Topics

1

Spencerian Script / All giddy about Younghae's upcoming class on Monday ~ Spencerian Strokes!

« on: April 10, 2024, 11:07:24 AM »

Here I go again.  Know what, I ain't apologizing.  I still love calligraphy.

Yes, I am impatient (let's say I 'was").  Well, I'm getting back in the saddle and I figured what better place to come for validation vs judgment.

I am not old (a seenya sitizen) and I learned I was impatient with myself and the process.  SO, I come to SS armed with that knowledge and wanting to wield a new-found, self-imposed patience (that's my self talk and I'm sticking to it).

I lined up all needed supplies from my stash and looked at it all so proudly.  I have a dinky thingy with dried Sumi.  You should have seen me proudly cleaning it out last night, LOL.

Yeah, so I am ready and I am back to read and stay in the zone here.

So glad you all are still here.

Cheers,

L

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Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Guideline Generator

« on: August 20, 2022, 06:28:24 PM »

Do any of you know the website where guidelines may be generated?  I used it daily when I was attempting to learn copperplate and now for the life of me I can NOT remember the site and I don't think I have it bookmarked.  I have Googled and many were listed except the one I want/like.  It was made by a woman, I do remember that.  The name of the site does NOT indicate what the site is (which doesn't help me remember).  Ugghhh, this is so frustrating.  The day I decide to sit down and practice now I can't remember my guideline site.

I have recommended it to others dozens of times too.     No longer on Instagram I can't go there and find it readily.  Ughhh.

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Show & Tell / Penmanship goal

« on: July 12, 2021, 07:09:20 AM »

I saw this fella's @jota_penmanship writing on Instagram and immediately felt love, LOL.

Seriously, I thought it would be fun to copy what he wrote and place in my journal.  His writing makes me happy.  This is how I hope my script will look sooner rather than later.

I can do this! (Convincing myself).

ETA:  I used Juice up 04 on the top (love the tip; not enough ink though).  On bottom  is my beloved Uni-ball signo UM-153.  The opaqueness is so on point.  It seems my writing looks better with the thinner tip.  Perhaps that will change with experience/muscle memory [shoulder hunch].

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Kind Critique / Copperplate Practice

« on: May 25, 2021, 04:49:12 PM »

So, decided to try something different today.   Boy do I have mad respect for calligraphers that get "it" when it comes to spacing out a project.  Clearly it is out of my league . . . for now.

Therefore, I shall slink back to my Copperplate Foundations class, back to line after line; page after page after page after page of individual letters (for the class I am currently in).   I'm disappointed with this today [first photo].  Really thought it would have turned out nicer.  Ce la vie.

Writing words for practice which includes spacing is much more enjoyable.  Thanks Jean @jeanwilson .  I am doing that too.     I believe my entrance/exit strokes are fine [at least].  So I do not feel today's session was a total bust.

Onward and upward.

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Everyday Handwriting | Penmanship / Stephen Ziller, Business Writing: Any Fans here?

« on: May 21, 2021, 02:05:40 PM »

I did a site search for "Ziller" and did not come up with much.  As one with an untrained eye it seems to me that Ziller, Mills, Champion (off top of my head) are similar approaches and results.  You say what?

I have printed the free materials from IAMPETH (bless their hearts; a wealth of information).  I have subsequently purchased Mr. Zillers book.  I do like that it is compact, LOL.  Looking at the drills and the letter shapes; his book seems no different than the other business penmanship books from back in the day.

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Kind Critique / Starting FF Calligraphy Lessons

« on: May 19, 2021, 09:30:40 AM »

So, my "Yeah buts are . . . "

After reading Jean Wilson's advice re. wispy hairlines I did this practice.  I still need to acquire McCaffery's ink and a Hunt 22, fyi.

This was done with Higgins (I simply must use up what I have.  Thankfully not much to do).

the Full Pressure Strokes - Hiro Nib.  My Hiro runs out of ink with each stroke.  Don't like it.

Switched to Tach G for the rest of the Worksheet 1.  I like the feel of it; not crazy about the flex/shade capability.  But, Jean Wilson mentioned some good points for my practice such as for now worry about my entrance/exit strokes and not the shade.

Plan on more practice later today repeating this exercise and possibly doing Worksheet 2.  It will be done with my current fave, Leonardt Principle EF and with Higgins and Walnut crystals ink.

If there is another place for sharing/showing/getting critiqued; please let me know.

Thank you.

P.S.  Thank goodness for Paper & Ink Arts "My Rewards" program.  I was able to go and purchase Hunt 22 nibs and some McCaffery's Indigo ink.  Yay!

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Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Fine Entrance and Exit Strokes + Gum Arabic

« on: May 18, 2021, 09:08:31 PM »

Hello Calligrafriends,

I mentioned to some friends that one of my calligraphy goals includes entrance and exit strokes that are so fine, dainty, that they almost look non-existent, LOL.  I am sure you've seen them.

Well, someone told me to put a drop of gum arabic into my ink (at the moment I am practicing with my Higgins Eternal to use it up and go back to my Sumi Moon Palace).  So, of course I did it; THEN, started reading.  What I read via a Google search is that gum arabic thickens things up.  Well, if I am wanting whisper thin entrance and exit strokes I certainly do not need my in thickened.

Thinking I missed something though.  Can someone explain to me 1)  How to get whisper thin entrance/exit strokes; 2)  Is there more to gum arabic that I need to know?

Oh, and re. the strokes, at this point I am making sure I do not have a death grip.  Matter of fact it seems to me if I lightened up any more on my pen my hand would be mid air, LOL.  Seriously, as I am concentrating telling myself to lighten the touch, sometimes my pen leaves the paper.  The more I discuss this the more I am determined to elevate my script to the look of whisper thin strokes.

