, as to who is to say what is, or is not, proper calligraphy. Naturally, I remembered that I am a member here, so I wanted to get your opinions.

1. Is Copperplate script, done in pencil, still considered Copperplate script if the angles, shading, and spacing are correct? Why, or why not?

2.  Why is it that a script with a 55° slant is one script, but a script written with the exact same shading, and even spacing, but written at a 40° slant magically transforms the script to something else?


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Tools & Supplies / Why are there so few suppliers?
« on: February 04, 2019, 08:34:02 PM »
I understand that the calligraphy supplies market is extremely niche, but I still can't help but wonder why, in the US at least, we only have PaperInkArts or John Neal Booksellers to choose from when we w
Pant to order nibs.
The only exception I have ever found was completely by accident, and I managed to pick up 12 Vintage Hunt 22s, for the absurd price of 3.50 for all 12. This was at a store that sells and installs glass, but used to have a very, very small art department in it for some reason.
I know that the hobby shops, like Michaels and Hobbylobby sell those "kits" with a straight holder, and maybe 3 more nibs, but that's not what I'm asking about.
Is there some sort of agreement between companies like Gillot, Hunt, and the rest of the nib manufacturers stating they will only sell to those two places?

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Dumb Question Regarding Dried Ink
« on: October 01, 2017, 06:18:53 PM »
So, I managed to leave a small bottle of McCaffrey's Penman's ink slightly less closed than it should have been. I know the ink is only 7.00, but being a glutton for punishment, I'm curious if it is possible to reconstitute this ink. As it stands now, the "ink" is more or less one big chewed up gumball, and useless.

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I've been looking at a lot of calligraphy sites lately, including supplier websites that offer nibs, in, holders, etc, and they all have sections for specific types of Calligraphy. The two most prominent being simply labeled as "broad edge" & "pointed pen", and it made me start thinking more than I should. When I looked at the histories of the different pointed pen scripts a long time ago, and saw how Spencerian was named after it's creator, I wondered "how long did this guy write like this and how was he able to have his own system of writing accepted as a standard?" I know modern calligraphy has become a pretty popular thing, but do you guys and gals think we will ever have a "new" standard for any of the calligraphy scripts? For example, if I practiced Spencerian, and couldn't get it 100% correct in it's technical standards, why couldn't I eventually just call it "Calligriophilian Script?"
That's kind of a dumb question, but when you think about it, we really haven't had any new Scripts for a long time. I know Computers have programs that can create all the scripts we can produce, but has it caused complacency, or is there no reason to try to try to innovate?

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / IAMPETH revisited
« on: September 21, 2017, 01:06:30 PM »
A couple of nights ago, I got into a somewhat philosophical debate that centered on the title of "Master Penman." I realized that I couldn't find the exact criteria needed in order for someone to become a "Master Penman", aside from being able to show mastery and proficiency in at least 3 scripts. This led me to look at some of the other well-known calligraphers that are not IAMPETH certified as being a Master Penman. Then it dawned on me that there really were no posted breakdowns that said what exactly makes one Penman more or less qualified than any other calligrapher. Which led me to question the overall significance, or lack thereof, to being labeled a Master Penman. I love the IAMPETH site, and I really enjoy the free-to-read PDF's Dr. Joe Vitollo posted of early penman's instruction manual. I have learned a great amount over on their site, but I keep wondering why some were chosen to be labeled "Master Penman", and jf the title carries any weight outside of calligraphy centered groups. Is Master Penman something you would list as a previous, or current, job title?

I am honestly just confused as to why so many great calligraphers, many of whom post here frequently, are not labeled as Master Penmen/Penwomen. Is it because they simply could not attend the meetings, or drop a large sum of cash for enrollment into this program? It seems somewhat silly that, given the number of great calligraphers around, there are still relatively few designated as Master Penmen.

