Post by: dailyletterings on March 20, 2014, 02:53:28 PM
while we don't want to copy and use an exact letter form from someone else, i find that at least imitating someone else's flourishes for practice helps me better understand how creating flourishes and swashes should feel.
thanks for your contributions, ken!
Post by: Ken Fraser on March 21, 2014, 06:09:03 PM
These are two basic flourish shapes (from my book).
They can be used either freestanding or as extensions from descenders.
The upper one is slightly less complicated than the than the lower, but they are both simple enough to commit to memory.
They both comply to the basic rules - cross lines at a high angle i.e. as close to right angles as possible. Never cross a thick line with another thick line - it never looks good. Aim for a pleasing balance in the white shapes.
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd289%2Fcaliken_2007%2Fflourishing.jpg&hash=a2dfbb90df6e2987a25bc449e9eb0871)
Post by: joi on March 21, 2014, 08:01:28 PM
Post by: dailyletterings on March 24, 2014, 07:03:04 PM
Post by: patweecia on March 24, 2014, 10:09:13 PM
i'm helpless when it comes to flourishing. seems like my hand goes haywire when i try to do flourishes :)
Post by: dailyletterings on March 27, 2014, 06:04:08 PM
http://dailytypespecimen.com/post/80886341369/bernhard-cursive-ornaments-type-specimen
i think i'll use this as examples for practice!
Post by: joi on March 27, 2014, 06:36:26 PM
Post by: Erica McPhee on March 28, 2014, 01:25:55 AM
Post by: tintenfuchs on March 28, 2014, 04:52:21 AM
http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/magpiepaperworks/ahra/gallery.html (http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/magpiepaperworks/ahra/gallery.html)
Post by: Erica McPhee on March 28, 2014, 01:48:18 PM
Brad - that is a wonderful book on flourishing (I think the only one!). I have a copy but it is out of print. I'm curious whether that poster has permission though because the book is still well under copyright and this seems to be a very flagrant violation.
Post by: Estefa on March 28, 2014, 03:05:40 PM
Post by: Sherry Lu on March 29, 2014, 12:15:53 AM
Post by: Erica McPhee on March 29, 2014, 01:34:37 PM
Post by: Estefa on March 29, 2014, 01:58:20 PM
Post by: dailyletterings on April 01, 2014, 05:27:46 PM
Post by: joi on April 01, 2014, 06:07:07 PM
Post by: dailyletterings on April 01, 2014, 06:15:21 PM
Post by: Brad franklin on April 01, 2014, 07:30:11 PM
Post by: Erica McPhee on April 01, 2014, 09:38:53 PM
Post by: dailyletterings on April 02, 2014, 07:53:20 PM
Post by: jamiemateo on April 05, 2014, 05:07:05 PM
Post by: inkcatcher on May 25, 2014, 12:33:15 PM
Post by: JanisTX on July 15, 2014, 11:06:32 AM
Post by: JanisTX on July 15, 2014, 11:07:44 AM
dailyletterings :
These are two basic flourish shapes (from my book).
They can be used either freestanding or as extensions from descenders.
The upper one is slightly less complicated than the than the lower, but they are both simple enough to commit to memory.
They both comply to the basic rules - cross lines at a high angle i.e. as close to right angles as possible. Never cross a thick line with another thick line - it never looks good. Aim for a pleasing balance in the white shapes.
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd289%2Fcaliken_2007%2Fflourishing.jpg&hash=a2dfbb90df6e2987a25bc449e9eb0871)
Ken: Do you have a book?? What's it called & where can I get my hands on a copy! I so admire your work, I'm sure a book would be brilliant and worth every penny!!
Post by: anamer on August 18, 2014, 09:09:24 AM
nice! thanks for this.
i'm helpless when it comes to flourishing. seems like my hand goes haywire when i try to do flourishes :)
Same here...flourishing is my nemesis :( But determine to conquer it!
Post by: anamer on August 18, 2014, 09:10:17 AM
I have some too. I was saving for the flourishing tutorial but I'll try and dig some out for you. That link is great, too!
Flourishing tutorial???? Awesomness!!
Post by: Ken Fraser on August 19, 2014, 09:25:11 AM
Ken: Do you have a book?? What's it called & where can I get my hands on a copy! I so admire your work, I'm sure a book would be brilliant and worth every penny!!
Thanks for your interest. My book "Copperplate Handwriting" is available through my website :-
www.kenfrasercalligrapher.com
Post by: Chandra on February 19, 2015, 11:02:36 PM
Post by: Ken Fraser on February 20, 2015, 10:14:58 AM
I devised it as a 'warming-up' exercise for flourishing. The difficulty lies in the reversal of the shape at the halfway point. Control over this sudden change of direction, is valuable in producing free flourishing IMO. I have to admit that this was the best of several attempts!
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd289%2Fcaliken_2007%2FSpiral%2520exercise%2520401.jpg&hash=bc59478a9c3537b1e900231441dfbcc7)
Post by: AnasaziWrites on February 20, 2015, 10:17:36 AM
This exercise is difficult...but worthwhile, I believe.Do you change the orientation of the paper or pen in doing this exercise?
I devised it as a 'warming-up' exercise for flourishing. The difficulty lies in the reversal of the shape at the halfway point. Control over this sudden change of direction, is valuable in producing free flourishing IMO. I have to admit that this was the best of several attempts!
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd289%2Fcaliken_2007%2FFinalSwirls300.jpg&hash=a3cc980f16ceb41eeb7967ae4def8846)
Post by: Ken Fraser on February 20, 2015, 06:24:54 PM
Do you change the orientation of the paper or pen in doing this exercise?[/quote]
The pen and paper are kept in the same positions throughout, with the nib pointing at the stroke direction so that the tines splay evenly when pressure is applied.
Actually, this exercise is easier to execute, and probably just as useful, if written at one of the usual slope angles.
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd289%2Fcaliken_2007%2FAngled%2520spiral%2520400.jpg&hash=ebc04f2f427f7b7ab12386a1e2a764c6)
Post by: Ken Fraser on February 20, 2015, 06:31:42 PM
They may be of interest, here.
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd289%2Fcaliken_2007%2Fshapes501-1.jpg&hash=40d0484e0860d19b7b95479a0f56a6d1)
Post by: katianaval on March 31, 2015, 08:49:20 PM
Post by: Kim C. on April 02, 2015, 02:29:26 PM
I thought I'd throw out another way to look for ideas: try just doing a basic search in Google books on "calligraphy flourishing". Google will then have some good previews of books that you can "flip" through for some ideas/tips. :)
Post by: Mtnlaurel on October 04, 2015, 08:41:36 AM
Post by: Sprodj on October 06, 2017, 12:02:08 PM
Ya Torrie I took it down because I am sure it violated the rules of this forum. I was not thinking of that when I posted. I just wanted to help my fellow flourishors. Looks like Joi helped you out though. If not let me me know.
Hey! What is the name of the said book? TIA!
Post by: Erica McPhee on October 06, 2017, 05:46:16 PM
This is the link to the small tutorial: Flourish your p's, d's, and g's (http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=4915.0)
Post by: GretchenC on February 26, 2018, 04:14:53 PM
Post by: Wanderful Writs on August 04, 2020, 01:08:34 PM
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/809800075/bouncy-flourishing-traceables?ref=shop_home_active_6