Learning Textura Quadrata

[Estefa]

Hi ultraQuiche, thank you so much for your feedback!

I have reservoirs for the Mitchell's … I somehow just find them a pain to use (which makes me a very lazy person, I guess). On the other hand I like that they flex a bit, so I guess I should give them another try. Because you are right, I also find they lay down a lot of ink when used without a reservoir! Parallel Pens are so convenient, but don't feel very responsive in a way …

Thanks for the compliment … as I said, I was trying around a bit one year ago with Textura before I decided to concentrate on pointed pen. I'll try to post some of these very first pages later .

I have a graphic design background and I read a lot of books in Blackletter when I was a kid, so maybe it helps that I am just familiar with the structure of the letters … but of course I see so much I'd like to improve and I haven't even started to learn any capitals!

I'd be curious to see some of your broad nib calligraphy!

The shading was created very simply by dipping the Parallel Pen that was loaded with a green-grey ink in a jar with yellow or light green ink . I thought it made it a little more interesting to learn all these basic strokes ! I used the writing ink by Rohrer & Klingner.

[ultraQuiche]

I might post some of my work day after tomorrow!

Mitchell's nibs are pretty flexy, I didn't know that until they got to me from JNB (although, to be fair, JNB does warn that they flex more). I think I just thought they were prettier and shinier than their Hiro counterparts.

I'd imagine you have a pretty light hand, but maybe you could try the Brause broad nibs. Their reservoir is (I think) stuck on top of the nib, rather than on the bottom, they are stiff, and are reputed for producing crisp lettering, especially for Gothic styles. I'm going to get some.

[Scarlet Blue]

I can sometimes get away with not using a reservoir if I use gouache instead of ink. This works best with larger nibs. Worth a try! I get fed up with filling the reservoir with a paintbrush.

[Estefa]

I totally forgot this thread ! So Quiche, I have Brause nibs, quite a lot actually (sort of inherited them, so they are old, but some are in good condition); and I find them too stiff. It sort of gives me goosebumps when they scratch over the paper. I know how that sounds . I like the Mitchell's exactly because the are a bit flexible … feel a bit more like a quill.

But at the moment I am more concentrating again on pointed pen …

Scarlet Blue, do you dip in the gouache?! Because with pointed pen I only get gouache to work when I am using a brush (only underneath the nib), so I was wondering if that's different with broad nib!

[Scarlet Blue]

Hello Estefa, I think I have gotten away with dipping the broad pen without a reservoir in gouache... it was a while ago now, and it surprised me that it worked!
I always dip my pointed pen in gouache... I make it up in tiny little plastic pots that are airtight when closed, and the paint can last a while like this. I might make it quite thick? It's of a creamy consistency, I use Schmincke calligraphy gouache... it's very smooth, and I think it's worth the money.

[Scarlet Blue]

P.S Agree with you regarding the Brause and Mitchell broad nibs!

[ultraQuiche]

I totally forgot this thread ! So Quiche, I have Brause nibs, quite a lot actually (sort of inherited them, so they are old, but some are in good condition); and I find them too stiff. It sort of gives me goosebumps when they scratch over the paper. I know how that sounds . I like the Mitchell's exactly because the are a bit flexible … feel a bit more like a quill.

Like scratching a blackboard with your nails... I know how it feels, and I shudder just thinking about it! Ibrecently tried sanding my Mitchells to give a sharper edge, it gives crisper lines! And I agree, the Mitchells feel more responsive.

I have used watercolor with pointed pen, and I find that if the suspension is evenly saturated, then dipping is fine, otherwise I stir it and brush load it. I don't know how that would compare to gouache though.