1
Inktober 2022 / Day 25 - 2022: Tempting
« on: October 25, 2022, 02:59:59 AM »
Pen: Magnussen
Nib: Gillott 404
Ink: Blackstone Blue Cypress + Gum Arabic (Winsor & Newton)
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Pen: Magnussen
Nib: Gillott 404
Ink: Blackstone Blue Cypress + Gum Arabic (Winsor & Newton)
2
Open Flourish | General Discussion / Polishing Nib
« on: September 04, 2022, 09:37:07 PM »
When you have found a nice pen that you enjoyed writing with, and you wanted to extend its lifespan...
and it is a vintage pen that is sought after ....
or any pen that you enjoy.
Richard has a very detailed way to preserve such a pen.
You can read it here: http://www.richardspens.com/ref/nibs/beginners.htm
and a PDF here: http://www.richardspens.com/pdf/workshop_notes.pdf
Here's what I do:
New nib often is over polished so that it feels very smooth (outer side of the tine and inner side of the tines). That's alright, but it won't last long as steel pens are pointed, narrow and won't hold its shape for long.
Here's a picture of a new nib (each pointed tines are well rounded).
Here's a worn-out nib that started to dig into the paper that I was writing with. It is still usable, but one has to be extra careful, and light handed.
Note that the tines are no longer the same length, and the tines are misaligned.
Step one: Follow Richard's instruction on aligning the nib's tines. What I usually do is a bit different from Richards', I pinch the tines are 1/2" from the tip with my thumb nails against my fleshy index finger. Then I stroke it a few times outward. Don't put too much pressure on the tines, as this will give the nib a bit of a curl. (You see these metals are thin.) That's okay if it happened, don't try to straighten it. Just as long as the pen is not misaligned anymore. Look at the center lines, both tines are perfectly matched.
Step two: Flatten the tip to equal lengths. Please check with loupe after 20 iterations.
Step three: Flatten the two tines width, so that they resemble the original nib
Note how the lapping paper is held. This is done on both tines. Please check the loupe after 20 iterations
Step four: Round out the points by doing circles at different angles to the lapping paper. Note at all times, the lapping paper is help with one hand, and on the other hand, the pen. Do this for -90 degree, 0 degrees, and 90 degrees. Check with loupe, then use the paper to polish the ends.
You did it: It should look like this: Those unpolished areas on the tines are dried ink. You can polish them buy why bother!
The outer side of the tines is very well polished, but not the inner sides of the tines. What does this mean? Scratchy at first.
Once you start writing with it doing drills (push/pull) shading, the inner side of the tines will be well polished too. If you done it as shown there, the lines that this renewed pen can lay down a very thin line.
As always, these skills come with practice. Wanna it give it a go?
But most of all... don't forget to do your drills!
and it is a vintage pen that is sought after ....
or any pen that you enjoy.
Richard has a very detailed way to preserve such a pen.
You can read it here: http://www.richardspens.com/ref/nibs/beginners.htm
and a PDF here: http://www.richardspens.com/pdf/workshop_notes.pdf
Here's what I do:
New nib often is over polished so that it feels very smooth (outer side of the tine and inner side of the tines). That's alright, but it won't last long as steel pens are pointed, narrow and won't hold its shape for long.
Here's a picture of a new nib (each pointed tines are well rounded).
Here's a worn-out nib that started to dig into the paper that I was writing with. It is still usable, but one has to be extra careful, and light handed.
Note that the tines are no longer the same length, and the tines are misaligned.
Step one: Follow Richard's instruction on aligning the nib's tines. What I usually do is a bit different from Richards', I pinch the tines are 1/2" from the tip with my thumb nails against my fleshy index finger. Then I stroke it a few times outward. Don't put too much pressure on the tines, as this will give the nib a bit of a curl. (You see these metals are thin.) That's okay if it happened, don't try to straighten it. Just as long as the pen is not misaligned anymore. Look at the center lines, both tines are perfectly matched.
Step two: Flatten the tip to equal lengths. Please check with loupe after 20 iterations.