Thanks in advance for any commentary.

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Everyday Handwriting | Penmanship / American Cursive vs. Cursive vs. Business Penmanship

« on: March 13, 2021, 01:16:59 PM »

Good day mateys,

Yes, I have consulted the search box and I have gone through all pages of this thread as well as Googled and read everything I can get my eyes upon.  I am still going round in circles with what I am learning and what it is really called.

Currently I am going through Consistent Cursive (enjoying it immensely).  When in grade school we simply called it "cursive" writing; not "American Cursive".  Initially I was going after learning "business penmanship" according to all the books I have accumulated mostly from IAMPETH (how cool are they?).

Now, is it me or does not regular ole cursive writing not look like "Business Penmanship" to you?

P. S. Main difference I see is when learning cursive as a child we did NOT do circles, ovals, timed drills in making circles and ovals, figure eights; i.e., the "drills" I see in the various "Business Penmanship; Business Writing" books that I have.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Chic Oblique . . . ALMOST mine!

« on: January 04, 2021, 08:58:56 AM »

I am SO excited to have F I N A L L Y ordered my own Chic Oblique Curve-E pen holder.  Needless to say I learned of it here last year.  And FINALLY, finally, did I write "Finally" I have ordered one for MOI.

Is it possible that Mr. Curran is slowing down creating these beautiful pens?  Many are out of stock.  My heart's desire was a short one OR one of the beautiful colorful ones that I have seen.  Frankly I picked from what was left available.  At least I get to explore the flattened feature that he and Ms. Erica came up with.  I decided to focus on that vs. prettiness.

Will no doubt be my last pen purchase for years as effective a couple of days I will be unemployed.  Hey, more time to practice my BP and Copperplate.   

Bubinga, Holly and Ebony Wood 18 × 1

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Everyday Handwriting | Penmanship / Everyday Penmanship Budding Student

« on: September 22, 2020, 09:59:43 AM »

Not wanting to hijack the gentleman's post I thought I should begin my own. 

Thank you to Ms. Jean Wilson @jeanwilson who has helped tremendously and I have not even begun yet  .  My hope is to save time by researching what I need to learn.   Last year I started modern calligraphy only to find out it was not where my interest were.  Traditional calligraphy a la engrosser's or copperplate is what I wanted to learn.  Don't want to make the same mistake for everyday writing.

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Tools & Supplies / Ergonomic Oblique Holders 2020

« on: August 07, 2020, 07:50:03 AM »

After doing a search it seems the topics are a couple of years ago so I decided to put it to the group.  I am ISO one of those oblique holders that is knarled looking,  .  You know, the kind that is so ugly they are actually pretty.  They look like a twisted piece of wood or something.  What are your favourite sources/pens, please?

It sure would be nice to find one in the U.S., (due to current shipping issues) but probably can not be picky.  I believe I saw one in Russia or some such place.   Wood preferable to acrylic.  It simply feels good in the hand; but really, as a newbie, what do I know?

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Show & Tell / P for poo poo

« on: July 29, 2020, 05:45:20 PM »

I view Dr. V's work and I consult the manual for the course I am taking before attempting my letters.  I am also working to learn how to honestly evaluate my work.  Have been told that is THE best way to learn this.  Sometimes it is hard to walk the line of keeping it real and staying encouraged. 

This drill I was trying to evaluate why my P's are all wrong.  So, I did another sheet.  I am thinking at this point IF I continued practicing this "P" for another 1,000 sheets it would not improve. [shrug shoulder emoji inserted here].

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Show & Tell / Catching Up

« on: July 29, 2020, 02:11:02 PM »

Before I know it Copperplate Foundations online course will be completed.  I have most of the majuscules to complete . . . yikes . . . . 

Here are my "J's and "I's"!

Thank all who take precious time to stop by.

Calligrahugs to YOU!

P.S.  I try to always give myself what I call a "self-encouraging" sticker.  Today's is "Hustle" 'cause that is EXACTLY what I am doing to get where I need to be so I can get on with Business Penwomanship later this year.

14

Show & Tell / In the Copperplate Foundations course . . . practice drills

« on: July 25, 2020, 06:59:27 AM »

We are working on majuscules now.  Down to the last couple weeks of this course.

Yesterday I worked on the "A".  Thankfully I have Dr. Joe's publication.  I pulled it out and realized that I like his "A" and am pursuing that version.  Lots of red on my practice sheet.  I am needing to embrace the "red" as I call the self-critique.  Truthfully, I have a hate/love relationship with it.  I don't mind getting direction from someone else, but red marking myself is taking some getting used to.  I am realizing it is MY journey and I will need to woman up and get a grip, keep it moving.

As a journaler I am into stickers and now employ them in self-encouragement.  Most practice sessions before photographing my drills I give myself some type of positive affirmation sticker.  I know, I'm a hoot.

15

Find a Pen Pal / Another Envelope Exchange

« on: July 01, 2020, 02:40:02 PM »

Greetings scribes:

I was surprised with being shut-in for self safety sake that there is not more activity in this area.  So, I am proposing a new envelope exchange.    I am seeking two people interested in sharing along.  The first two that chime in; let's do this!

As I am a newbie calligraphy student skill level is of no consequence.  Make sure the envelope is written in calligraphy (or Spencerian, you get the idea) and whatever you put inside is up to you.

If you are interested, reply to this thread and I will DM the first 2 responses for address details.

Look forward to hearing from you!