Messages

1

Kind Critique / Re: Back to basics on Copperplate and Spencerian

« on: December 06, 2016, 11:48:37 AM »

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful advice! 

2

Kind Critique / Re: Back to basics on Copperplate and Spencerian

« on: December 05, 2016, 12:37:23 PM »

Thanks everyone!  Any advice as to eliminating wonkiness in Copperplate?  I guess I'll stick with it for now since I've been doing it longer.  However, the shakiness  never seems to go away. 

3

Kind Critique / Back to basics on Copperplate and Spencerian

« on: December 04, 2016, 03:54:58 PM »

Hi all,

I had left calligraphy for a long time because I was frustrated with my lack of progress.  In attempts to fight through this, I figured I'd see if anyone had any advice to improve my Copperplate and Spencerian (which is a new hand for me).  Copperplate I learned through Erica's lovely tutorials, and for Spencerian I had worked with the Spencerian System of Practical Penmanship books.

Generally, with Copperplate I just feel a general shakiness pervades everything.  With Spencerian, I seem to revert back to my normal handwriting haha.

I am using Sumi ink with a Nikko G nib on a Rhodia pad.

Any advice?  Thanks everyone!

Best,
Julia

4

Spencerian Script / Re: New to Spencerian and general calligraphy question

« on: July 27, 2016, 11:55:57 AM »

Thanks everyone!  I will try some of these new resources out.  Right now I am using these books: https://www.amazon.com/Spencerian-Penmanship-Theory-Rogers-Spencer/dp/088062082X.  But i really like some of the new resources you recommended.  Thanks!

5

Spencerian Script / Re: New to Spencerian and general calligraphy question

« on: July 15, 2016, 05:30:49 PM »

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses.  Starlee, I bet you are right about the shakiness and Copperplate.  Your thoughts that it may get better as I continue Spencerian is very encouraging and logical!

Hopefully my pictures show up now....

6

Spencerian Script / New to Spencerian and general calligraphy question

« on: July 14, 2016, 05:40:21 PM »

Hi all,

I've been doing Spencerian for about 1 month now, though I did Copperplate for about 1.5 years prior.  Any feedback would be welcome.  As a general question, one of the reasons I slowly quit doing Copperplate is also here--all ym calligraphy seems to have a general wonky, shaky, awkwardness, even after a few years.  It is like I still can't get the hang of pen and nib.  Has anyone experienced this and/or have advice?  It is frustrating and I would love to take up Copperplate again if I could solve this!

Best,
Julia

P.S., I'd like to post photos but it keeps saying they are too big!  They are just 2 standard jpegs from my iphone.  Any ideas?

7

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Fountain Pen Question

« on: April 11, 2016, 12:13:49 AM »

Thank you everyone for your excellent suggestions!  I'm going to go try these tips out and will report back with questions, probably !

8

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Fountain Pen Question

« on: April 08, 2016, 01:32:44 PM »

Hi all,

Questions for any of those fountain pen aficionados out there!  I really want to love fountain pens, but I am always running into issues with them and end up preferring regular pens, which just feels like I am doing something wrong. 

First issue: I have two pens; one is a nice Pelikan that was a gift, and one a cheap Noodlers Ahab.  However, both pens (especially the Pelikan, which I was told should be a good pen) have spotty ink flow.  I have tried cleaning them, but periodically the ink stops flowing (especially if I am writing quickly).  I recall that they did this even when brand new, so I don't think they are blocked with dried ink.  This really discourages me from writing with them too much.

Second issue: When my ink flow is good, it seems to gush!  I have fine nibs, but they still seem to let out a TON of ink, which bleeds through most papers and generally makes my handwriting look worse.  I've looked for Extra Fine nibs, but sometimes have a hard time finding them.

Any advice for a fountain pen newbie who desperately wants to love her pens?  Thanks!

Julia

9

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Houston Copperplate Workshops

« on: April 04, 2016, 02:22:10 PM »

Hi Audrey,

I'm afraid I don't have a great answer to your question, but as a fellow Houstonian I thought I'd pop in .  I have only seen the modern calligraphy classes you mentioned.  Plus, the Houston calligraphy guild has workshops sometimes.  I haven't attended a meeting yet but it seems like a good place to start.

I hope we can find something!

10

Open Flourish | General Discussion / White House Calligraphers

« on: October 14, 2014, 12:25:01 PM »

Hey guys,

I'm not sure if it is common knowledge that the White House has a calligraphy office, but I just discovered this interesting video and thought newbies like me might find it interesting!  I love their giant light tables.......

http://www.c-span.org/video/?282869-1/tour-white-house-calligraphy-office

Happy Tuesday to everyone!

11

Kind Critique / Re: Advice for a Newbie?

« on: September 23, 2014, 01:23:21 PM »

Thank you so much, everyone!  This advice really helps.  You pointed out some things that I had been having troubles with but was perplexed concerning how to improve.  Now I have more of an idea on what to change and practice.

Thanks!

12

Kind Critique / Advice for a Newbie?

« on: September 21, 2014, 01:31:48 AM »

Hello everyone,

I started pointed pen a bit over a month ago, and I am having tons of fun learning!  Reading the forum has been very helpful as a beginner, so I am hoping you all might have some suggestions for how I can improve.  Thank you for any advice you can give!

Best,
Julia