Topics

1

Tools & Supplies / Glossy Envelopes & Ink

« on: January 07, 2018, 03:14:57 AM »

Hello all,

I'm looking for a bit of advice before I spend lots of money on different inks.  I have made some envelopes from old magazines, however when it comes to writing on them with my dip pen, the ink sits on the surface/separates/smudges/etc... 

As I'm relatively new to dip pen calligraphy, I don't have many inks.  I have a couple of Speedball inks, Higgins Black Eternal, and some Walkers Copperplate ink, all of which don't seem to be suitable for writing across the glossy magazine surface.

I'm happy to buy more inks, and I realise it's probably worth buying some white ink to go on the darker envelopes.

Can anyone recommend an ink for writing on my home-made envelopes?

Many thanks,

Mark

2

Kind Critique / Copperplate progress

« on: December 31, 2017, 09:12:16 AM »

I was lucky enough to get a proper oblique holder for Xmas.  I bought myself a selection of nibs to try, and some different inks.  I haven't been practising for very long, but thought I'd post my progress.  I take pictures of my practise sheets as I go along.

The first is after 2 weeks, 4B pencil on standard white laser paper.

The second is after 5 weeks.  It's a Hunt 101 nib using Walkers Iron Gall ink on Rhodia Ivory paper.  I left all my mistakes in, mostly due to my children distracting me!

I have found that good materials make a massive difference to my practise.  I also bought a Leonardt Pricipal nib and a Brause Rose to try.

Many thanks,

Mark

3

Kind Critique / Pencil Copperplate Practise

« on: November 30, 2017, 04:02:42 AM »

Hello,

I practice writing Copperplate with a 4B pencil to learn the letter forms.  I pick poems or film quotes and write them out.

Here is a bit of 'If' by Rudyard Kipling.

Please be kind, I've only been seriously practicing for 2 weeks now.

Cheers,

Mark

4

Introductions / Hello from the UK.

« on: November 29, 2017, 02:47:28 AM »

Hello,

I thought I'd be polite and introduce myself.  I'm Mark and I live in the UK.  I had an interest in handwriting and calligraphy at school, but computers took over my life and I stopped handwriting.  Now I'm re-discovering it, and I'm impressed with the amount of information that is available to learn from these days.

I am teaching myself Copperplate and Madarasz/Spencerian.  I got myself an oblique holder and a selection of nibs, just working out which one suits me best.

I'm looking forward to learning (I've already started with the Pointed Pen Nirvana videos!), and hopefully contributing one day.  At the moment I am practicing Copperplate letterforms with a 4B pencil, just getting the shapes under my fingers before I move onto ink.

Mark

PS. Erica... I may have accidentally posted this on your introduction thread too.  Feel free to delete my other post!