Messages

1

Introductions / Re: Hi! I'm Garima and I love calligraphy

« on: July 18, 2018, 10:44:53 AM »

Hi Garima, Welcome!!

I completely understand this happens to me all the time. I am fairly new to calligraphy too and the blank sheet of paper can be incredibly intimidating. I started out just practicing the alphabet over and over since that was the easiest way to just get ink on the paper. Then I would choose just one word any word. Then when I decided to create and instagram for my calligraphy I started practicing my capitals. And every other post has now become one capital letter (in order). In the mean time I started practicing my envelope calligraphy so I could start selling that service.

It will come to you! Start following people on instagram and pinterest and you'll find so much inspiration. But start small and don't beat yourself up about inspiration, I still fall back on the alphabet all the time

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Copperplate Tutorial by SMK / Re: Copperplate Minuscules - Group 1

« on: July 18, 2018, 10:37:20 AM »

Hi Salman!

Thank you for your comments!

I think i've improved the J as per your comments. But my letters standing up is a reoccurring issue. I naturally write with my paper turned considerably so I might be at a little bit of a disadvantage as turning it more would start to be upside down LOL. Over time with practice I'm sure I can teach my self. I practice almost everyday so I will definitely post again once I feel I have improved my slant more.

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Copperplate Tutorial by SMK / Re: Copperplate Minuscules - Group 1

« on: June 04, 2018, 08:55:15 PM »

Hi Salman!

I've been practicing my angle and straight lines. I hope it shows!

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Calligraphy... on vacation?

« on: May 15, 2018, 01:00:24 PM »

I just wanted to thank you all so much for this post! Since I started learning calligraphy I don't want to be a day without supplies. On my last trip I brought my ink and it spilled though the plastic bag onto my sweatpants (thank god it wasn't something nicer).

I always take a tiny "travel kit" on holiday - omg what if I had a CALLIGRAPHY EMERGENCY (allcaps!) and didn't have any supplies?? Disaster!

I am dying laughing at this because it is exactly how I feel.  :

I am leaving in the morning for my brothers wedding and I am frantically trying to figure out how I'm going to bring ink with me, get it though security and without spilling.

Eyedrop bottles, each with a different ink.  They are all 10ml bottles, so can carry a whole bunch.  Thanks to people in this forum,  the current favourite ink is, Walnut made from the crystals.  I have 4 shades of varying darkness of brown,.  Just love the ink

This is fantastic, I am definitely using this idea!!

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Introductions / Re: Hi from Orange County, CA

« on: May 15, 2018, 11:18:43 AM »

Welcome! I've been learning Copperplate for a few months now. I came across Spencerian after I started with copperplate, I have a feeling i'm going to be more of a spencerian person too but I'm tying to stay away until I get the foundations of copperplate down. I'm afraid I'll never go back and finish LOL.

This forum has been great, so many knowledgeable people with great tips.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Thank you

« on: May 14, 2018, 01:30:35 PM »

Thank you Erica!! I have found so much help and knowledge on here which is extremely helpful in my calligraphy journey!

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General How To's & Projects / Re: Letterpress at home with the L Letterpress

« on: May 08, 2018, 11:43:11 AM »

I know Debi Zeinert just announced the Penman's Press which is a small letterpress specifically for calligraphers. I can't wait to see all the details!

Hi @Erica McPhee

I have been searching for an at home letterpress and came across this discussion. I searched for Debi Zeinert's press but couldn't find anything? Did this ever happen? Do you have any updates about at home letterpressing since this discussion that you can share? I've seen a lot of discussions about the L letterpress I think they were bought out by We are Memory. I'm curious if it is still a quality product or if anyone knows if something better has come out? Any help/recommendations is greatly appreciated. My husband will kill me if I buy a $650 platen table top press right off the bat 

Thank you!!
Jenafer

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Tools & Supplies / Re: Nib Review

« on: April 27, 2018, 11:14:35 AM »

Thank you for these wonderful printables. I think I'm going to buy a sampler pack of nibs soon too see what speaks to me the best.

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Introductions / Re: Intro - New Member from Augusta, Georgia

« on: April 27, 2018, 11:09:45 AM »

Hi Toni. Welcome!

I envy you, I wish I could spend 2 hours a day on calligraphy. I try to make up for it on the weekends though.

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Introductions / Re: Hello from San Diego

« on: April 27, 2018, 09:53:21 AM »

Welcome! Copperplate speaks to my soul as well

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Copperplate Tutorial by SMK / Re: Copperplate Minuscules - Group 1

« on: April 27, 2018, 09:10:33 AM »

@Jenafer

Ah - in that case you might be drawing your strokes with the wrist rather than the arm. Keep an eye out for that - it will get you into trouble in most cases.

S.

I practiced last night focusing on moving my arm and not my wrist and this help tremendously!! Thank you so much for this comment. I also decided to go back to Nikko G which I haven't used in months and realized a less flexible nib might be better for me until I get my control perfected. I tend to press pretty hard when and with a more flexible nib I think I'm more likely to loose control, what are your thoughts on this?

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Capitals

« on: April 27, 2018, 09:06:32 AM »

@Erica McPhee I can't wait to take a look at your capital letters lesson!

Nina Tran is amazing I use her instagram for reference a lot! she's coming to NY in June and I can't wait for her to open registration to her workshop. And she is so sweet always responding to questions and posting live tutorials on instagram.

13

Copperplate Tutorial by SMK / Re: Copperplate Minuscules - Group 1

« on: April 26, 2018, 02:04:40 PM »

Hi Salman! Thank you for your comments, I will work on these things. Regarding the slant, even with everyday writing I rotate the paper counter clockwise about 90 degrees. So I'm not sure why im still having this problem lol. I also use an oblique holder and that has helped. Hopefully it'll get better with practice.

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Capitals

« on: April 26, 2018, 01:02:19 PM »

Hi Diane! Check out Dr. Vitolo's Copperplate handout. There are youtube videos to go along as well!

http://www.zanerian.com/VitoloBookHandoutComplete3.pdf

15

General How To's & Projects / Re: How to Design Calligraphy Monograms

« on: April 25, 2018, 09:50:40 AM »

Thank you Erica! I want to add monogramming to my shop and this is a great tool to help those creative juices flow!