Author Topic: The practice of retouching and editing lettering  (Read 8044 times)

Offline Roseann

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #15 on: November 03, 2014, 02:12:30 AM »
Wonderful, and helpful thread Ken.

Thank you for sharing.
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 Joel

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #16 on: November 03, 2014, 04:08:15 AM »
Everytime you speak (type) I learn something. Thanks Ken.

I agree with Brad. Thank you very much for sharing.

Offline Ken Fraser

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #17 on: November 03, 2014, 04:19:44 AM »
Work for reproduction is very different than a one off piece. (Which, by the way, I don't enjoy doing at all.) I once did a huge family tree (twice) because I screwed up a name near to the end and I couldn't bear the thought of having a "fix up" on an original. I also didn't enjoy doing seating charts for the same reason.

In the past, I've done quite a number of one-off documents such as family trees and large ceremonial scrolls. I agree that this type of work causes a lot of tension which is counter-productive at the very time when you should be at your most relaxed to produce your best work.

Out of necessity, I've developed a few little techniques which help me....they may help others.

With large bodies of text, I use the computer to speed up and aid the layout. I write a  line of text and scan it in. I then type the same letters below my writing, and with a computer font of similar letter proportions, I adjust the  point size, inter-letter spacing etc., until it matches, more or less. I keep a note of this example for future reference. I then type all of the text and check it very carefully for any errors. When I come to write, I print off this block of text and cut it into line strips as a guide for my writing. I then lay each line in turn in position and copy down the word shapes with confidence. There is little chance of error, as I've already checked the wording for position, spacing and the text content itself.

I always do this work late at night when the phone won't ring and nobody will come to the door - in other words, no interruptions. I switch off the TV and often work in silence but I sometimes find that music has a relaxing effect. However, I avoid songs as the words can be disastrous. For example, If I'm writing the word 'for' and it coincides with the word 'from' in a song, it's very easy for me to write what I hear. I use soothing, instrumental music such as by Delius, Debussy or Ravel.

Coming fresh to a work session, I never start a large paragraph at the top. Using my lettering guide, I start at about 1/3 of the way down - say at line six for example. After a few lines of writing, I then go to the top and write in the first section.
The reason for this is simple. When the work is important, most of us experience some tension when starting to write, and this uncertainty is most obvious at the start of a body of work. By burying this uncertainty in the body of text, it is far less noticeable. I cannot claim credit for this tip, as it's been around for longer than I have.

Having to start over with a large writing project, and losing hours of work because of a relatively small error is depressing out of all proportion! Erica described it, and we've all been there! My routine helps me to mitigate against this unthinkable possibility. Above all, don't try to rush and don't cut corners!

Ken
 



Offline Scarlet Blue

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #18 on: November 03, 2014, 09:05:47 AM »
I wouldn't do a seating chart and definitely never a family tree... I would drive myself insane with the tension... I would mess up the last word.... I know it.... knowing it probably makes me do it  ;)
And I even use 'vague' guidelines for modern calligraphy. I am, perhaps, a little bit over cautious  :)

Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #19 on: November 03, 2014, 09:48:34 AM »
Out of necessity, I've developed a few little techniques which help me....they may help others.

Ken
These tips are solid gold. Thanks very much, Ken.

Mike

Offline Blotbot

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #20 on: November 03, 2014, 10:11:47 AM »
Ken,

How long are  your work sessions?  I ask because I find that after work for about 30-45 minutes, I find myself losing focus a bit a make (more) stupid mistakes.  Do you take breaks to rest the mind a bit?

Offline Roseann

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #21 on: November 03, 2014, 11:17:15 AM »
Thank you Ken.
Your advice is truly invaluable.  I've book marked this topic.
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 thistledesignstudio

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #22 on: November 03, 2014, 03:51:41 PM »
Ken, you are a wealth of information & I feel like I learn so much from your genius insights.  Thank you, as always, for sharing.
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Offline Ken Fraser

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2014, 06:55:40 PM »
Ken,

How long are  your work sessions?  I ask because I find that after work for about 30-45 minutes, I find myself losing focus a bit a make (more) stupid mistakes.  Do you take breaks to rest the mind a bit?

My evening/night sessions are usually from 9pm to about 12.30am. I don't time it exactly but I find that I benefit from a brief break every hour or so - just to stretch my legs and clear my head. I have a light touch, so fortunately I don't suffer from cramp after long periods of writing. If I find myself losing focus - I go to bed!

Ken

Offline Mark T

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #24 on: November 05, 2023, 05:22:13 AM »
I appreciate the thread is old,... however - when it is written that the guidelines are left on a persons script, does that mean that the Copperplate 55 degree lines are also left, or just the ascender and descender lines?,.... and also, the ductus - is this 'dark' lines or feint lines put in using pencil (feint) or via computer (dark) lines.
Thank you in advance.
Laughter is definitely the best medicine, but Wolves destroying WBA runs laughter close, and the Yankees winning the World Series is ................ laughter is the best medicine, remember?

Offline Ken Fraser

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #25 on: November 09, 2023, 08:14:38 AM »
Historically, only the horizontal lines were left, and then only occasionally. I use light pencil for most of my guides and then remove them the following day when the ink has dried, completely. Patience can be a great virtue!

Offline Cyril Jayant

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #26 on: November 19, 2023, 08:17:16 AM »
Thank you ken,
This is a great discussion. and very interesting. Do you ever use Agate vintage liner ?
I know on old writing  archival you see the light embossing like marks used  as the guide lines. Some times  they are visible  kind of permanent embossed slight lines..I guess  those occasional  lines  still look good  in some archival illuminations work .

When you use pencil what grade of pencil and eraser you use? I know some erasers  or mechanical pencils  gives permanent  Marks.
Example if you use fine .05 that can cause   some trouble. Fine art pure white  papers can get led /graphite  in their drawing ?   

It is amazing how you explain when you listen to music while writing and some lyrics  on it might affect  the word that you are putting on paper. I think this work differently on some individuals?
I had seen an interview on a penman ( She was a Norwegian  lady inspires by lot of music  ;D ) attached to IPMETH too. She recommend to listen to lot of music. I do that a lot. I remember One of the penmans  ( to name exactly her as Connie Chen from USA ... she mentioned when you get feel bad and uncomfortable in holding the pen  while your are writing, just stop writing, lie  down on the floor longer minutes take more free breathes etc. Isn't it very similar to your having a brief nap?
Thank you ken for your informative process of your work ethic . This has a good insight to learn many point in a serious penmanship. Thank you for your share. :)

Offline Mark T

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Re: The practice of retouching and editing lettering
« Reply #27 on: November 19, 2023, 08:42:42 AM »
Historically, only the horizontal lines were left, and then only occasionally. I use light pencil for most of my guides and then remove them the following day when the ink has dried, completely. Patience can be a great virtue!
Thank you once again for your ever-appreciated knowledge that you unselfishly pass on.
Laughter is definitely the best medicine, but Wolves destroying WBA runs laughter close, and the Yankees winning the World Series is ................ laughter is the best medicine, remember?