What are you working on improving right now?

[Matthew_R]

I'm sure that everybody is always working on improving some part of their calligraphy.  We don't seem to talk about it much, though, which I think is a bit odd.  Maybe people are shy.  I know that as a beginner, I love to hear about things people are learning and what they're trying to improve.  It reminds me that I'm not the only one.

It can be a hassle to get photos or scans of your work, though—especially if it's not something you're extremely proud of.  So instead of show-and-tell, just tell us what you're working on improving (although you can post images if you'd like).  Bonus points for any professionals or advanced calligraphers who share.

I'll go first:

Ascenders and the letter 'a' in Spencerian.

[Inkysloth]

I'm primarily focussing on broad nib lettering at the moment.

Improving general consistency is my overall aim. I have a tendency for my straight lines to slant so I'm trying to consistently produce straight-up-and-down letters.

My word spacing tends to be too wide, so I'm also working on that.

A recent section of lorem ipsum shows the wobbliness!

Lorem ipsum in foundational hand. by Inkysloth, on Flickr

[lynetteburlison]

I'm primarily focussing on broad nib lettering at the moment.

Improving general consistency is my overall aim. I have a tendency for my straight lines to slant so I'm trying to consistently produce straight-up-and-down letters.

My word spacing tends to be too wide, so I'm also working on that.

A recent section of lorem ipsum shows the wobbliness!

URGH! Foundational hand does my head in! For a style that is in essence simple and basic, I find it the hardest to get consistent.

[imdcruz]

I'm working on the consistency of my angles without the guidelines with copperplate calligraphy. Uniformity of the spacing and connecting letters is also on my to-do list.

[FlowerCityLetters]

I'm working on lowercase Spencerian letterform. They look alright on their own when I practice (could look better), but then things start falling apart with I start making words and combining letters!

[Judy G]

1. To consciously write with a light hand. When I'm so focused with what I'm writing, I end up doing a death grip.
2. Ovals

[AmyNeub]

I love this thread!

Pointed Pen- Spencerian: caps and lighter/non-shaky hairlines when flourishing

Broad Pen- Foundational: lowercase m-z

Running ovals: I have been practicing this exercise from the IAMPETH rare book by C.W. Jones Ninety-five Lessons in Ornamental Penmanship pg. 2 for months. "Movement:  Good movement is the foundation of all good penmanship skills. You must practice the exercises above until the action of the arm is light and under perfect control" So I haven't been able to turn the page yet.  http://www.iampeth.com/pdf/ninety-five-lessons-ornamental-penmanship

[FlowerCityLetters]

I love this thread!

Pointed Pen- Spencerian: caps and lighter/non-shaky hairlines when flourishing

Broad Pen- Foundational: lowercase m-z

Running ovals: I have been practicing this exercise from the IAMPETH rare book by C.W. Jones Ninety-five Lessons in Ornamental Penmanship pg. 2 for months. "Movement:  Good movement is the foundation of all good penmanship skills. You must practice the exercises above until the action of the arm is light and under perfect control" So I haven't been able to turn the page yet.  http://www.iampeth.com/pdf/ninety-five-lessons-ornamental-penmanship

Ooo thanks for that link - very helpful for me too, definitely gonna check that out. Haha I don't think I'd ever be able to turn the page.

[Milonguera]

I love this thread!

Pointed Pen- Spencerian: caps and lighter/non-shaky hairlines when flourishing

Broad Pen- Foundational: lowercase m-z

Running ovals: I have been practicing this exercise from the IAMPETH rare book by C.W. Jones Ninety-five Lessons in Ornamental Penmanship pg. 2 for months. "Movement:  Good movement is the foundation of all good penmanship skills. You must practice the exercises above until the action of the arm is light and under perfect control" So I haven't been able to turn the page yet.  http://www.iampeth.com/pdf/ninety-five-lessons-ornamental-penmanship

What I've discovered is that it takes so long to make real progress and only a day or two of not practicing to lose it.  Granted it comes back, but it still takes a while. 

[Inked botanicals]

I am just working on my memory. I cannot write without an exemplar of the alphabet at hand. Sometimes I just have to stop and clean my nib while I look up for a certain letter just because I don't remember how to start it! 

[Chandra]

Working on the alphabet of copperplate

[AndyT]

Systematically working on anything isn't on the agenda at the moment (we're moving soon), but off the back of an article in the Spencerian Review I've been playing around with capitals in the style of C E Doner, A C Webb and EC Mills.  Business caps with shading, in other words.

[Blotbot]

Improving the fluidity and uniformity of my italics.

[Starlee]

Consistency!! I can write in small batches decently well, but a verse? Forget it! My mind just doesn't stay with it...it keeps wanting to play...I need more discipline...

[chiarag]

I am working on Italic and try to refine my basics copying La Operina, a famous masterpiece