Topics

1

Kind Critique / Spencerian with fountain pen - looking for feedback

« on: January 06, 2020, 04:05:10 PM »

Hi all,

I recently started practicing Spencerian with the goal to improve my handwriting. My background is in Copperplate.

I'd like to ask you for feedback - what can I improve? And how?

As the goal is everyday handwriting, I'm using a Pelikan Souveran fountain pen with EF nib and not shading, so I'm not looking for feedback on that or majuscules (haven't practiced them yet).

X height is 3 mm.

Do you think learning whole arm movements would make a big difference in my situation? As a "finger writer" I tried following posture directions in the original Spencerian book (knuckles gliding on the paper) and completely lost control of the pen. I don't see how this could ever work, despite watching tons of videos.

I'm confused by conflicting directions I've read online. Some people say that you're supposed to write lowercase/smaller letters with fingers and use whole arm movement for uppercase and flourishes. Is this accurate?

Big thanks to our member who created these guidelines with double slant.

2

Flourishing / Frustrated with beginner flourishing - looking for help

« on: October 08, 2018, 01:20:37 PM »

Hi all,

I taught myself Copperplate a few years ago. When I had enough practice under my belt, flourishing was the next step - flourishes add a whimsical and elegant touch to letter compositions that I love. Just the letters weren't doing it for me any more.

I looked at a ton of flourishes online and in books. Bill Hildebrandt's book is touted as the #1 resource to learn, but I find most of his flourishes incompatible with Copperplate, so the book wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped. But whenever I tried to sketch my own flourishes, I failed. It felt like I totally lack the imagination to see potential connections between letters that could be developed into flourishes. That calligraphy is my first experience with graphic design doesn't help either. I feel like I'm missing some crucial visual skill.

Has anyone had the same experience? How did you overcome it?

I was so frustrated seeing no way forward that I quit calligraphy for 2 years. I've started again and would like to improve, so I'd appreciate any help.

I have considered taking online classes (in person not available where I live), but the problem is not repeating the flourishes and doing drills, it's imagining and creating flourishes from scratch.

3

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / How to achieve the right nib position?

« on: December 27, 2015, 12:26:19 PM »

Hi all,

this has puzzled me since I started learning Copperplate and I hope someone can advise. I'm right-handed.

I keep reading everywhere that the nib should be aligned with slant lines (in order to produce smooth, even lines), as seen in this image from Nina Tran's blog: http://i0.wp.com/anintran.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image8.jpg

However, I can only get my nib in this position if I move the paper to the left (for close to 90 degrees), and then it's impossible to write because of the angle:







I know that the rule of thumb is to do what works for you, but I wonder what everyone is doing to have their nibs parallel to slant lines and be able to write normally!

4

Tools & Supplies / Finetec and Pearl Ex: almost invisible hairline strokes

« on: October 24, 2015, 01:07:02 PM »

I get really thin, practically invisible hairlines using Finetec pearl watercolors and Pearl Ex Pigments. I have tried Nikko G, Brause Steno and Brause EF 66 nibs. It would be a shame to give up on these beautiful colors, so I'd love to know if anyone had the same problem and managed to work their way around it.

5

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Copperplate guidesheet with only slant lines

« on: October 02, 2015, 03:24:16 PM »

I'm looking for a simple guidesheet with 55° slant lines and no other lines (base, ascender ...). Does such a thing exist? I have tried several guideline generators mentioned on this forum, but they are all designed to include other elements.

6

Tools & Supplies / Buying nibs in bulk

« on: September 02, 2015, 02:05:49 PM »

I go through nibs fast and consequently need to repurchase all the time. Does anyone know the supplier of Brause EF 66, Tachikawa, Nikko and Zebra G, or someone who sells them by the pack?

I'm in Europe, but ordering internationally is not a problem.

7

Tools & Supplies / New Finetec palette

« on: August 29, 2015, 12:22:35 PM »

I found this Finetec palette on Coliro.de. It looks gorgeous. Has anyone tried it?

8

Tools & Supplies / Oblique pen for Brause EF66 nib

« on: June 06, 2015, 08:55:08 AM »

I'm looking for an oblique pen holder for the Brause EF66 and would appreciate your advice.

I'm based in Europe, but I haven't found any European sellers, so I'm going international. My budget is up to $50 (shipping included).

I don't want a plastic pen, but otherwise don't care how it looks, as long as it's a good tool.

Does anyone have a suggestion?