Author Topic: Italian Capital How To!  (Read 8134 times)

Offline Roseann

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Italian Capital How To!
« on: January 03, 2014, 05:16:57 PM »
Hi Erica,
I had a question about the 'Italian Capitals' found in the Ames guide to Self Instruction, page 31.  The shading appears to have been done on the upstroke, which doesn't make sense to me. 
I think they may have written the letter first, then they went back and added the shading, using a down stroke.   What are your thoughts on it?  I'm also wondering if this is common to Italian script?

If anyone else has any thoughts on how the shading was achieved on this particular exemplar, please share. 

Link: Ames Guide to Self Instruction

Thank you so much.

Love,
Roseann
« Last Edit: January 04, 2014, 12:10:26 AM by Erica McPhee »
Roseann

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”   R. L. Stevenson

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: Re: ISSUU and free calligraphy books!
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2014, 10:13:05 PM »
Hi Roseann,
This is a beautiful alphabet isn't it?! Really good question, too! 

As far as I can tell, the letters were broken up into two sections and/or done in the opposite direction we would normally go. I did a quick example with directional arrows.



Look at the A. This is done in two strokes. The first starts with the "crossbar" and a downward stroke, then loops up and around in a counterclockwise fashion. Then does the loop de loops and finishes at the bottom left. The second stroke starts at the bottom right and finishes at the top (where the circle is).

The B starts and ends at the same place but with two separate strokes.

The C is made in one stroke and literally goes in reverse to what you would normally do.

This is a very intricate alphabet that would take lots of practice and lots of large arm movements so as to avoid shakey lines. I traced the letters but you can still see some line shake. These letters take a GREAT deal of control. But with lots of practice, the results would be very rewarding!
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline Linda Y.

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2014, 12:22:21 AM »
So beautiful! It reminds me of Schin's style. Really sophisticated & luscious!

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2014, 12:30:08 AM »
I thought the same thing Linda!  :D
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Erica
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Offline Roseann

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2014, 07:58:03 PM »
Erica!
Thank you so much for detailing those strokes!  It's so helpful.
I'm still having a hard time with the reverse movements.  But it's definitely worth the practice.  They're so beautiful.

Love,
Roseann
Roseann

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”   R. L. Stevenson

Offline schin

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2014, 11:41:17 PM »
erica & linda: I've been blushing for hours :)
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Offline Sherry Lu

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2014, 12:49:15 AM »
Oh wow. Thanks for breaking it down! I love these intricate letters but am always confused as to where they start/end! :)

Offline MICHELA

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2014, 01:41:38 PM »
Ok my heart just raced. Thank you for being so kind and explain step by step!

Offline Ken Fraser

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2014, 06:34:47 PM »
I agree with Erica.

These letters are written backwards i.e. from right to left which reverses the usual positioning of the hairlines and the shaded strokes.

Ken

Offline Roseann

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2014, 08:09:05 PM »
Hi Erica,
Is there any way you can enlarge your example with the directional arrows?  Its very hard for me to see the picture.
Roseann

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”   R. L. Stevenson

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2014, 10:39:16 PM »
Yes, certainly. I will upload a blown up version of each letter tomorrow.  :)
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline Roseann

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2014, 11:59:53 PM »
Thank you Erica!!
Roseann

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”   R. L. Stevenson

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2014, 05:45:28 PM »
Better late than never, I hope.  :)

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Erica
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #13 on: April 02, 2014, 05:46:06 PM »
Capital B:

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Erica
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: Italian Capital How To!
« Reply #14 on: April 02, 2014, 05:46:42 PM »
Capital C:
Warm Regards,
Erica
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