Step three: Flatten the two tines width, so that they resemble the original nib
Note how the lapping paper is held. This is done on both tines. Please check the loupe after 20 iterations
Step four: Round out the points by doing circles at different angles to the lapping paper. Note at all times, the lapping paper is help with one hand, and on the other hand, the pen. Do this for -90 degree, 0 degrees, and 90 degrees. Check with loupe, then use the paper to polish the ends.
You did it: It should look like this: Those unpolished areas on the tines are dried ink. You can polish them buy why bother!
The outer side of the tines is very well polished, but not the inner sides of the tines. What does this mean? Scratchy at first.
Once you start writing with it doing drills (push/pull) shading, the inner side of the tines will be well polished too. If you done it as shown there, the lines that this renewed pen can lay down a very thin line.
As always, these skills come with practice. Wanna it give it a go?
But most of all... don't forget to do your drills!
3
Everyday Handwriting | Penmanship / Your current writing specimen
« on: September 27, 2020, 10:06:48 AM »
Do you enjoy your progress? Are you a beginner or experienced?
Let's keep your current best writing specimen here.
Let's keep your current best writing specimen here.
4
Open Flourish | General Discussion / Arabic Powder
« on: July 08, 2020, 11:00:34 AM »
My journey with penmanship is full of amazing people on this forum.
Here's a small tip bit:
Use gum of Arabic. I have shied away from using gum of Arabic for the longest time. I came from the fountain pen world, and uses ink designed for fountain pen use. For pointed pen, it worked well. FP inks worked fine with most nib and paper. However, it tends to feather and bleed thru. That is until recently, I added Arabic powder.
I have sampled with just copy paper, journals etc.... your ordinary paper. It worked very well. On premium papers will show better quality.
However, I have encountered too much hard start. My presumption is the nib is worn and also maybe too much Arabic powder was added.
Here's a small tip bit:
Use gum of Arabic. I have shied away from using gum of Arabic for the longest time. I came from the fountain pen world, and uses ink designed for fountain pen use. For pointed pen, it worked well. FP inks worked fine with most nib and paper. However, it tends to feather and bleed thru. That is until recently, I added Arabic powder.
I have sampled with just copy paper, journals etc.... your ordinary paper. It worked very well. On premium papers will show better quality.
However, I have encountered too much hard start. My presumption is the nib is worn and also maybe too much Arabic powder was added.
5
Word of the Day / Sunset
« on: March 17, 2020, 08:37:59 PM »
Having the first sunset at home. How was your day?
7
Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Bennardino Cataneo revisited..quills and broad edge
« on: October 30, 2018, 10:12:36 PM »
I am super excited to dive into quill work. The writing experience is nothing more than frustrations...until you get it right.
After a week of experimentations, Cataneo work, as I have been scratching my head and pulling hair...in this case feathers...I was able to achieve the effect of his lettering by using a left oblique cut of a somewhat flexible quill.
This leands the question, quill will deliver the ink in the right portion when the writing platform is 45 degrees off the horizon. But will pool inks on your paper if the writing surface is flat, horizontal.
What is the trick to use a quill on a non-inclined writing platform? Brush and quill, or an ink reservoir? Something to tame the ink?
After a week of experimentations, Cataneo work, as I have been scratching my head and pulling hair...in this case feathers...I was able to achieve the effect of his lettering by using a left oblique cut of a somewhat flexible quill.
This leands the question, quill will deliver the ink in the right portion when the writing platform is 45 degrees off the horizon. But will pool inks on your paper if the writing surface is flat, horizontal.
What is the trick to use a quill on a non-inclined writing platform? Brush and quill, or an ink reservoir? Something to tame the ink?
8
Find a Pen Pal / 12x12 Pen Club
« on: October 02, 2018, 05:02:21 PM »
I've fallen off the wagon for so long, I've forgotten to write.
Seeking penpals whom to commit to 12 letters during a 12 months. I like to max out at three. International is welcomed.
If more are interested, i will pair with members whom wants a second or third.
God bless.
Seeking penpals whom to commit to 12 letters during a 12 months. I like to max out at three. International is welcomed.
If more are interested, i will pair with members whom wants a second or third.
God bless.
