Messages

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Just beginning to work on my copperplate...

« on: December 31, 2019, 10:57:20 PM »

This morning's piece... Last practice of 2019... Zebra G nib in an oblique pen dipped in walnut ink on HP Premium 32 paper. Can't wait to see what 2020 brings. Happy New Year!

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Just beginning to work on my copperplate...

« on: December 31, 2019, 10:52:36 PM »

Shawn, it's really great work for just having begun! Kudos.  I would recommend using a guide sheet with slant lines to help you achieve consistent letter angles.  You'll notice, particularly in the word "Futile" (because it's larger), that your angles vary a bit.  Slowing down, as Erica mentioned, will also help.

If you need a guide sheet with these lines, a search in this forum will produce quite a bit of helpful links and downloads. 

Enjoy!

I use a guide sheet under the work on a light table. On the one hand, I don't have to line every page with pencil and erase the pencil off afterwards. On the other hand, I am working on a much stiffer surface that I would be if I were using a blotter. The guide sheets I use were generated here: http://shipbrook.net/guidelines/ The lack of consistency in the angles is, as both you and Erica noted, due to my haste.

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Just beginning to work on my copperplate...

« on: December 31, 2019, 10:49:39 PM »

Beautiful work!

In terms of critique, I would suggest slowing down and breaking each letter down into the strokes. It has a lovely flow but also the speed is sacrificing letterform. Don’t get me wrong - it is very good. You are doing well and many would be delighted to have such a lovely hand as a beginner.

That let’s you know though - you are capable of tightening up the forms a bit.

Thanks for sharing! 

Slow down and tighten up. Got it :-)

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Just beginning to work on my copperplate...

« on: December 30, 2019, 02:46:36 PM »

...critiques welcomed and appreciated.

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Tools & Supplies / Re: An interesting curiosity!

« on: December 30, 2019, 11:24:06 AM »

Interesting that we've come full circle, now, twice. From using our fingers for painting on cave walls, to using our fingers as pens on paper, to using our fingers as styluses on phones and tablets.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Your Instagrams

« on: December 21, 2019, 11:26:14 PM »

I can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/shawnhoefer2/

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Some new pieces I'm putting together for Christmas presents

« on: December 21, 2019, 10:55:09 PM »

My in-law's last name is Augustine. My youngest grand daughter's name is Zora (this is her first Christmas, so this is for her parents, but...). My last name is Hoefer, and I have an H done for my mother, but I have to complete a P, an S, a M, and an L. Doesn't look like I'll make it as each of these takes at least one full day. Sigh...

The A and Z are painted. The H is my first attempt at gilding... needs a lot of work...

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Just a couple (thousand) questions...

« on: September 25, 2019, 04:20:33 PM »

Sadly, the room I have been relegated to has but one window. It's over my left shoulder as I sit at my table. Over my right shoulder is the ceiling fixture. Above the desk, I mounted a little LED strip. I have an ultra thin light table/pad coming, too.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Ready for another question?

« on: September 23, 2019, 12:07:54 PM »

I'm with you on the p's.

If you want to go the traditional route - an efficient way to get started is to choose one exemplar or one book -
and stick with it.
The hardest style will be the first one.
Once you learn how to study - each subsequent style will come easier.

How to study?
There is not One Way.
However, people who teach generally recommend an approach that starts with deconstructing the letters - learning the basic strokes -
and then gradually  building letters - in groups of letters that are related.
Does that sound like something you could do?

I'm not suggesting that you can't have some fun and still write out whole words every day -
but it is like ballet - or sports - you really do need to grasp the basic elements before you put them together.
A little bit of discipline up front will make the whole process faster and smoother.

Have you downloaded Joe Vitolo's free e-book?
It covers all the details you need - plus there are videos.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/script-in-the-copperplate-style/id547108521

If you are PC - not Mac - you can still download the whole book and get the videos online.

