Messages

16

Tools & Supplies / Re: Burl Pens

« on: November 18, 2015, 03:45:58 PM »

Wow wow wow Heebs. Seeing them on a tiny iPhone is one thing - seeing them on a big computer screen is another. I don't blame you one bit for the obsession - each one is absolutely stunning in its own way, and you've made them into works of art!

17

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Mike Kecseg Script

« on: November 13, 2015, 11:38:59 AM »

This is a beautifully attractive script, but I can only say it's not an easy one to learn... !
Is there a book with these pointed pen variations by Kecseg ? I could only find exemplars in the speedball textbook and the Uncommon numbers manual (pointed pen uncials in n°1). It's frustrating not to have a full exemplar.

The book was available on John Neal at one time but it is since out of print. 

18

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Ooh man this video has enlightened me

« on: November 10, 2015, 01:14:51 PM »

Just a personal observation - there are many, many "teachers" who make their materials available online. These teachers are all at different levels and skill sets. Take the time to watch as many as you can, but take them all with a grain of salt and take what speaks to YOU. We are all different and learn differently - I for one do not find instructional videos very beneficial and would rather learn from a book or in a real classroom situation with live demos and feedback (which is the most important to me).

Noah, who is your calligraphy teacher? I also dropped out of art school - I left my MFA program after about a year

19

Tools & Supplies / Re: Brause 66EFand Oblique Holder Issue

« on: November 07, 2015, 07:18:51 PM »

The presenter is Schin who is an active member of the forum

I also find that both Rose and EF66 take some time to break in, but once they do, they are great nibs that can do a lot!

20

Introductions / Re: Hi from Newbie C.C. Sadler of Southern California

« on: November 04, 2015, 02:37:57 PM »

Yay CC! I'm so glad to see you here!

I assure you I am very fun and cool.

I can totally vouch for that

21

Contemporary and Modern Calligraphy / Re: Pointed pen variations

« on: November 02, 2015, 06:15:44 PM »

Oh yay, I'm glad the video helped!

I've been studying this script since 2013 - I fell in love with it after seeing a handout for a workshop being offered in my guild. My teacher studied with Mr. Kecseg and got his permission to teach the script. I took another 4-day workshop with the same teacher earlier this year. I enjoy this script so much. It looks like it's written quickly, but is actually done very slowly. I still need to remind myself to slow down.

Hope you have fun with it Sybelle! I can't wait to see your version of this beautiful script.

22

Contemporary and Modern Calligraphy / Re: Pointed pen variations

« on: November 02, 2015, 01:54:01 PM »

You can see some examples in iampeth Master Penman Barbara Calzolari's work:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

And here is a video - you can see how she does the pointed ends of the stems.

23

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Zebra G vs Nikko G for beginners

« on: October 30, 2015, 05:22:43 PM »

Wow, so many non-fans of G nibs. Who knew.

G nibs are so popular for beginners because like Elsa said, "they will take a lot of abuse, they aren't likely to snag, and there are almost never duds. So there are a few less variables to be concerned about."

I personally would probably have given up on calligraphy if my teacher gave me a LP and said it was all I could use. Of course, I didn't have a goal of writing like the past masters. Different goals, different nibs, I guess.

24

Tools & Supplies / Re: KAIMEI CARBON BASED BLACK (JAPANESE) INK

« on: October 29, 2015, 07:25:10 PM »

Thank you Elsa for the detailed review!

I actually ordered some from a local Japanese stationery shop and they should be getting them soon. That's so odd about the dried ink smearing weeks after it's dry

25

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Zebra G vs Nikko G for beginners

« on: October 29, 2015, 02:02:56 PM »

For a beginner, definitely a Nikko G. If you give a beginner a Leonardt Principal, they'll most likely get nothing but frustration, and the student may give up calligraphy altogether.

I started off with Nikko G, then moved on to Zebra G, Gillott 303, Brause EF66 - now I can't use the Nikko G anymore because it's too stiff.

26

Tools & Supplies / Re: Walnut ink vs Higging Eternal black ink

« on: October 29, 2015, 01:57:48 PM »

With Higgins Eternal, you need to open the bottle and let it "breathe" for a while - keep it loosely covered, but somewhere that's safe from being knocked over - and let it evaporate overnight or even a few days. You'll notice a difference right away.

Higgins is great for practice when you want black (vs. walnut ink brown) and not fuss with the ink.

27

Introductions / Re: Greetings from LA-LA land!

« on: October 25, 2015, 07:52:49 PM »

Jane! Hi! 

28

Tools & Supplies / Re: KAIMEI CARBON BASED BLACK (JAPANESE) INK

« on: October 23, 2015, 03:01:18 PM »

The ink that we no longer stock is not the same as this ink.  Elsa, please let me know what you think of the ink (and anyone else who tries it, please let me know).  If the ink is liked all around, I can order it from Kaimei.  (We have to buy a whole case, so I am hesitant to buy so many before more people endorsed the ink). 
Cheers, michael from John Neal Books

I'll be happy to report back to you on my experience! Thank you for your responsiveness. Ditto what Moya said!

Elsa - how do you like the ink?

29

Tools & Supplies / Re: Walnut Ink- Premade or Crystals?

« on: October 13, 2015, 11:46:06 AM »

Well, Vandyke crystals are by definition derived from walnut husks.  Stefanie has mentioned that some of the crystals from calligraphy suppliers in Europe contain "Bister" (lamp black by the sound of it), but I've heard no mention of peat.  Where did you find that out, Linda?

From the oracle known as Google

I had heard that from a well-respected calligrapher but I had to look it up. It's mentioned on numerous blogs and in many books as the Google search link above will show.

30

Tools & Supplies / Re: Walnut Ink- Premade or Crystals?

« on: October 12, 2015, 12:25:27 PM »

No one has mentioned this yet, but I believe most walnut ink crystals are faux-walnut ink - not made from walnuts but from peat moss. It's less saturated than real walnut inks but should behave the same.