9
Open Flourish | General Discussion / Muscular movement: Are you Gellin
« on: May 30, 2018, 01:58:18 PM »
Everyone's muscle is a bit different. Have anyone used a mouse Gel pad to aid in their muscular movement?
10
Spencerian Script / Mario Maria Francisco Francisa Pedro Pedra Alexandra Alexandro
« on: May 12, 2018, 07:10:55 PM »
I was thoroughly satisfied with my progress, seeing the light at the tunnel; I was going to abort this train and getting ready to hop onto a different train, until my dear uttered why I wrote Maria instead of Mario. After carefully examining my writing, Dios Mio!, Maria and Mario does look the same. Much to my distress, I asked @Rednaxela how is it one supposed to join letters to disambiguate the letters.
You see, the a and o seems very similar when your connecting stroke, that is the exiting stroke on o is a bit low, the o can be mistaken for a. Looking at past master writing, even Madaraz's, have flaws. Especially for the uninitiated, this is problematic. If we use shade strokes, it is much easier to differentiate. So here is my question....how are letters supposed to be joined?
You see, the a and o seems very similar when your connecting stroke, that is the exiting stroke on o is a bit low, the o can be mistaken for a. Looking at past master writing, even Madaraz's, have flaws. Especially for the uninitiated, this is problematic. If we use shade strokes, it is much easier to differentiate. So here is my question....how are letters supposed to be joined?
11
Open Flourish | General Discussion / Daily Practice
« on: April 06, 2018, 10:57:04 AM »
When I just started to rehabilitate my handwriting, I have no idea of what to do. I search for the most calligraphic example and tried my hand. It always ended in dissatisfaction and self denial of a good hand. It wasn't until I have realize that daily practice made a very impact and the love of the penmanship that I sought after.
Here's my practice sheet. One-a-day. What is your daily practice habit and what does it look like?
Here's my practice sheet. One-a-day. What is your daily practice habit and what does it look like?
12
Coffee & Nib-bles / Do tell and do show your pen
« on: March 17, 2018, 01:41:56 AM »
Some of us are hoarder of antiquity, some of us are just hoarders. Or that you have a favorite pen you like to share. Here's your chance to tell and show your pen (yes it can be any pen, biro, pencil, etc..... and a story. We want to know about your story of your pen.)
I don't have any interesting pens to show but I do use some less expensive and some medium expensive pen. Well..here's my first.
A rOtring Art Pen. It have an 18k gold nib. Broad. I added an overfeed because it was running dry. The nib was ground to a very sharp italic.
I don't have any interesting pens to show but I do use some less expensive and some medium expensive pen. Well..here's my first.
A rOtring Art Pen. It have an 18k gold nib. Broad. I added an overfeed because it was running dry. The nib was ground to a very sharp italic.
13
Open Flourish | General Discussion / OCD Thick and Thin
« on: March 12, 2018, 02:58:44 AM »
I see so many following the footsteps of many penman, trying to achieve hair line thin with a huge thick. Following IG members, so many are doing tricks of this. In the process, stressing the nibs to it max and breaking them.
I find it hard to read, even when enlarged. Maybe it is just my eye sight going bad. Well, if I can't read it will it still be calligraphic or just art? I tend to write with a medium pen and semi flexible.
What's your thought? Are there many demands for OCD Thick & Thin?
I find it hard to read, even when enlarged. Maybe it is just my eye sight going bad. Well, if I can't read it will it still be calligraphic or just art? I tend to write with a medium pen and semi flexible.
What's your thought? Are there many demands for OCD Thick & Thin?
14
Coffee & Nib-bles / Live Action! Instagram vs Periscope vs Class
« on: February 25, 2018, 03:45:08 PM »
Like many others, we learn by seeing others in action. YouTube seems to be static and not interactive as one hopes. YouTube is a great source for learning something quick.
For book worms like myself, I search the archive.org for really good resources.
But nothing beats live action with interactions. Which do you search for and attend most often?
For book worms like myself, I search the archive.org for really good resources.
But nothing beats live action with interactions. Which do you search for and attend most often?
15
Tools & Supplies / First Click Pen
« on: February 25, 2018, 01:11:40 AM »
I don't know much about the history of this one...but it is a fun artifact.