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Everyday Handwriting | Penmanship / How do you deal with hand tremors?
« on: September 03, 2017, 01:35:11 PM »
I'm a 37 year old guy who has always taken pride in the fact people have always noticed my handwriting. I modeled my handwriting after my Mother's because, at 10 years old, I got a write up in school and needed my Mom to sign it. Between that, and my super strict handwriting teacher in 3rd grade, I have always had very nice handwriting. I used to always hear "wow, that handwriting is really good. . . for a boy."

So, over the last year or so, I've developed a nervous hand tremor whose cause can not be pinpointed. We have eliminated, via CT scans, blood work, and neurological testing, things like Parkinson's and MS. So, my tremor has been deemed to be a nervous reaction, but I honestly stress over nothing, and my BP is fine. I should mention that I also had a full panel drug test because insurance required one in order to get them to approve the neuro and psych testing. Obviously, it was negative, as I'm not a drug user, drinker, or smoker.

If any of you have had this problem, can you please share how you overcame the tremor? My tremor is subtle, but constant. I don't shake, or jerk, but I cant even trace a straight line without little squiggles showing up on my line. The only thing that has helped, at all, has been constant warm up exercises, almost to the point of obsessive. I can blow through a 6 pack of 50 sheet notepads in a week in an attempt to correct this myself. Also, my handwriting hasn't gone "horrible", but it's definitely gotten worse.

Any help is more than greatly appreciated.

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I know that oblique Pen Holders are the norm for Copperplate script now, but what did early Copperplate and Engrosser's script calligraphers use? I am far from great at Copperplate, but it kind of came easy to me because I was taught cursive penmanship by a really strict grade school teacher who made us slant our paper very similar to how we have to in copperplate, and I used a regular holder for a long time.
On the same note- could the use of an oblique Pen holder be seen as a "cheat" in Copperplate, or is it all about the end result?

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Everyday Handwriting | Penmanship / If "Reading is Fundamental"...
« on: June 23, 2017, 03:01:22 AM »
So, I got into a little bit of trouble at the school where I teach handwriting while we were learning the "Reading is Fundamental" lessons. I want to say, I am all for reading, but most reading I see kids doing is on computers or tablets. I'm not a prude, but it did make me wonder the following:
"If Reading is Fundamental", what does that make writing?
I ask this mainly because it seems no matter how many students seem to enjoy handwriting, even calligraphy, they all forgo writing by hand and opt for a computer. I get it, and know that is and has been the future. However, taking the definition of "Fundamental", in it's adjective form, we see the definition is "forming a necessary base or core of central importance." Fair enough.
My question, which was met with "just let it go" responses from other teachers, was simple; how can something be read if it is not first written? Should writing not be fundamental, as well?
Maybe I just enjoy seeing my students enjoy writing with fountain pens, italic (Broad edge) markers, and oblique pen holders with pointed nibs, and I want them to continue enjoying it. I know computers will make pens obsolete, but does it have to?

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I have only been doing Copperplate calligraphy for about 10 years now (ruining 2 couches along the way). Due to limitations where i am currently living, I can't seem to find a desk, let alone a desk with proper movement space so as to use my entire arm, place feet flat on the ground, and all the other requirements I read in IAMPETH's books. However, I have adequately compensated within my cramped space, and can make pretty good Copperplate pieces that I, if no one else, am very proud of. Which brings me to my question: how important is following the posture and "method" of writing in Copperplate if the end result is the same?
Granted, I would love a little studio to do all things by the book, buy that's not feasible right now.
So, is it still important (not just ideal) to always follow the recommendations set forth in the old books, and even new teachings that emphasize posture, if you can attain the same result.
More simply put: if you can write copperplate script without following all of the posture requirements that are still taught to this very day, is the prep work perhaps overstated?
 

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Awhile back, I bought a 3 pack of "Zig Calligraphy Pens", with sizes of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 (mm maybe? I'm in America). Anyhow, after purchasing them I noticed it said they were "oblique" markers. Well, being the pointed pen Calligraphy lover I am, I decided for 7 dollars, why not. Now, 3 years later, I've yet to figure out what they are actually designed to help write. They are made by Kuretake, and I will include a pic if possible.
Someone please help me understand what these pens are for.

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