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1

Inktober 2022 / End of Inktober PARTYYYYY

« on: November 02, 2022, 03:38:18 PM »

I don't know guys, I feel like there needed to be a thread to wrap up this month of awesomeness.
So here it is, post whatever you like 

2

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Script to go with illuminated letters

« on: August 26, 2022, 06:42:01 AM »

Hello everyone,

I would love to have advice on which script would go well with my illuminated letters. I'm just a beginner, attached are pictures of my very first experiments. On top of that I bought Tri Le's manual on Lombardi letters and my gold leaf and miniatum will arrive early September.

I'm pretty sure I want to make this my thing. I do practice copperplate on the side but I am having acute slantitis and need a break from slants and pointed pens.

Right now I'd like to do simple projects, like a name with an illuminated capital, the rest of the name with a broad edge script, and some flourished borders.

In the past I have studied foundational and could go back to it. I have done a lot of Italic too and have nibs of all sorts as well as parallel pens.

What would you feel would go well with my budding illuminated capitals?

Thanks for your help!

Lucie

P. S. My phone won't post attachments so here is the link to my Instagram post of my letters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChfAU1oNGv0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

3

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Book recommendations for studying pointed pen calligraphy

« on: July 13, 2022, 03:50:23 AM »

Hi everyone!

I have been learning copperplate for 6 month and I have a bunch of manuals and exemplars. However, I have heard over and over that studying masters helps you improve and understand the script better, and I'm all for careful analysis!
There is a lot of material online but I'm looking for an actual book that compiles relevant works and tells the history behind it.

A few years back my husband gave me a calligraphy book with all sorts of scripts. Now there is like 4 pages about copperplate and no mention of Spencerian, but still I get more from staring at the five samples of copperplate work on two pages, than browsing a million samples on Instagram.

I feel like you focus differently on a book with less samples than you can turn to over and over. Thus my search for a good book reference.

Now these books are usually pricey so I really want to choose the right one.

So, do you have a pointed pen calligraphy "Bible" to recommend?

Have a lovely day!

Lucie

4

Kind Critique / Please help me with my Copperplate :)

« on: July 02, 2022, 10:04:57 AM »

Hello everyone!

Would you mind helping me with my Copperplate script?
I started learning towards the beginning of 2022. I take in-person classes whenever I can but since I had a newborn, now 8 month old, and the classes are quite far from my home and workplace, that was no easy business.
I practice every night these days, and when I can't I practice visualizing or try to flip through calligraphy books. Still, the progress is incredibly slow.

Because I never seem to feel good enough to actually write sentences, I ask for commissions from my loved one.
The first image is a sentence I am practicing for my cousin. It says "Omnia vincit amor" which means "Love triumphs over all things" and comes from a poem by Virgil.
I have practiced this one several times over and have been learning the capitals that go with it.
I always practice with a height of 1cm for the minuscule.

Below is a text I haven't practiced before. It's the beginning of a poem in French. I have made myself write smaller, which I need to learn but am not used to. I'm fairly frustrated with my work and see a lot of things I need to change. But I need your eyes and perspective!

Would you be so kind as to give me advice based on the pictures below?

Thank you for reading!

p.s. the very last picture is a humble collection of wee things I do. Nowhere close to where I want to be, but it makes the post more personal than my dull practice above.

5

Introductions / Hello from Paris!

« on: June 12, 2022, 06:39:15 PM »

Hello everyone, I'm excited to join you on this lovely forum!

My name is Lucie and I live in Paris. I'm 32 years old and work as a caregiver in the hospital. Among other things, I like to muse on how calligraphy could be part of an art therapy program for very sick patients.

I have been learning calligraphy on and off in the past years. I picked it up again a few months ago, after a very busy period in my life, and I intend to keep it up... forever!

I am very introspective and like pointing out how the blocks and breakthroughs in my calligraphy journey teach me about myself and about life in general.

I also like comparing the process of learning calligraphy with the process of learning a musical instrument (I have been learning the Celtic harp for a year and a half.

Also, I overthink stuff... a lot! Feel free to remind me when I'm doing it haha.

That said, I'm grateful there's a place for calligraphy enthusiasts to meet and share, and I am incredibly happy to join you here.

Cheers from Paris!

Lucie