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General Categories => Spencerian Script => Topic started by: syed sha abulhassan Quadr on November 21, 2014, 03:12:05 PM

Title: How is it?
Post by: syed sha abulhassan Quadr on November 21, 2014, 03:12:05 PM
I have started learning spencerian Script.  Any tips or tricks for beginners. 😉
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: Brad franklin on November 22, 2014, 01:10:52 AM
When I do start Spencerian I am going to use this reference : http://issuu.com/iampeth/docs/real_pen_work?e=13384940/9374706

Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: AmyNeub on November 22, 2014, 12:31:47 PM
Another Spencerian writer!

Brad's link is great.

If you could post your practice sheets with individual letters and the grid/angle lines, that might be helpful. I know there are quite a few advanced Spencerian writers here. I can only help a little since I just started in June myself.

Also writing words really is difficult to begin with. I would just practice the principles and letters first.

Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: AndyT on November 22, 2014, 06:29:32 PM
... there are quite a few advanced Spencerian writers here.

... and then there's me, a complete duffer.   ::)

Nevertheless, I've had the privilege of meeting and getting advice from a world class penman, so I'll pass on the essence of his approach.  Find an exemplar: we used Spencer's New Standard Writing - its Principles, proportions, classification and analysis (1887) but Real Pen Work is another good one.  Ignoring the capitals at first, study the letterforms in the minutest detail, and then start to reproduce them individually being intensely self-critical.  Be very aware of the main and connective slants, the shapes of lead-in and exit strokes, and proportions in general.  Do not content yourself with anything short of perfection!  Don't bother with shading except for t, d and p.  Cultivate muscular movement - the fingers should be immobile for everything at this stage (except loops - arguably).  Push-pull drills are good for this.  To develop arm movement for capitals, work large (2" high), use a pencil or felt tipped pen at first, and do oval drills on the main slant and horizontally.

The most important things are observation and ferocious self-critique.  It's a tough regime, but it does work to the extent that there was a less than subtle improvement in my efforts in the space of a six hour seminar, and it continues to pay dividends.  What I'd add is that the above applies to practice: you can lighten up when you write a letter or whatever, otherwise you'll drive yourself mad.   ;)
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: Erica McPhee on November 22, 2014, 06:38:04 PM
Fantastic advice from Andy! My tip is to slow down and exercise restraint in terms of pressure. I'm going back and relearning spencerian and the biggest challenge for me is keeping a light hand. I want to inflict that shade! But I think it's important to learn the style first without all the shades and then add them later once you have a good handle on it.

I like to put my work aside for a few days and then go back and critique it. It's amazing how different they look then! Sometimes better, sometimes worse.

I also do a fair amount of tracing with a lightbox as a warm up. This ensures I am getting the right form.  :)
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: syed sha abulhassan Quadr on November 23, 2014, 10:34:13 AM
Thanks guyz Brad, erika, andy. your  tips helped me alot :)
Specially brad nice book you suggested . can we download that book?
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: AmyNeub on November 23, 2014, 12:58:37 PM
Yes, only use pencil until you get basic letter strokes memorized on guidelines with correct angle. Then move on to pen without shades, just like Erica suggested.
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: Erica McPhee on November 23, 2014, 02:01:31 PM
Erica
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: SueL on November 23, 2014, 04:06:21 PM
Thanks for the book link, Brad.
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: AndyT on November 23, 2014, 06:45:14 PM
... can we download that book?

It's not that easy to work out nowadays, but there's a variety of downloadable formats hosted by archive.org which you can access via IAMPETH (http://www.iampeth.com/).  The page for Real Pen Work is here (http://www.iampeth.com/pdf/real-pen-work) and the download links are in the "view the book" panel.  Do have a good look around at IAMPETH: there's enough material on the site for several lifetime's study.
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: AmyNeub on November 23, 2014, 07:09:20 PM
This book is really nice at setting up the letters and principles by Bloser in little lessons. You can right click with your mouse to say the image and jpegs. Then print. Bloser was a teacher at Zanerian College of Penmanship, so it is a great rare book to learn from. It says Ornamental Penmanship, which Spencerian is a type of (so to speak).

IAMPETH http://www.iampeth.com/pdf/lessons-ornamental-penmanship-bloser
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: Erica McPhee on November 25, 2014, 08:06:05 PM
Awesome book Amy!
Title: Re: How is it?
Post by: syed sha abulhassan Quadr on November 28, 2014, 03:20:13 PM
Lovely book Amy