I'm PC, but I have an old iPad and have downloaded the book. I've also, as I've mentioned, downloaded the Zanerian Manual. I've probably logged 100 hours watching and rewatching various YouTube videos, too. I'll admit I haven't watched any of Joe Vitolo's vids, though.

I've also completed  A LOT of form and stroke drills every night before even attempting to write out words and phrases.i just don't post those.

I did experiment with mixing down some of the Speedball inks and using a brush to load the nib. Had a fair amount of success, there. One blob instead of many LOL.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Ready for another question?

« on: September 23, 2019, 11:35:31 AM »

All nibs were prepped (lighter, 3 x 1 second passes). I have Yasutomo Sumi, Speedball, and Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay inks as well as a slew of fountain pen inks (which worked, in some cases, better than the dip pen inks). I have a jar of gum Arabic,a bottle of iron gall ink, and a bottle of walnut ink on their way. I'll go and order a small set of gouache, too. Maybe some liquid watercolors while I'm at it. I kept trying the Dr. Martin's and the Speedball because I wanted the colors (whine, whimper, LOL).

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Ready for another question?

« on: September 23, 2019, 08:27:02 AM »

This practice session was spent using and comparing both a Tachikawa G and a Brause Steno. I'm using Bienfang Graphic 360 100% rag translucent marker paper over a couple different guide sheets printed from a couple different websites. The inks are Speedball Purple, and Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Aqua. No specific exemplar is being used, but I have been spending a lot of time staring at the Zanerian Manual. I note as I look at the various available examples of Copperplate or Engrossers that there are some forms I like from one, and some from another. And, some in each I do not like. I guess my goal is to have something close to a classic Copperplate, but with increased legibility. For instance, I quite dislike the typical humpbacked p, preferring a closed loop. I will never use the pseudo f shape for an s, either.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Ready for another question?

« on: September 22, 2019, 12:55:33 PM »

Oops... that'll make this two questions. The question in the title, and the one that follows...

I feel like I'm getting the forms and motions down. I feel like things are starting to smooth out. I'm finding a rhythm. But, I cannot seem to eliminate blobs. Can any one provide tips and tricks to eliminate these?

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Show & Tell / Tonight's practice piece

« on: September 21, 2019, 12:24:40 AM »

No name oblique holder with Brause Steno nib, Speedball Purple ink, Bienfang Graphic 360 100% rag translucent marker paper, playing at using the Zanerian Manual as an exemplar.

Thoughts? Critiques? Can you even see it (I've not uploaded to this forum before, so might not have done it properly)?

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Just a couple (thousand) questions...

« on: September 19, 2019, 09:07:46 AM »

I have an adjustable height chair with a firm seat, lumbar and neck support... it's a gaming chair designed for long sessions in front of a computer (I don't game, but I liked the chair). I bought a 24" x 40" drafting table that will adjust from flat to 60°. Usable surface is 36" as the outer 4" on one side is a tool tray. Light is provided by a window over my left shoulder, a ceiling fixture over my right shoulder, and an LED strip attached to a shelf above the desk. A matching desk/table is set against the opposite wall with my computer (17" laptop) and 32" secondary monitor. Shelves line the walls, except where the desks and a Japanese style trifold futon reside. Sound like a good space? Just because I don't want to ignore the fam and hide in my office 24 x 7, I also bought a folding desk (about 18" x 24") and a rolly cart to keep next to the couch in the great room so I can practice while watching TV or chatting.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Just a couple (thousand) questions...

« on: September 18, 2019, 10:37:46 AM »

But, not to worry. I won't ask them all at once...

Today, I'm interested in best practices for setting up a workspace. I'm primarily interested in pointed pen calligraphy workspaces. Any tips and tricks would be appreciated. Angle/incline of writing surface, size of surface (I realize it'll vary with the size of the work), etc...

Also, is there really a significant difference between a stock oblique pen holder and a custom? I have a couple 3 oblique holders that came with kits, and although I'm lusting after a pretty hand-turned wooden holder, I'm not sure I can justify the added expense, unless it's really going to improve my form in some way.